2026 Immaculate Heart Community Spirit Recognition Award
Immaculate Heart Community (IHC) is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2026 Spirit Recognition Awards, supporting nonprofit organizations whose work reflects IHC’s commitment to justice, human dignity, care for our common home, and meaningful action on behalf of communities experiencing marginalization.
For more than 50 years, IHC has supported social justice through education, advocacy, philanthropy, partnerships, and public programs. Through the Spirit Recognition Award program, the IHC Commissions provide grants to nonprofit organizations whose work aligns with the umbrellas of social justice embraced by the Commissions ( justice for women; for people who are unhoused; for people who are immigrants, refugees indigenous; for the environment; and for anti-racism as spiritual transformation)
We are grateful for the many organizations that applied this year and are honored to recognize the 2026 recipients, whose innovative approaches are helping to address longstanding challenges, strengthen existing practices, and create meaningful change in their communities:
Barbareño/Ventureño Band of Mission Indians
A contemporary, self-governing community of Chumash people whose ancestral homelands span Ventura and Santa Barbara counties.
The Spirit Recognition Award will support post-secondary education scholarships for the youth.
California Poor People’s Campaign
A statewide movement organizing with poor and low-income communities to build power and advance economic and racial justice.
The Spirit Recognition Award will support voter outreach, education, and mobilization efforts in California.
Dolores Mission School
A TK–8 school serving low-income families in Los Angeles, committed to helping students thrive through education.
The Spirit Recognition Award will support tuition assistance for low-income students.
St. Francis Center LA
For 50 years, St. Francis Center LA has provided food and support to people experiencing homelessness and extremely low income in Los Angeles.
The Spirit Recognition Award will support services for low-income community members.
Border Compassion
A grassroots nonprofit offering a compassionate humanitarian response to families seeking safety at the Mexicali border.
The Spirit Recognition Award will support services for migrants at the border.
BuildAbility
BuildAbility empowers adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities to live full, self-directed lives without limitations.
The Spirit Recognition Award will support its work serving adults in the San Fernando Valley.
Friends of Fieldworkers
A Ventura County nonprofit committed to supporting and uplifting farmworker communities through relationship-driven programs and essential resources.
The Spirit Recognition Award will support programs serving farmworker families.
OTHER GRANTS
Clergy Laity United for Economic Justice
Educates and mobilizes faith-based advocates to support immigrants, low-income and communities of color.
IHC contributed to the Immigration Bond Fund which provides financial support to detained individuals in detention centers.
Community Collaboration Los Angeles
Focuses on community building with particular commitment to working with front line workers.
IHC’s donation will benefit programs which support mental health and well being of front line workers.
Supports Othakarhaka, a women-led nonprofit that promotes gender equality and education of women in Malawi.
IHC funded a project which will foster improved housing and infrastructure support for Malawi villages.
California Interfaith Power & Light
Interfaith religious network working on environmental stewardship.
IHC funded the urban tree management plan of the City of Guadalupe, California.
Looking ahead:
Applications for the 2027 Spirit Recognition Awards will open in March 2027.
Stay tuned for more information and application details.