This year, the Roncalli International Foundation celebrates an important milestone: nearly half a century of commitment to human dignity around the world. Discover the history and impact of the Foundation after 45 years of hope and action.

Founded in 1974 by the Sisters of Providence, the Roncalli International Foundation has been working since 1980 to help the most disadvantaged populations, in the spirit of Pope John XXIII and Blessed Émilie Tavernier-Gamelin. Today, the Foundation continues to act as a spark for change by empowering
communities to achieve greater autonomy and improve their living conditions.

OUR MISSION

By manifesting God’s Providence, to support the most disadvantaged populations around the world and, TOGETHER, strengthen the autonomy of communities.

HISTORY

1974 – The Sisters of Providence adopt the principle of creating a foundation to “help the most disadvantaged people around the world” at their General Chapter.

1980 – Official start of the Foundation’s activities.

1985 – Several other religious congregations begin contributing to the Foundation’s endowment fund.

1990 – The Foundation celebrates its 10th anniversary. In its first decade it supported 1,533 projects for a total amount of more than $18.5 million.

2008 –The Congrégation de Notre-Dame becomes a voting member of the corporation.

2010 – In response to the earthquake in Haiti, the Foundation establishes the Haiti Assistance Fund and collaborates with several religious congregations on reconstruction projects. It subsequently creates other emergency funds, notably for Chile and Mali.

2016 – Several international visits are carried out, and the Foundation responds to requests from religious
congregations to support them in carrying out their large-scale projects overseas.

2020 –Adoption of the first strategic plan, which affirms and formalizes the services offered by the Foundation to religious congregations in support of their missions and their members overseas.

2025 – The Foundation celebrates 45 years of hope and action: more than 10,000 projects completed, and new long-term collaborations established with several religious congregations, as well as with the former Baillairgé Foundation.

OUR IMPACT

At the heart of our mission are our small-scale projects of a maximum budget of $35,000. They respond to the needs expressed by vulnerable communities in Africa, Latin America, Asia, and the Caribbean. Our projects act as a spark for development in the following areas of action:

OUR GLOBAL IMPACT
1980 to 2025

OUR IMPACT BY REGION
1980 to 2025

A memorable celebration