catholic foundation of southern mn

What catholic foundation of southern mn does

Catholic Foundation of Southern Minnesota is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community foundation headquartered in Winona, Minnesota, that manages charitable funds on behalf of parishes, schools, cemeteries, ministries, and individual donors across the 20-county Diocese of Winona-Rochester. Founded in 1991 as an office of the diocese and incorporated as an independent legal entity in 2014, the Foundation operates three professionally managed investment pools — Long-Term (70% equities / 30% fixed income, CPI+5% target), Short-Term (70% fixed income / 30% equities, CPI+2% target), and a Fixed Income Pool launching in Fall 2026 (100% fixed income, CPI target) — all invested 100% in accordance with United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Catholic Responsible Investing guidelines using positive and negative SRI screens. Investment management is delivered in partnership with Concord Advisory Group, whose lead advisor sits on the USCCB CRI committee.

The Foundation generates revenue primarily through tiered management fees of 1.1% to 1.25% on assets under management plus a separate 0.6% to 0.75% administration fee, with additional professional-services revenue from capital campaign consulting, feasibility studies, and stewardship education. Grant-making flows through Seeds of Faith (tuition assistance, faith formation, clergy formation), the Charles I. Passe Endowment Scholarship, Witness of Hope grants, foundation-directed grants, donor-advised funds, agency funds, and owned funds (Ann Loomis Fund, Christ the Teacher Fund). Since 1991 the Foundation has returned over $80 million to the Southern Minnesota Catholic community. Distribution is direct and relationship-based: a staff of 5–10 led by Executive Director Elizabeth Williams conducts parish, school, and cemetery outreach across the diocese, supplemented by free planned giving seminars, a 22-page Parish Endowment Toolkit, and integrated FACTS-based tuition assistance applications.

The business model is unusual for a nonprofit in that investment management fees — rather than donations — appear to be the primary recurring revenue stream, with the organization competing for institutional Catholic assets against national wealth managers and competing for individual donor-advised fund flows against secular community foundations. Strategic positioning is anchored by USCCB compliance, 34 years of operating history, and the formal endorsement of the diocesan Bishop, while the FY27–FY30 strategic plan signals intent to expand programmatic scope into family economic strain and mental health priorities.

Name

catholic foundation of southern mn

Legal name

Catholic Foundation of Southern Minnesota

Website

https://catholicfsmn.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1991

Operating status

Operating

Short description

The Catholic Foundation of Southern Minnesota is a Winona-based 501(c)(3) community foundation that manages USCCB-aligned investment pools, donor-advised funds, and grant programs for parishes, schools, cemeteries, ministries, and individual donors across the 20-county Diocese of Winona-Rochester.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Charitable Foundation and Endowment Management Services

NAICS

Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321)

SIC

Investment Advice (6282)

akta.pro primary industry

Grantmaking & Philanthropic Funds (Institutional Donors) (BPADAOAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Scholarship & Fellowship Foundations and Trusts (EDADAHAC), Endowments (Universities, Foundations, Nonprofits) (FSAAAGAC), Philanthropic & Charitable Trust Services (FSAAANAI)

Keywords

• Charitable endowment management
• Catholic investment services
• Planned giving programs
• Capital campaign consulting
• Faith-based grantmaking

Headquarters

HQ city

Winona

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Investment Management Fees: Tiered fee of 1.1% to 1.25% covering investment advisory fees and administrative overhead. Fees cover financial advisors, investment firm, staff, and overhead costs. No fees to open, distribute, or close accounts.
2. Grant Distribution Services: The Foundation distributes millions in grants annually through donor-directed funds, parish endowments, and Foundation-directed initiatives supporting Catholic parishes, schools, vocations, and ministries
3. Capital Campaign & Consulting Services: Fee-based feasibility studies, planning phases, and campaign execution support for capital campaigns. Charges decent fee for planning phases plus cost of print materials and low hourly rate for execution. Gift receiving services may be provided without fee depending on fund destination.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Catholic Foundation of Southern Minnesota operates pooled investment portfolios (Long-Term, Short-Term, and Fixed Income Pools) aligned with USCCB Catholic Responsible Investing guidelines for Catholic parishes, schools, cemeteries, and ministries. It distributes charitable grants through programs including Seeds of Faith Grants, the Charles I. Passe Endowment Scholarship, and Witness of Hope Grants, and supports capital campaigns, feasibility studies, and planned giving through no-cost and fee-based stewardship services across the Diocese of Winona-Rochester.

Product overview

The Catholic Foundation of Southern Minnesota is a faith-based financial services organization serving the Diocese of Winona-Rochester. The organization operates as a platform offering three professionally managed investment pools (Long-Term Pool, Short-Term Pool, and Fixed Income Pool launching Fall 2026) alongside grant programs including Seeds of Faith Grants (tuition assistance, faith formation, clergy formation), Charles I. Passe Endowment Scholarship, and Witness of Hope Grants. The Foundation also provides Donor Advised Funds, Agency/Managed Funds, and Owned Funds (Ann Loomis Fund, Christ the Teacher Fund). Service offerings include Capital Campaign Services, Stewardship Education, Feasibility Studies & Strategic Planning, Investment & Philanthropy Training, Legacy Planning Seminars, and a Parish Endowment Toolkit. The organization focuses on Catholic Responsible Investing following USCCB guidelines, supporting parishes, schools, cemeteries, and ministries across Southern Minnesota.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Seeds of Faith Grants
• Charles I. Passe Endowment Scholarship
• Witness of Hope Grant
• Donor Advised Funds
• Long-Term Investment Pool
• Short-Term Investment Pool
• Fixed Income Pool
• Agency (Managed) Funds
• Foundation-Directed Grants
• Capital Campaign Services

Quantifiable outcome

• Over $80 million returned to Southern Minnesota Catholic community since 1991
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core, support and minor.

