The Honora M. Cullinan Foundation concentrates its giving on Franciscan-affiliated charitable work that provides basic needs, health, education and poverty relief both locally in Chicago and to vulnerable communities abroad. Most grants support religiously affiliated organizations and programs that serve the indigent, pay essential utility or operational costs for small institutions, and fund Franciscan mission activity in developing countries and conflict-affected areas such as Gaza. The foundation typically makes multiple grants to the same organizations, indicating sustained relationships with a small group of faith-based grantees.
A defining feature of the Honora M Cullinan Foundation is its sustained support for Franciscan-linked work that meets basic needs, especially in Chicago and in overseas mission settings. Across the recent grants list, the foundation repeatedly backs the same small set of grantees, suggesting long-running relationships rather than broad, one-time dispersion of funds. One recurring anchor is Franciscan Outreach Association in Chicago, which receives support for work with the indigent in the Chicago area. Another is General Minister of the Franciscan Order in St. Louis, funded for assistance in developing countries. The foundation also supports projects tied to children in Gaza, medical work in Papua New Guinea, orphan care in Madagascar, and relief for poor households through food, rent, and utility support. These grants show a pattern of direct service funding routed through religiously affiliated institutions, with attention to poverty relief, humanitarian response, education, and mission activity. The foundation also makes grants to small community institutions serving vulnerable people, including housing, shelter, and school support.
The Honora M Cullinan Foundation gives across a cluster of practical need areas tied to Franciscan and Catholic organizations. For humanitarian relief for children, it awarded $60,000 to Fransciscans for the World for education, health, and basic needs for children of Gaza, and another $50,000 for medical work in Papua, New Guinea and helping orphans in Mangoraka, Madagascar. In local poverty relief, it granted $60,000 to Franciscan Outreach Association for the indigent in the Chicago area. For housing stability and daily essentials, it supported St Anthony of Padua Parish with $30,000 for food, rent, and utility assistance in St. Louis, Missouri. The foundation also funds education and youth services, including $20,000 to Sister Thea Bhowman Catholic School for school support and $20,000 to Griffin Center for after-school programs for needy children in East St. Louis.
Typical grants cluster in the mid-five-figure range, with a p25 of $15,000, a median of $20,000, and a p75 of $41,000. The recent record shows repeated awards to the same organizations across multiple years, including several grants to Franciscan Outreach Association, General Minister of the Franciscan Order, Franciscan Connection, and St Anthony of Padua Parish. That pattern points to ongoing relationships rather than isolated project grants. The foundation is a private foundation and also funds individuals, but the recent grants shown here are all to organizations. No application process is shown in the provided data.
$367K
$2.3M
$248K
$442K
Most grants fall between $15K and $41K, with a median of $20K.
25th Percentile
$15K
Median
$20K
75th Percentile
$41K
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Concentrated giving to a small number of repeat, faith-based grantees — several multi-grant commitments and relatively large awards to the same organizations rather than many one-off small grants.
Notable grantees: Franciscan Outreach Association, General Minister of the Franciscan Order, Franciscan Connection, Franciscans for the World
Grant dollars are concentrated in the United States, with all recent grants shown going to US recipients. Illinois appears most often, and Chicago is a central recipient city, alongside East St. Louis, Oneida, and Waterford. St. Louis, Missouri is another frequent destination, especially for Franciscan organizations and parish support. The recent list also includes Maryland Heights, Missouri, and Baltimore, Maryland. The foundation’s giving is regional in scope, with 40% of grants going to recipients in its headquarters state of Illinois.
The foundation gives mostly to Franciscan-affiliated and Catholic organizations serving basic needs, poverty relief, education, housing, and humanitarian aid. Recent grants include support for the indigent in Chicago, assistance in developing countries, school funding, homeless shelter support, and relief for children in Gaza.
Typical grants are in the low tens of thousands: p25 is $15,000, median grant size is $20,000, and p75 is $41,000. Recent awards also include larger grants of $50,000 and $60,000 to recurring grantees.
Yes. The recent grants list shows repeated awards across multiple years to organizations such as Franciscan Outreach Association, General Minister of the Franciscan Order, Franciscan Connection, St Anthony of Padua Parish, and Children's Center of the Cumberlands. That points to sustained relationships.
Illinois is the top state by grant count, with 40% of grants going to recipients in Illinois. Chicago is especially prominent, and other Illinois recipients include East St. Louis and Waterford.
