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Welcome
The Monsignor Henry V. Petter Fund for Peace and Social Justice of the Catholic Foundation (Petter Fund) awards grants to nonprofit organizations that support social justice activities.
Our Mission
The mission of the Monsignor Henry V. Petter Fund for Peace and Social Justice of the Catholic Foundation (Petter Fund) is to advance the biblical teachings of restorative justice and live out the call of Catholic Social Teaching through support of advocacy, education, and nonprofit organizations that foster an equitable society where all individuals can thrive.
We commit to addressing systemic injustices and promoting sustainable, inclusive solutions that uphold human dignity and respect for all.
Donate
All donations are tax-deductible and made through The Catholic Foundation donor page.
Be sure to select "Designated for" and type in Petter Fund.
What is Social Justice?
Grounded in the principles of human rights and universal equality, social justice affirms that all human life—and indeed all creation—is bound together in the pursuit of the common good. It confronts the barriers and inequities that marginalize individuals and prevent them from fully participating in shared well‑being.
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Social justice seeks to correct systems and patterns that have become distorted or unjust, and it upholds the conviction that every person—regardless of ethnicity, gender, orientation, race, or religion—deserves equal treatment and freedom from prejudice.
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Across many of the world’s religious traditions, the ethical call to “Love God and Neighbor” begins with compassion for those who suffer and generosity toward those in need. Social justice not only encompasses these charitable acts, but also advances the broader ideals of tolerance, freedom, and equality for all people.
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The Petter Fund supports organizations that help our neighbors get back on their feet. Organizations that help people learn skills to keep a stable job or manage their money to purchase a home. Nonprofits that help those once in the justice system find new paths, vastly decreasing recidivism.
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Essentially, we support organizations that teach them to fish, rather than feeding them for a day.
Psalm 82:3-4
Defend the lowly and the fatherless;
Render justice to the afflicted and the destitute.
Rescue the lowly and the poor
from the hand of the wicked deliver them.