The Theresa & Edward O'Toole Foundation concentrates its support on Catholic faith-based organizations, providing large, unrestricted general operating gifts to ministries, media/studio projects, and Catholic higher education. Grants are high-dollar and targeted to a small number of recipients, including repeat funding to the same organizations, suggesting long-term backing of specific Catholic initiatives rather than broad community philanthropy. Although based in Pittsburgh, the foundation funds national Catholic institutions (e.g., University of San Diego).
Highly concentrated giving: few, large grants (many six-figure awards) with repeat funding to select Catholic grantees; emphasis on general operating support rather than project-restricted grants.
The Theresa & Edward O'toole Foundation is notable for directing large, unrestricted general operating gifts to Catholic organizations rather than funding a broad mix of secular causes. Its recent grants show a clear pattern of support for Catholic spiritual ministries, media and studio projects, and Catholic higher education, with several recipients appearing in multiple years. The foundation gave $500,000 to the University of San Diego for general operating support in 2025, alongside another $500,000 grant that year to Mystical Humanity of Christ. It also backed All Catholic Studios with $450,000 in 2024 and $300,000 in 2025, and provided $300,000 to St Patricks Seminary in 2024 and $160,000 in 2025. These awards suggest sustained funding for institutions that produce religious content, train clergy, or operate Catholic educational programs. The grant list also includes churches, religious orders, and service organizations, such as Carmel of Jesus Mary Joseph, Benedictine Sisters of Erie, and Society of St Vincent De Paul Los Angel, all funded at levels consistent with core operating support.
Catholic education is one of the clearest threads in the foundation’s giving. It awarded $500,000 to the University of San Diego for general operating support and $200,000 to Catholic University of America for the same purpose. Seminary support appears as well: St Patricks Seminary received $300,000 in 2024 and $160,000 in 2025. The foundation also funded St Peter's University at $275,000 in 2023 and $130,000 in 2025. Beyond higher education, the foundation supports Catholic spiritual and parish-based work. Mystical Humanity of Christ received $500,000 in 2025 and $450,000 in 2024, while St Joachim Catholic Church received $300,000 in 2024. Catholic service and relief organizations also appear, including Catholic Charities Bureau Inc at $150,000 and Catholic Relief Services at $150,000.
Grant sizes cluster in the five-figure to low six-figure range, with a p25 of $25,000, median of $50,000, and p75 of $100,000. The recent list shows a mix of one-off gifts and repeat support: All Catholic Studios, Mystical Humanity of Christ, St Patricks Seminary, Xavier Society for the Blind, and Saint Peters University each appear more than once across 2023-2025. The foundation’s support is almost entirely general operating funding, matching its emphasis on core organizational sustainability. It is a regional funder by scope, but the grant list includes repeated multiyear awards to the same Catholic institutions.
$4.8M
$57.7M
$4.6M
$5.7M
Most grants fall between $25K and $100K, with a median of $50K.
25th Percentile
$25K
Median
$50K
75th Percentile
$100K
About 11% of grants go to recipients in NY.
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Notable grantees: Mystical Humanity of Christ, All Catholic Studios, University of San Diego
Grants are distributed across the United States, with 100% of recorded awards going to U.S. recipients. California appears often through recipients in San Diego, San Mateo, Saratoga, Menlo Park, Santa Clara, and Los Angeles. New York is another major destination, including New York City, The Bronx, Hawthorne, Monroe, and Brooklyn. Pennsylvania recipients include Old Mines, Erie, and Fairfield in the broader recent list, while New Jersey recipients appear in Jersey City.
Its recent grants center on Catholic faith-based organizations, including spiritual ministries, parish-related work, Catholic media and studio projects, Catholic higher education, churches, religious orders, and Catholic service organizations. Most awards are listed as general operating support.
The recent grant distribution shows a p25 of $25,000, a median of $50,000, and a p75 of $100,000. The list also includes larger six-figure awards such as $300,000, $450,000, and $500,000.
Yes. Several recipients appear in multiple years, including All Catholic Studios, Mystical Humanity of Christ, St Patricks Seminary, Xavier Society for the Blind, and Saint Peters University. That pattern points to sustained backing rather than one-time project funding.
