The Catholic Foundation of the Diocese of St. Augustine was created in 1987 to provide a permanent endowment to meet the religious, charitable, and educational needs of Catholics in the 17-county area of the diocese.
The foundation assists in meeting the long-term needs of the diocese, including funds for expanding existing parishes, establishing new parishes, expanding or establishing centers for religious education and social service programs, expanding or establishing schools, providing an adequate retirement for priests and women religious in the diocese, providing support for the formation of candidates for the priesthood and programs for youth and young adult ministries.
All parishes, schools, and many other ministries in the Diocese of St. Augustine have established permanently restricted funds.
To learn more about the Catholic Foundation, please see our 2021-2022 Impact Report.
A History of the Catholic Foundation
Catholic Foundation
By The Numbers
- Year Founded – 1987
- Total Managed Funds – 140+
- Total Assets – Over $40 million
- Fiscal Year Grants & Disbursements – $1,564,221
*All figures as of 6/30/2022
We are proud of our growth and grateful for the generous donors who made it possible. We invite you to learn more about the Catholic Foundation in our annual reports. Since 1987, we have connected Catholics with the parishes, schools, and ministries throughout the 17 counties that form our diocese in North Florida.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Catholic Foundation and how does it work?
The Catholic Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization separately incorporated in 1987 by Bishop John J. Snyder. We establish and manage permanent funds providing enduring support for the good works of parishes, schools, and ministries of the Diocese of St. Augustine. The Foundation also provides educational materials and support for those entities and the donors who wish to support them through planned gifts.
What is the impact your gifts make through the Catholic Foundation?
The foundation has grown to over $40 million in endowment assets. During the last fiscal year, the parishes, schools, and ministries of our diocese received $1,564,221 in grants and fund disbursements. These funds build up the greater Kingdom of God and will last for generations to come.
How are your gifts invested?
The Catholic Foundation currently partners with Christian Brothers Investment Services, Inc. and Wells Fargo. Both employ Catholic Responsible Investing, a strategy that aligns with Catholic values and the guidelines of the United States Council of Catholic Bishops.
How are the operations of the Catholic Foundation funded?
A 1.5-percent administrative fee is charged to each fund within the endowment to help pay for the operations of the Catholic Foundation. A portion of the unrestricted funds also support operations and annual grant opportunities.
How safe is my gift to the Catholic Foundation?
The principal of your gift to the Foundation is permanent and will never be spent. It is prudently invested and carefully managed by the Foundation’s Board of Directors. All investments and financial policies are monitored by the Finance Committee. The Catholic Foundation is audited annually by an independent auditing firm and a copy of their report is available on request.
What are the advantages of endowment fund giving?
Funds gifted to an endowment are held in perpetuity – the principal cannot be spent and will be invested prudently. These investments are made in accordance with Catholic values and social teaching and are supervised by our Board of Directors in addition to our Diocesan Fiscal and Bishop’s Offices.
Can I make a gift to the Catholic Foundation (to benefit my parish, Catholic school, or favorite ministry) using my donor-advised fund?
Yes! And it’s easy. Just click the link below, choose your fund from the list, and request a grant.
Can I transfer my donor-advised fund with another financial institution to the Catholic Foundation’s donor-advised fund?
Yes! Just open an account with us, and transfer funds from your old donor-advised fund by making a grant request to your new Catholic Foundation donor-advised fund. Don’t forget to let us know. We’d love to thank you!
Can the Diocese of St. Augustine use the funds of the Foundation?
Contributions gifted to the restricted funds of the Foundation may not be used by another entity. Once allocated to a parish, school, or ministry, only the intended beneficiary may use the funds. Unrestricted funds contributed to the Catholic Foundation are kept permanently in the unrestricted fund, and its earnings are used for annual grants and Foundation operating expenses.
About Making a Planned Gift
I want to plan a gift, but don’t know how to start. Do you provide help with gift planning?
Our Foundation’s professional staff will be happy to work with you to structure a plan that is best for your situation. Click here to contact us to learn how.
I don’t have an estate. Will my small gift matter?
