Role of Lubov SSMI Foundation in the funding ecosystem
Lubov SSMI Foundation Inc. is a Catholic charitable foundation based in Winnipeg, established in 2012 by the Sisters Servants of Mary Immaculate (SSMI). Its role is to enhance and sustain the Sisters’ ministries by raising and stewarding financial resources from individual donors, alumni, parishes and community partners. Rather than operating programs directly, the foundation channels gifts to key SSMI works such as Holy Family Home, Immaculate Heart of Mary School (IHMS) and Home of Hope in Ukraine.
Through dedicated campaigns and ongoing fundraising, Lubov supports a wide range of needs including seniors’ care, children’s education, pastoral outreach and social services in both Canada and Ukraine. Designated donations can be directed to specific ministries or houses, while undesignated gifts are applied to the greatest needs identified by the Sisters and the foundation’s leadership.
Funding themes and target beneficiaries
- Seniors and long-term care – Support for Holy Family Home in Winnipeg, including programs, spaces, equipment and quality-of-life initiatives for residents.
- Education and bursaries – Support for Immaculate Heart of Mary School, including the IHMS Bursary Program to help families with tuition and school expenses, as well as technology upgrades, classroom furniture and learning resources.
- Vulnerable girls and young women in Ukraine – Funding for Home of Hope in Lviv and Chernivtsi, providing a safe environment, education and care for girls affected by war, poverty or family breakdown.
- SSMI ministries across Canada – General support for the Sisters’ houses and ministries, with donations distributed to locations chosen by donors or allocated where the need is greatest.
Ways donors can contribute
The foundation offers multiple giving options that effectively create flexible funding streams for its beneficiary ministries. Donors can make one-time or monthly gifts, contribute in memory or in honour of loved ones, and support specific campaigns such as the Festival of Lights, school technology upgrades or bursary challenges. Lubov also facilitates legacy gifts, including bequests and gifts of securities, and provides personal support through its staff to discuss planned giving structures.
Governance and stewardship
Lubov SSMI Foundation Inc. is overseen by a board of directors that includes community members, Sisters Servants of Mary Immaculate and representatives of major beneficiary institutions such as Holy Family Home and IHMS. A small professional staff, led by the CEO, manages fundraising, gift processing, administration and finance. The foundation publishes annual reports and newsletters that share impact stories and financial results, demonstrating how donations are used to benefit children, families and seniors in Canada and Ukraine.
Supported audiences and overall impact
By connecting donors with the ministries of the Sisters Servants of Mary Immaculate, Lubov plays a pivotal role in maintaining culturally rooted, faith-based services for the Ukrainian Catholic community and the wider public. Its funding helps preserve Ukrainian Catholic education, strengthen long-term care for elders, and provide safety and hope for vulnerable girls and young women amid the ongoing war in Ukraine. Through ongoing fundraising and prudent investment stewardship, the foundation works to ensure these ministries remain viable for future generations.