The Heffernan Family Foundation concentrates its support on Catholic education and faith-based institutions, primarily funding colleges, scholarship funds, and diocesan appeals. Grants are large and targeted, often directed toward higher education (undergraduate Catholic colleges) and Catholic K–12 scholarship programs, with some support for student-athlete development. The foundation appears comfortable funding institutions nationally but shows a clear preference for Catholic mission-driven organizations.
The Heffernan Family Foundation’s recent giving is shaped by a strong Catholic institutional network: large unrestricted grants, scholarship funds, and diocesan appeals dominate the pattern. The foundation repeatedly backs Catholic colleges and mission-driven schools, alongside support for student-athlete development and local faith-based nonprofits. A 2024 grant of $300,000 to St Catherine's Academy in the Bronx was designated for the Sr. Patricia Wolf Scholarship Fund, and Providence College received $200,000 in 2024 for general operating support. The same year, Thomas Aquinas College in Santa Paula, California also received $200,000 for general operating support, showing that the foundation’s reach extends beyond the New York area while staying centered on Catholic education. The grant record also points to steady support for Catholic school access at the K-12 level and to church-related fundraising efforts. Several gifts are directed to scholarship funds rather than broad program work, and many awards are structured as general operating support for institutions already serving Catholic communities. Alongside schools and colleges, the foundation has funded archdiocesan appeals and other faith-based entities, indicating a preference for organizations tied to Catholic identity and education rather than a broad thematic portfolio.
Catholic higher education is a recurring theme. Providence College received $200,000 in 2024 for general operating support, while Boston College received $125,000 in 2023 and another $100,000 in 2025, both for general operating support. Thomas Aquinas College also received $200,000 in both 2023 and 2024 for general operating support. The foundation also supports Catholic K-12 access through scholarship and school support. St Catherine's Academy in the Bronx received $300,000 in 2024 for the Sr. Patricia Wolf Scholarship Fund and another $50,000 in 2024 for general operating support. San Miguel Academy of Newburgh received $100,000 in 2023 for the Helen and Jack Lynch Scholarship Fund and $36,000 in 2024 for general operating support, with another $20,000 in 2025 for general operating support. Faith-based institutional support extends to diocesan fundraising as well. Cardinals Appeal in New York received $150,000 in 2024 and $125,000 in 2023, both for general operating support.
$2.9M
$4.7M
$3.7M
$3.1M
Most grants fall between $5K and $15K, with a median of $5K.
25th Percentile
$5K
Median
$5K
75th Percentile
$15K
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Concentrated, high-dollar grants to a small number of organizations; evidence of repeat support (multiple grants to the same college); preference for institutional and scholarship funding rather than many small community grants.
Notable grantees: Thomas Aquinas College, St. Catherine's Academy (Sr. Patricia Wolf Scholarship), Providence College, Cardinals Appeal, Steer for Student Athletes Inc.
The typical grant size is $5,000 at the 25th percentile, $5,000 at the median, and $15,375 at the 75th percentile, but the recent record also includes larger institutional gifts in the six-figure range. Awards often recur across years to the same recipients, including multi-year support for several schools and colleges. The foundation appears to use both general operating support and scholarship-designated gifts, with a mix of institutional grants and support for individuals. It funds individuals, and the pattern suggests a family foundation structure with targeted, relationship-based grantmaking rather than an open application model.
Grants are fully U.S.-based in the recent record. New York recipients appear frequently, including Bronx, New York City, Newburgh, Port Chester, Mount Vernon, New Rochelle, and Rye Brook-area organizations. Massachusetts is the top state by grant count, even though the foundation is headquartered in Rye Brook, New York. Outside New York, the foundation also gives in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, California, Connecticut, Georgia, and Maine, showing a regional but not purely local footprint.
Its recent grants center on Catholic colleges, Catholic K-12 schools, scholarship funds, and diocesan or archdiocesan appeals. The foundation also supports student-athlete development and some local faith-based nonprofits through general operating support.
Yes. The foundation funds individuals, and its recent record includes scholarship-designated grants such as support for named scholarship funds at Catholic schools, alongside institutional general operating grants.
The typical grant size is $5,000 at the 25th percentile, $5,000 at the median, and $15,375 at the 75th percentile. Recent awards also include larger grants, including six-figure gifts to colleges, schools, and church-related appeals.
By grant count, Massachusetts is the top giving state. The recent recipient list is still heavily New York-based, with 44% of grants going to recipients in the foundation’s HQ state of New York.
