The 1849 Society

The Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi was founded in 1849 and is the oldest Franciscan women’s foundation in the U.S. Our founders had the vision, faith, and courage to establish ground-breaking corporate ministries that have transformed the lives of thousands of children, adults, and communities.

Like our founders, many of our donors have left transformative gifts that have had a profound impact on our Congregation, such as our new convent completed in 2019 and our newest campaign – Sharing Our Blessings – to raise $25 million for the care of our Sisters’ health and retirement needs.

The 1849 Society recognizes and honors those individuals, foundations, and businesses who have demonstrated leadership in giving and made a significant impact with their gifts of $25,000 or more. If you wish to make a gift, you can click here , download and mail in our donation form, email Nicole Duncan, or call 414-294-7329.

The 1849 Society Benefits

• Invitations to private meetings at the Convent with our Leadership Team to learn more about our congregation and future plans
• Invitation to a special donor celebration with our Sisters in Fall 2026 (date TBD). The celebration will include a presentation by our Leadership Team, complimentary refreshments, and self-guided tours of our grounds. 
• Invitations to special events and celebrations throughout the year at St. Francis Convent
• Subscription to our bi-annual Troubadour magazine with updates about the Sisters and their ministries.
• Opportunity to receive special greeting cards throughout the year, such as for Easter and Christmas, and prayer and enrollment cards
• Recognition as a member of the 1849 Society in our donor rolls