OSV Institute for Catholic Innovation Announces Winners of the 2021 OSV Challenge
Catholic In Recovery, FemCatholic, and Red Bird Ministries each awarded $100,000 investment prize
at virtual OSV Challenge Showcase
Huntington, IN, September 20, 2021 – OSV Institute for Catholic Innovation awarded three $100,000 prizes to Catholic In Recovery, FemCatholic, and Red Bird Ministries on September 18 at the OSV Challenge Showcase, the culmination of an 8-month contest designed to incubate project ideas that will make a profound impact on the Church and the world. The OSV Challenge Showcase was hosted virtually and attended by fellow entrepreneurs, investors, mentors, Catholic thought leaders, and many supportive family members and friends. A total of 12 finalists presented their pitches to a panel of five expert judges followed by the long-awaited announcement of the three winning organizations.
Beginning this past February, nearly 600 Catholic entrepreneurs submitted applications for their “napkin idea” to be considered for the OSV Challenge, now in its second year. More than just a contest, the OSV Challenge was an incubator experience for participants who aimed to think beyond the status quo and to view the Catholic Church through the lenses of innovation and creativity. The competition narrowed down to 12 finalists at the end of August, and Catholic In Recovery, FemCatholic, and Red Bird Ministries were selected to receive funding to advance their missions and build the Church.
“I am proud, inspired, and hopeful,” said Jason Shanks, President of OSV Institute, at the conclusion of the OSV Challenge Showcase. “I am proud of these three winners who, for almost a year, have worked extremely hard over multiple stages to get to this point. I am most hopeful for the future of the Church and am already looking forward to the next round of innovative ideas in the 2022 OSV Challenge!”
The first winner announced was Catholic In Recovery, a nonprofit organization that offers hope and healing to those recovering from addictions, compulsions, and unhealthy attachments, blending the wisdom of 12-step recovery with the sacramental life of the Catholic Church. Catholic In Recovery began with the passion of Founder Scott Weeman who found healing and new life himself through the sacramental love and mercy provided by the Church along with 12-step recovery.
“I am honored and full of gratitude for Catholic In Recovery to have been chosen as a winner of the 2021 OSV Challenge. The formation, fellowship of leaders, and affirmation that we received from the Accelerator, along with the $100K prize, will help us expand our network of addiction recovery meetings and develop an app/digital platform with comprehensive recovery resources rooted in the sacraments,” said Weeman. “This is truly a gift!”
Watch Catholic In Recovery’s Finalist pitch, and learn more at https://catholicinrecovery.com/.
FemCatholic, a platform that combines feminism and Catholicism, was the second winner announced. Founded under the patronage of St. Edith Stein and the belief that women are not only the greatest untapped resource in the Church but also the world, FemCatholic strives to promote women through education, encouragement, and empowerment.
“We are honored to be named a winner of the 2021 OSV Challenge. It speaks to the fact that there is a need to better engage women in the life of the Church and support Catholic women with integrating their faith in the modern world,” said Founder and Editor in Chief Samantha Povlock. “Women have been essential to the life and leadership of the Church, starting with Mary herself, and we are looking forward to using this grant to re-engage and highlight Catholic women.”
Watch FemCatholic’s Finalist pitch, and find them online at https://www.femcatholic.com/.
The third and final award went to Red Bird Ministries, an organization that guides individuals and couples through the complexity and trauma that happens with the loss of a child from pregnancy through adulthood. Red Bird Ministries was formed when Founders Ryan and Kelly Breaux felt called to help others navigate the pain and unexpected challenges that result from the loss of a child after finding a lack of uniquely Catholic bereavement support during their own personal journey of suffering.
“This generous gift is going to provide a significant impact on our trajectory, as we pioneer a comprehensive and multi-faceted Catholic grief support program specific to child loss. Through our participation in the Accelerator, we were able to develop key essential business goals that will ensure financial stability and sustainability for Red Bird Ministries. We pray that God will use our programs and services to bless the Church,” said Breaux.
Watch Red Bird Ministries’ Finalist pitch, and visit them at https://www.redbird.love/.
“The OSV Challenge experience and prize money can truly transform game-changing new ideas and launch existing projects to new heights,” asserted Matt Smith, Director of Strategic Alliances for the OSV Institute for Catholic Innovation. “It’s been a joy to work with and witness the journey for all of this year’s innovators who said ‘yes’ to God’s call to create a better world.”
Not only did OSV Institute pledge the initial three $100,000 prizes, they also sponsored a 6-week Accelerator program in cooperation with the University of St. Thomas in Houston (UST) for the 24 semifinalists, which provided a custom curriculum of business courses, spiritual formation, one-on-one mentorship, and pitch consultations. Additional funding was also granted this year to contestants as they advanced through the varying stages of the Challenge. The three grand prizes awarded to this year’s winners serve as direct capital to support project completion. Catholic In Recovery, FemCatholic, and Red Bird Ministries will continue to receive coaching throughout the coming year to ensure their projects sustain meaningful impact for years to come.
To request an interview with Jason Shanks or Matt Smith and any of the three winning teams, contact Carrie Kline at carriek@revolutionizingmissions.com.
For more information and a complete press kit, visit https://www.osvchallenge.com/press.
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In 1915, Fr. John Francis Noll began OSV Institute to extend the reach of Our Sunday Visitor in service and support of Catholic organizations. Over $80 million has been granted to Catholic organizations to date. In 2021, the name evolved to OSV Institute for Catholic Innovation to better identify with a strategy evolution focusing on innovation. OSV Institute for Catholic Innovation continues to serve the Church by inspiring and encouraging innovative and effective Church-related programs and activities that forge new paths for people to encounter the truth and beauty of the Catholic Church. Learn more at osvinstitute.com.
