In 2014, Sola Caritas Executive Director Tim Rosenberger challenged its board of directors to expand a recently piloted microgrant program for higher education. Demand had far outstripped expectations and available resources, and demand was not just for conventional four year college programs, but also for community college, vocational, and artistic training. 

The board rose to the challenge and raised significant additional funds. To facilitate larger and more transformative grants than the $500 sums in the pilot program, a low-interest loan program was proposed.  

In the beginning, the Fund primarily benefited students with ties to the MCC in the greater Cleveland area. As more resources have become available, we have expanded, first nationwide, then globally, and then to students of all ages. 

The Atlas fund is not a handout. It is an investment in transformative leaders who then repay that investment for the benefit of generations to come. Our program has an exceptional record of repayment. No student has ever defaulted on an Atlas Fund loan.