The Patton Family Charitable Trust concentrates its giving on anti-abortion/pro-life organizations and Catholic institutions, funding national advocacy groups, campus mobilizers, and Catholic media/seminary programs. Grants are large and often general operating, indicating trust in recipients' overall missions rather than specific projects. Much of the portfolio supports national-scale campaigns and faith-based education consistent with conservative Catholic values.
Concentrated, large unrestricted grants to a small number of national and faith‑based organizations; includes repeat funding to prominent pro‑life groups and sizable single gifts rather than many small awards.
A defining feature of the Timothy and Sheila Patton Family Charitable Trust is its repeated use of very large general operating grants for anti-abortion and Catholic institutions. In 2025, it gave $1,000,000 to Life Collective Inc and $1,000,000 to Augustine Institute Inc, both as charitable general operating support. Those awards sit alongside a cluster of $250,000 grants to national pro-life organizations including Sidewalk Advocates for Life, 40 Days for Life, Live Action, and Students for Life of America. The trust’s portfolio also includes major support for Catholic education and formation, with grants to Ave Maria University, Holy Childhood of Jesus Harbor Springs, Holy Cross College Inc, and The Legion of Christ Inc. The pattern points to institutional support rather than project-only funding, with emphasis on advocacy, campus organizing, Catholic media, and religious education. Recent grants also show repeat relationships across years, including support for Live Action, Augustine Institute Inc, Catholic Vote Education Fund, and Young America's Foundation. The trust’s giving is substantial enough to include seven-figure awards and many $100,000-level grants, alongside smaller operating gifts for schools and ministries.
In pro-life advocacy and public messaging, the trust supported Live Action with $250,000 in 2024 and another $250,000 in 2025, and gave $250,000 to Students for Life of America for general operating support in 2025. It also funded Sidewalk Advocates for Life and 40 Days for Life at the same $250,000 level in 2025, reinforcing a direct-action and campus-mobilization pattern. On the Catholic education side, the trust gave $200,000 to Ave Maria University in 2024 and $100,000 to Holy Cross College Inc in 2025. Formation and media ministries also appear in the record through grants to the Augustine Institute Inc and Catholic Vote Education Fund. Several awards were designated general operating support, showing broad backing for recipient organizations rather than narrow projects.
Typical grants cluster around a median of $10,000, with the 25th percentile at $5,000 and the 75th percentile at $50,000. The recent grants list also includes repeated awards to the same recipients across 2024 and 2025, including Live Action, Augustine Institute Inc, Catholic Vote Education Fund, St Edward High School, Napa Institute, Act Xxix, and Young America's Foundation. That repeated pattern suggests ongoing relationships rather than one-time gifts. The trust appears to make discretionary charitable grants rather than program-related investments, and it does not fund individuals. Most awards are listed as general operating support, indicating flexible institutional funding.
$4.8M
$28.6M
$3.1M
$4.9M
Most grants fall between $5K and $50K, with a median of $10K.
25th Percentile
$5K
Median
$10K
75th Percentile
$50K
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Notable grantees: Augustine Institute, Life Collective, Live Action, Students for Life of America, 40 Days for Life
Most grants in the recent list go to recipients in the United States, and 57% of grants are to recipients in Michigan, the trust’s HQ state. Beyond Michigan, frequent recipient locations include Virginia, Texas, Colorado, Indiana, and California. Named recipients in Michigan include Holy Childhood of Jesus Harbor Springs, Act Xxix in Detroit, Saint Thomas Education Fund in Grand Rapids, and Dominican Sisters of Mary Mother of the Eucharist in Ann Arbor. Outside Michigan, grants reached Arlington and Fredericksburg, Virginia; Allen and Bryan, Texas; Greenwood Village and Denver, Colorado; and Carmel, Indiana.
The recent grants focus on anti-abortion/pro-life organizations and Catholic institutions. Named recipients include Life Collective Inc, Augustine Institute Inc, Sidewalk Advocates for Life, 40 Days for Life, Live Action, Students for Life of America, Ave Maria University, and Holy Cross College Inc.
Yes. The record shows repeat awards in both 2024 and 2025 to Live Action, Augustine Institute Inc, Catholic Vote Education Fund, St Edward High School, Napa Institute, Act Xxix, and Young America's Foundation.
The grant-size distribution shows a 25th percentile of $5,000, a median of $10,000, and a 75th percentile of $50,000. The recent list also includes larger operating grants at $100,000, $250,000, $200,000, and $1,000,000.
Michigan receives 57% of the grants in the recent data, even though the trust’s headquarters are in Ann Arbor, MI. Other visible recipient states include Florida, Virginia, Texas, Colorado, Indiana, California, Ohio, Georgia, Washington, and Oklahoma.
