Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa

For 175 years, the Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa have lived the calling to preach and teach the Gospel in the southwest corner of Wisconsin. Sinsinawa Mound, the 450-acre grounds maintained by the Dominican Sisters, has provided a place of peace and respite for the sisters and their many ministries since their founding by Venerable Fr. Samuel Mazzuchelli, OP. The sisters have a rich history of service to the community, founding numerous schools and ministries in their immediate area and throughout the world.

However, in the past decades, challenges have arisen for this group of extraordinary women. A diminishing and aging population is leading to a heightened need for assisted living and higher-level care facilities for the sisters. Additionally, the costs of maintaining a retreat center and other facilities have become unsustainable. Another area of importance for the congregation is preserving and restoring the land they steward in this unique geologic region. Committed to the summons of Laudato Si’, the sisters plan to continue to use a large swath of the land for organic farming, gardening and agricultural education. And finally, there is a need for continued support for the formation of the newest members of the congregation. With a large and varied list of needs, the Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa partnered with the Steier Group to answer the question: “what are the most important steps we must take to ensure our mission continues?” Through an expertly run planning study, and with a tailored, personalized recommendation for the Mission Forward Capital Campaign, the Steier Group supported the sisters to exceed their fundraising goal by 132%, and the sisters will have the opportunity to continue the many good works of their vocation.