I Am Mercy Foundation, also known as I Am The Vine Foundation, is a private foundation based in Haverford, Pennsylvania. The foundation received its tax-exempt status in March 2022 and operates as a 501(c)(3) organization. It represents a substantial philanthropic presence in the Philadelphia region and beyond, with a focus on supporting Catholic institutions, social services for vulnerable populations, organizations serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and health-related causes.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$411.2M
+17.3% YoY
Annual Giving
$15.0M
-14.2% YoY
Grant Count
37
+54.2% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$405K
-44.4% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, I Am Mercy Foundation reported a distributable amount of $18.9M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's mission is "to celebrate God's unconditional love with a passion for wholeness, peace, and reconciliation."
Primary funding areas include:
- Education — particularly Catholic educational institutions
- Human Services — programs addressing homelessness, poverty, and vulnerable populations
- Peace and Reconciliation — programs aligned with the foundation's core mission
- Health Organizations — support for treatment and cures of various conditions
- Religious and Pastoral Programs — support for seminaries and faith-based organizations
- Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities — organizations serving individuals with these needs
Grantmaking
The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications. Grantmaking is by invitation only and based on trustee discretion. The foundation does not maintain a public website or accept public grant applications.
Grant Range
$2,000 to $7,500,000
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily focuses on:
- Pennsylvania — particularly the Philadelphia region
- New York
- Indiana
The foundation also supports organizations in additional states including Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, and Washington, D.C., as well as international locations such as San Juan and Santiago.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
- Total Assets: $350.5 million to $411.2 million (figures vary slightly across sources)
- Total Annual Giving: Approximately $17.5 million
- Total Revenues (2024): $11.3 million to $13.8 million
- Total Expenses (2024): $17.1 million to $22.4 million
- Giving Rate: Approximately 5% of assets
The foundation has zero employees and operates with volunteer leadership.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $411,211,092 | $350,549,951 | $296,852,616 |
| Revenue | $11,344,621 | $13,779,079 | $743,275 |
| Expenses | $17,142,459 | $22,401,899 | $42,933,919 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $14,995,957 | $18,892,022 | $15,573,654 |
| Net Investment Income | $3,699,990 | $3,610,724 | $3,355,568 |
| Distributable Amount | $18,876,275 | $16,785,155 | $16,253,803 |
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
86 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Franciscan University of Steubenville ($3,500,000), Saint Denis Catholic Church ($2,156,666), Project Home ($1,709,239).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ALS UNITED MID-ATLANTIC (FORMERLY THE ALS ASSOCIATION PHILADELPHIA CHAPTER) FORT WASHINGTON, PA | TO RAISE AWARENESS TO FIND A CURE FOR ALS. | $10,000 |
| ASSOCIATION OF NOTRE DAME CLUBS INC - PHILADELPHIA MALVERN, PA | TO SUPPORT THE RACHEL GERNERD PHIGHTING IRISH 5K FUNDRAISER. | $2,080 |
| BECKET FUND FOR RELIGIOUS LIBERTY WASHINGTON, DC | TO SUPPORT LEGAL ACTIVITIES IN DEFENSE OF RELIGIOUS LIBERTY. | $500,000 |
| BROAD STREET MINISTRY PHILADELPHIA, PA | TO EMBRACE THE INDIVIDUAL NEEDS OF OUR MOST VULNERABLE SISTERS AND BROTHERS. | $100,000 |
| CARING FOR FRIENDS PHILADELPHIA, PA | TO PROVIDE FOOD AND FRIENDSHIP TO SENIORS, KIDS, ADULTS AND THE HOMELESS. | $100,000 |
| CATHOLIC LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE MALVERN, PA | TO PROVIDE PASTORAL LEADERSHIP FORMATION AND CONSULTING IN THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH. | $110,445 |
| CONGREGATION OF HOLY CROSS US PROVINCE NOTRE DAME, IN | TO SUPPORT EDUCATORS OF FAITH IN THE FIELDS OF EDUCATION, PARISH AND MISSION. | $500,000 |
| CRISTO REY NETWORK CHICAGO, IL | TO SUPPORT PROGRAMS FURTHERING CRISTO REYS CATHOLIC CHARACTER, MISSIONS, AND PROGRAMS. | $200,000 |
| FOR PETE'S SAKE CANCER RESPITE FOUNDATION PLYMOUTH MEETING, PA | TO SUPPORT RESPITE PROGRAMS FOR CANCER PATIENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES. | $25,000 |
| FRANCISCAN UNIVERSITY OF STEUBENVILLE STEUBENVILLE, OH | TO FUND FRANCISCAN UNIVERSITY MISSION FOR STUDENTS IN WASHINGTON DC. | $3,500,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Edward J. Fitzgerald III — President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Director
- Kathryn S. Fitzgerald — Director
- Edward J. Fitzgerald IV — Director
None of the key personnel receive compensation for their roles.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| EDWARD J FITZGERALD III | PRESIDENT, SECRETARY, TREASURER & DIRE | 10 | — |
| KATHRYN S FITZGERALD | DIRECTOR | 10 | — |
| EDWARD J FITZGERALD IV | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does I Am Mercy Foundation fund?
The foundation's mission is "to celebrate God's unconditional love with a passion for wholeness, peace, and reconciliation." Primary funding areas include: • **Education** — particularly Catholic educational institutions • **Human Services** — programs addressing homelessness, poverty, and vulnerable populations • **Peace and Reconciliation** — programs aligned with the foundation's core mission • **Health Organizations** — support for treatment and cures of various conditions • **Religious and…
How do I apply for a grant from I Am Mercy Foundation?
**Grant Activity (2024):** • Number of grants: 24 • Grant range: $2,000 to $7,500,000 • Median grant size: $100,000 • Total annual giving: Approximately $17.5 million **Recent Notable Grants (2024):** • Franciscan University of Steubenville: $3,500,000 (to fund Franciscan University Mission for Students in Washington DC) • Project Home: $1,709,239 (to break the cycle of homelessness and poverty in Philadelphia) • Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary: $1,000,000 (to support ongoing academic and pasto…
Where does I Am Mercy Foundation make grants?
The foundation primarily focuses on: • **Pennsylvania** — particularly the Philadelphia region • **New York** • **Indiana** The foundation also supports organizations in additional states including Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, and Washington, D.C., as well as international locations such as San Juan and Santiago.
What size grants does I Am Mercy Foundation award?
In 2024, I Am Mercy Foundation awarded 37 grants totaling $15.0M — an average of about $405K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is I Am Mercy Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, I Am Mercy Foundation reported a distributable amount of $18.9M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is I Am Mercy Foundation's EIN?
I Am Mercy Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 87-3403254. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2024.
Explore Open Grants
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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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