The Catholic Foundation Of Greater Philadelphia

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $16,380,863 (2024)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: 90 days from deadline
• Grant Range: $1,000 - $50,000
• Geographic Focus: Five-county Greater Philadelphia area (Philadelphia, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery counties)

Contact Details

Website: https://www.thecfgp.org/ Phone: 215-587-5650 Email: contactus@thecfgp.org Address: 2133 Arch Street, Suite 400, Philadelphia, PA 19103 Grant Portal: https://thecfgp.smapply.org/

Overview

The Catholic Foundation of Greater Philadelphia (CFGP) is an independent, nonprofit community foundation founded in 2013 and committed to growing philanthropy according to the teachings of Jesus Christ. The foundation serves as the home of philanthropy that connects donors and Catholic organizations with charitable solutions, working to secure the future of their faith. CFGP has raised over $175 million for Catholic causes and has granted over $18 million to Catholic organizations. The foundation manages 165 Catholic funds, serves 100 nonprofits, and works with over 16,500 donors. Under the leadership of President and CEO Ted Qualli, who joined in October 2024, the foundation is implementing a new five-year strategic plan aimed at significantly growing the foundation's assets in partnership with donors and Catholic organizations.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Community Impact Awards: $1,000 - $20,000

• No formal application process; chosen by CFGP staff members
• Support various Catholic initiatives including education, health, basic needs, youth programs, and faith-based outreach
• Accepts unsolicited applications through online portal on rolling basis

Angel Award: $50,000

• Annual competitive grant for innovative evangelization projects
• Unique "Shark Tank"-style format where finalists present live to the Board of Trustees and local philanthropists
• Live voting determines the recipient
• Application deadlines: January 15 and July 15

School Safety Initiative

• Supports security and safety improvements at Catholic schools
• Previous round awarded $75,215 to nine Catholic schools for surveillance systems, locks, and entrance security upgrades

Education and Youth Development Fund

• Promotes academic success among underserved populations
• Supports instruction and care for special needs populations
• Funds innovative programs to enrich children's lives

Priority Areas

• Religion and Catholic faith advancement
• Catholic education (elementary, high school, and special education)
• Health and basic needs
• Youth development and STEM programs
• Conservation and preservation
• Faith-based outreach and evangelization
• Capital improvement projects for Catholic institutions

What They Don't Fund

• Salaries
• Organizations not affiliated with the Catholic faith
• Organizations outside the five-county Greater Philadelphia area
• Organizations less than three years old
• Single-source funded projects (preference for multiple funding streams)

Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees:

• Richard T. Clark, Chairman (Retired CEO, Merck & Co.)
• Joseph M. Mangini, Jr., Vice Chair (Vice President, Goldman Sachs)
• Tammy Tenaglia, Vice Chair (Clinical Psychologist)
• Alexander R. Vaccaro, Secretary (Chairman, Orthopedic Surgery at Thomas Jefferson University)
• Bernard J. Kelley, Treasurer (Retired President, Merck Manufacturing Division)
• Nelson J. Pérez, Archbishop of Philadelphia
• Sean Aloysius Bergin, Managing Director, Rockefeller Global Family Office
• Joseph Chott, Head of Philadelphia Office, Brown Brothers Harriman
• Dan Kervick, CEO, Flagship Management
• Susan Y. Kim, Chairman, Amkor Technology
• Joseph H. Jacovini, Senior Partner, Dilworth Paxson LLP

Senior Leadership Team:

• Ted Qualli, President & Chief Executive Officer
• Kurt A. Gabbard, Chief Financial Officer
• Garrett Owen, Chief Philanthropy Officer
• Emily Gambino, Chief Partner Development Officer

Key Leadership Quote:

Ted Qualli stated: "The opportunity to lead an organization with such an important mission, impact, and alignment with my faith and values is an honor." He emphasized his commitment to working "with the Board of Directors and passionate staff, and to meeting and listening to the donors and Catholic institutions doing the important work to advance our faith and serve the community."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Standard Grants (Community Impact Awards):

• Register at https://thecfgp.smapply.org/ to view available grant opportunities
• Application deadlines: January 15 and July 15
• Accepts unsolicited applications from Catholic nonprofit organizations
• Upload application documents through their online portal

Angel Award:

• Apply through the same portal during grant cycles
• Finalists are selected to present live to the Board and philanthropists
• "Shark Tank"-style competition with live voting