The top state by grant count is Missouri. Pennsylvania recipients account for 11% of grants, while the recipient list also includes many organizations in California and New York.
The recent grants are overwhelmingly general operating gifts. Examples include support for universities, seminaries, churches, religious orders, and Catholic service organizations, indicating a focus on core operating capacity rather than restricted project funding.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MYSTICAL HUMANITY OF CHRIST | SAN MATEO, CA | $500,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| UNIVERSITY OF SAN DIEGO | SAN DIEGO, CA | $500,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| ALL CATHOLIC STUDIOS | SARATOGA, CA | $300,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| CARMEL OF JESUS MARY JOSEPH | FAIRFIELD, PA | $250,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| COMM FOR MISSION RESP OF ARCHDIOCESE NY | NEW YORK, NY | $220,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| ST PATRICKS SEMINARY | MENLO PARK, CA | $160,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| CATHOLIC CHARITIES BUREAU INC | JACKSONVILLE, FL | $150,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| SOCIETY OF ST VINCENT DE PAUL LOS ANGEL | LOS ANGELES, CA | $150,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| CATHOLIC RELIEF SERVICES | TIPTON, IA | $150,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| SAINT PETERS UNIVERSITY | JERSEY CITY, NJ | $130,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| MUSTARD SEED COMMUNITIES | MEDFIELD, MA | $125,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| PROVIDENCE REST HOME | THE BRONX, NY | $120,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| XAVIER SOCIETY FOR THE BLIND | NEW YORK, NY | $120,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| ROSARY HILL HOME | HAWTHORNE, NY | $120,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| SISTERS OF ST FRANCES | SYRACUSE, NY | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| FRANCISCAN SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY | SAN DIEGO, CA | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| CRISTO REY BOSTON HIGH SCHOOL | DORCHESTER, MA | $90,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| ST CHRISTOPHER'S INN | GARRISON, NY | $80,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| GOOD SHEPHERD HOSPICE | FARMINGDALE, NY | $75,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| BENEDICTINE SISTERS OF ERIE | ERIE, PA | $65,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| JUNIPERO SERRO HIGH SCHOOL | GARDENA, CA | $55,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| DON BOSCO CRISTO REY HIGH SCHOOL MD | TAKOMA PARK, MD | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| SISTERS OF ST DOMINIC OF AMITYVILLE | AMITYVILLE, NY | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| ST PETER'S BOYS HIGH SCHOOL | YONKERS, NY | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| ARCHDIOCESE OF NEWARK | NEWARK, NJ | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| RISE UP INDUSTRIES | SANTEE, CA | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| CARDINAL MCCLOSKEY COMMUNITY SERVICES | VALHALLA, NY | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| ST DOMINICS FAMILY SERVICES | THE BRONX, NY | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| CAPUCHIN FRANCISCANS WESTERN AMERICA | DENVER, CO | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| ST JOSEPH'S SENIOR HOME | WOODBRIDGE, NJ | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| ST JOSEPH CONVENT | SEA ISLE CITY, NJ | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| ACADEMY OF MT ST URSULA | BRONX, NY | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| ST ELIZABETH SETON CHILDRENS FOUNDATION | YONKERS, NY | $45,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| PURDUE UNIVERSITY | GOSHEN, IN | $40,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| LSA FAMILY HEALTH