"Loving trust shaping all our relationships" are words stated in the Mission of the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati. Since grantees apply for funding, there is power differential in the relationship that SC Ministry Foundation hopes is balanced and shaped by this loving trust. As part of our strategic planning process, SC ministry Foundation engaged The Center for Effective Philanthropy in Cambridge, Mass. to survey how we are perceived by our grantees. This is the second time SC Ministry Foundation engaged the services of The Center for Effective Philanthropy (CEP). CEP surveyed our grantees in September and October of 2007 and received 227 completed responses, an 81% response rate. The results were compiled into the Grantee Perception Report or GPR.

SC Ministry Foundation is deeply grateful to all of you for completing the survey and for your very positive feedback. The Foundation rated higher than 90 percent of surveyed foundations in 9 areas, including clarity of communication of goals and strategies and quality of interactions.

SC Ministry Foundation is a public grantmaking organization that promotes the mission and ministry of the Sisters of Charity. Vision and mission can only be achieved through the commitment and effort of its grantees. Ultimately we believe all our efforts are dependent on grace and Divine Providence. In the words of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, the foundress of the Sisters of Charity, "Keep well to the grace of the moment ... do your best and leave the rest to God."

As a result of the survey our Board recently changed the policy for Director's Responsive grants. The Executive Director may approve responsive grants up to $25,000.00. This will simplify our application process but still provide accountability through the identification of measurable outcomes. SC Ministry Foundation has reason to hope that loving trust is shaping our relationship and we will continue "to do our best."

Let us provide you with key findings, analysis and discussion:
SC Ministry Foundation Grantee Perception Report®