Most recent awards are labeled charitable general operating support. That pattern appears across major grants to Life Collective Inc, Augustine Institute Inc, Sidewalk Advocates for Life, 40 Days for Life, and Live Action, showing flexible support for recipient organizations.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LIFE COLLECTIVE INC | OKLAHOMA CITY, OK | $1,000,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE - GENERAL OPERATING |
| AUGUSTINE INSTITUTE INC | GREENWOOD VILLAGE, CO | $1,000,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE - GENERAL OPERATING |
| LIVE ACTION | ARLINGTON, VA | $250,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE - GENERAL OPERATING |
| STUDENTS FOR LIFE OF AMERICA | FREDERICKSBURG, VA | $250,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE - GENERAL OPERATING |
| 40 DAYS FOR LIFE | BRYAN, TX | $250,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE - GENERAL OPERATING |
| SIDEWALK ADVOCATES FOR LIFE | ALLEN, TX | $250,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE - GENERAL OPERATING |
| HOLY CHILDHOOD OF JESUS HARBOR SPRINGS | HARBOR SPRINGS, MI | $150,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE - GENERAL OPERATING |
| CATHOLIC VOTE EDUCATION FUND | CARMEL, IN | $100,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE - GENERAL OPERATING |
| ACT XXIX | DETROIT, MI | $100,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE - GENERAL OPERATING |
| ST EDWARD HIGH SCHOOL | LAKEWOOD, OH | $100,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE - GENERAL OPERATING |
| NAPA INSTITUTE | IRVINE, CA | $100,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE - GENERAL OPERATING |
| HOLY CROSS COLLEGE INC | NOTRE DAME, IN | $100,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE - GENERAL OPERATING |
| THE LEGION OF CHRIST INC | ROSWELL, GA | $100,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE - GENERAL OPERATING |
| SAINT THOMAS EDUCATION FUND | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $77,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE - GENERAL OPERATING |
| FRIENDS OF THE BRIDEGROOM INC | CINCINNATI, OH | $75,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE - GENERAL OPERATING |
| NEW HORIZONS FOUNDATION | COLORADO SPRINGS, CO | $75,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE - GENERAL OPERATING |
| FELLOWSHIP OF CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY STUDENTS | DENVER, CO | $50,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE - GENERAL OPERATING |
| NATIONAL EUCHARISTIC CONGRESS | WASHINGTON, DC | $50,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE - GENERAL OPERATING |
| DOMINICAN SISTERS OF MARY MOTHER OF THE EUCHARIST | ANN ARBOR, MI | $50,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE - GENERAL OPERATING |
| YOUNG AMERICA'S FOUNDATION | RESTON, VA | $50,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE - GENERAL OPERATING |
| HIS EYE IS ON THE SPARROW | SALINE, MI | $40,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE - GENERAL OPERATING |
| EMMAUS HEALTH PARTNERS - ARBORWOMEN | ANN ARBOR, MI | $35,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE - GENERAL OPERATING |
| FATHER GABRIEL RICHARD HIGH SCHOOL | ANN ARBOR, MI | $35,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE - GENERAL OPERATING |
| HOPE MEDICAL CLINIC INC | YPSILANTI, MI | $34,333 | 2025 | CHARITABLE - GENERAL OPERATING |
| INTERNATIONAL SAMARITAN | ANN ARBOR, MI | $30,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE - GENERAL OPERATING |
| NORTH CENTRAL MICHIGAN COLLEGE FOUNDATION | PETOSKEY, MI | $30,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE - GENERAL OPERATING |
| RED-C APOSTOLATE | COLLEGE STATION, TX | $30,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE - GENERAL OPERATING |
| NEWMAN CATHOLIC CAMPUS MINISTRY | DULUTH, MN | $25,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE - GENERAL OPERATING |
| ST JOHN PAUL II LIFE CENTER | AUSTIN, TX | $25,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE - GENERAL OPERATING |
| AVE MARIA UNIVERSITY | AVE MARIA, FL | $25,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE - GENERAL OPERATING |
| HALFTIME INSTITUTE | IRVING, TX | $25,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE - GENERAL OPERATING |
| AVE MARIA COMMUNICATIONS | WILMINGTON, NC | $25,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE - GENERAL OPERATING |
