The Conrad N. Hilton Foundation has announced the launch of the Anna Trust, a Rome-based nonprofit that supports a healthy, dignified aging process for Catholic sisters worldwide.

Established with a $15 million grant from the foundation, the trust will focus on aging sisters living in underserved communities. Research supported by the foundation shows that in the United States, where 80 percent of sisters are older than 70, most congregations are not prepared to care for their aging sisters.

In Asia, Latin America, and Africa, the foundation supported the creation of three research centers and six elder care networks. The trust plans to fund 100 grants that will support 10,000 sisters, educate 5,000 sisters in training modules tailored to elder care, launch a longitudinal study to document the impact of grantmaking, and raise an additional $15 million to support an endowment and operational costs.

“My grandfather, Conrad N. Hilton, had profound respect and admiration for the Catholic sisters, who work tirelessly to transform the lives of children, youth, and families living in disadvantaged conditions,” said Hilton Foundation board chair Linda Hilton. “The Hilton Foundation's Catholic Sisters initiative enthusiastically continues his legacy by supporting strong and sustainable congregations, effective services, and collaboration among Catholic sisters worldwide.”

(Photo credit: Getty Images/JannHuizenga)