The Francis and Kathleen Rooney Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $12,807,812 (2023)
• Number of Grants: 13 grants (2023)
• Average Grant: $985,216
• Grant Range: Estimated $50,000 - $55,000,000+ (based on known grants)
• Total Assets: $36.75 million
• Geographic Focus: National (with emphasis on Oklahoma, Florida, Indiana, Texas, Washington D.C.)
• Application Process: No unsolicited applications accepted

Contact Details

Address: 5601 South 122nd East Avenue, Tulsa, OK 74146

EIN: 20-5524633

Note: The foundation does not maintain a public website and operates through preselected grantmaking.

Overview

The Francis and Kathleen Rooney Foundation was established in 2006 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, by Francis Rooney, a fourth-generation Oklahoman and former CEO of Manhattan Construction Company and Rooney Holdings, and his wife Kathleen. With assets totaling $36.75 million and annual grant distributions exceeding $12.8 million, the foundation focuses on Catholic education, higher education, healthcare, and democratic institutions. Francis Rooney served as U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See (2005-2008) and later as U.S. Representative for Florida's 19th Congressional District (2017-2021), bringing a unique perspective to the foundation's mission of strengthening democratic principles within the context of Catholic social teaching. The foundation has achieved national recognition for transformative gifts to major institutions, particularly its $55 million endowment to Notre Dame's Rooney Democracy Institute. The foundation operates as a family foundation with preselected grantmaking, awarding relatively few but substantial grants each year.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not operate formal grant programs with fixed application cycles. Instead, it makes strategic contributions to preselected organizations, typically ranging from mid-sized grants to transformational multi-million dollar commitments.

Major Grants (Examples):

• University of Notre Dame: $55 million (Rooney Democracy Institute endowment)
• University of Notre Dame: $10 million (Center for American Democracy, 2008)
• NCH Healthcare System (Naples, FL): $20 million (Rooney Heart Institute)
• NCH Healthcare System: $8 million (Heart, Vascular, and Stroke Institute)
• Oklahoma State University: $3 million (Construction Engineering Technology program)

The foundation makes approximately 12-23 grants annually, with an average grant size approaching $1 million.

Priority Areas

Catholic Higher Education: Strong emphasis on Catholic universities, particularly University of Notre Dame and Georgetown University (Francis and Kathleen's alma mater). Support includes endowed institutes, centers for research, and capital projects.

Democracy and Civic Engagement: Significant investment in research and education related to American democracy, particularly programs that integrate democratic principles with Catholic social teaching.

Healthcare: Major support for cardiac care programs and healthcare institutions, particularly in communities where the Rooneys have personal ties (Naples, FL and Tulsa, OK).

Catholic Secondary Education: Support for Catholic preparatory schools, including Cascia Hall Preparatory School in Tulsa.

Construction and Engineering Education: Reflecting Francis Rooney's background as CEO of Manhattan Construction Company, the foundation supports construction engineering technology programs.

Geographic Focus: While national in scope, the foundation shows particular interest in Oklahoma (their roots), Florida (current residence), Indiana (Notre Dame), and Washington D.C. (reflecting Francis's diplomatic and congressional service).

What They Don't Fund

The foundation's tax filings indicate it "only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and doesn't accept unsolicited applications for funds." This suggests they do not fund:

• Organizations outside their established network
• Unsolicited grant requests
• Organizations that do not align with Catholic values or their specific mission areas

Governance and Leadership

Foundation Leadership

Kathleen C. Rooney - President/Director: Active in museum, philanthropic, and community boards in both Tulsa, Oklahoma and Naples, Florida. Board service includes trustees emeriti of the Naples Children Foundation and leadership roles with Philbrook and Gilcrease Museums in Tulsa.

Kathleen D. Rooney - Treasurer/Director: Likely a family member involved in financial oversight.

Michael Collins Rooney - General Counsel/Secretary/Director: Serves as legal counsel and corporate secretary for the foundation.

Brynn Hunt - Secretary/Director: Administrative leadership role.

About the Founders

Francis Rooney was born in Tulsa on December 4, 1953, and graduated from Georgetown University (B.A. 1975, J.D. 1978). He served as CEO of Manhattan Construction Company from 1984-2016, building it into one of the largest privately-held construction firms in the nation. The company, founded in 1896, is in its fifth generation of Rooney family management. Francis served as U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See (2005-2008) under President George W. Bush and as U.S. Representative for Florida's 19th Congressional District (2017-2021). He was inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame in 2020.

Kathleen Rooney has been active in philanthropic, cultural, and civic life across Tulsa and Naples communities for decades. She serves on numerous museum and philanthropic boards and has been instrumental in shaping the foundation's strategic direction.

Relevant Quotes from Leadership

Francis Rooney on Notre Dame Democracy Institute: "Notre Dame is the gold standard for trust in higher education. That perspective is needed nowhere more right now than in American politics."

Francis Rooney on Oklahoma State Gift: "I have never worked anywhere with better, more honest, hardworking and decent individuals than the kind of people who come from Oklahoma."

Francis Rooney on NCH Healthcare Gift: "The clinical advancement at NCH is exceptional and we are proud to be part of this new era for our community hospital. This is an investment that will last many years."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. The foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filing explicitly indicates it "only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and doesn't accept unsolicited applications for funds."

Grants are awarded at the discretion of the foundation's leadership to organizations that:

• Have established relationships with the Rooney family
• Align closely with the foundation's mission in Catholic education, healthcare, democracy research, or engineering education
• Demonstrate exceptional impact potential
• Often have geographic or personal connections to the Rooneys (Tulsa, Naples, Notre Dame)

Getting on Their Radar

Institutional Connections: The foundation shows strong preference for institutions with which the Rooneys have personal connections:

• Georgetown University (Francis's alma mater)
• University of Notre Dame (long-standing relationship dating to 2008)
• Oklahoma State University (Oklahoma roots)
• Catholic institutions in Tulsa (St. Francis Health System, Cascia Hall Preparatory School)
• Healthcare institutions in Naples, Florida (where the Rooneys reside)

Board Connections: Organizations where Kathleen Rooney serves on boards may have enhanced visibility, including museums, children's foundations, and Catholic institutions in Tulsa and Naples.

Geographic Proximity: Institutions in Tulsa, OK and Naples, FL, as well as Oklahoma more broadly, may have proximity advantages given the family's deep roots and ongoing involvement in these communities.

Catholic Mission Alignment: Given Francis's service as Ambassador to the Holy See and the family's involvement with the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, organizations with strong Catholic identity and mission appear to receive priority consideration.

Democracy and Civic Engagement Focus: Following Francis's congressional service and the foundation's major investment in Notre Dame's democracy programs, organizations working at the intersection of democratic principles and Catholic social teaching may align with current priorities.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - the foundation operates on its own timeline for preselected organizations rather than fixed application cycles.

Success Rates

Not applicable given the invitation-only nature of the foundation's grantmaking.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications or reapplications.

Application Success Factors

Understanding the Foundation's Strategic Approach

While the foundation doesn't accept applications, understanding what attracts their support can be valuable for organizations hoping to build relationships:

Transformational Impact: The foundation favors large, strategic gifts that create lasting institutional change rather than small, annual operating grants. Recent major gifts include the $55 million Notre Dame Democracy Institute endowment and the $20 million NCH Rooney Heart Institute.

Alignment with Catholic Values: Francis and Kathleen Rooney are deeply committed to Catholic institutions and values. Francis served as Ambassador to the Holy See, and the family's philanthropy consistently supports Catholic education and healthcare.

Personal Connection and Trust: The foundation's grantmaking reflects the Rooneys' personal journey - from Oklahoma roots (Oklahoma State University, Tulsa institutions) to Georgetown education to Naples residence to Notre Dame relationship to congressional service focused on democratic principles.

Long-term Relationships: The Rooney Center at Notre Dame was established in 2008 and expanded with a $55 million gift years later, demonstrating that the foundation builds enduring partnerships rather than making one-time gifts.

