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Focolare Foundation

EIN 27-0944965 · Bronx, NY

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair51 out of 100GovernanceGood83 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The Focolare Foundation serves as a catalyst for change, providing financial support, resources, expertise, and capacity-building to empower communities and organizations while amplifying the impact of grassroots initiatives. This approach drives meaningful outreach and supports projects such as Focolare Media, the Focolare Forum for Dialogue and Culture, and numerous other national and international initiatives. Our work is guided by four core activities: Partnerships and Initiatives; Development and Fundraising; Investments; and Grantmaking.

Income
$7.5 million
Spending
$7.3 million
Spent on programs
99%
Reserves
0.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 97%
Employees
0
Volunteers
7

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 51 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    2 of 20

    It owes 97% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 3% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 530% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    99% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 83 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    5 of 5 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Independent check of accounts

    9 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (4)
  1. $4.8 million spent. The Focolare Movement in recent years has begun coordinating efforts to deploy the spirituality of unity to bring people together to counter polarization and division. A major part of this work is taking place in the Washington, DC area but the effect is across the U.S. and beyond. Efforts include a Washington, DC based activity called the Focolare Hub that features Focolare Forum for Dialogue and Culture and interreligious dialogue. The work also includes Racial Equity (Courageous Conversations), the Youth Center for North America (YCNA), and other activities of the Focolare Movement aimed at breaking down barriers through the spirituality of unity, implementing Jesus' prayer to the Father that all may be one (cf. Jn 17).
  2. $1.6 million spent. The International Center for Unity and Peace is planned as a multi-purpose structure suitable for hosting various local and international events and initiatives. An essential and important part of the project is the surrounding open space where rest areas will alternate with green zones, thus facilitating socializing and interactive activities. The objectives of the project are: to create a space for meetings and prayer among Christians of various Churches; to promote respect, tolerance and the capacity to live together by furthering mutual knowledge and dialogue among the faithful of varying religions; to offer a space for study and research in the intercultural, ecumenical and interreligious fields; to offer exchange meetings, courses of formation and volunteer activities on international and local levels for young adults and teenagers; to provide for Christian youth opportunities for vocational discernment; to offer meetings and formation courses in the field of peace education.
  3. $250,977 spent. Focolare Media is the North American publishing house of the Focolare Movement. Through New City Press it publishes books on Focolare spirituality and other religious topics, its magazine, Living City, addresses current religious topics, and its web and social media presence promotes the Focolare message of peace and unity. Working with 153 contributors in 2025 Focolare Media published 12 new books, 82 articles, 33 podcast stories, and 52 videos. Its outreach through over 41,500 books distributed and 2,103 online event participants has affected 10,300 email subscribers, 72 universities, and 162 church communities including 217 Catholic bishops.
  4. $585,474 spent. Focolare Foundation has supported Focolare Movement activities across North America including Economy of Communion (North America), Focolare Discernment Experience, Focolare Forum for Dialogue and Culture, Racial Equity (Courageous Conversations), Youth Center for North America (YCNA), and local Focolare communities and their various ways of living a communion of goods to support those most in need.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Worth knowing.

    Not individually listed by the IRS as eligible, which is usual for churches. The master file records contributions to it as deductible.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Worth knowing.

    The IRS does not require this organization to file annual returns.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since March 1946.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 7, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.