The Napa Institute Foundation exists to support Catholic organizations and institutions committed to strengthening the Church and serving the common good through disciplined stewardship and mission-driven philanthropy, partnering with organizations that reflect fidelity to Catholic teaching, excellence in leadership, and measurable impact.
Napa Institute Foundation’s recent grantmaking centers on Catholic institutions that strengthen the Church, and its largest disclosed awards show that pattern clearly: $453,065 to The Napa Institute in 2025, $355,000 to Napa Institute Legal Foundation in 2025, and $301,000 to Catholic University of America in 2025. Across the latest grants, the foundation backs program support for churches, seminaries, universities, legal advocacy, and Catholic education, with several repeat recipients appearing over multiple years. That mix suggests a funder that uses grants to reinforce leadership formation and institutional capacity rather than one-off projects only. The grant list also shows support for places of worship and apostolates tied to Catholic life, including St Michael’s Abbey, Saint Kilian Church, Providence Mission Hospital, and the Ethics and Public Policy Center. Awards range from five figures into the hundreds of thousands, and the foundation’s activity includes both California-based recipients and organizations in Washington, DC, Indiana, Oklahoma, Wisconsin, and Washington state. Its stated grant programs are open to domestic and international requests and emphasize fidelity to Catholic teaching, long-term institutional strength, and service to the common good.
Catholic leadership formation is a clear throughline. The foundation gave $453,065 to The Napa Institute in 2025 and $340,000 in 2023, both for program support, alongside $75,000 to Magis Center of Reason and Faith in 2023 and $71,600 to Spitzer-magis Center in 2025. It also supported Catholic University of America with $301,000 in 2025 and $150,000 in 2024. Support for priests and religious life appears in grants to St Michael’s Abbey, which received $225,000 in 2023, $200,150 in 2024, and $150,000 in 2025, plus $81,000 to St Francis De Sales Seminary in 2024. Institutional and apostolic work is visible in funding for Napa Institute Legal Foundation, which received $355,000 in 2025 and $200,000 in 2024, and in awards to Ethics and Public Policy Center, which received $120,000 in both 2024 and 2025.
Typical grant size clusters in the middle range: p25 is $10,188, median is $25,000, and p75 is $100,000. The recent record also includes multiple grants above $100,000, showing a layered pattern of smaller support and larger operating-style awards. Several recipients appear in multiple years, including The Napa Institute, Napa Institute Legal Foundation, St Michael’s Abbey, Catholic University of America, Ethics and Public Policy Center, Providence Mission Hospital, and Spitzer-magis Center, which points to recurring support rather than isolated giving. The foundation is not a fund for individuals and does not make program-related investments. Its active grant programs accept unsolicited requests.
$1.8M
$2.9M
$463K
$2.2M
Most grants fall between $10K and $100K, with a median of $25K.
25th Percentile
$10K
Median
$25K
75th Percentile
$100K
TIMOTHY R BUSCH
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The foundation gives nationally, with 42% of grants going to recipients in California, more than any other state. Recent California recipients include Irvine, Silverado, Mission Viejo, Garden Grove, San Francisco, and Corona del Mar. Outside California, grants went to Washington, DC; Notre Dame, Indiana; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; St Francis, Wisconsin; and Seattle, Washington. The recipient country distribution is entirely U.S.-based in the available grants list.
It funds Catholic organizations and institutions that align with Catholic teaching and work to strengthen the Church, including leadership formation, priests and seminarians, Catholic education, and institutional strengthening. Recent grants include support for universities, seminaries, churches, legal advocacy, and mission-related organizations.
The grant-size profile is centered at $25,000, with a lower quartile of $10,188 and an upper quartile of $100,000. Recent awards also include grants well above that range, including several in the $150,000 to $453,065 band.
Yes. Its active grant programs state that they accept unsolicited requests, including domestic and international requests.
Yes. Although 42% of grants go to recipients in California, the recent grants list also includes organizations in Washington, DC; Indiana; Oklahoma; Wisconsin; and Washington state. The available recipient-country distribution is entirely U.S.-based.
Several recipients appear across multiple years, which indicates recurring support. Examples in the recent grants list include The Napa Institute, Napa Institute Legal Foundation, St Michael’s Abbey, Catholic University of America, Ethics and Public Policy Center, Providence Mission Hospital, and Spitzer-magis Center.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Current and upcoming funding from Napa Institute Foundation that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Must be an organization whose work and mission is in full accordance with the Magisterium of the Roman Catholic Church and align with the Foundation's mission, focus, and grantmaking criteria. Organizations and institutions must align with Catholic teaching.
Deadline: Rolling basis throughout the year.