| HARBOR SPRINGS AREA HISTORICAL SOCIETY | HARBOR SPRINGS, MI | $25,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE - GENERAL OPERATING |
| AVE MARIA SCHOOL OF LAW | NAPLES, FL | $23,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE - GENERAL OPERATING |
| ST LOUIS CENTER | CHELSEA, MI | $20,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE - GENERAL OPERATING |
| BARNABAS ALMSGIVING FUND | LANCASTER, PA | $20,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE - GENERAL OPERATING |
| HARBOR LIGHT CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS | HARBOR SPRINGS, MI | $20,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE - GENERAL OPERATING |
| ST JOHN THE EVANGELIST CATHOLIC CHURHC | JACKSON, MI | $12,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE - GENERAL OPERATING |
| TWIN CITY AREA CATHOLIC SCHOOL FUND INC | ST JOSEPH, MI | $11,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE - GENERAL OPERATING |
| THE STIFF PERSON SYNDROME RESEARCH FOUNDATION | BETHESDA, MD | $10,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE - GENERAL OPERATING |
| ST THOMAS THE APOSTLE CHURCH | ANN ARBOR, MI | $10,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE - GENERAL OPERATING |
| CATHOLIC FOUNDATION OF MICHIGAN | BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MI | $10,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE - GENERAL OPERATING |
| THE GIVEN INSTITUTE | WASHINGTON, DC | $10,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE - GENERAL OPERATING |
| CATHOLIC SOCIAL SERVICES OF WASHTENAW COUNTY | ANN ARBOR, MI | $10,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE - GENERAL OPERATING |
| CHILDREN'S HEALING CENTERS OF AMERICA | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $10,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE - GENERAL OPERATING |
| AVALON HOUSING | ANN ARBOR, MI | $10,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE - GENERAL OPERATING |
| COMMUNITY PREGNANCY CLINICS INC | NAPLES, FL | $10,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE - GENERAL OPERATING |
| BACK2BACK MINISTRIES | MASON, OH | $10,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE - GENERAL OPERATING |
| MACKINAC CENTER | MIDLAND, MI | $10,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE - GENERAL OPERATING |
| CHILDREN WAITING EVERYWHERE | PETERSBURG, MI | $9,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE - GENERAL OPERATING |
LIFE COLLECTIVE INC
$1,000,000CHARITABLE - GENERAL OPERATING
AUGUSTINE INSTITUTE INC
$1,000,000CHARITABLE - GENERAL OPERATING
SIDEWALK ADVOCATES FOR LIFE
CHARITABLE - GENERAL OPERATING
HOLY CHILDHOOD OF JESUS HARBOR SPRINGS
$150,000CHARITABLE - GENERAL OPERATING
ACT XXIX
$100,000CHARITABLE - GENERAL OPERATING
ST EDWARD HIGH SCHOOL
$100,000CHARITABLE - GENERAL OPERATING
THE LEGION OF CHRIST INC
$100,000CHARITABLE - GENERAL OPERATING
FRIENDS OF THE BRIDEGROOM INC
$75,000CHARITABLE - GENERAL OPERATING
FELLOWSHIP OF CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY STUDENTS
$50,000CHARITABLE - GENERAL OPERATING
NATIONAL EUCHARISTIC CONGRESS
$50,000CHARITABLE - GENERAL OPERATING
DOMINICAN SISTERS OF MARY MOTHER OF THE EUCHARIST
$50,000CHARITABLE - GENERAL OPERATING
HIS EYE IS ON THE SPARROW
$40,000CHARITABLE - GENERAL OPERATING
EMMAUS HEALTH PARTNERS - ARBORWOMEN
$35,000CHARITABLE - GENERAL OPERATING
FATHER GABRIEL RICHARD HIGH SCHOOL
$35,000CHARITABLE - GENERAL OPERATING
RED-C APOSTOLATE
$30,000CHARITABLE - GENERAL OPERATING
NEWMAN CATHOLIC CAMPUS MINISTRY
$25,000CHARITABLE - GENERAL OPERATING
HALFTIME INSTITUTE
$25,000CHARITABLE - GENERAL OPERATING
AVE MARIA COMMUNICATIONS
$25,000CHARITABLE - GENERAL OPERATING
ST LOUIS CENTER
$20,000CHARITABLE - GENERAL OPERATING
HARBOR LIGHT CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS
$20,000CHARITABLE - GENERAL OPERATING
ST JOHN THE EVANGELIST CATHOLIC CHURHC
$12,000CHARITABLE - GENERAL OPERATING
TWIN CITY AREA CATHOLIC SCHOOL FUND INC
$11,000CHARITABLE - GENERAL OPERATING
THE STIFF PERSON SYNDROME RESEARCH FOUNDATION
$10,000CHARITABLE - GENERAL OPERATING
ST THOMAS THE APOSTLE CHURCH
$10,000CHARITABLE - GENERAL OPERATING
CATHOLIC SOCIAL SERVICES OF WASHTENAW COUNTY
$10,000CHARITABLE - GENERAL OPERATING
CHILDREN'S HEALING CENTERS OF AMERICA
$10,000CHARITABLE - GENERAL OPERATING
CHILDREN WAITING EVERYWHERE
$9,000CHARITABLE - GENERAL OPERATING