(September 27, 2011, St. Paul, Minn.) – Susan Morrison will be honored with the Catholic Community Foundation’s 2011 Legacy of Faith Award, which is presented annually to an individual or family in recognition of their leadership and philanthropy in support of the spiritual, educational and social needs of the Catholic community. She will receive the award at the Sixth Annual Legacy of Faith banquet on Wednesday, October 26, 2011 at The Minneapolis Club. Event details and reservations are available at www.ccf-mn.org/Upcoming_Events.html.

A nurse by training, Susan brings compassion and empathy to what has become a 50-year career as a community volunteer and philanthropist. She has combined generous giving with an even more generous commitment of her time and talent, serving as a strong advocate for small, often unheralded organizations serving those most in need. 

Susan has served on the Catholic Community Foundation’s Board of Directors since 2002, and as chair of the Foundation’s Grants Committee since December 2006. The Grants Committee oversees the Foundation’s Community Priorities Fund, which provides small grants to local organizations serving at-risk children, young mothers, and elderly living independently. Since its inception in 2000, the Community Priorities Fund has made 355 grants totaling $872,112. “What I love is that you see what people are doing in small ways,” Susan said.  “It’s so hopeful to see how people are reaching out, trying to help.”

As a mother of four and grandmother to 14, Susan’s giving priorities include health and poverty issues, particularly where it affects children.  When possible, she likes to incorporate her nurse’s training in hands-on activities such as serving as a volunteer counselor for teens and providing medical services to the poor as a member of the Knights of Malta.

Susan’s strong belief in Catholic education also has led to leading roles in campaigns for St. Catherine University, the University of St. Thomas and Cretin-Derham Hall. As the oldest of five children, Susan received scholarships to attend Derham Hall High School and the College of St. Catherine. She remains grateful for her education, saying, “It was wonderful. I so appreciate the opportunity the Sisters of St. Joseph gave me.” Today she serves as a trustee at St. Catherine University and serves with her husband, John, on Cretin-Derham Hall’s President’s Advisory Committee.

Marilou Eldred, Ph.D., president of the Catholic Community Foundation, values the experience and work ethic Susan brings to the Foundation’s Board of Directors and Grants Committee. “She often comes up with creative ideas for how we can be more helpful to the organizations we serve,” Marilou said.  “She is wonderful to work with; if Susan signs up for something, I know I can count on her.”

When reflecting on her life’s work, Susan believes she is the one who has benefitted most. “All of these experiences have enriched my life tremendously,” she said. “John and I just try to plant seeds of hope and keep plugging away.”

ABOUT THE CATHOLIC COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

Based in St. Paul, the Catholic Community Foundation is the nation’s largest community foundation serving Catholic philanthropy. Its mission is to support financially the spiritual, social and educational needs of the Catholic community, with a focus on the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis. The Foundation works with Catholic individuals, families, parishes, schools and institutions to establish and manage charitable funds that sustain Catholic values. Since its founding in 1992, the Catholic Community Foundation has granted nearly $90 million to Catholic and secular nonprofits locally and around the United States. More information online at www.ccf-mn.org.