Incarnate Word Foundation

Incarnate Word Foundation has been a member of the FADICA community since 2014. Founded with the proceeds of the sale of Incarnate Word Hospital of the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word in 1997, the Foundation was founded that same year to continue the Sisters’ mission of caring in St. Louis and the surrounding communities. 

Placed-based funding in the St. Louis community is part of the unique and important philanthropic character of the Foundation, whose mission is to extend the healing ministry of Jesus Christ, the Incarnate Word. The Foundation is a ministry of the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word and is influenced by the congregation’s charism of relationship and solidarity with the marginalized. 

The Foundation is noted in the community and beyond for envisioning and leading innovative investments, such as: Marketplace of Ideas, a small neighborhood funding program; STL Youth Jobs, a summer employment initiative for disenfranchised youth; and Art Place, a new project engaging low income artists in the community and utilizing vacant land and property in the city. 

Bridget McDermott Flood has been executive director of the Foundation since its founding, and credits the organization’s Catholic identity as a major reason for their success and trust within the community.  

“One of the beautiful things about the Incarnate Word Foundation is that we are not worried about being featured at a press conference or promoting our brand,” Bridget says. “The community knows that as a Catholic foundation, we are dedicated to doing good; so people trust us.”