The Catholic Foundation of Greater Philadelphia is an independent, nonprofit community foundation committed to growing philanthropy according to the teachings of Jesus Christ. Grounded in the principles of faith and service, the Foundation meets the diverse needs of donors and Catholic institutions through charitable fund management and development consulting to secure the future of the Catholic faith in Greater Philadelphia.
A defining feature of The Catholic Foundation of Greater Philadelphia’s recent grantmaking is the scale of its support for Catholic institutions in the region, including a $11,786,607 grant in 2024 to Holy Family Home - Little Sisters of the Poor in Philadelphia. The foundation directs most of its giving to Catholic parishes, schools, ministries, and faith-based service organizations in Greater Philadelphia, with recipients such as St Charles Borromeo Seminary in Wynnewood and Catholic Social Services in Philadelphia appearing among its larger awards. Its public profile combines charitable fund management, donor-directed giving, and competitive grant programs, all framed by Catholic mission alignment. Recent grants show support for ministries serving vulnerable people, Catholic education and formation, parish life, and evangelization work. The foundation’s recurring support for institutions across the Archdiocese of Philadelphia suggests a relationship-based approach that includes both very large charitable awards and smaller program-oriented grants. Alongside institutional support, it also convenes donors through the Women in Philanthropy initiative and administers giving tools and campaigns for Catholic organizations in the five-county area.
Catholic institutions make up a major part of the foundation’s recent activity. It gave $1,600,000 in 2025 to Catholic Social Services in Philadelphia and $345,861 in 2024 to the Catholic Charities Appeal in Philadelphia, showing continued support for organizations tied to the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and local service delivery. Education and formation also appear in the grant list: St Francis De Sales School in Philadelphia received $128,128 in 2025, while Neumann University in Aston received $100,000 in 2025. Parish life is another visible theme, with grants such as $600,000 to Saint Margaret Church in Narberth and $213,505 to Saint Peter Parish in West Brandywine in 2024. The foundation also backed evangelization-related work through The Culture Project in Wynnewood, which received $243,087 in 2024 and $214,000 in 2025.
The typical grant profile sits at $10,000 at the 25th percentile, $19,020 at the median, and $50,000 at the 75th percentile, even though the recent record also includes large charitable awards. Giving appears recurrent rather than one-time: several recipients show up in multiple years, including Holy Family Home - Little Sisters of the Poor, Catholic Social Services, Saint Margaret Church, Catholic Leadership Institute, The Culture Project, and St Charles Borromeo Seminary. The foundation is classified as a mixed community foundation and funds through charitable, donor-directed, and competitive grant structures. Several programs accept unsolicited applications, including general grant opportunities and the Women in Philanthropy initiative, while others such as the Emergency Relief Fund and Angel Award operate through specific program channels.
$8.6M
$56.3M
$14.6M
$13.5M
Most grants fall between $10K and $50K, with a median of $19K.
25th Percentile
$10K
Median
$19K
75th Percentile
$50K
About 87% of grants go to recipients in PA.
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Giving is strongly concentrated in Pennsylvania, which accounts for 87% of grants and is the top state by recipient count. Philadelphia is the most visible city in the recent grants list, joined by Wynnewood, Narberth, West Brandywine, Malvern, Ambler, Bala Cynwyd, Aston, and Hilltown. The foundation’s local scope is consistent with its regional focus on Greater Philadelphia and the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. All recipient-country activity in the data is in the United States, with 159 grants recorded there.
The recent grant list shows support for Catholic parishes, schools, seminaries, social-service ministries, and faith-based nonprofits. Examples include Catholic Social Services, St Francis De Sales School, St Charles Borromeo Seminary, and The Culture Project. Its stated focus areas also include Health & Essential Needs, Education & Youth Development, Conservation & Preservation, and Faith-based services & Outreach.
The foundation’s typical grant size is $10,000 at the 25th percentile, $19,020 at the median, and $50,000 at the 75th percentile. The recent record also includes much larger charitable awards, so the distribution includes both modest program support and major institutional grants.
Yes. Several recipients appear in consecutive years, including Holy Family Home - Little Sisters of the Poor in 2024 and 2025, Catholic Social Services in 2024 and 2025, Saint Margaret Church in 2024 and 2025, The Culture Project in 2024 and 2025, and Catholic Leadership Institute in 2024 and 2025.
The grantmaking is highly local and heavily centered in Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania accounts for 87% of grants, and the recipient list includes Philadelphia, Wynnewood, Narberth, West Brandywine, Malvern, Ambler, Bala Cynwyd, Aston, and Hilltown. All recorded recipient-country activity is in the United States.
