HISTORY
For more than 30 years, Vincent L. Hawkinson was the pastor of Grace University Lutheran Church in Minneapolis. Rev. Hawkinson believed it was the duty of religious leaders to stand up and speak out against injustices and violence in the world. Upon his retirement in 1988, members of his congregation founded the Vincent L. Hawkinson Foundation to perpetuate the spirit of this tireless advocate for justice.
The Foundation’s primary activities were to present honorary awards to community leaders and scholarships to students to promote peace and justice. Beginning in 1988, the Foundation recognized the achievements of 47 community leaders and awarded more than $300,000 in scholarships to 138 students in recognition of their deep commitments to peace and justice.
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
In 2017, the Vincent L. Hawkinson Foundation discontinued operations and donated its assets to Grace University Lutheran Church with the understanding that Grace Church would continue the Foundation’s mission to inspire bold action for justice in honor of Vince Hawkinson. The primary reason for this change was to ensure that even more donations go directly to the mission.
Going forward, the Foundation will now be called the Hawkinson Fund for Peace and Justice and will be a volunteer-run organization within Grace Church. We will be returning to the practice of awarding scholarships in late 2018 and then consider expanding activities in 2019 with scholarships and honorary awards.
OUR NEW PURPOSE STATEMENT
The purpose of the Hawkinson Fund for Peace and Justice is to perpetuate the spirit of Vincent L. Hawkinson by
- providing grants and scholarships to persons or groups committed to peace and justice,
- making nonmonetary awards to individuals or groups committed to peace and justice,
- engaging in other projects that inspire bold action for justice, and
- publicizing these projects and the stories of those receiving grants, scholarship and awards and thereby inspiring others to pursue peace and justice.
USE OF FUNDS
The Hawkinson Fund has a goal to use all donations to directly fund our programs or increase our current endowment (when designated by a donor) as we are now a 100% volunteer-run organization. We hope to limit annual spending on our programs to the funds raised in the previous fund-raising year, which runs from October 1st to September 30th. This means that all funds raised by September 30, 2018 would be used for scholarships and other programs taking place in 2019. We hope this information gives you comfort to continue supporting the Hawkinson Fund’s mission for another 30+ years!
DISCLOSURE
As the Hawkinson Fund is now part of Grace Church, we feel obliged to clarify that we will continue the former practice of granting awards and scholarships to those who pursue bold action for justice regardless of their religious beliefs. Future honorary awards and scholarships will NOT have a religious requirement.
We take inspiration from the Rev. Vincent Hawkinson’s commitment to stand up and speak against oppression and injustices in all forms.
OUR FUNDING
We don’t have an endowment. Almost all of our funding comes from individuals like you. Will you join us in supporting the next generation of peace and justice leaders? Donate today.