Recent grants support food, rent, utility assistance, homeless shelter services, school support, after-school programs, housing, medical work, and orphan care. Examples include grants for food, rent and utility assistance in St. Louis, a low-income housing program in East St. Louis, and shelter support for families with minors in Maryland Heights.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FRANCISCAN CONNECTION | ST LOUIS, MO | $60,000 | 2026 | UNITILITY BILLSFOR POOR INST. LOUIS |
| FRANCISCAN OUTREACH ASSOCIATION | CHICAGO, IL | $60,000 | 2026 | FOR THE INDIGENTIN CHICAGOAREA |
| GENERAL MINISTER OF THE FRANCISCAN ORDER | ST LOUIS, MO | $52,000 | 2026 | ASSIST IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES |
| ST ANTHONY OF PADUA PARISH | ST LOUIS, MO | $35,000 | 2026 | FOOD, RENT ANDUTILITY INST LOUIS MO |
| LOAVES AND FISHES | MARYLAND HEIGHTS, MO | $35,000 | 2026 | HOMELESS SHELTERSUPPORTS FAMILIESWITH MINORS |
| THOMAS TERRY COMMUNITY CENTER | EAST ST LOUIS, IL | $30,000 | 2026 | LOW INCOME HOUSING PROGRAM |
| CHILDREN'S CENTER OF THE CUMBERLANDS | ONEIDA, TN | $25,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT FOR NEEDY IN TN |
| SISTER THEA BHOWMAN CATHOLIC SCHOOL | EAST LOUIS, IL | $25,000 | 2026 | FUNDS FOR SCHOOL |
| LITTLE FLOWER OF JESUS CATHOLIC CHURCH | MONROE, LA | $20,000 | 2026 | PROVIDE FOOD FOR UNDERPRIVILEGEDIN LOUISIANA |
| ST MARY'S HOME LITTLE SISTERS OF THE POOR | CHICAGO, IL | $10,000 | 2026 | MEDICAL SUPPLIES,UTILITIES AND MAINTENANCEFOR ELDERLY POOR IN CHICAGO |
| PETER & PAUL COMMUNITY SERVICES | ST LOUIS, MO | $10,000 | 2026 | FUNDS FOR HOMELESS |
| MORNINGSTART MISSION MINISTRIES INC | JOLIET, IL | $5,000 | 2026 | BASIC NECESITIES FOR HOMELESS |
| FRANCISCAN OUTREACH ASSOCIATION | CHICAGO, IL | $60,000 | 2025 | FOR THE INDIGENTIN CHICAGOAREA |
| GENERAL MINISTER OF THE FRANCISCAN ORDER | ST LOUIS, MO | $52,000 | 2025 | ASSIST IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES |
| FRANSCISCANS FOR THE WORLD | CHICAGO, IL | $50,000 | 2025 | MEDICAL WORK IN PAPUA, NEW GUINEAHELPING ORPHANS IN MANGORAKA, MADAGASCAR |
| FRANCISCAN CONNECTION | ST LOUIS, MO | $45,000 | 2025 | UNITILITY BILLSFOR POOR INST. LOUIS |
| ST ANTHONY OF PADUA PARISH | ST LOUIS, MO | $30,000 | 2025 | FOOD, RENT ANDUTILITY INST LOUIS MO |
| CUSTODY SAINT BENEDICT OF THE AMAZON | WATERFORD, WI | $28,000 | 2025 | FUNDS FOR HOUSING |
| SISTER THEA BHOWMAN CATHOLIC SCHOOL | EAST LOUIS, IL | $20,000 | 2025 | FUNDS FOR SCHOOL |
| THOMAS TERRY COMMUNITY CENTER | EAST ST LOUIS, IL | $20,000 | 2025 | LOW INCOME HOUSING PROGRAM |
| LOAVES AND FISHES | MARYLAND HEIGHTS, MO | $20,000 | 2025 | HOMELESS SHELTERSUPPORTS FAMILIESWITH MINORS |
| CHILDREN'S CENTER OF THE CUMBERLANDS | ONEIDA, TN | $20,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR NEEDY IN TN |
| LITTLE FLOWER OF JESUS CATHOLIC CHURCH | MONROE, LA | $15,000 | 2025 | PROVIDE FOOD FOR UNDERPRIVILEGEDIN LOUISIANA |
| ST MARY'S HOME LITTLE SISTERS OF THE POOR | CHICAGO, IL | $10,000 | 2025 | MEDICAL SUPPLIES,UTILITIES AND MAINTENANCEFOR ELDERLY POOR IN CHICAGO |
