Mercy Works Foundation concentrates its giving on faith-based and Catholic-aligned initiatives, primarily supporting diocesan philanthropy and religious ministry organizations. Grants are sizable and targeted — often repeated to the same recipients — and include both local Catholic infrastructure and faith-driven international service projects (notably clean water). The foundation prefers unrestricted monetary support to organizations that advance Catholic ministry and global humanitarian work.
Mercy Works Foundation gives in a distinctly Catholic frame: its recent awards support diocesan philanthropy, campus evangelization, missionary work, and faith-based service projects rather than a broad mix of secular causes. The largest recent grant in the file is $405,000 to the Catholic Foundation for the Diocese of Green Bay for monetary support, followed by $280,000 to the same recipient in 2024. Those repeated awards point to a foundation that favors sustained backing for church-linked institutions. The foundation also funds Catholic ministry organizations that work beyond a single parish setting. It gave $240,000 to Wells of Life in 2023 and continued with $163,658 in 2025 for new wells, showing support for international clean-water work within a missionary context. Campus ministry is another visible thread: FOCUS received $200,000 in 2024 and $200,000 in 2025, including a grant labeled “Run So as to Win and Life Long Mission.” Mercy Works Foundation’s recent grants also include support for religious health, pro-life, and missionary organizations, indicating a portfolio built around Catholic service infrastructure and ministry capacity.
Several cause areas recur in Mercy Works Foundation’s giving. Catholic diocesan support appears in the $405,000 grant to the Catholic Foundation for the Diocese of Green Bay for monetary support, along with the $280,000 award to the same recipient in 2024. Campus Catholic ministry is another clear theme: the foundation gave $200,000 to Fellowship of Catholic University Students in 2025 for “Run So as to Win and Life Long Mission.” International mission and development projects also receive support. Wells of Life was funded at $240,000 in 2023 and again at $163,658 in 2025 for new wells. Missionaries of the Poor received $197,000 in 2023 and $79,000 in 2025 for general operations. The foundation also backs Catholic media and devotional institutions, including $120,000 to the National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion for general operations.
Mercy Works Foundation’s grant sizes cluster in the mid-range: the typical gift is $10,000 at the 25th percentile, $20,000 at the median, and $34,500 at the 75th percentile. Recent filings show much larger awards as well, especially to a small set of repeat recipients, which suggests a portfolio that combines ordinary operating grants with a handful of higher-dollar commitments. The giving pattern is relationship-driven. Several organizations appear in multiple years, including the Catholic Foundation for the Diocese of Green Bay, Wells of Life, Focus, Christopher Missions Foundation, John Paul II Healing Center, Heartbeat International, Relevant Radio Inc, and Salvatorian Mission Warehouse. The foundation does not fund individuals and does not make program-related investments.
$1.6M
$12.5M
$1.5M
$1.9M
Most grants fall between $10K and $35K, with a median of $20K.
25th Percentile
$10K
Median
$20K
75th Percentile
$35K
Top 2 recipient countries by grant volume for Mercy Works Foundation.
| Rank | Country | Grants | Total | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United StatesDomestic | 259 | $9M | 99.2% |
| 2 | India | 2 |
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Concentrated, large-dollar grants with repeat funding to a small set of faith-based grantees; primarily unrestricted monetary support rather than many small awards.
Notable grantees: Catholic Foundation for the Diocese of Green Bay, FOCUS, Wells of Life
Mercy Works Foundation gives nationally, with 99.0% of grants in the United States and 2 grants in India. Wisconsin stands out in the recipient base: 34% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state, but the most frequent recipient location is Washington, DC. Recent awards also land in Green Bay, WI; Irvine, CA; Genesee, CO; Atlanta, GA; and San Francisco, CA. The pattern shows a mix of Wisconsin-based Catholic institutions and national or international ministry partners.
The foundation focuses on Catholic-aligned organizations and faith-based ministry. Recent grants support diocesan philanthropy, campus Catholic ministry, missionary organizations, religious health and healing initiatives, and international service projects such as clean water and mission infrastructure.
