Welcome to The Catholic Foundation
Our Mission
To advance the teachings of the Gospel by building financial resources for Catholic ministry and funding programs that are responsive to human needs.
About Us
The Catholic Foundation manages endowment funds designed to meet the philanthropic goals of donors as well as the needs of Catholic communities throughout the Archdiocese of Santa Fe. The funds reflect the desire of people and organizations to perpetuate the ministries and good works in these communities.
At The Catholic Foundation, we work with individuals to create giving plans that best serve both their charitable interests and their personal and financial circumstances. Gifts to The Catholic Foundation are invested in permanent endowment funds. Earnings from the endowments are used to provide critical financial support for programs that address social, economic, educational and spiritual needs throughout the Archdiocese of Santa Fe.
By encouraging charitable giving and funding programs that are responsive to human needs, The Catholic Foundation provides leadership and support for the ministry of charity in the Archdiocese of Santa Fe.
History
The Archdiocese of Santa Fe inaugurated a development task force in August of 1988. The mission of the task force was to research and develop effective stewardship programs on archdiocesan and parish levels, to provide the human and financial resources necessary to implement the pastoral goals of the Church in a spirit of shared responsibility.
One of the recommendations submitted by the task force was to establish an endowment foundation in conformity with canon and civil law. In 1991, The Catholic Foundation for the Archdiocese of Santa Fe was incorporated in the State of New Mexico, and registered with the Internal Revenue Service as a public charity and 501(c)(3) organization.
Ray Zimmer and Michael Keleher, who were instrumental in the planning and start-up of The Catholic Foundation, served as its founding president and vice president, respectively.
The Catholic Foundation began with donations of $42,000 for operating expenses, and in 2008 was managing $42,000,000 in endowments, trusts, agency funds and annuities.