History
For over 150 years the Catholic Community of the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration has been responding to the ever-changing needs of humankind. In La Crosse, Franciscan Skemp Healthcare and Viterbo University stand as witnesses of the FSPA response to needs of this tri-state area.

In the summer of 1980, the FSPA community gathered with a cross-section of leaders from the places of their ministry to discern the needs of the Church and world. Out of this “Mission of the 80's” conference came a call for adult spiritual formation.
In the fall of 1982, FSPA leadership in La Crosse designated the east end of their St. Rose complex as the future home of Franciscan Spirituality Center (FSC).

The Franciscan Spirituality Center opened in 1984 as a space for retreat, workshops and educational programming. In October, 1985 FSC was dedicated and blessed as an interfaith spirituality center, open to people of all religious traditions and walks of life.
Over the years the Franciscan Spirituality Center has provided a number of programs and services to the Coulee Region. Providing a sacred space where persons can be supported in the search for God, meaning, or fullness of life is central to the mission of the FSC.

Endowment
The FSC endowment, The Spirit Fund, is a means to support programs, provide scholarships and assist staff and participants involved in the work of the Franciscan Spirituality Center. The endowment was established in 1998 with a challenge grant. Friends and donors can be confident that their contributions are an investment in the future of the Center.

Why an Endowment?
Since the Franciscan Spirituality Center began in 1985, the FSPA community has generously supported its activities. The Center has thrived and its successful growth poses a challenge. A healthy endowment assures financial stability and the continued assurance that both quality and affordability will not be compromised in the future.
The opportunity for this to exist is here. The Spirit Fund has received a challenge grant. Over the next 10 years, gifts to the endowment up to one million will be matched dollar for dollar. By meeting this challenge, the Spirit Fund will grow a principal of $2,000,000. In June of 2001 the fund had reached $640,000.00 and continues to grow.
If you are interested in creating an endowment or scholarship fund, please call Vince Hatt at (608) 791-5298.