Catholic Charities of California
Catholic Charities of California is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in Sacramento, California. Founded in 1986, it serves as the state-level representative and coordinating body for twelve local Catholic Charities organizations across California. The organization functions as the single point of access to a statewide network of social service providers.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$20.0M
+31.8% YoY
Annual Giving
$32.2M
+46.8% YoY
Grant Count
37
+94.7% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$870K
-24.6% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Catholic Charities of California's mission is to promote the social welfare of California, with particular regard for the poor and marginalized, through the twelve diocesan Catholic Charities agencies.
The organization's primary functions include:
- Serving as the point of contact with state officials, legislators, foundations, and other statewide and national organizations
- Applying for funding on behalf of local organizations and leading administration of regional and statewide programs
- Providing technical assistance and leadership to local organizations in developing model programs
- Facilitating collaboration and networking among local Catholic Charities organizations
Primary Program Areas:
Immigration Legal Services: The organization has contracted with the California Department of Social Services to provide immigration legal services. The Unaccompanied Undocumented Minor (UUM) Legal Services Program provides legal services to youth released into the custody of a sponsor by the federal Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR). The Immigration Services Program (ISP) provides an array of immigration legal services including DACA application and renewal services, naturalization application services, and other immigration remedy services (affirmative legal remedies), as well as education and outreach.
Nutrition Outreach
Human Services
Health Care
The local Catholic Charities organizations collectively provide more than 1.5 million professional social services annually to Californians in need. Services include case management, benefits enrollment, housing, education, and emergency assistance for basic needs.
Grantmaking
Catholic Charities of California functions as both a grantmaker and grant administrator for its network of local organizations.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Catholic Charities of California operates primarily in California and Missouri, with its primary focus on serving California communities through its network of twelve local diocesan Catholic Charities agencies.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Most Recent Financial Data (2024):
- Total assets: $19,978,074
- Total revenues: $36,663,029
- Total expenses: $36,212,877
- Total giving: $32,203,609
Organization Status:
- Tax-exempt since March 1946
- EIN: 95-4098671
- IRS ruling year: 1946
- NTEE code (primary): P31 (Adoption); also classified under P20 (Human Service Organizations)
Rating: The organization holds a Three-Star rating with an 81% score, indicating good financial accountability and transparency.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $19,978,074 | $15,160,676 | $13,796,003 |
| Revenue | $36,663,029 | $25,396,349 | $23,008,997 |
| Expenses | $36,212,877 | $25,005,865 | $22,012,301 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $108,043 | $570 | $401 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
105 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Catholic Charities of Fresno ($4,030,302), Northern Valley Catholic Social Services ($3,075,551), Catholic Charities of Los Angeles ($2,937,555).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF FRESNO FRESNO, CA | GENERAL PROGRAM SUPPORT | $4,030,302 |
| NORTHERN VALLEY CATHOLIC SOCIAL SERVICES REDDING, CA | GENERAL PROGRAM SUPPORT | $3,075,551 |
| CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF LOS ANGELES LOS ANGELES, CA | GENERAL PROGRAM SUPPORT | $2,937,555 |
| CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF MONTEREY SEASIDE, CA | GENERAL PROGRAM SUPPORT | $2,348,430 |
| CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF ORANGE COUNTY SANTA ANA, CA | GENERAL PROGRAM SUPPORT | $2,218,951 |
| CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY SAN JOSE, CA | GENERAL PROGRAM SUPPORT | $1,753,854 |
| CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF SANTA ROSA SANTA ROSA, CA | GENERAL PROGRAM SUPPORT | $1,525,568 |
| CATHOLIC CHARITIES CYO (SAN FRANCISCO) SAN FRANCISCO, CA | GENERAL PROGRAM SUPPORT | $1,253,614 |
| PLUMAS RURAL SERVICES QUINCY, CA | GENERAL PROGRAM SUPPORT | $1,170,067 |
| CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF SAN DIEGO SAN DIEGO, CA | GENERAL PROGRAM SUPPORT | $1,122,585 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Shannon M. Lahey: Executive Director
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| KENNETH SAWA | PRESIDENT | 1 | — |
| REVEREND MONSIGNOR GREGORY COX | TREASURER | 1 | — |
| GREGORY KEPFERLE | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| MOST REVEREND JAIME SOTO | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| MARGARET PETERSON | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| APPASWAMY PAJANOR | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| JEFF NEGRETE | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| KATHLEEN DOMINGO | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| ELLEN ROY | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| MARTHA AREVALOS | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| ELLEN HAMMERLE | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| ANGELA DI NOVELLA | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| MIRIAM SAMMARTINO | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| JENNIELYNN HOLMES | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| SHANNON LAHEY | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 35.5 | $170,481 |
| PAM RICHMOND | FINANCE DIRECTOR (THRU 1/24) | 40 | $127,066 |
| CATHY O'CONNOR | FINANCE DIRECTOR (7/23-5/24) | 40 | $57,143 |
| HUMBERTO PEREZ | FINANCE DIRECTOR (EFF 6/24) | 40 | — |
| EMILY BATTAGLIA | DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMS | 40 | $130,136 |
| ELISA PEHLKE | DIRECTOR OF HEALTH PROGRAM | 40 | $112,391 |
| JESSE THOMPSON | MANAGING ATTORNEY | 40 | $119,509 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
Recent grant announcements involving Catholic Charities organizations within the network include:
Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Fresno Awarded $1.91 Million as CaliforniaCatholic Charities of the Diocese of Fresno was awarded $1.91 million as part of California Governor Gavin Newsom's $11 million initiative to organizations helping underserved job seekers find training and employment
Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Fresno Awarded $1.91 Million as CaliforniaCatholic Charities received $1.5 million to aid immigrant families on the Central Coast
Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Fresno Awarded $1.91 Million as CaliforniaCatholic Charities CYO of the Archdiocese of San Francisco was granted $5 million from Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez to connect Bay Area families experiencing homelessness with stable housing and critical services
Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Fresno Awarded $1.91 Million as CaliforniaCatholic Charities of California received additional funds to assist undocumented youth
Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Fresno Awarded $1.91 Million as CaliforniaFrequently Asked Questions
What does Catholic Charities of California fund?
Catholic Charities of California's mission is to promote the social welfare of California, with particular regard for the poor and marginalized, through the twelve diocesan Catholic Charities agencies. The organization's primary functions include: • Serving as the point of contact with state officials, legislators, foundations, and other statewide and national organizations • Applying for funding on behalf of local organizations and leading administration of regional and statewide programs • Pr…
How do I apply for a grant from Catholic Charities of California?
Catholic Charities of California functions as both a grantmaker and grant administrator for its network of local organizations. **Grant Activity:** • Total giving: $32,203,609 (most recent filing) • Total assets: $19,978,074 • Typical award range: $10,598–$4,030,302 • The organization has 0 live grant opportunities listed **Funding Focus Areas:** • Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking • Human Services • Health Care • Nonprofit Human Services • Human and Social Service Grants • Poverty Allevi…
Where does Catholic Charities of California make grants?
Catholic Charities of California operates primarily in California and Missouri, with its primary focus on serving California communities through its network of twelve local diocesan Catholic Charities agencies.
What size grants does Catholic Charities of California award?
In 2024, Catholic Charities of California awarded 37 grants totaling $32.2M — an average of about $870K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Catholic Charities of California's EIN?
Catholic Charities of California's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 95-4098671. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Catholic Charities of California's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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