• Concord Advisory GroupcoreTechnology or IntegrationInvestment advisory firm providing professional investment management for Foundation portfolios. Their investment advisor Bradford Stephans serves on the US Conference of Catholic Bishop's committee that helps design and revise CRI guidelines. Concord serves in a fiduciary capacity.
• Kim Snyder / Excelsior Bay GroupcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPhilanthropy and fundraising expert who leads feasibility studies and strategic planning engagements for the Foundation, bringing deep knowledge of non-profit philanthropy with strong understanding of Southern Minnesota communities.
• US Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSets Catholic Responsible Investing guidelines that Foundation follows 100% for all investments. Foundation uses both positive and negative screenings aligned with USCCB guidelines. Foundation investment advisor participates in USCCB committee for CRI guidelines.
• FACTS ManagementsupportTechnology or IntegrationSecure online application portal used for Seeds of Faith Tuition Assistance Grant applications, providing streamlined experience for applicants and schools.
• Diocese of Winona-RochestercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary ecclesiastical partner; Bishop serves as honorary board chair. Foundation was founded as diocesan department in 1991 and became separate legal entity in 2014. Supports diocesan initiatives including Seeds of Faith, priest retirement, and Catholic Ministries Appeal.
• Association of Fundraising Professionals MinnesotaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerProfessional association for fundraisers where Foundation staff attend panels and educational events on charitable giving trends, including Giving USA report discussions.
• Minneapolis Foundation / Maggie McCrackenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity foundation that shared insights on donor-advised funds at AFP Minnesota panel. Foundation positions itself as the Catholic values-aligned alternative to commercial DAF providers for Southern Minnesota Catholics.
• Immaculate Heart of Mary SeminarycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor beneficiary of Foundation support through Hearts on Fire campaign and Bishops & Rector Dinner. Foundation helps raise funds for seminarian education and formation at this diocese seminary.
• Academy of Our Lady of LourdesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCatholic school where board member Michael Speltz serves as Corporate Treasurer. Represents Foundation's support for Catholic education across the diocese.
• Catholic Charities of Southern MinnesotasupportStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor Catholic ministry supported through Foundation grants and donor-directed funds. Foundation helps channel resources to support their social ministry programs including CARE program for immigrants.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Catholic Foundation for the Archdiocese of Hartford: Diocesan Catholic foundation operating pooled investment funds aligned with USCCB investment guidelines, donor-advised funds, parish endowment services, and planned giving seminars - a near-identical operating model in a different diocese.
• Catholic Community Foundation: The Catholic Community Foundation of Minnesota (St. Paul/Minneapolis archdiocese) operates an almost identical model - pooled Catholic-aligned investment funds, donor-advised funds, endowment management, and grantmaking - directly competing with this Foundation for Catholic donor dollars and parish endowments within Minnesota.
• Catholic Foundation of Northwest Pennsylvania: Regional Catholic foundation offering endowment management, donor-advised funds, and grantmaking services to parishes, schools, and ministries in its diocese - mirrors the grantmaking-and-investment dual model of this Foundation.
• National Catholic Community Foundation: National Catholic-focused pooled investment and donor-advised fund sponsor following USCCB Socially Responsible Investing guidelines, serving Catholic individuals and organizations across multiple dioceses - a multi-diocese competitor to the same grantmaking-and-investment niche.
• Catholic Foundation of Greater Philadelphia: Diocesan Catholic foundation offering donor-advised funds, parish and school endowments, planned giving, and investment management aligned with Catholic values - serves as a directly comparable operating model to the Catholic Foundation of Southern Minnesota.

Others

• Diocese of Winona-Rochester (Office of Stewardship): The parent diocesan body that originally housed the Foundation until 2014; remains a strategic partner (Bishop on board, CFO on board) and houses its own stewardship and development office that coordinates overlapping initiatives like the Catholic Ministries Appeal.

Broad incumbents

• National Christian Foundation: National Christian-focused donor-advised fund and grantmaking organization that overlaps with the Foundation's DAF, endowment, and planned giving services for faith-aligned donors.
• Knights of Columbus Asset Advisors: Faith-based asset manager affiliated with the Knights of Columbus offering Catholic-aligned investment products to Catholic individuals and institutions nationwide - a broader incumbent with overlapping investment capabilities.
• Fidelity Charitable: Largest commercial donor-advised fund sponsor in the US; competes with the Foundation's DAF offering for Catholic donor dollars, though without USCCB-aligned screening.

Regional players

• Catholic Charities of Southern Minnesota: Diocesan-affiliated social services nonprofit in the same Diocese of Winona-Rochester; while not a peer in investment management, it is a major grant recipient and operational counterpart in the regional Catholic ecosystem.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/SoMNCathFdtn
• Facebookfacebook.com/profile.php?id=61575068233669
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/catholic-foundation-of-southern-minnesota

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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