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Catholic Foundation of Southern Minnesota 750 Terrace Heights, Suite 105 - PO Box 30098, Winona, MN 55987
phone 507-858-1275

Grants That Strengthen Catholic Life in Southern Minnesota

The Catholic Foundation of Southern Minnesota distributes grants entrusted to us by generous donors to support organizations serving the spiritual, educational and social needs of our Catholic community. Every dollar entrusted to the Foundation’s granting funds are stewarded with care so they can return to the people of the diocese to strengthen the Church’s mission and meet real needs.

When you give through the Foundation, you help people and causes right here at home.

seeds of faith

Our Impact

Each year, the Foundation distributes millions in grants across our 20‑county diocese. Since our founding, we have returned over $80 million to support Catholic parishes, schools, vocations, ministries, and works of mercy in Southern Minnesota.

These grants are made possible through donor‑directed funds, parish and school endowments, and Foundation‑directed initiatives that respond to emerging needs.

Publicly Available Grants

A significant portion of the grants we distribute each year are directed to specific parishes, schools, or ministries based on the wishes of the donors who established those funds. Because these grants are tied to donor intent or parish/school endowments, you won’t find them listed publicly on our website. If your parish or ministry receives support from a donor‑directed fund, you will hear from us directly.

Today, we do have three publicly available grants. Learn if you’re eligible by visiting their pages:

 

Types of Grants We Offer 

Donor-Directed Grants

These grants are recommended by donors who have established funds or endowments with the Foundation. They support the ministries, parishes, schools, and Catholic organizations donors care about most. These grants can be established as Beneficiary Funds or Donor Advised Funds.

What this means for you: Your generosity stays local and strengthens the Catholic community you love.

Foundation-Directed Grants

Each year, the Foundation awards grants funded by our owned endowments and community gifts. These grants support mission‑critical ministries, parish vitality, Catholic education, formation, and works of mercy.

What this means for you: We invest in the people and ministries that keep our local Church strong.

 

Our Commitment to Stewardship

While we hold and grow donors’ gifts, we invest following:

  • USCCB Guidelines for Catholic Responsible Investing
  • Use negative Socially Responsible Investing Screens
  • Use positive Environmental, Social & Governance Screens
  • Actively participate in corporate voting to create positive change

Every organization receiving a grant is reviewed for:

  • Catholic mission alignment
  • Financial health and transparency
  • Responsible governance
  • Clear use of funds

 

A Community That Gives Back to Itself

Giving through the Catholic Foundation of Southern Minnesota is an act of love for your local Church. Your generosity positively impacts the people and ministries you know and love. 

Through our grants, those gifts return to the community, multiplied, sustained, and directed where they are needed most. Contact us to learn more today.