Yes. Several recipients appear in multiple years, including Boston College, Thomas Aquinas College, San Miguel Academy of Newburgh, Cardinals Appeal, and St Catherine's Academy, which points to recurring support rather than one-time gifts only.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IONA PREPARATORY SCHOOL | NEW ROCHELLE, NY | $1,220,921 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| CATHOLIC ACADEMY OF BRIDGEPORT | BRIDGEPORT, CT | $1,130,921 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| THE CARDINAL'S ANNUAL STEWARDSHIP APPEAL | NEW YORK, NY | $300,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| ST THOMAS AQUINAS COLLEGE | SPARKILL, NY | $45,696 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| NATIONAL PKU ALLIANCE INC | EAU CLAIRE, WI | $30,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| SPECIAL OPERATORS TRANSITION FOUNDATION INC | NICEVILLE, FL | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| PART OF THE SOLUTION INC | BRONX, NY | $20,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| DANNY BUTLER MEMORIAL FUND INC | RYE, NY | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| FRANCISCAN FRIARS OF THE ATONEMENT | GARRISON, NY | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| SWIM ACROSS AMERICA | CHARLOTTE, NC | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| STEER FOR STUDENT ATHLETES INC | PORT CHESTER, NY | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| SISTERS OF LIFE | SUFFERN, NY | $8,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| INNER-CITY SCHOLARSHIP FUND | NEW YORK, NY | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| WHITE PLAINS HOSPITAL | WHITE PLAINS, NY | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| LITTLE SISTERS OF THE POOR | BRONX, NY | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| CONVENT OF ST BIRGITTA | DARIEN, CT | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| CAPE COD HEALTHCARE FOUNDATION | HYANNIS, MA | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| ST ANDREW CHURCH | BRIDGEPORT, CT | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| PORT CHESTER CARVER CENTER INC | PORT CHESTER, NY | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| HUGGINS HOSPITAL | WOLFEBORO, NH | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| STEPHEN SILLER TUNNEL TO TOWERS FOUNDATION | STATEN ISLAND, NY | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| WOUNDED WARRIORS PROJECT INC | NEW YORK, NY | $3,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| BUTTERFLIES FROM JODIE | NEW ROCHELLE, NY | $1,500 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| HOPE COMMUNITY SERVICES INC | NEW ROCHELLE, NY | $1,500 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| ST JOSEPH'S RESIDENCE CARE | NEW ROCHELLE, NY | $1,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| OYSTER HARBORS CLUB CADDY SCHOLARSHIP FUND INC | OSTERVILLE, ME | $1,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| IONA UNVERSITY | NEW ROCHELLE, NY | $1,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| WINTER WALK INC | ANDOVER, MA | $250 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| PORT CHESTER RYE RYE BROOK EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES INC | PORT CHESTER, NY | $100 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| STEER FOR STUDENT ATHLETES INC | PORT CHESTER, NY | $210,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| BOSTON COLLEGE | CHESTNUT HILL, MA | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| SPECIAL OPERATORS TRANSITION FOUNDATION INC | ATLANTA, GA | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| BOSTON COLLEGE | CHESTNUT HILL, MA | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| FOUNDATIONS IN EDUCATION INC | BRIDGEPORT, CT | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| SAN MIGUEL ACADEMY OF NEWBURGH | NEWBURGH, NY | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| DESDA'S GRATE INC | NEW ROCHELLE, NY | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| COVENANT SCHOOL OF BRIDGEPORT INC | FAIRFIELD, CT | $15,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| NATIONAL ALLIANCE ON MENTAL ILLNESS (NAMI) CENTRAL MASS | WORCESTER, MA | $15,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| PART OF THE SOLUTION INC | BRONX, NY | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| DANNY BUTLER MEMORIAL FUND INC | RYE, NY | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| IONA UNVERSITY | NEW ROCHELLE, NY | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| CARITAS OF PORT CHESTER INC | PORT CHESTER, NY | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| COMMITTEE FOR MISSION RESPONSIBILITY | NEW YORK, NY | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| SAIL TO PREVAIL | NEWPORT, RI | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| SAINT KATHARINE DREXEL CHURCH | NEW YORK, NY | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| INNER-CITY SCHOLARSHIP FUND | NEW YORK, NY | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| CATHOLIC ACADEMY OF BRIDGEPORT | BRIDGEPORT, CT | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| CLEVELAND CLINIC FOUNDATION | INDEPENDENCE, OH | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| ST JOSEPH'S RESIDENCE CARE | NEW ROCHELLE, NY | $6,500 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| HOPE COMMUNITY SERVICES INC | NEW ROCHELLE, NY | $6,500 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
IONA PREPARATORY SCHOOL
$1,220,921GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
CATHOLIC ACADEMY OF BRIDGEPORT
$1,130,921GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
THE CARDINAL'S ANNUAL STEWARDSHIP APPEAL
$300,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
NATIONAL PKU ALLIANCE INC
$30,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
SPECIAL OPERATORS TRANSITION FOUNDATION INC
$25,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
DANNY BUTLER MEMORIAL FUND INC
$10,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
FRANCISCAN FRIARS OF THE ATONEMENT
$10,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
SWIM ACROSS AMERICA
$10,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
SISTERS OF LIFE
$8,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
WHITE PLAINS HOSPITAL
$5,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
LITTLE SISTERS OF THE POOR
$5,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
CONVENT OF ST BIRGITTA
$5,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
CAPE COD HEALTHCARE FOUNDATION
$5,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
ST ANDREW CHURCH
$5,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
HUGGINS HOSPITAL
$5,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
WOUNDED WARRIORS PROJECT INC
$3,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
BUTTERFLIES FROM JODIE
$1,500GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
ST JOSEPH'S RESIDENCE CARE
$1,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
OYSTER HARBORS CLUB CADDY SCHOLARSHIP FUND INC
$1,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
IONA UNVERSITY
$1,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
WINTER WALK INC
$250GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
PORT CHESTER RYE RYE BROOK EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES INC
$100GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
SPECIAL OPERATORS TRANSITION FOUNDATION INC
$30,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
DESDA'S GRATE INC
$20,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
COVENANT SCHOOL OF BRIDGEPORT INC
$15,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
NATIONAL ALLIANCE ON MENTAL ILLNESS (NAMI) CENTRAL MASS
$15,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
DANNY BUTLER MEMORIAL FUND INC
$10,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
IONA UNVERSITY
$10,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
COMMITTEE FOR MISSION RESPONSIBILITY
$10,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
SAIL TO PREVAIL
$10,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
SAINT KATHARINE DREXEL CHURCH
$10,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
CATHOLIC ACADEMY OF BRIDGEPORT
$10,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
CLEVELAND CLINIC FOUNDATION
$10,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
ST JOSEPH'S RESIDENCE CARE
$6,500GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT