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Catholic Community Foundation

Grant Range
$1K - $0.1M

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $700+ million raised since 2000
  • Grant Range: $1,000 - $100,000
  • Geographic Focus: 8 counties in Northeast Ohio (Ashland, Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, Lorain, Medina, Summit, Wayne)
  • Investment Portfolio: $190 million managed for 187 parishes
  • Annual Fundraising: $23 million through appeals and gift initiatives

Contact Details

Address: 1404 East Ninth Street, Cleveland, OH 44114

Phone: (216) 696-6525 or (800) 869-6525

Website: www.catholiccommunity.org

Grant Contact: Jessica DiSalvatore, Development Associate
Phone: (216) 696-6525 x4080
Email: jdisalvatore@catholiccommunity.org

Overview

The Catholic Community Foundation, established in 2000, serves as the fundraising ministry of the Diocese of Cleveland. Since inception, it has raised more than $700 million to support Catholic Charities, Catholic education, priestly formation, and other ministries across Northeast Ohio. The foundation manages a $190 million investment portfolio for 187 parishes and raises nearly $23 million annually through various appeals and gift initiatives. With a 4-star rating (97%) from Charity Navigator, the foundation supports the spiritual, educational, and charitable needs of people throughout the eight-county Diocese of Cleveland region. In 2025, the foundation was honored with awards from the International Catholic Stewardship Council, recognizing excellence in Catholic fundraising and stewardship.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Thomas C. and Sandra S. Sullivan Foundation Grant

  • Amount: Maximum $25,000 (average award $10,780)
  • Purpose: Operating and program support for organizations serving the poor and needy
  • Deadline: July 15
  • Application: PDF and Word document applications available

Tabor Fund

  • Amount: Up to $1,500
  • Purpose: Personal development and ministry enhancement for diocesan employees/volunteers
  • Categories: Education, Formation, Sabbaticals, Retreats
  • Deadlines: March 15 and September 15
  • Application: Rolling basis

Women's Giving Circle

  • Amount: Variable (2025 total: $96,000 distributed)
  • Process: Members vote on applications; top organizations pitch for funding
  • Recipients: Six diocesan organizations and six community nonprofits annually

Catholic Community Fund

  • Currently not accepting unsolicited grants
  • Supports diocesan ministry priorities in the 8-county region

Priority Areas

  • Catholic Charities: Addressing needs of people with disabilities, addiction, violence, hunger, and poverty (serves over 400,000 people annually)
  • Catholic Education: Need-based tuition assistance ($3.7 million to 4,000+ students in 2024-2025); Angel Scholarship Fund ($8.1 million raised in 2024, 8,600 scholarships awarded to date)
  • Catholic Worship & Formation: Seminary education and spiritual development programs
  • Basic Human Needs: Food security, housing assistance, educational opportunities for economically disadvantaged populations

What They Don't Fund

  • Annual appeals or membership drives
  • Endowment funds
  • Grants to individuals (all grants go to sponsoring organizations)
  • Multi-year grants (though grantees may apply in consecutive years)

Governance and Leadership

Executive Leadership

Patrick Grace, Executive Director (since 2007)

  • Over 25 years of fundraising and advancement experience
  • Previously worked for Community Counselling Service, a national fundraising consultant firm
  • Joined the Diocese in 1995
  • Alumni of St. Ignatius High School and Marquette University
  • Board member of International Catholic Stewardship Council
  • Member of Association of Fundraising Professionals

Grace has stated: "As dioceses continue to respond to the pastoral, educational, and health and human services needs in their respective communities, Catholic foundations have evolved and grown to help meet and connect the needs of a changing donor demographic within our parishes and dioceses to fulfill the mission of the church. The efficiencies and efficacy of Catholic foundations, engaging lay leaders, boards, volunteers, etc. in collaboration with pastoral leaders and donors provides a great response to the increasingly sophisticated challenges of philanthropy."

