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Catholic Community Foundation

EIN 34-1908579 · Cleveland, OH

Public records raise at least one point you should look into before giving.

LegitimacyCautionRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood81 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

CATHOLIC COMMUNITY FOUNDATION'S MISSION IS TO FOSTER FAITH-BASED STEWARDSHIP IN THE COMMUNITY FOR SPIRITUAL, EDUCATIONAL AND CHARITABLE BENEFIT FOR ALL.

Income
$31.0 million
Spending
$28.0 million
Spent on programs
85%
Reserves
5.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
investment income, 48%
Employees
23
Volunteers
25
Highest pay
$229,755, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 81 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 5.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 29% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 9% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 55% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    85% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 27 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 90 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    34 of 34 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.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • 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, 2024, 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. $4.4 million spent. IN 2019, THE FOUNDATION INITIATED THE "HEART OF A SHEPHERD CAMPAIGN" TO FUND THE URGENT NEED FOR CAPITAL RENOVATIONS OF BORROMEO SEMINARY AND ST. MARY SEMINARY, TO ADD TO THE PRIESTS' RETIREMENT FUND, AND TO PROVIDE RELIEF TO NEWLY ORDAINED PRIESTS WHO HAVE STUDENT LOANS OUTSTANDING, AND PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR PARISHES ACROSS THE DIOCESE TO RAISE FUNDS FOR PRESSING LOCAL NEEDS. OF THE 179 DIOCESES IN THE UNITED STATES, ONLY 30 HAVE THEIR OWN FREE-STANDING SEMINARY. THERE ARE 65 SEMINARIANS AT BORROMEO AND SAINT MARY SEMINARIES.
  2. $5.1 million spent. THE FOUNDATION ENGAGES IN CHARITABLE FUNDRAISING AND GRANT-MAKING ACTIVITIES TO SUPPORT TUITION ASSISTANCE, CURRICULUM ENHANCEMENT, AND PROGRAMMATIC NEEDS OF CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS AND CATECHETICAL SERVICES. THE CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF CLEVELAND IS THE FIFTH LARGEST CATHOLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM IN THE UNITED STATES, AND THE LARGEST PRIVATE OR PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM IN THE STATE OF OHIO. MORE THAN 39,000 STUDENTS ARE ENROLLED IN 109 CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN THE DIOCESE OF CLEVELAND. MORE THAN 3,000 STUDENTS RECEIVE NEED-BASED TUITION ASSISTANCE ANNUALLY.
  3. $2.0 million spent. THE FOUNDATION ENGAGES IN CHARITABLE FUNDRAISING AND GRANT-MAKING ACTIVITIES FOR CLEVELAND CATHOLIC DIOCESAN AGENCIES AND INSTITUTIONS. ALTHOUGH NOT SHOWN AS REVENUE ON FORM 990, THE FOUNDATION RAISED $21,198,809 PRIMARILY FOR THE CATHOLIC CHARITIES CORPORATION OF CLEVELAND IN 2024 THROUGH THE FOUNDATION'S ANNUAL APPEAL AND OTHER DONOR GIFTS. CATHOLIC CHARITIES HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES IS BUILT AROUND A COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH TO DELIVERING SERVICES CONCENTRATED AROUND FOUR AREAS: CHILDREN AND FAMILIES, BASIC ASSISTANCE, DISABILITIES, AND OLDER ADULTS. CATHOLIC CHARITIES HAS OVER 150 SERVICES AT 60 LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT THE DIOCESE OF CLEVELAND - CUYAHOGA, ASHLAND, GEAUGA, LAKE, LORAIN, MEDINA, SUMMIT, AND WAYNE COUNTIES.
  4. $12.3 million spent. OTHER CHARITABLE AND FUNDRAISING GRANT-MAKING ACTIVITIES FOR CLEVELAND CATHOLIC DIOCESAN AGENCIES AND INSTITUTIONS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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? Caution.

    Not on the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.

    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.

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