Giving: The Society of St. Vincent de Paul in Phoenix Named 2026 Building Community Award Winner

We’re excited to announce that The Society of St. Vincent de Paul in Phoenix (SVdP) is the recipient of the 2026 Gerry Rauenhorst Building Community Award!

SVdP has been serving individuals and families experiencing poverty and homelessness throughout central and northern Arizona since 1946.

Honoring Our Founder with the Building Community Award

To honor our founder's legacy of giving, we launched the Gerry Rauenhorst Building Community Award in 2015 along with the Opus Foundation.

Fueled by unwavering optimism, Gerry demonstrated an entrepreneurial spirit, creativity and a commitment to finding a better way to build a business, community and value-centered life. With an enduring belief that business has a responsibility to strengthen society, Gerry ensured giving back was a cornerstone of our organization.

Annually, the Opus Foundation awards a grant to an impactful nonprofit totaling $1,000 for each year since Gerry founded the business that has grown into Opus we know today.

Earlier this year, our Phoenix office was randomly selected to choose this year’s nonprofit recipient.

A Holistic Approach to Rebuilding Lives

SVdP has been a cornerstone of support for Arizonans experiencing poverty and homelessness for 80 years. What began as a singular mission to feed the hungry has grown to include crucial services to feed, house, clothe and heal thousands while providing resources to help them achieve lasting stability. In 2020, with funding from the Opus Foundation, SVdP launched a workforce development program, expanding its services to help adults experiencing homelessness secure sustainable employment.

Congratulations to The Society of St. Vincent de Paul in Phoenix!