Mary's Pence

Founded in 1987, Mary’s Pence invests in women throughout North and Central America by funding women-led community initiatives working for social and economic change. Rooted in Catholic Social Teaching, our values of dignity, justice, and solidarity guide our work of creating a world where women and their communities flourish.

We accomplish our work through two programs. The first is Mary’s Pence Grants, which funds women-led grassroots organizations in the U.S. that work to challenge unjust systems that affect the lives and communities of women. The second is our ESPERA program. Started in 2009, ESPERA invests in women in Central America and Mexico, by providing accompaniment in business skills and entrepreneurship, strengthening leadership, family farming and emotional wellness.