Board Leadership

Officers:

  • Most Reverend Edward C. Malesic, JCL - Sole Member, Bishop of Cleveland
  • Andy J. Rebholz - Chair (Retired Chief Executive Officer, TravelCenters of America Inc.)
  • Janice G. Murphy - Vice Chair (President & CEO, Sisters of Charity Health System)
  • Kurt R. Packer - Treasurer (President, WBC Group LLP)
  • Maria O'Neil Ruddock - Secretary (Community Engagement & Advocacy Consultant)

Board Members include: J. Kevin Berner (Chairman & CEO, ABS Materials, Inc.), Fred M. DeGrandis (CEO, NorthShore Healthcare), Robert J. Rogers (Former Managing Principal, Findley Inc.), Michael R. Shaughnessy (Former Co-Chairman, Color Matrix Corp.), and others representing diverse business and community leadership.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Sullivan Foundation Grant:

  • Download application forms (PDF and Word) from the website
  • Deadline: July 15
  • Submit to Jessica DiSalvatore at jdisalvatore@catholiccommunity.org or (216) 696-6525 x4080

Tabor Fund:

  • Applications accepted twice yearly
  • Deadlines: March 15 and September 15
  • Available to bona fide employees (paid or volunteer), lay, deacons, or religious actively serving the Diocese of Cleveland

Women's Giving Circle:

  • Six diocesan organizations and six community nonprofits invited to apply annually
  • Application review by circle members
  • Top three in each category invited to pitch party
  • Members vote to determine final grant awards

Catholic Community Fund:

  • Not accepting unsolicited applications
  • Supports diocesan ministry priorities through internal allocation

Decision Timeline

  • Grants Committee makes recommendations to full Board of Directors
  • Board of Directors approves all grant awards
  • All applicants receive notification of board's decision
  • Specific timeline from application to decision not publicly disclosed

Reapplication Policy

  • Foundation does not award multi-year grants
  • Grantees may apply for funding in consecutive years
  • No specific waiting period mentioned for unsuccessful applicants

Application Success Factors

Demonstrated Track Record: The Sullivan Foundation explicitly seeks "programs with a record of success in making a profound improvement in the lives of disadvantaged members of the community." Applications should provide concrete evidence of past impact and measurable outcomes.

Alignment with Catholic Social Teaching: All funded organizations must have missions "consistent with the moral and social teaching of the Catholic Church." Applications should clearly articulate this alignment.

Focus on Disadvantaged Populations: Successful Sullivan Foundation recipients like Greater Cleveland Food Bank, Community Service Alliance (assisting people emerging from homelessness), Boys Hope Girls Hope of Northeast Ohio, Cleveland Central Catholic High School, and Society of St. Vincent de Paul demonstrate the foundation's priority for organizations serving those in greatest need.

Clear Impact Metrics: Recipients must provide "full financial accounting of expenditures and narrative reports of the outcomes of grant-supported projects or programs." Applications demonstrating clear evaluation methods are likely to be more competitive.

Geographic Relevance: Priority given to organizations serving the eight-county Diocese of Cleveland region: Ashland, Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, Lorain, Medina, Summit, and Wayne counties.

Post-Award Requirements: All grant recipients must sign an agreement stipulating terms and conditions. Organizations should be prepared to fulfill reporting requirements including financial accounting and narrative outcome reports.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Limited unsolicited opportunities: The Catholic Community Fund does not accept unsolicited grants; focus applications on the Sullivan Foundation (if serving poor/needy populations) or Tabor Fund (if serving diocesan employees)
  • Evidence over promises: With average Sullivan Foundation awards of $10,780, competition is likely significant—emphasize proven track record of "profound improvements" rather than potential impact
  • Annual relationship building: Since multi-year grants aren't available but consecutive-year applications are welcomed, view this as an opportunity to build a long-term funding relationship through consistent results
  • Alignment is non-negotiable: Mission consistency with Catholic Church moral and social teaching is explicitly required—don't apply if alignment isn't genuine
  • Geographic focus matters: All eight counties of the Diocese are eligible, but demonstrate specific impact in Northeast Ohio communities
  • Consider alternative pathways: If unsolicited applications aren't appropriate, explore Women's Giving Circle opportunities or relationship-building with diocesan leadership for future Catholic Community Fund consideration
  • Maximum award clarity: Sullivan Foundation caps grants at $25,000—structure requests accordingly and don't exceed this limit

References

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