Hilton fund honored for support of women religious

WASHINGTON -- The Conrad N. Hilton Fund for Sisters received the 2010 Charles Carroll Award from the Catholic philanthropic community for its support of the worldwide ministries of women religious.

The award is conferred annually by the board of directors of the Washington-based Foundations and Donors Interested in Catholic Activities. Known as FADICA, it is an organization of private foundations and major donors that works to strengthen Catholic philanthropy.

The Hilton fund, honored earlier this year at a dinner during FADICA's annual meeting in Florida, was established in 1986 by the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation as an independent organization run by women religious. Sister Joyce Meyer, a member of Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, has been the fund's executive director for the past 10 years.

Hilton, an international business pioneer who founded Hilton Hotels, left his fortune to the foundation to help the world's most disadvantaged and vulnerable people, and in his last will and testament directed its board to support the work of women religious as he had throughout his life.

Based in Los Angeles, the Conrad N. Hilton Fund has awarded approximately $75 million in grants for educational, health and social service ministries of women religious in 130 countries. The grants have been used to strengthen their ministries in the areas of maternal and child health; literacy and education; HIV/AIDS education; agricultural and solar projects; and aid to refugees, immigrants and orphans.

According to a news release, the Carroll award is named for the only Catholic signer of the Declaration of Independence and is "given to philanthropic organizations with exceptional impact on the vitality of Catholic charitable ministry and work." Carroll, who was from Maryland, was "a lifelong champion of religious freedom and a generous church benefactor," it said.