The Franciscan Sisters of the Poor is a nonprofit foundation that distributes grants and services to help disenfranchised individuals throughout the world. The foundation aids homeless, impoverished, children and families through the support and sponsorship of numerous programs and services throughout the United States and abroad in Brazil, Senegal, Italy and Croatia. It provides alcoholism counseling, shelter, free meals, life skills, teaching and reading skills, HIV/AIDS education programs, day care centers, parenting skills and job training skills. The Franciscan Sisters of the Poor Foundation was originally created in 1984 to raise significant financial support for the Mission programs of the Franciscan Health Partnership, a $1.1 billion health care system operating in six states and the Franciscan Sisters of the Poor Congregation Mission programs in the United States, Senegal, Brazil, and Italy. The foundation is headquartered in New York and accepts donations to help further its cause.