Yes. Several recipients appear across multiple years, including the Catholic Foundation for the Diocese of Green Bay, Wells of Life, Focus, Missionaries of the Poor, John Paul II Healing Center, Heartbeat International, Relevant Radio Inc, and Salvatorian Mission Warehouse.
The foundation’s grant-size distribution centers at $10,000 for the 25th percentile, $20,000 at the median, and $34,500 at the 75th percentile. Recent awards also include larger grants in the six-figure range to recurring recipients.
By grant count, Washington, DC is the top recipient location. Wisconsin is also important: 34% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state, and recent awards include multiple organizations in Green Bay, De Pere, Menasha, and New Holstein.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
| $69K |
0.8% |
Recipient country reflects the grantee's headquarters per IRS 990-PF and Schedule F filings, not the program's implementation country.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHRISTOPHER MISSIONS FOUNDATION | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $256,563 | 2026 | CHAPEL CONSTRUCTION |
| WELLS OF LIFE | IRVINE, CA | $162,000 | 2026 | NEW WELLS |
| RELEVANT RADIO INC | GREEN BAY, WI | $100,250 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| JOHN PAUL II HEALING CENTER | TALLAHASSEE, FL | $95,000 | 2026 | RENEWAL OF THE CHURCH |
| SALVATORIAN MISSION WAREHOUSE | NEW HOLSTEIN, WI | $70,000 | 2026 | GHANA RICE PROJECT |
| CATHOLIC FOUNDATION FOR THE GREEN BAY DIOCESE | GREEN BAY, WI | $65,000 | 2026 | SEMINARIAN FUND AND ONE BY ONE CAMPAIGN |
| APOSTOLATE FOR FAMILY CONSECRATION INC | BLOOMINGDALE, OH | $50,000 | 2026 | FAMILY CONSECRATION WORKSHOPS |
| VIDA CLINIC INC | APPLETON, WI | $50,000 | 2026 | TRINITY HOUSE AND MATERNITY HOME |
| INSTITUTE FOR PRIESTLY FORMATION | OMAHA, NE | $40,000 | 2026 | BISHOPS FORMATION AND SUMMER SEMINARIAN |
| HELP THE HELPLESS | VADNAIS HEIGHTS, MN | $40,000 | 2026 | BUILD HOMES FOR HOMELESS |
| FRANCISCAN WORKS | CHICAGO, IL | $35,000 | 2026 | PHASE 3 FENCING PROJECT |
| NATIONAL SHRINE OF OUR LADY OF CHAMPION | GREEN BAY, WI | $30,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS AND LAND PURCHASE |
| LIVE ACTION | ARLINGTON, VA | $30,000 | 2026 | BABY OLIVER PROJECT (PRO-LIFE) |
| SHRINE OF OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE | LA CROSSE, WI | $30,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| MISSIONARIES OF THE WORD | BAILEYS HARBOR, WI | $28,400 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| OUR LADY OF LOURDES CATHOLIC CHURCH | DE PERE, WI | $27,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS AND MUSIC PROGRAM |
| DIOCESE OF LA CROSSE | LA CROSSE, WI | $25,000 | 2026 | 2 P-T PARISH POSITIONS & TWO STATUES |
| CHARLOTTE LOZIER INSTITUTE - SUSAN B ANTHONY EDUCATION FUND | ARLINGTON, VA | $25,000 | 2026 | DEFENDING LIFE & DIGNITY RESEARCH (PRO LIFE) |
| CARDINAL NEWMAN SOCIETY | MANASSAS, VA | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| CHRIST IN THE CITY | DENVER, CO | $25,000 | 2026 | CORPORAL WORKS OF MERCY |