Excellence and Leadership: Francis noted that "Notre Dame is the gold standard for trust in higher education," suggesting the foundation seeks to support institutions that are recognized leaders in their fields.

Specific Program Focus: Rather than general operating support, the foundation's major gifts support specific initiatives like democracy research, cardiac care programs, or construction engineering technology - areas where they can measure impact and align with Francis's professional background.

Recognition and Naming Opportunities: Major gifts have resulted in named institutes (Rooney Democracy Institute, Rooney Heart Institute), suggesting the foundation values legacy and recognition for transformational contributions.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No Public Application Process: This foundation does not accept unsolicited grant applications. All grants are made to preselected organizations at the trustees' discretion.

• Relationship-Driven Grantmaking: Success requires existing relationships with the Rooney family, typically through board service, institutional connections, geographic proximity (Tulsa/Naples/Oklahoma), or Catholic networks.

• Catholic Mission Alignment Essential: The foundation strongly favors Catholic institutions and organizations that integrate Catholic social teaching with their mission, particularly in education and healthcare.

• Prefer Transformational Over Incremental: The foundation makes relatively few grants (13-23 annually) but with high average grant size ($985,216), favoring major transformational gifts over numerous small grants.

• Democracy and Civic Engagement Current Priority: Following Francis's congressional service and the major Notre Dame Democracy Institute gift, organizations working on democratic institutions, civic engagement, and political discourse within a Catholic framework may align with current strategic interests.

• Geographic Sweet Spots: Oklahoma (especially Tulsa), Florida (especially Naples), and Indiana (Notre Dame) receive particular attention, reflecting the family's personal and professional connections.

• Long-term Partnership Approach: The foundation builds enduring relationships with grantee organizations, as evidenced by multiple gifts to Notre Dame over many years, rather than one-time transactions.

References

• Cause IQ. "The Francis and Kathleen Rooney Foundation | Tulsa, OK." https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/francis-and-kathleen-rooney-foundation,205524633/ (Accessed March 3, 2026)

• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. "Francis And Kathleen Rooney Foundation." https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/205524633 (Accessed March 3, 2026)

• Candid Foundation Directory. "The Francis and Kathleen Rooney Foundation." https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile?key=ROON018 (Accessed March 3, 2026)

• University of Notre Dame News. "Francis and Kathleen Rooney make transformative gift for Notre Dame institute focused on democracy research and education." https://news.nd.edu/news/francis-and-kathleen-rooney-make-transformative-gift-for-notre-dame-institute-focused-on-democracy-research-and-education/ (Accessed March 3, 2026)

• Oklahoma State University News. "Francis and Kathleen Rooney recognized for $3 million gift." https://news.okstate.edu/magazines/engineering-architecture-technology/impact/articles/2022/francis_and_kathleen_rooney_recognized_for_three_million_gift.html (Accessed March 3, 2026)

• NCH Healthcare System. "$20 Million Gift Announced By The Rooney Foundation In Support Of Enhanced Cardiac Care At NCH." https://nchmd.org/press-releases/20-million-gift-announced-by-the-rooney-foundation-in-support-of-enhanced-cardiac-care-at-nch/ (Accessed March 3, 2026)

• University of Notre Dame College of Arts & Letters. "$10 million Rooney Foundation gift to support Center for American Democracy." https://al.nd.edu/news/latest-news/10-million-rooney-foundation-gift-to-support-center-for-american-democracy/ (Accessed March 3, 2026)

• Wikipedia. "Francis Rooney." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francis_Rooney (Accessed March 3, 2026)

• Oklahoma Hall of Fame. "Francis L. Rooney, Class of 2020." https://www.oklahomahof.com/hof/inductees/rooney-francis-l-2020 (Accessed March 3, 2026)

• U.S. House of Representatives History, Art & Archives. "ROONEY, Francis." https://history.house.gov/People/Detail/15032441366 (Accessed March 3, 2026)

• Instrumentl. "Francis And Kathleen Rooney Foundation | 990 Report." https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/francis-and-kathleen-rooney-foundation (Accessed March 3, 2026)