Alice McCaffrey Scholarship Fund Grant

Alice McCaffrey Scholarship Fund Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Pittsburgh Foundation
Last Updated: February 17, 2026

Summary

The Alice McCaffrey Scholarship Fund, established in 2013 by Saints John and Paul parishioners, honors Father Joseph McCaffrey on his 25th priestly anniversary. Named after his mother, Alice, the fund supports seminarians pursuing pastoral experiences beyond seminary training. Over the past four years, it has awarded $69,000 to nine seminarians, enriching their training by engaging in mission work across Brazil and Mexico. Applicants will be notified of their awards in April to plan their summers accordingly.

Overview

Pittsburgh Foundation The The Pittsburgh Foundation was founded in 1945 by Charles McKinley, a civic leader who envisioned a permanent charitable institution that could pool resources from individuals, families, and organizations to address the evolving needs of the Pittsburgh region. His founding vision emphasized local stewardship, donor intent, and long-term community impact, creating a flexible philanthropic model that could respond to both immediate challenges and future opportunities. Today, the Foundation continues to honor McKinley’s legacy by strengthening communities through grantmaking, civic leadership, and partnerships that promote equity, opportunity, and quality of life across southwestern Pennsylvania. Alice McCaffrey Scholarship Fund The Alice McCaffrey Scholarship Fund of The Pittsburgh Foundation was established on October 4, 2013 by the parishioners of Saints John and Paul as a gift to their pastor, Father Joseph McCaffrey, honoring his 25th anniversary as a priest. His mother, Alice, was born on September 8, 1937 in Avella, PA. She married John J. McCaffrey in 1956 and had three sons, Paul J., Rev. Joseph R., and Peter J. On August 8, 2011, surrounded by her family, Alice passed on to the loving arms of God. She had always been a woman of tremendous character, courage, and faith. It was her faith that inspired her son, Joseph, in his vocation to the priesthood. In the past four years, nine seminarians from five dioceses have received $69,000 that funded their experiences from Ohio to Nebraska. They have worked among the poor with Missionaries in San Paola, Brazil and Guadalajara, Mexico. These experiences have enriched the lives of future priests which will bear much fruit for the people they will serve. Current applicants can expect to be notified of their award status in April so that they may make their summer plans accordingly.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Attend a major Catholic seminary attached to a religious order or diocese in the United States as a graduate student.Pursue a degree or studies in a pastoral experience outside of the required seminary training or as a part of the pastoral year.Be a seminarian pursuing a pastoral experience outside of the required seminary training or as part of their pastoral year. They must also be in good standing with their Bishop.