For the past 17 years, Mary’s Pence has supported projects with small grants to achieve social change and justice for women on a local level. In 2003, they began a pilot program offering hands on training to a network of small agencies in St. Louis and provided the funding and leadership for creation of a network in Nicaragua. The goal was to create support networks that were self-sustaining within two to three years, and then help install the model in new communities. Mary’s Pence began in 1987 on a “fairness frame work” specifically aimed at funding Catholic women’s ministries. They continue to engage in grassroots fundraising to directly support small projects emerging as women respond to needs in their own communities, and to a lesser extent, promote feminist theological study. They are recognized for awarding grants to projects aimed at empowerment, self-determination, self-governance and economic sustainability for entire communities through the efforts of Catholic women.

Now in an “effectiveness frame work” that does not take into consideration the impact of gender, race and class, Mary's Pence sought other innovative ways to support women-led ministries especially in the areas of technical assistance and spiritual support, and to build capacity in women’s social justice ministries.