Woodlawn Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $15,567,753 (2023)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Not publicly available
• Grant Range: $5,000 - $4,668,402
• Geographic Focus: Primarily New York, Illinois, and Texas; also supports international projects
• Total Assets: $51,945,230
• Grants Made: 40-50 annually

Contact Details

Address: 56 Harrison St., Suite 401, New Rochelle, NY 10801
Phone: 914-632-3778
Email: giving@woodlawnfoundation.org
Website: www.woodlawnfoundation.org

Overview

Founded in 1978 and tax-exempt since 1980, the Woodlawn Foundation is a public charity that receives contributions and provides grants to nonprofit organizations that receive pastoral care from the Catholic Prelature of Opus Dei. The foundation takes its name and inspiration from the "Woodlawn Residence," the first center of Opus Dei in the United States, which opened in Chicago in 1949. With total assets of approximately $52 million and annual giving of over $15.5 million, the foundation supports approximately 40 to 50 nonprofit corporations each year across the United States and internationally. Revenue comes primarily from contributions (95.4%), with smaller portions from program services and investment income. The foundation operates as a conduit for donors who wish to support the spiritual formation and apostolic work of Opus Dei-affiliated organizations.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not operate distinct grant programs with separate application processes. All grants are made to nonprofit organizations that receive pastoral care from the Catholic Prelature of Opus Dei.

Grant Range: $5,000 - $4,668,402 (typical awards vary widely based on organizational needs)

Priority Areas

The foundation's grant-making focuses on:

• Education: Support for schools and educational programs affiliated with Opus Dei, including eight secondary schools in the United States (The Heights and Oakcrest near Washington, D.C.; Northridge Preparatory School and Willows Academy near Chicago; the Montrose School and Sparhawk Academy near Boston; and Western Academy and Magnolia School near Houston)
• Supplementary Educational Programs: Programs like Midtown and Metro Centers that have helped thousands of African-American and Hispanic youth from low-income families in Chicago
• Human Services: Various social service initiatives operated by organizations receiving Opus Dei pastoral care
• Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking: Support for centers of spiritual formation and apostolic work
• International Projects: Including educational institutions like El Peñón Foundation in Mexico, training programs for licensed travel guides in Jerusalem, and a multimedia resource center in Abu Gosh, Israel

Geographic Focus

While headquartered in New York, the foundation primarily operates in:

• New York
• Illinois
• Texas
• International locations (Mexico, Israel, and other countries)

What They Don't Fund

The Woodlawn Foundation exclusively supports organizations that receive pastoral care from the Catholic Prelature of Opus Dei. Organizations without this specific relationship with Opus Dei are not eligible for funding.

Governance and Leadership

President: Anthony McCarthy

Secretary: Gregory A. Byrnes (highest compensated officer at $67,194)

Board Member: Arthur Kim C. Rivera

The directors and officers of the foundation have been chosen because of their professional legal and financial experience. Executive compensation is modest, with the highest-paid officer receiving $67,194 and other key officers receiving between $0-$17,000 annually.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process.

The Woodlawn Foundation makes grants exclusively to nonprofit organizations that receive pastoral care from the Catholic Prelature of Opus Dei. Grants are determined by the foundation's board of directors based on the needs of these affiliated organizations. The foundation operates on a discretionary basis, with the board identifying and supporting approximately 40-50 nonprofit corporations annually.

Organizations seeking funding from the Woodlawn Foundation must already have an established relationship with Opus Dei and receive pastoral care from the prelature through bilateral agreements. The foundation was specifically created by members of Opus Dei to make it possible for people to contribute to the upkeep of apostolic instruments of the spiritual formation offered by the prelature.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly available. Grants are awarded on a discretionary basis throughout the year.

Success Rates

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - grants are made through established relationships rather than a competitive application process.

Application Success Factors

Since the Woodlawn Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, the key factor for receiving funding is:

Established Relationship with Opus Dei: Organizations must receive pastoral care from the Catholic Prelature of Opus Dei through bilateral agreements, in accordance with the prelature's statutes. The prelature assumes pastoral care and Christian orientation of educational and charitable initiatives through formal agreements with the promoters of each initiative.

Mission Alignment: Organizations must have a Christian orientation, specifically with programs entrusted to Opus Dei. The foundation exists to support the apostolic work and spiritual formation initiatives associated with the prelature.

Geographic and Programmatic Focus: While the foundation primarily supports organizations in New York, Illinois, and Texas, it also funds international projects that align with Opus Dei's mission. Educational programs, youth development initiatives, and human services are primary focus areas.

Organizational Sustainability: Given the wide range of grant amounts ($5,000 to over $4.6 million), the foundation appears to support both smaller programmatic needs and major institutional funding requirements.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No Public Application Process: This is an invitation-only funder that operates through established relationships with Opus Dei-affiliated organizations
• Affiliation Required: Only organizations that receive pastoral care from the Catholic Prelature of Opus Dei are eligible for funding
• Substantial Funding Capacity: With $15.5+ million in annual giving and grants ranging from $5,000 to over $4.6 million, the foundation has capacity for both small and large awards
• Consistent Grant-Making: The foundation supports 40-50 organizations annually, indicating stable and ongoing relationships with beneficiary organizations
• Educational Focus: Eight secondary schools and numerous supplementary educational programs receive support, making education a primary funding priority
• Donor-Advised Character: The foundation receives contributions from individuals who believe in its mission and serves as a conduit for supporting Opus Dei apostolates
• Not a Prospect for Most Organizations: Unless your organization already has formal pastoral care agreements with Opus Dei, the Woodlawn Foundation is not a viable funding prospect

References

• Woodlawn Foundation official website: www.woodlawnfoundation.org (accessed January 2026)
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Woodlawn Foundation Form 990 filings: https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/133055729 (accessed January 2026)
• Charity Navigator - Woodlawn Foundation profile: https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/133055729 (accessed January 2026)
• Cause IQ - Woodlawn Foundation profile: https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/woodlawn-foundation,133055729/ (accessed January 2026)
• Opus Dei USA - "What schools and other charities in the United States have a relationship with Opus Dei?": https://opusdei.org/en-us/article/what-schools-and-other-charities-in-the-united-states-have-a-relationship-with-opus-dei/ (accessed January 2026)
• Candid Foundation Directory - Woodlawn Foundation profile: https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile/?collection=grantmakers&activity=result&key=WOOD312 (accessed January 2026)
• Instrumentl - Woodlawn Foundation 990 Report: https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/woodlawn-foundation-d5709511-dbf1-468a-8815-d221414afede (accessed January 2026)