All gifts matter! No gift is too small, and your gift becomes very impactful when combined with the gifts of others through the Catholic Foundation. The earnings from your gift will begin to grow immediately and will benefit your Church forever.
Do I automatically get a tax deduction by making a gift to an endowment?
No, but generally there are many tax advantages to such gifts. By working with a financial planning professional and the Catholic Foundation, a donor can realize tax savings on most endowed and cash gift arrangements.
Can I make a gift in honor of a loved one?
Yes, any estate gift may be made in memory or honor of a loved one. Creating a separate fund to honor or memorialize your loved one is an especially beautiful legacy and your loved one will be remembered in perpetuity. Ask us how to remember your loved ones through a legacy gift. Contact Us to Learn More
Can my estate gift go directly to my parish?
Yes – while all gifts to the Catholic Foundation are allocated to a specific restricted fund or the unrestricted fund, you may plan a cash gift to your parish, school, or favorite ministry. The Foundation can help you make such a plan and ensure your gift intentions are followed as you wish.
Bishop John J. Snyder Legacy Leadership Award
Bishop John J. Snyder, 8th bishop of the Diocese of St. Augustine, was passionate about and committed to the development and utilization of gifts and talents by the entire people of God. The Bishop John J. Snyder Legacy Leadership Award was established to:
• honor those who have left a lasting impact on our Church through their support of the Catholic Foundation.
• honor those who exemplify the personal qualities Bishop Snyder lived and will be remembered for: compassion, tolerance, peace and the love of Christ.
Award Recipients
Msgr. Eugene C. Kohls
Bishop Emeritus Estévez and Catholic Foundation Executive Director, Patricia K. DiSandro, present the award to Msgr. Kohls, who designated the $1,000 honorary gift to the “Msgr. Eugene C. Kohls Priests’ Retirement Fund”
William J. “Bill” Joos
Mr. William J. “Bill” Joos designated Bishop Kenny High School’s restricted fund as the beneficiary of the $1,000 honorary gift.
Ricardo “Dick” Morales
Bishop Estévez with Ricardo Morales who chose San Jose Catholic Church as the beneficiary of the $1,000 honorary gift.
Msgr. Vincent Haut
Msgr. Vincent Haut designated Immaculate Conception Parish the beneficiary of the $1,000 honorary gift.
Dutch Scholtz
Barbara Scholtz accepted on behalf of her late husband, Francis “Dutch” Scholtz, and designated the $1,000 memorial gift to San Jose Catholic School.
Robert T. Shircliff
Robert Shircliff was the first recipient of the award and designated the honorary $1,000 gift to Guardian Catholic School.
President
Bishop Erik T. Pohlmeier
Chair
Michael Maguire, CFP
Assumption Parish
Vice Chair
Jane Lanier, CFRE
St. Matthew Parish, Jacksonville
Treasurer
Msgr. Michael Houle, M.Ed., E.V.
St. Paul Parish, Jacksonville Beach
Secretary
Mrs. Jacqueline Brown, PhD
San Juan del Rio Parish
Dennis Axman, CLU, ChFC, AEP, CFP, RICP
St. Catherine of Siena Parish
Martha Barrett
Assumption Parish
Marilyn Belo, J.D., LL.M.
Queen of Peace Parish
Juan Chaluja
Our Lady Star of the Sea Parish
C. William Curtis, III, J.D.
Cathedral Basilica Parish
John Delaney, J.D.
St. Paul Parish, Jacksonville Beach
Deacon Mike Elison, Chancellor
Debbie English
St. John Paul II Parish
Beverly Flanagan, CFP
St. Paul Parish, Jacksonville
Philip Moses, Jr., CPA, PFS
Epiphany Parish
Teresita “Tessie” Rosario, RN, MS
St. Catherine of Siena Parish
Deacon Santiago Rosado-Rodriguez
San Sebastian Parish
Sidney Simmons II, J.D.
St. Paul Parish, Jacksonville
Very Rev. Jason Trull, V.G., V.F.
Assumption Parish
Ex Officio Members
Tim Cebulko, CFA, CFP
Financial Advisor
Steve Bell, CPA, CGMA, CCM
Chief Financial Officer
Patricia DiSandro
Executive Director