Theresa & Edward O'Toole Foundation
At a glance
This funder does not accept unsolicited applications. The foundation chooses the organisations it funds itself.
Key takeaways
- The foundation makes contributions only to preselected organisations and does not accept unsolicited requests, so a cold application is unlikely to be considered, and the filing gives no further application steps.
- Its theme is Catholic-based nonprofits, and its priority area is the New York City area and Southern California.
- Almost all of its grants are general operating support; half of its 142 grants to organisations were $50,000 or less, so a request around that level is realistic, though about 8 in 10 of its grants fall between $24,000 and $220,000 and its largest grant was $500,000.
- In its latest filing, 55% of its grant dollars to organisations went to organisations it had also funded in its two earlier filings, so a first approach may be harder than a renewal.
Overview
Theresa & Edward O'Toole Foundation is a US private foundation administered by its trustee, BNY Mellon NA, in Pittsburgh, PA.
What they fund
Profile derived from the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings (TY2024, TY2023, TY2022) and web pages about the foundation (stjohns.edu), with every statement checked against those sources. Sources read on 13 October 2026.
Priority Areas
The foundation supports Catholic-based nonprofits in the New York City area and Southern California. Its recorded grantees span Catholic schools and universities, churches, religious communities, seminaries, and Catholic charities and social-service organisations. The filings describe almost all grants as general operating support rather than tying them to named projects. Taken together, the evidence indicates support for the ongoing work of a range of Catholic institutions and services, including education, worship, religious life and charitable care; the record does not set out a wider formal list of priorities or eligibility conditions.
Themes
- Catholic-based nonprofits
Geographic Focus
Priority: New York City area; Southern California. (as reported in other published sources)
How to apply
It makes contributions only to preselected charitable organisations and does not accept unsolicited requests; the filing gives no further application steps.
Application success factors
- Repeat giving: In its TY2024 filing, 55% of its grant dollars to organisations went to organisations it had also funded in its TY2022 or TY2023 filing.
- Grant size: Across its TY2022, TY2023 and TY2024 filings, half of its 142 grants to organisations were $50,000 or less.
Where grants go
From grants to organisations in the foundation’s filings for tax years 2022–2024.
Grant dollars by state
6 other states: 8%
- The largest single recipient received 10% of grant dollars to organisations.
- In tax year 2024, 55% of grant dollars went to organisations Theresa & Edward O'Toole Foundation had funded in earlier filings.
- No grants were paid directly to organisations outside the US.
- <1% of grant dollars went to intermediaries that regrant to other organisations.
Grants
How much do they typically give?
Share of 58 grants in tax year 2024 by size
Median $50,000 (tax year 2024)
The largest grants to organisations in the foundation’s latest filing:
- University of San Diego · General operating$500,0002024 tax year
- Mystical Humanity of Christ · General operating$500,0002024 tax year
- All Catholic Studios · General operating$300,0002024 tax year
- Carmel Of Jesus Mary Joseph · General operating$250,0002024 tax year
- Comm For Mission Resp Of Archdiocese Ny · General operating$220,0002024 tax year
- ST Patricks Seminary · General operating$160,0002024 tax year
- Catholic Charities Bureau · General operating$150,0002024 tax year
- Catholic Relief Services · General operating$150,0002024 tax year
Grants to organisations listed in the foundation’s Form 990-PF filings. Grants to individuals are not shown.
Officers and directors
- Bert Degheri — Co-Trustee
From the latest Form 990-PF filing
3 years of tax filings
| Year | Total expenses | Grants paid | Assets | Filing document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 tax year | $3,317,249 | $2,545,000 | $82,687,874 | Filing for 2022 tax year |
| 2023 tax year | $6,020,142 | $5,165,800 | $92,361,924 | Filing for 2023 tax year |
| 2024 tax year | $5,656,183 | $4,800,000 | $97,618,476 | Filing for 2024 tax year |
Figures from the foundation’s IRS Form 990-PF filings. Assets are at fair market value at year end. The document icon links to each year’s filing on ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer.
Sources
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At a glance
Applying to Theresa & Edward O'Toole Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
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Contact
- Pittsburgh, PA (office of its trustee, BNY Mellon NA)
Applying to Theresa & Edward O'Toole Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- Pittsburgh, PA (office of its trustee, BNY Mellon NA)