| PETER & PAUL COMMUNITY SERVICES | ST LOUIS, MO | $5,000 | 2025 | FUNDS FOR HOMELESS |
| FRANCISCAN OUTREACH ASSOCIATION | CHICAGO, IL | $60,000 | 2024 | FOR THE INDIGENTIN CHICAGOAREA |
| GENERAL MINISTER OF THE FRANCISCAN ORDER | ST LOUIS, MO | $50,000 | 2024 | ASSIST IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES |
| FRANCISCAN CONNECTION | ST LOUIS, MO | $42,000 | 2024 | UNITILITY BILLSFOR POOR INST. LOUIS |
| FRANSCISCANS FOR THE WORLD | CHICAGO, IL | $40,000 | 2024 | MEDICAL WORK IN PAPUA, NEW GUINEAHELPING ORPHANS IN MANGORAKA, MADAGASCAR |
| ST ANTHONY OF PADUA PARISH | ST LOUIS, MO | $25,000 | 2024 | FOOD, RENT ANDUTILITY INST LOUIS MO |
| CHILDREN'S CENTER OF THE CUMBERLANDS | ONEIDA, TN | $20,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT FOR NEEDY IN TN |
| THE FRANCISCAN MISSIONARY UNION OF THE SACRED HEART PROVINCE | ST LOUIS, MO | $20,000 | 2024 | FUNDS FOR NEEDY |
| THOMAS TERRY COMMUNITY CENTER | EAST ST LOUIS, IL | $20,000 | 2024 | LOW INCOME HOUSING PROGRAM |
| LOAVES AND FISHES | MARYLAND HEIGHTS, MO | $20,000 | 2024 | HOMELESS SHELTERSUPPORTS FAMILIESWITH MINORS |
| LITTLE FLOWER OF JESUS CATHOLIC CHURCH | MONROE, LA | $12,500 | 2024 | PROVIDE FOOD FOR UNDERPRIVILEGEDIN LOUISIANA |
| ST MARY'S HOME LITTLE SISTERS OF THE POOR | CHICAGO, IL | $7,500 | 2024 | MEDICAL SUPPLIES,UTILITIES AND MAINTENANCEFOR ELDERLY POOR IN CHICAGO |
| MORNINGSTART MISSION MINISTRIES INC | JOLIET, IL | $5,000 | 2024 | BASIC NECESITIES FOR HOMELESS |
| FRANSCISCANS FOR THE WORLD | CHICAGO, IL | $60,000 | 2023 | EDUCATION HEALTHBASIC NEEDS FORCHILDREN OF GAZA |
| GENERAL MINISTER OF THE FRANCISCAN ORDER | ST LOUIS, MO | $50,000 | 2023 | ASSIST IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES |
| FRANCISCAN OUTREACH ASSOCIATION | CHICAGO, IL | $50,000 | 2023 | FOR THE INDIGENTIN CHICAGOAREA |
| GENERAL MINISTER OF THE FRANCISCAN ORDER | ST LOUIS, MO | $50,000 | 2023 | ASSIST IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES |
| FRANCISCAN OUTREACH ASSOCIATION | CHICAGO, IL | $50,000 | 2023 | FOR THE INDIGENTIN CHICAGOAREA |
| FRANCISCAN CONNECTION | ST LOUIS, MO | $42,000 | 2023 | INTERNATIONAL COMMUNICATIONAND SCHOLARSHIP |
| FRANCISCAN CONNECTION | ST LOUIS, MO | $40,000 | 2023 | INTERNATIONAL COMMUNICATIONAND SCHOLARSHIP |
| FRANSCISCANS FOR THE WORLD | CHICAGO, IL | $35,000 | 2023 | EDUCATION HEALTHBASIC NEEDS FORCHILDREN OF GAZA |
| CATHOLIC RELIEF SERVICES | BALTIMORE, MD | $20,000 | 2023 | FOR AFGHANISTAN RELIEF |
| CHILDREN'S CENTER OF THE CUMBERLANDS | ONEIDA, TN | $20,000 | 2023 | SUPPORT FOR NEEDY IN TN |
| GRIFFIN CENTER | EAST ST LOUIS, IL | $20,000 | 2023 | AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS FOR NEEDY CHILDRENIN EAST ST LOUIS |
| CHILDREN'S CENTER OF THE CUMBERLANDS | ONEIDA, TN | $20,000 | 2023 | SUPPORT FOR NEEDY IN TN |
| ST ANTHONY OF PADUA PARISH | ST LOUIS, MO | $20,000 | 2023 | FOOD, RENT ANDUTILITY INST LOUIS MO |
FRANCISCAN CONNECTION
$60,000UNITILITY BILLSFOR POOR INST. LOUIS
FRANCISCAN OUTREACH ASSOCIATION
$60,000FOR THE INDIGENTIN CHICAGOAREA
GENERAL MINISTER OF THE FRANCISCAN ORDER
$52,000ASSIST IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
