The soul of the matter: The impact of government funding on the Catholic identity and mission of Holy Family Institute, 1900--2002 (Pennsylvania)

This dissertation is a historical case study of Holy Family Institute, a Catholic social service organization based in the Pittsburgh area. Holy Family Institute, established by the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth, has been a children's home for more than a century. This study uses the institutional model of organizational theory and the concept of isomorphism to analyze the impact of government funding on the Catholic identity and mission of the institute. The study traces the organization's funding sources, focusing on government monies. A review of 20th-century government funding of the nonprofit sector in general and a summary of legal decisions involving public support of religious hospitals and schools place government support of Holy Family Institute in context. Dissertation research involved a review of historical documents, interviews of institute alumni, and a survey of board members and administrators. Data were analyzed on the basis of four specific faith-based typologies, to judge if the organization's Catholic identity and mission had been compromised. Findings reveal that, on the basis of isomorphism, government funding has indeed influenced Holy Family Institute. The study asserts, however, that the faith-based typologies do not accurately reflect the institute's culture, because they do not include elements essential to a Catholic organization. To complement existing typologies, this dissertation presents the Catholic Typology for Social Service Organizations. This study maintains that—although Holy Family Institute has adopted many professional structures, processes, and therapeutic modalities—it has maintained its religious identity and mission when assessed according to a Catholic typology. Findings from this study suggest caution in using generic typologies to define the religious culture of any organization. This study points out that government funding of religiously affiliated organizations is not new, and it is not necessarily antithetical to religious identity and mission. The study concludes that the government can contract with a religious organization without establishing religion and that a religious organization can accept government funding without compromising its legitimate religious expression and that of the people it serves.