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Catholic Foundation for the Archdiocese of Dubuque

EIN 45-1740219 · Cedar Rapids, IA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong96 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Multiply charitable resources for maximum benefit to our Catholic community.

Income
$16.5 million
Spending
$6.3 million
Spent on programs
94%
Reserves
Over 10 years of spending
Largest source of income
investment income, 65%
Employees
3
Volunteers
13
Highest pay
$137,084, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 96 out of 100. Higher than 86% of charities in its peer group (religion, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover more than ten years of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 20% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 62% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 42% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    94% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 56% of charities in its peer group (religion, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    13 of 13 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

    10 of 10

    Gave 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 June 30, 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 (1)
  1. $5.9 million spent. The Catholic Foundation in the Archdiocese of Dubuque (CFAD) assists donors who wish to make a meaningful and lasting impact for Catholic organizations and those served by those organizations through the Spiritual and Corporal Works of Mercy. CFAD serves those in the 30 counties in northeast Iowa that make up the Archdiocese of Dubuque in three ways: charitable planning, investing, and grantmaking services.CFAD is separate from, yet collaborative with, the Archdiocese Corporation and holds donor advised funds and endowments for donors and Catholic parishes, schools, cemeteries, social services and other Catholic organizations. Statement continued on Schedule O.We work with donors who want their Catholic values perpetuated in a legacy gift and help them structure that in the best way for them, their family and the organization(s) they want to benefit. CFAD works with Catholic organizations, their donors and donors' advisors through its legacy planning services. In FY2025, 2 new organizations began the Legacy Planning Toolkit program through CFAD. More than 1,200 individuals sought information through CFAD's services regarding charitable giving along with 131 attending charitable planning education events.CFAD invests legacy gifts, donor advised funds and organization trust accounts in Catholic responsible choices. In FY2025, 25 new endowment funds, five new donor advised funds and 13 new agency trust accounts were added. Additionally, one future planned fund was established.Through donor agreements, CFAD grants legacy gifts as donors intend. In FY2025, $4,643,061 in grants were given from 290 funds to 193 organizations. The amount of grants to others in Part IX, line 1 represents distributions taken. Some organizations choose to not take a distribution but rather reinvest. These organizations are not reflected in the grant total.CFAD's vision is to endow financial support for our Catholic community; in other words, CFAD aims to sustain our Catholic organizations so that they can always carry out their missions to meet both spiritual and basic human needs in a manner that reflects Catholic values.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    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 October 13, 2026.

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

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

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

    Recognized by the IRS since September 2012.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 21, 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.