ST ANTHONY OF PADUA PARISH
$35,000FOOD, RENT ANDUTILITY INST LOUIS MO
LOAVES AND FISHES
$35,000HOMELESS SHELTERSUPPORTS FAMILIESWITH MINORS
THOMAS TERRY COMMUNITY CENTER
$30,000LOW INCOME HOUSING PROGRAM
SISTER THEA BHOWMAN CATHOLIC SCHOOL
$25,000FUNDS FOR SCHOOL
LITTLE FLOWER OF JESUS CATHOLIC CHURCH
$20,000PROVIDE FOOD FOR UNDERPRIVILEGEDIN LOUISIANA
ST MARY'S HOME LITTLE SISTERS OF THE POOR
$10,000MEDICAL SUPPLIES,UTILITIES AND MAINTENANCEFOR ELDERLY POOR IN CHICAGO
MORNINGSTART MISSION MINISTRIES INC
$5,000BASIC NECESITIES FOR HOMELESS
FRANCISCAN OUTREACH ASSOCIATION
$60,000FOR THE INDIGENTIN CHICAGOAREA
GENERAL MINISTER OF THE FRANCISCAN ORDER
$52,000ASSIST IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
FRANSCISCANS FOR THE WORLD
$50,000MEDICAL WORK IN PAPUA, NEW GUINEAHELPING ORPHANS IN MANGORAKA, MADAGASCAR
FRANCISCAN CONNECTION
$45,000UNITILITY BILLSFOR POOR INST. LOUIS
ST ANTHONY OF PADUA PARISH
$30,000FOOD, RENT ANDUTILITY INST LOUIS MO
CUSTODY SAINT BENEDICT OF THE AMAZON
$28,000FUNDS FOR HOUSING
SISTER THEA BHOWMAN CATHOLIC SCHOOL
$20,000FUNDS FOR SCHOOL
THOMAS TERRY COMMUNITY CENTER
$20,000LOW INCOME HOUSING PROGRAM
LOAVES AND FISHES
$20,000HOMELESS SHELTERSUPPORTS FAMILIESWITH MINORS
LITTLE FLOWER OF JESUS CATHOLIC CHURCH
$15,000PROVIDE FOOD FOR UNDERPRIVILEGEDIN LOUISIANA
ST MARY'S HOME LITTLE SISTERS OF THE POOR
$10,000MEDICAL SUPPLIES,UTILITIES AND MAINTENANCEFOR ELDERLY POOR IN CHICAGO
FRANCISCAN OUTREACH ASSOCIATION
$60,000FOR THE INDIGENTIN CHICAGOAREA
GENERAL MINISTER OF THE FRANCISCAN ORDER
$50,000ASSIST IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
FRANCISCAN CONNECTION
$42,000UNITILITY BILLSFOR POOR INST. LOUIS
FRANSCISCANS FOR THE WORLD
$40,000MEDICAL WORK IN PAPUA, NEW GUINEAHELPING ORPHANS IN MANGORAKA, MADAGASCAR
ST ANTHONY OF PADUA PARISH
$25,000FOOD, RENT ANDUTILITY INST LOUIS MO
THE FRANCISCAN MISSIONARY UNION OF THE SACRED HEART PROVINCE
$20,000FUNDS FOR NEEDY
THOMAS TERRY COMMUNITY CENTER
$20,000LOW INCOME HOUSING PROGRAM
LOAVES AND FISHES
$20,000HOMELESS SHELTERSUPPORTS FAMILIESWITH MINORS
LITTLE FLOWER OF JESUS CATHOLIC CHURCH
$12,500PROVIDE FOOD FOR UNDERPRIVILEGEDIN LOUISIANA
ST MARY'S HOME LITTLE SISTERS OF THE POOR
$7,500MEDICAL SUPPLIES,UTILITIES AND MAINTENANCEFOR ELDERLY POOR IN CHICAGO
MORNINGSTART MISSION MINISTRIES INC
$5,000BASIC NECESITIES FOR HOMELESS
FRANSCISCANS FOR THE WORLD
$60,000EDUCATION HEALTHBASIC NEEDS FORCHILDREN OF GAZA
GENERAL MINISTER OF THE FRANCISCAN ORDER
$50,000ASSIST IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
FRANCISCAN OUTREACH ASSOCIATION
$50,000FOR THE INDIGENTIN CHICAGOAREA
GENERAL MINISTER OF THE FRANCISCAN ORDER
$50,000ASSIST IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
FRANCISCAN OUTREACH ASSOCIATION
$50,000FOR THE INDIGENTIN CHICAGOAREA
FRANCISCAN CONNECTION
$42,000INTERNATIONAL COMMUNICATIONAND SCHOLARSHIP
FRANCISCAN CONNECTION
$40,000INTERNATIONAL COMMUNICATIONAND SCHOLARSHIP
FRANSCISCANS FOR THE WORLD
$35,000EDUCATION HEALTHBASIC NEEDS FORCHILDREN OF GAZA
CATHOLIC RELIEF SERVICES
$20,000FOR AFGHANISTAN RELIEF
ST ANTHONY OF PADUA PARISH
$20,000FOOD, RENT ANDUTILITY INST LOUIS MO