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Create a free accountDeadlines and eligibility are summarized from public sources and may change — always confirm the details on the funder's official application page before applying.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| THE NAPA INSTITUTE | IRVINE, CA | $373,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY OF AMERICA | WASHINGTON, DC | $200,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| NAPA INSTITUTE LEGAL FOUNDATION | WASHINGTON, DC | $164,500 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME | NOTRE DAME, IN | $150,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| ETHICS AND PUBLIC POLICY CENTER | WASHINGTON, DC | $120,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| PROVIDENCE MISSION HOSPITAL | MISSION VIEJO, CA | $100,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| SAINT DOMINICS MONASTERY | LINDEN, VA | $100,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| MAGIS INSTITUTE | GARDEN GROVE, CA | $70,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| ST MICHAEL'S ABBEY | SILVERADO, CA | $60,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| FOCUS | GOLDEN, CO | $57,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| BECKET FUND | WASHINGTON, DC | $55,976 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| DOMINCAN SISTERS OF MOTHER MARY | ANN ARBOR, MI | $50,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| SAINT KILIAN CHURCH | MISSION VIEJO, CA | $46,843 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| SACRED HEART CHURCH OF PALM DESERT | PALM DESERT, CA | $28,600 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| HOLY FAMILY CATHOLIC CHURCH | ORANGE, CA | $25,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| THE MUSEUM OF THE BIBLE | WASHINGTON, DC | $25,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| THE THOMISTIC INSTITUTE | WASHINGTON, DC | $25,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| ST PAUL CENTER FOR BIBLICAL THEOLOGY | STEUBENVILLE, OH | $20,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORTPROGRAM SUPPORT |
| THE AUGUSTINE INSTITUTE INC | GREENWOOD VLG, CO | $20,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| THE ACTION INSTITUTE | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $20,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| AMERICAN PONTIFICAL INSTITUTE | PLYMOUTH, MI | $19,440 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| PONTITICAL NORTH AMERICAN COLLEGE | WASHINGTON, DC | $12,500 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| ST LAURENCE PARISH | UPPER DARBY, PA | $10,000 | 2026 | MSGR. THOMAS J. HERRON SCHOLARSHIP FUND |
| PENINSULA FOUNDATION | LOS ANGELES, CA | $10,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORTPROGRAM SUPPORT |
| DUC IN ALTUM SCHOOLS COLLABORATIVE | SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, CA | $10,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| CRISTO REY ORANGE COUNTY | SANTA ANA, CA | $10,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| FRANCISCAN FRIARS OF RENEWAL | BRONX, NY | $10,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| CATHOLIC VOTE EDUCATION FUND | CARMEL, IN | $7,914 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| CALIFORNIA PATRONS OF THE ARTS | LOS ANGELES, CA | $5,400 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| THE NAPA INSTITUTE | IRVINE, CA | $453,065 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| NAPA INSTITUTE LEGAL FOUNDATION | WASHINGTON, DC | $355,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY OF AMERICA | WASHINGTON, DC | $301,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| SAINT KILIAN CHURCH | MISSION VIEJO, CA | $171,050 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| ST MICHAEL'S ABBEY | SILVERADO, CA | $150,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME | NOTRE DAME, IN | $150,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| ETHICS AND PUBLIC POLICY CENTER | WASHINGTON, DC | $120,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| PROVIDENCE MISSION HOSPITAL | MISSION VIEJO, CA | $100,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| FRIENDS OF VANCOUVER FOUNDATION | SEATTLE, WA | $100,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| SPITZER-MAGIS CENTER | GARDEN GROVE, CA | $71,600 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| ST JOHN PAUL II LIFE CENTER | AUTSIN, TX | $50,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| FOCUS | GOLDEN, CO | $30,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| THE THOMISTIC INSTITUTE | WASHINGTON, DC | $25,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| THE OBRIA GROUP INC | CORONA DEL MAR, CA | $25,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| CRISTO REY ORANGE COUNTY | SANTA ANA, CA | $25,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| FRIENDS OF BRIDGROOM | GARFIELD HEIGHTS, OH | $25,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| ST PAUL CENTER FOR BIBLICAL THEOLOGY | STEUBENVILLE, OH | $20,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORTPROGRAM SUPPORT |
| THE AUGUSTINE INSTITUTE INC | GREENWOOD VLG, CO | $20,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| ST ANNE SCHOOL | LAGUNAL NIGUEL, CA | $12,400 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| AMERICAN PONTIFICAL INSTITUTE | PLYMOUTH, MI | $10,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| ST LAURENCE SCHOOL | UPPER DARBY, PA | $10,000 | 2025 | MSGR. THOMAS J. HERRON SCHOLARSHIP FUND |
CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY OF AMERICA
$200,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
NAPA INSTITUTE LEGAL FOUNDATION
$164,500PROGRAM SUPPORT
PROGRAM SUPPORT
SAINT DOMINICS MONASTERY
$100,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
MAGIS INSTITUTE
$70,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
ST MICHAEL'S ABBEY
$60,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
FOCUS
$57,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
DOMINCAN SISTERS OF MOTHER MARY
$50,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
SAINT KILIAN CHURCH
$46,843PROGRAM SUPPORT
SACRED HEART CHURCH OF PALM DESERT
$28,600PROGRAM SUPPORT
HOLY FAMILY CATHOLIC CHURCH
$25,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
THE THOMISTIC INSTITUTE
$25,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
AMERICAN PONTIFICAL INSTITUTE
$19,440PROGRAM SUPPORT
PONTITICAL NORTH AMERICAN COLLEGE
$12,500PROGRAM SUPPORT
ST LAURENCE PARISH
$10,000MSGR. THOMAS J. HERRON SCHOLARSHIP FUND
PENINSULA FOUNDATION
$10,000PROGRAM SUPPORTPROGRAM SUPPORT
DUC IN ALTUM SCHOOLS COLLABORATIVE
$10,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
FRANCISCAN FRIARS OF RENEWAL
$10,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
CALIFORNIA PATRONS OF THE ARTS
$5,400PROGRAM SUPPORT
NAPA INSTITUTE LEGAL FOUNDATION
$355,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY OF AMERICA
$301,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
SAINT KILIAN CHURCH
$171,050PROGRAM SUPPORT
ST MICHAEL'S ABBEY
$150,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
FRIENDS OF VANCOUVER FOUNDATION
$100,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
SPITZER-MAGIS CENTER
$71,600PROGRAM SUPPORT
FOCUS
$30,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
THE THOMISTIC INSTITUTE
$25,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
THE OBRIA GROUP INC
$25,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
FRIENDS OF BRIDGROOM
$25,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
AMERICAN PONTIFICAL INSTITUTE
$10,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
ST LAURENCE SCHOOL
$10,000MSGR. THOMAS J. HERRON SCHOLARSHIP FUND