| KOLBE PRISON MINISTRY | FREDERICKSBURG, TX | $25,000 | 2026 | KPM MISSION RETREATS |
| SAINT JOHN INSTITUTE | ENGLEWOOOD, CO | $25,000 | 2026 | A DATE WITH FATHER NATE CATHOLIC FAITH |
| HEARTBEAT INTERNATIONAL | COLUMBUS, OH | $25,000 | 2026 | MOVE THE MOVEMENT |
| SAINT PAUL VI INSTITUTE FOR HUMAN REPRODUCTION | OMAHA, NE | $25,000 | 2026 | ST. JOHN PAUL THE GREAT FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM |
| SPITZER-MAGIS CENTER | GARDEN GROVE, CA | $25,000 | 2026 | MAGISAI APP |
| INSTITUTE OF CATHOLIC CULTURE | MCLEAN, VA | $25,000 | 2026 | MAGDALA APOSTOLATE SELF-PACED CLASSES AND EXPANDED CURRICULUM FOR WOMEN RELIGIOUS |
| SOPHIA INSTITUTE | MANCHESTER, NH | $20,000 | 2026 | CATECHIZING CATHOLIC EDUCATORS |
| ST FRANCIS DE SALES SEMINARY | ST FRANCIS, WI | $20,000 | 2026 | SUMMER SEMINARIAN FORMATION (ROME EXPERIENCE) |
| ST IRENAEUS INSTITUTE FOR CATHOLIC THOUGHT | MILWAUKEE, WI | $20,000 | 2026 | CATHOLIC STUDIES PROGRAM AT UW - MILWAUKEE |
| MARY MOTHER OF GOD MISSION SOCIETY | MODESTO, CA | $16,711 | 2026 | MATCHING GRANT VEHICLE REPLACEMENT |
| FARM OF THE CHILD | TAMPA, FL | $15,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM EXPENSES |
| LITTLE SISTERS OF THE POOR | WASHINGTON, DC | $15,000 | 2026 | CARING FOR THE AGED POOR AS FAMILY |
| DISMAS MINISTRY INC | MILWAUKEE, WI | $15,000 | 2026 | PASTORAL OUTREACH TO INMATES |
| LABOR OF LOVE DBA BELLA PREGNANCY MEDICAL CLINIC INC | OSHKOSH, WI | $12,500 | 2026 | UPDATES FOR TECHNOLOGY, SECURITY, AND MEDICAL TEAM |
| SIMON OF CYRENE | OMAHA, NE | $10,799 | 2026 | MATCHING GRANT: BOREHOLE WELLS IN NIGERIA |
| ST PIUS X CATHOLIC PARISH | APPLETON, WI | $10,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED FUND |
| PRENATAL PARTNERS FOR LIFE | MAPLE GROVE, MN | $10,000 | 2026 | FUNERAL AND MARKER GRANTS PROGRAM |
| MONASTERY OF THE HOLY NAME OF JESUS | DENMARK, WI | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| ESTO VIR INC | GREEN BAY, WI | $10,000 | 2026 | VIDEO PRODUCTION "WHAT IS ESTO VIR?" |
| NET MINISTRIES USA | WEST ST PAUL, MN | $10,000 | 2026 | PARISH MISSION COORDINATOR AND TRAVELING RETREAT MINISTRY |
| ST PAUL UNIVERSITY CATHOLIC FNDN INC | MADISON, WI | $10,000 | 2026 | OCIA PROGRAM FOR ST. PAULS CATHOLIC STUDENT CENTER AT UW-MADISON |
| PRO-LIFE WISCONSIN | BROOKFIELD, WI | $8,000 | 2026 | HELP BOTH FUND |
| CATHOLIC YOUTH EXPEDITIONS | BAILEYS HABOR, WI | $7,500 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| DOMINICAN SISTERS OF MARY EUCHARIST | ANN ARBOR, MI | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| COMMUNITY CLOTHES CLOSET | MENASHA, WI | $4,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| MISSIONARIES OF THE POOR | ATLANTA, GA | $4,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| A&A ALEXANDRINA DBA ALEXANDRINA PREGNANCY RESOURCE CENTER | GREEN BAY, WI | $4,000 | 2026 | INSURANCE COVERAGE |
| FATHER CARR'S PLACE 2B | OSHKOSH, WI | $3,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| LEAVEN INC | MENASHA, WI | $2,500 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| WIDOWS OF PRAYER | MENASHA, WI | $2,500 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
