The Catholic Schools Center of Excellence (CSCOE) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established in 2015 and headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The organization operates as an independent nonprofit composed of lay people dedicated to supporting Catholic elementary and middle schools. CSCOE enhances excellence and increases enrollment in preschool through 8th grade Catholic schools across Minnesota, with initial focus on the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis, expanding statewide in 2022 to work with every preschool-8th grade Catholic school in Minnesota.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$3.8M
+12.8% YoY
Annual Giving
$5.9M
+201.9% YoY
Grant Count
165
+96.4% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$35K
+53.7% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: To enhance excellence and increase enrollment in preschool-8th grade Catholic schools in Minnesota.
Vision: To transform education through an innovative and entrepreneurial approach that produces a sustainable, "best-in-class" model for preschool-8th grade education.
CSCOE invests in the following program areas:
- Professional development for principals and teachers
- Literacy, math, STEM, and arts programming for students
- Technology initiatives
- Preschool support
- Teacher compensation
- Marketing and development activities
- Leadership development
- Data-driven academic approaches
- Programs addressing students' developmental and emotional needs
- Best-in-class literacy training for kindergarten through 3rd grade students and teachers
- Assessment testing administration and utilization
The organization partners with school leaders to assess their most pressing needs and collaboratively develop customized solutions tailored to each school's specific business, academic, and spiritual goals.
Grantmaking
CSCOE has distributed millions of dollars to Catholic schools since its founding. Based on the most recent financial data available:
How to Apply
. CSCOE works directly with school leaders to understand their needs and provide customized financial resources and support.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
CSCOE's funding focus is primarily in Minnesota. The organization initially served preschool-8th grade Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis, and expanded in 2022 to work with every preschool-8th grade Catholic school throughout Minnesota.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Fiscal Year 2024 (ending June 2024):
- Total Revenue: $11,569,349
- Total Expenses: $11,494,950
- Net Income: $74,399
- Total Assets: $3,806,119
- Total Liabilities: $531,000
Staffing: The organization employs 14-15 staff members.
Tax-Exempt Status: CSCOE has been tax-exempt since February 2016. Donations to the organization are tax-deductible.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $3,806,119 | $3,374,495 | $2,307,089 |
| Revenue | $11,569,349 | $5,918,389 | $8,702,981 |
| Expenses | $11,494,950 | $4,486,989 | $7,951,682 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $37,252 | $993 | $654 |
| 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
250 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Groves Academy ($762,195), Lexia Learning Systems Llc ($288,059), Annunciation School ($74,340).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| AIM HIGHER FOUNDATION ST PAUL, MN | IMPROVE SCHOOLS AND PROMOTE ENROLLMENT | $7,000 |
| ALL SAINTS ACADEMY SAINT CLOUD, MN | IMPROVE SCHOOLS AND PROMOTE ENROLLMENT | $20,000 |
| ALL SAINTS SCHOOL LAKEVILLE, MN | IMPROVE SCHOOLS AND PROMOTE ENROLLMENT | $18,875 |
| ANNUNCIATION SCHOOL MINNEAPOLIS, MN | IMPROVE SCHOOLS AND PROMOTE ENROLLMENT | $74,340 |
| ASCENSION SCHOOL MINNEAPOLIS, MN | IMPROVE SCHOOLS AND PROMOTE ENROLLMENT | $28,350 |
| ASSUMPTION SCHOOL HIBBING, MN | IMPROVE SCHOOLS AND PROMOTE ENROLLMENT | $22,500 |
| AVE MARIA ACADEMY MAPLE GROVE, MN | IMPROVE SCHOOLS AND PROMOTE ENROLLMENT | $27,583 |
| BLESSED TRINITY SCHOOL RICHFIELD, MN | IMPROVE SCHOOLS AND PROMOTE ENROLLMENT | $42,230 |
| CARONDELET CATHOLIC SCHOOL MINNEAPOLIS, MN | IMPROVE SCHOOLS AND PROMOTE ENROLLMENT | $28,205 |
| CATHEDRAL HIGH SCHOOL - NEW ULM NEW ULM, MN | IMPROVE SCHOOLS AND PROMOTE ENROLLMENT | $6,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Susan Steen: Chief Financial Officer
- Tracy Gilbert: Brand Director
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| MR MICHAEL HALLORAN | VICE PRESIDENT DEVELOPMENT | 40 | $194,911 |
| MR ROBERT BEHR | FINANCE DIRECTOR | 40 | $130,600 |
| MR MICHAEL RAINER | PRESIDENT | 40 | — |
| MS GAIL DORN | DIRECTOR & EXECUTIVE CHAIR | 5 | — |
| MR STEPHEN HOEPPNER | DIRECTOR - SECRETARY | 8 | — |
| MS ANNEMARIE VEGA | CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER | 40 | — |
| REVEREND KEVIN FINNEGAN | DIRECTOR | 4 | — |
| MS KATHRYN SCHNEEMAN | DIRECTOR | 4 | — |
| MR STEVE RYAN | DIRECTOR | 4 | — |
| MR MICHAEL COLE | DIRECTOR | 4 | — |
| MR ROBERT WOLLAN | DIRECTOR | 20 | — |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Catholic Schools Center of Excellence fund?
**Mission:** To enhance excellence and increase enrollment in preschool-8th grade Catholic schools in Minnesota. **Vision:** To transform education through an innovative and entrepreneurial approach that produces a sustainable, "best-in-class" model for preschool-8th grade education. CSCOE invests in the following program areas: • Professional development for principals and teachers • Literacy, math, STEM, and arts programming for students • Technology initiatives • Preschool support • Teacher …
How do I apply for a grant from Catholic Schools Center of Excellence?
CSCOE has distributed millions of dollars to Catholic schools since its founding. Based on the most recent financial data available: • **Total giving (2024):** $5,869,929 • **Typical award range:** $250–$762,195 The organization provides cost-effective, centralized support through direct grants and resource allocation to member schools rather than operating as a traditional grant-making foundation with an open application process. CSCOE works directly with school leaders to understand their nee…
Where does Catholic Schools Center of Excellence make grants?
CSCOE's funding focus is primarily in Minnesota. The organization initially served preschool-8th grade Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis, and expanded in 2022 to work with every preschool-8th grade Catholic school throughout Minnesota.
What size grants does Catholic Schools Center of Excellence award?
In 2024, Catholic Schools Center of Excellence awarded 165 grants totaling $5.9M — an average of about $35K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Catholic Schools Center of Excellence's EIN?
Catholic Schools Center of Excellence's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 47-3560859. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Catholic Schools Center of Excellence'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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