Custos Foundation
The Custos Foundations mission is to support the worldwide operations and activities of the Catholic Church by educating the public on and preserving the five main pillars of the Christian faith: the Christian Tradition the family ethos dignity and sacredness of life western thought and all forms of sacred art.
Custos Foundation at a glance
In short: Custos Foundation gave $4.0M across 9 grants in 2024 (avg $448K), mostly in New York. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $4,035,800
- +19.4% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 9
- +125.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $448,422
- -46.9% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $22,300
- Total assets
- $2,115,826
- -61.3% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- New York (92% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who Custos Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 9 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Syracuse University ($3.7M). Together the top 9 received $4.0M.
Grant Size Distribution
17 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 13 grants of 17 (76%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 9 itemized grants.
Cities
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $61K (2022) to $4.0M (2024). In 2024 it made 9 grants totaling $4.0M.
Hatched bars: grants paid as reported on the IRS filing, which lists no individual grants for that year.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Syracuse University Syracuse, NY | General support | $3,660,000 |
| Friends of the Consoling Sisters Coeur d'Alene, ID | General support | $200,000 |
| International Institute for Culture Inc Philadelphia, PA | General support | $77,500 |
| Friends of Aventine Hill Foundation Philadelphia, PA | General support | $25,000 |
| Equestrian Order of Holy Sepulchre-Jersusalem New York, NY | General support | $22,300 |
| Elm Institute Inc New Haven, CT | General support | $20,000 |
| Catholic Sacred Music Project Inc Allentown, NJ | General support | $11,000 |
| Catholic Near East Welfare Association New York, NY | General support | $10,000 |
| Permanent Observer Mission of the Holly See New York, NY | General support | $10,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $2,115,826 | $1,204,539 | $4,556,429 | $4,035,800 | 9 | $185,914 |
| 2023 | $5,467,716 | $604,233 | $4,206,934 | $3,380,500 | 4 | $402,506 |
| 2022 | $8,263,776 | $98,715 | $593,082 | $61,000 | 4 | $18,715 |
| 2021 | $8,931,002 | $9,000,022 | $69,020 | $69,000 | Total only | $22 |
"Total only": grants paid as reported on the IRS filing, which lists no individual grants for that year.
About Custos Foundation
Based on IRS filings
Custos Foundation is a public charity focused on religion, based in Philadelphia, PA. IRS filing data is available from 2021 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $2.1M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 9 grants totaling $4.0M. Net investment income was $186K.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Custos Foundation is led by Christopher Lanconi, President & Director since 2023 (on filings since 2021); 1 of 4 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Christopher Lanconi
President & Director
President Director → President & Director, 2023
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
George Gunning
Treasurer & Director
Treasurer Director → Treasurer & Director, 2023
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kyle Pilares
Director
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Diane Montagna
Advisor & Former Director
Director → Advisor & Former Director, 2023
On filings since 2021
20 hrs/week
$58K (2022) → $13K (2024)
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $13K, to Diane Montagna (Advisor and Former Director).
Frequently asked questions about Custos Foundation
How much does Custos Foundation give each year?
Custos Foundation gave $4.0M across 9 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $3.4M across 4 grants.
What is Custos Foundation's typical grant size?
Custos Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $22,300, and its average grant was $448,422, across 9 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990.
Where does Custos Foundation give grants?
Custos Foundation gives mostly in New York: 92% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were New York, NY (3 grants) and Philadelphia, PA (2 grants).
Does Custos Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Custos Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (9 of 9) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990.
Who are Custos Foundation's largest grantees?
Custos Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Syracuse University ($3,660,000), Friends of the Consoling Sisters ($200,000) and International Institute for Culture Inc ($77,500), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 98% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Custos Foundation?
Custos Foundation reported $2.1M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $1.2M.
What is Custos Foundation?
Custos Foundation is a public charity focused on religion, based in Philadelphia, PA. It holds $2.1M in total assets as of 2024.
What is Custos Foundation's EIN?
Custos Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 87-3902137. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Data update history
(5)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 15, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 16, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 16, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 17, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2024
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