Who We Are

Our name, Portiuncula, is derived from the Italian word Porziuncula, the name of the tiny church dear to St. Francis and the early friars. (Pronounced port-zee-oonk-ooo-lah with accent on the third syllable.) This word means “Little Portion.” Thus, the Portiuncula Foundation represents the “Little Portion” that God has given to the Sisters of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities to help further the work of God
in our ministries and in collaboration with others.

Founded in 2003, the Portiuncula Foundation supports efforts to advance health and well-being in communities where the Sisters of St. Francis live and work. The foundation manages the restricted gifts and charitable funds formerly held at the Pittsburgh-based St. Francis Health Foundation, St. Francis Hospital of New Castle, and St. Francis Medical Center in a manner in keeping with the original intent of the donors.

Portiuncula Foundation Board of Directors (PDF format)

2010 Annual Report (PDF format)

2011 Annual Report (PDF format)

The Portiuncula Foundation also administers the memorial nursing scholarships originally established at the former St. Francis Medical Center School of Nursing.  Three scholarships are available:

The Teresa Lynn (Terri) Deithorn Memorial Scholarship
The Major Helen C. Humenansky Nursing Scholarship Fund
The Frances and Forrest Ellsworth Scholarship Fund.