Thomas and Allison Franco have made a founding gift of $1,000,000. We invite you to join them.
Introduction
In an era of deep polarization and widespread distrust of institutions, Commonweal’s independent voice is more urgently needed than ever. The Commonweal Fund for Moral & Civic Renewal is a permanent endowment designed to ensure that voice endures—free, fearless, and faithful—for generations to come.
The challenges facing American civic and religious life are real and pressing. Public discourse has narrowed. Institutional trust has eroded. The spaces where people can engage one another honestly and charitably are increasingly rare. Forming the next generation of writers, thinkers, and leaders capable of meeting that moment is among the most important work any institution can undertake. The Fund is Commonweal’s answer to a world in which polarization, misinformation, and institutional distrust have become the defining conditions of public life.
About the Fund
Download the full fund prospectus to learn about the five pillars of the Commonweal Fund and the Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C. Initiative.
The Commonweal Fund for Moral & Civic Renewal — Fund Prospectus (PDF)
This two-page prospectus introduces the Fund, describes its five areas of support, and explains the Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C. Initiative—the flagship campus formation program named in Fr. Jenkins’s honor.
Download Prospectus (PDF)
Learn More
ASSOCIATES NEWSLETTER
A Call to Something Higher: Five Questions with Fr. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C.
Fr. Jenkins, the recipient of the 2026 Commonweal Centennial Award, speaks with Commonweal about AI and moral vision, the corrosive state of political discourse, Pope Leo’s papacy, and what it means to resist the vilification of those who disagree with us.
How to Make a Gift
There are many ways to support The Commonweal Fund for Moral & Civic Renewal. We welcome gifts through a variety of methods and are grateful for your generosity in whatever form it takes.
Give Online
Make a gift to the Fund by credit card or electronic check.
Qualified Charitable Distribution from Your IRA
If you are 70½ or older, you may make a qualified charitable distribution directly from your IRA to Commonweal. A QCD allows you to:
• Support the Fund directly from your retirement account
• Count the gift toward your required minimum distribution
• Exclude the distributed amount from your federal taxable income
Your IRA custodian can provide the necessary forms and instructions.
Donor-Advised Fund
You may recommend a grant to Commonweal from your donor-advised fund, or name Commonweal as a beneficiary of your fund. Donor-advised fund gifts are fully counted toward campaign and giving totals. Please note that DAF regulations do not permit certain donor benefits in connection with these gifts.
Retirement Assets
You may donate part or all of a retirement asset, including:
• An IRA
• A 401(k) or 403(b)
• A pension or other tax-deferred retirement plan
Name Commonweal as a beneficiary by completing a designation form with your plan administrator.
Gifts of Stock or Securities
Donating appreciated stock or securities can be a tax-efficient way to support the Fund. You may be able to avoid capital gains taxes while receiving a charitable deduction for the full fair market value of the gift.
Contact Steve Eberle for current transfer instructions.
Gift by Check
Checks may be made payable to Commonweal Foundation. Please note “Jenkins Initiative” or “Commonweal Fund” in the memo line.
Commonweal
PO Box 348
Congers, NY 10920
Planned Gift or Bequest
A bequest or planned gift to Commonweal is one of the most meaningful ways to ensure the Fund’s permanence for future generations.
Contact Steve Eberle to discuss planned giving options.
About Commonweal
Commonweal is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization incorporated as the Commonweal Foundation, the organization that publishes Commonweal Magazine.
Federal Tax Identification Number: 13-3174407 | All gifts are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law.
Questions? Contact Steve Eberle, Director of Advancement, at [email protected] or 215-688-5154.
“For more than a century, Commonweal has served all people of goodwill. The Fund secures that mission for the century ahead.”
Thomas Franco, Founding Donor