SERVICE | NEW YORK, NY | $40,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| FONTBONNE HALL ACADEMY | BROOKLYN, NY | $35,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| ST ANN'S MONASTERY AND SHRINE BASILICA | SCRANTON, PA | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| LACORDAIRE ACADEMY | UPR MONTCLAIR, NJ | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| FR CAPODANNO CATHOLIC ACADEMY | STATEN ISLAND, NY | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| THE EPIPHANY SCHOOL | NEW YORK, NY | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| ST IGNATIUS SCHOOL | BRONX, NY | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| SISTERS OF THE PRESENTATION OF THE | DUBUQUE, IA | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| COVENANT HOUSE | NEW YORK, NY | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| TOMORROWS HOPE | BROOKLYN PARK, MN | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| MT CARMEL - STS BENEDICTA & MARY | STATEN ISLAND, NY | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| CATHEDRAL HIGH SCHOOL | NEW YORK, NY | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| CENTRAL CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL | PITTSBURGH, PA | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| PASSIONISTS INTERNATIONAL | SOUTH RIVER, NJ | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| HOME FOR THE AGED LITTLE SISTERS OF THE | PITTSBURGH, PA | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| CATHOLIC FAITH NETWORK | UNIONDALE, NY | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
MYSTICAL HUMANITY OF CHRIST
$500,000GENERAL OPERATING
UNIVERSITY OF SAN DIEGO
$500,000GENERAL OPERATING
ALL CATHOLIC STUDIOS
$300,000GENERAL OPERATING
CARMEL OF JESUS MARY JOSEPH
$250,000GENERAL OPERATING
COMM FOR MISSION RESP OF ARCHDIOCESE NY
$220,000GENERAL OPERATING
ST PATRICKS SEMINARY
$160,000GENERAL OPERATING
CATHOLIC CHARITIES BUREAU INC
$150,000GENERAL OPERATING
SOCIETY OF ST VINCENT DE PAUL LOS ANGEL
$150,000GENERAL OPERATING
CATHOLIC RELIEF SERVICES
$150,000GENERAL OPERATING
MUSTARD SEED COMMUNITIES
$125,000GENERAL OPERATING
PROVIDENCE REST HOME
$120,000GENERAL OPERATING
XAVIER SOCIETY FOR THE BLIND
$120,000GENERAL OPERATING
ROSARY HILL HOME
$120,000GENERAL OPERATING
SISTERS OF ST FRANCES
$100,000GENERAL OPERATING
FRANCISCAN SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY
$100,000GENERAL OPERATING
CRISTO REY BOSTON HIGH SCHOOL
$90,000GENERAL OPERATING
ST CHRISTOPHER'S INN
$80,000GENERAL OPERATING
BENEDICTINE SISTERS OF ERIE
$65,000GENERAL OPERATING
JUNIPERO SERRO HIGH SCHOOL
$55,000GENERAL OPERATING
DON BOSCO CRISTO REY HIGH SCHOOL MD
$50,000GENERAL OPERATING
SISTERS OF ST DOMINIC OF AMITYVILLE
$50,000GENERAL OPERATING
ST PETER'S BOYS HIGH SCHOOL
$50,000GENERAL OPERATING
ARCHDIOCESE OF NEWARK
$50,000GENERAL OPERATING
RISE UP INDUSTRIES
$50,000GENERAL OPERATING
CARDINAL MCCLOSKEY COMMUNITY SERVICES
$50,000GENERAL OPERATING
ST DOMINICS FAMILY SERVICES
$50,000GENERAL OPERATING
CAPUCHIN FRANCISCANS WESTERN AMERICA
$50,000GENERAL OPERATING
ST JOSEPH'S SENIOR HOME
$50,000GENERAL OPERATING
ST JOSEPH CONVENT
$50,000GENERAL OPERATING
ACADEMY OF MT ST URSULA
$50,000GENERAL OPERATING
PURDUE UNIVERSITY
$40,000GENERAL OPERATING
FONTBONNE HALL ACADEMY
$35,000GENERAL OPERATING
ST ANN'S MONASTERY AND SHRINE BASILICA
$30,000GENERAL OPERATING
LACORDAIRE ACADEMY
$30,000GENERAL OPERATING
FR CAPODANNO CATHOLIC ACADEMY
$25,000GENERAL OPERATING
THE EPIPHANY SCHOOL
$25,000GENERAL OPERATING
ST IGNATIUS SCHOOL
$25,000GENERAL OPERATING
SISTERS OF THE PRESENTATION OF THE
$25,000GENERAL OPERATING
TOMORROWS HOPE
$25,000GENERAL OPERATING
MT CARMEL - STS BENEDICTA & MARY
$25,000GENERAL OPERATING
CATHEDRAL HIGH SCHOOL
$25,000GENERAL OPERATING
CENTRAL CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL
$25,000GENERAL OPERATING
PASSIONISTS INTERNATIONAL
$25,000GENERAL OPERATING
HOME FOR THE AGED LITTLE SISTERS OF THE
$25,000GENERAL OPERATING
CATHOLIC FAITH NETWORK
$25,000GENERAL OPERATING