CHRISTOPHER MISSIONS FOUNDATION
$256,563CHAPEL CONSTRUCTION
WELLS OF LIFE
$162,000NEW WELLS
RELEVANT RADIO INC
$100,250GENERAL OPERATIONS
JOHN PAUL II HEALING CENTER
$95,000RENEWAL OF THE CHURCH
SALVATORIAN MISSION WAREHOUSE
$70,000GHANA RICE PROJECT
CATHOLIC FOUNDATION FOR THE GREEN BAY DIOCESE
$65,000SEMINARIAN FUND AND ONE BY ONE CAMPAIGN
APOSTOLATE FOR FAMILY CONSECRATION INC
$50,000FAMILY CONSECRATION WORKSHOPS
VIDA CLINIC INC
$50,000TRINITY HOUSE AND MATERNITY HOME
INSTITUTE FOR PRIESTLY FORMATION
$40,000BISHOPS FORMATION AND SUMMER SEMINARIAN
HELP THE HELPLESS
$40,000BUILD HOMES FOR HOMELESS
FRANCISCAN WORKS
$35,000PHASE 3 FENCING PROJECT
SHRINE OF OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE
$30,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
MISSIONARIES OF THE WORD
$28,400GENERAL OPERATIONS
OUR LADY OF LOURDES CATHOLIC CHURCH
$27,000GENERAL OPERATIONS AND MUSIC PROGRAM
DIOCESE OF LA CROSSE
$25,0002 P-T PARISH POSITIONS & TWO STATUES
CHARLOTTE LOZIER INSTITUTE - SUSAN B ANTHONY EDUCATION FUND
$25,000DEFENDING LIFE & DIGNITY RESEARCH (PRO LIFE)
KOLBE PRISON MINISTRY
$25,000KPM MISSION RETREATS
SAINT PAUL VI INSTITUTE FOR HUMAN REPRODUCTION
$25,000ST. JOHN PAUL THE GREAT FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM
SPITZER-MAGIS CENTER
$25,000MAGISAI APP
INSTITUTE OF CATHOLIC CULTURE
$25,000MAGDALA APOSTOLATE SELF-PACED CLASSES AND EXPANDED CURRICULUM FOR WOMEN RELIGIOUS
SOPHIA INSTITUTE
$20,000CATECHIZING CATHOLIC EDUCATORS
ST FRANCIS DE SALES SEMINARY
$20,000SUMMER SEMINARIAN FORMATION (ROME EXPERIENCE)
ST IRENAEUS INSTITUTE FOR CATHOLIC THOUGHT
$20,000CATHOLIC STUDIES PROGRAM AT UW - MILWAUKEE
MARY MOTHER OF GOD MISSION SOCIETY
$16,711MATCHING GRANT VEHICLE REPLACEMENT
FARM OF THE CHILD
$15,000PROGRAM EXPENSES
DISMAS MINISTRY INC
$15,000PASTORAL OUTREACH TO INMATES
LABOR OF LOVE DBA BELLA PREGNANCY MEDICAL CLINIC INC
$12,500UPDATES FOR TECHNOLOGY, SECURITY, AND MEDICAL TEAM
SIMON OF CYRENE
$10,799MATCHING GRANT: BOREHOLE WELLS IN NIGERIA
ST PIUS X CATHOLIC PARISH
$10,000UNRESTRICTED FUND
PRENATAL PARTNERS FOR LIFE
$10,000FUNERAL AND MARKER GRANTS PROGRAM
MONASTERY OF THE HOLY NAME OF JESUS
$10,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
ESTO VIR INC
$10,000VIDEO PRODUCTION "WHAT IS ESTO VIR?"
NET MINISTRIES USA
$10,000PARISH MISSION COORDINATOR AND TRAVELING RETREAT MINISTRY
ST PAUL UNIVERSITY CATHOLIC FNDN INC
$10,000OCIA PROGRAM FOR ST. PAULS CATHOLIC STUDENT CENTER AT UW-MADISON
PRO-LIFE WISCONSIN
$8,000HELP BOTH FUND
CATHOLIC YOUTH EXPEDITIONS
$7,500GENERAL OPERATIONS
DOMINICAN SISTERS OF MARY EUCHARIST
$5,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
MISSIONARIES OF THE POOR
$4,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
A&A ALEXANDRINA DBA ALEXANDRINA PREGNANCY RESOURCE CENTER
$4,000INSURANCE COVERAGE
FATHER CARR'S PLACE 2B
$3,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
WIDOWS OF PRAYER
$2,500GENERAL OPERATIONS