Yes. The active program list identifies several offerings that accept unsolicited applications, including Women in Philanthropy Grants, Create a Fund, #iGiveCatholic participation, General Grantmaking, CFGP Grant Opportunities, and the Impact Fund. Other programs, such as the Emergency Relief Fund and Angel Award, are marked as not accepting unsolicited applications.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HOLY FAMILY HOME - LITTLE SISTERS OF THE POOR | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $3,948,906 | 2025 | CHARITABLE |
| CATHOLIC SOCIAL SERVICES | PHAILADELPHIA, PA | $1,600,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE |
| ARCHDIOCESE OF PHILADELPHIA OFFICE FOR FINANCIAL SERVICES | PHAILADELPHIA, PA | $324,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE |
| CATHOLIC LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE | MALVERN, PA | $250,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE |
| THE CULTURE PROJECT | WYNNEWOOD, PA | $214,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE |
| VOCATION OFFICE FOR THE DIOCESAN PRIESTHOOD | WYNNEWOOD, PA | $193,235 | 2025 | CHARITABLE |
| OUR LADY OF THE SACRED HEART PARISH | HILLTOWN, PA | $180,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE |
| ST CHARLES BORROMEO SEMINARY | AMBLER, PA | $173,711 | 2025 | CHARITABLE |
| SAINT MARGARET CHURCH | NARBERTH, PA | $171,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE |
| SAINT MATTHIAS PARISH | BALA CYNWYD, PA | $129,784 | 2025 | CHARITABLE |
| ST FRANCIS DE SALES SCHOOL | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $128,128 | 2025 | CHARITABLE |
| SAINT PATRICK PARISH - PHILADELPHIA | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $104,891 | 2025 | CHARITABLE |
| PENN CATHOLIC NEWMANN COMMUNITY | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $100,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE |
| NEUMANN UNIVERSITY | ASTON, PA | $100,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE |
| GIANNA CENTER OF PHILADELPHIA | EAST NORRITON, PA | $90,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE |
| SAINT PETER CHURCH | WEST BRANDYWINE, PA | $85,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE |
| CATHEDRAL BASILICA OF SAINTS PETER & PAUL | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $81,822 | 2025 | CHARITABLE |
| ST CHARLES BORROMEO SEMINARY | AMBLER, PA | $50,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE |
| MISSIONARY SISTERS OF THE PRECIOUS BLOOD | READING, PA | $50,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE |
| GWYNEDD MERCY ACADEMY HIGH SCHOOL | GWYNEDD VALLEY, PA | $50,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE |
| ST JOSEPH'S UNIVERSITY OFFICE OF DEVELOPMENT | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $50,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE |
| SAINT JOHN THE EVANGELIST PARISH | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $50,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE |
| REGNUM CHRISTI PHILADELPHIA | MEDIA, PA | $50,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE |
| CARITAS IN VERITATE | PHOENIX, AZ | $50,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE |
| PROVINCE OF ST THOMAS OF VILLANOVA | VILLANOVA, PA | $39,500 | 2025 | CHARITABLE |
| DIVINE MERCY UNIVERSITY | STERLING, VA | $35,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE |
| CATHEDRAL BASILICA OF SS PETER AND PAUL | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $25,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE |
| SAINT RICHARD PARISH | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $22,500 | 2025 | CHARITABLE |
| DOLAN FAMILY CHARITIES | SAN ANTONIO, TX | $20,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE |
| ARCHDIOCESE OF PHILADELPHIA CLERGY OFFICE | WYNNEWOOD, PA | $20,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE |
| OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE CHURCH | DOYELSTOWN, PA | $20,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE |
| CATHOLIC CHARITIES APPEAL | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $15,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE |
| CRANALEITH SPIRITUAL CENTER | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $15,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE |
| ST CHARLES BORROMEO SEMINARY APPEAL | AMBLER, PA | $15,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE |
| SAINT JUDE PARISH | CHALFONT, PA | $12,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE |
| DYNAMIC CATHOLIC | ERLANGER, KY | $10,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE |
| WIDENER UNIVERSITY | CHESTER, PA | $10,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE |
| VILLANOVA AUGUSTINIAN FATHERS | VILLANOVA, PA | $10,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE |
| THOMAS JEFFERSON UNIVERSITY | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $10,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE |
| MISERICORDIA UNIVERSITY | DALLAS, PA | $10,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE |
| LIMA CENTRAL CATHOLIC EDUCATION FOUNDATION | LIMA, OH | $10,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE |
| MAN UP MINISTRIES | CHESTER, PA | $10,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE |
| ST MARY'S | LYNN, MA | $10,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE |
| SPELMAN COLLEGE | ATLANTA, GA | $10,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE |
| CATHOLIC INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY | CAMBRIDGE, MA | $10,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE |
| KUTZTOWN UNIVERSITY | KUTZTOWN, PA | $10,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE |
| HOLY FAMILY UNIVERSITY | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $10,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE |
| WEST CHESTER UNIVERSITY | WEST CHESTER, PA | $10,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE |
| ST FRANCIS INN | CHALFONT, PA | $9,500 | 2025 | CHARITABLE |
| FELLOWSHIP OF CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY STUDENTS (FOCUS) | DENVER, CO | $8,500 | 2025 | CHARITABLE |
HOLY FAMILY HOME - LITTLE SISTERS OF THE POOR
$3,948,906CHARITABLE
CATHOLIC SOCIAL SERVICES
$1,600,000CHARITABLE
ARCHDIOCESE OF PHILADELPHIA OFFICE FOR FINANCIAL SERVICES
$324,000CHARITABLE
CATHOLIC LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE
$250,000CHARITABLE
THE CULTURE PROJECT
$214,000CHARITABLE
VOCATION OFFICE FOR THE DIOCESAN PRIESTHOOD
$193,235CHARITABLE
OUR LADY OF THE SACRED HEART PARISH
$180,000CHARITABLE
ST CHARLES BORROMEO SEMINARY
$173,711CHARITABLE
SAINT MARGARET CHURCH
$171,000CHARITABLE
SAINT MATTHIAS PARISH
$129,784CHARITABLE
ST FRANCIS DE SALES SCHOOL
$128,128CHARITABLE
SAINT PATRICK PARISH - PHILADELPHIA
$104,891CHARITABLE
PENN CATHOLIC NEWMANN COMMUNITY
$100,000CHARITABLE
NEUMANN UNIVERSITY
$100,000CHARITABLE
GIANNA CENTER OF PHILADELPHIA
$90,000CHARITABLE
SAINT PETER CHURCH
$85,000CHARITABLE
CATHEDRAL BASILICA OF SAINTS PETER & PAUL
$81,822CHARITABLE
ST CHARLES BORROMEO SEMINARY
$50,000CHARITABLE
MISSIONARY SISTERS OF THE PRECIOUS BLOOD
$50,000CHARITABLE
GWYNEDD MERCY ACADEMY HIGH SCHOOL
$50,000CHARITABLE
ST JOSEPH'S UNIVERSITY OFFICE OF DEVELOPMENT
$50,000CHARITABLE
SAINT JOHN THE EVANGELIST PARISH
$50,000CHARITABLE
REGNUM CHRISTI PHILADELPHIA
$50,000CHARITABLE
CARITAS IN VERITATE
$50,000CHARITABLE
PROVINCE OF ST THOMAS OF VILLANOVA
$39,500CHARITABLE
DIVINE MERCY UNIVERSITY
$35,000CHARITABLE
CATHEDRAL BASILICA OF SS PETER AND PAUL
$25,000CHARITABLE
SAINT RICHARD PARISH
$22,500CHARITABLE
DOLAN FAMILY CHARITIES
$20,000CHARITABLE
ARCHDIOCESE OF PHILADELPHIA CLERGY OFFICE
$20,000CHARITABLE
OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE CHURCH
$20,000CHARITABLE
CATHOLIC CHARITIES APPEAL
$15,000CHARITABLE
CRANALEITH SPIRITUAL CENTER
$15,000CHARITABLE
ST CHARLES BORROMEO SEMINARY APPEAL
$15,000CHARITABLE
SAINT JUDE PARISH
$12,000CHARITABLE
DYNAMIC CATHOLIC
$10,000CHARITABLE
WIDENER UNIVERSITY
$10,000CHARITABLE
VILLANOVA AUGUSTINIAN FATHERS
$10,000CHARITABLE
THOMAS JEFFERSON UNIVERSITY
$10,000CHARITABLE
MISERICORDIA UNIVERSITY
$10,000CHARITABLE
LIMA CENTRAL CATHOLIC EDUCATION FOUNDATION
$10,000CHARITABLE
MAN UP MINISTRIES
$10,000CHARITABLE
ST MARY'S
$10,000CHARITABLE
SPELMAN COLLEGE
$10,000CHARITABLE
CATHOLIC INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
$10,000CHARITABLE
KUTZTOWN UNIVERSITY
$10,000CHARITABLE
HOLY FAMILY UNIVERSITY
$10,000CHARITABLE
WEST CHESTER UNIVERSITY
$10,000CHARITABLE
ST FRANCIS INN
$9,500CHARITABLE
FELLOWSHIP OF CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY STUDENTS (FOCUS)
$8,500CHARITABLE