Eligibility Requirements

• Must be a nonprofit organization affiliated with the Catholic faith
• Must be in existence for at least three years
• Must be located in or serving the five-county Greater Philadelphia area (Philadelphia, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery)
• At times, applicants must be from or work on behalf of a parish
• Organization must demonstrate financial sustainability

Decision Timeline

• Applications reviewed within 90 days of each deadline (January 15 or July 15)
• Notifications sent directly to applicants
• 59 awards were made in 2024, 48 in 2023, 41 in 2022, and 32 in 2021

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly disclosed. However, the foundation made 59 awards in 2024 and has shown consistent growth in grant-making activity.

Reapplication Policy

Reapplication policies are not publicly disclosed. Contact the foundation directly at contactus@thecfgp.org or 215-587-5650 for information about reapplying after an unsuccessful application.

Application Success Factors

CFGP evaluates grant applications using three primary criteria:

1. Sustainability

• Strong organizational structure and governance
• Sound financial condition
• Demonstrated personnel expertise and experience
• Multiple funding sources (preference for projects already receiving support from other funders)

2. Feasibility

• Clearly demonstrated community need
• Achievable and realistic objectives
• Well-defined project timeline and budget
• Multiple funding channels

3. Impact

• Clear community benefit
• Innovative project concepts
• Measurable outcomes and evaluation plans
• Alignment with Catholic teaching and values

Recent Successful Projects Include:

• $13,000 to support the SAILOR (Science and Art Innovative Learning On the River) STEM Program at the Independence Seaport Museum
• $12,500 for a new heating system for nursing home residents
• $10,000 grants to multiple Catholic schools for security improvements including locks, passkey systems, cameras, and steel door replacements
• $6,000 for reading materials for four Catholic Schools of Special Education
• $5,000 for STEM program support

Language and Terminology to Use:

• Emphasize alignment with Catholic faith and teaching
• Highlight evangelization efforts and faith advancement
• Demonstrate community impact within the Greater Philadelphia Catholic community
• Show sustainability through multiple funding sources
• Use terms like "securing the future of our faith" and "Catholic ministry"

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Catholic affiliation is essential: All funded organizations must align with the Catholic faith and ideally serve Catholic institutions or communities
• Demonstrate sustainability: Show multiple funding sources and strong organizational infrastructure; single-source funded projects are less competitive
• Three-year minimum: Organizations must be established for at least three years before applying
• Geographic focus matters: Limit applications to projects serving the five-county Greater Philadelphia area
• Two annual deadlines: Plan for January 15 or July 15 application cycles with 90-day review periods
• Consider the Angel Award: If your project involves innovative evangelization, the $50,000 Angel Award competition may be more appropriate than standard grants
• Measurable outcomes are critical: Clearly define how you will measure impact and community benefit
• No salary funding: Budget projects for equipment, capital improvements, programs, and materials rather than staffing costs

References

• The Catholic Foundation of Greater Philadelphia official website: https://www.thecfgp.org/ (Accessed January 2026)
• CFGP Grants page: https://www.thecfgp.org/grants (Accessed January 2026)
• CFGP Board of Trustees: https://www.thecfgp.org/board-of-trustees (Accessed January 2026)
• CFGP Team page: https://www.thecfgp.org/team (Accessed January 2026)
• Inside Philanthropy - Catholic Foundation of Greater Philadelphia profile: https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/find-a-grant-places/pennsylvania-grants/catholic-foundation-of-greater-philadelphia (Accessed January 2026)
• Cause IQ - Catholic Foundation of Greater Philadelphia profile: https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/catholic-foundation-of-greater-philadelphia,461566557/ (Accessed January 2026)
• CatholicPhilly.com, "Catholic Foundation Welcomes New CEO" (September 2024): https://catholicphilly.com/2024/09/news/people-and-events/catholic-foundation-welcomes-new-ceo/
• CatholicPhilly.com, "Grants help tighten security at nine Catholic schools" (January 2019): https://catholicphilly.com/2019/01/news/local-news/grants-help-tighten-security-at-nine-catholic-schools/
• Holy Family University, "Ted Qualli - Leading the Way at The Catholic Foundation": https://www.holyfamily.edu/about/news-and-media/news/ted-qualli-leading-way-catholic-foundation (Accessed January 2026)