Opus Prize Foundation
The Opus Prize Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation based in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, established in December 1994. The foundation administers the Opus Prize, an annual faith-based humanitarian award recognizing individuals and organizations championing faith-filled change and developing innovative solutions to persistent social problems. While the foundation partners with Catholic universities to award the Prize, recipients may have roots in any faith tradition.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$1.4M
+0.2% YoY
Grant Count
14
-17.6% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$98K
+21.7% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The Opus Prize Foundation gives primarily for human services. The foundation's stated mission centers on recognizing and supporting faith-driven leaders and organizations that combine innovation with faith to inspire long-term, local solutions addressing poverty and injustice.
The Prize aims not only to expand the humanitarian efforts of recipients but to inspire others to pursue lives of service. Opus Prize laureates are identified as leaders who carry unshakable faith and develop creative solutions to the world's most pressing problems.
Grantmaking
The Opus Prize is one of the world's largest faith-based awards for social entrepreneurship and social innovation. The annual award structure consists of:
How to Apply
** Opus Prize nominations are managed by university partners. The foundation does not accept unsolicited nominations. The selection process is described as confidential and rigorous, with university partners identifying finalists through their own processes.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation's grantmaking focuses primarily on Massachusetts, Oregon, and New York. However, the Opus Prize itself is awarded globally, recognizing leaders and organizations anywhere in the world.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of December 2024:
- Total Assets: $38,791,243
- Total Revenue: $5,183,744
- Total Expenses: $1,777,323
- Net Income: $3,406,421
- Total Liabilities: $7,770
Tax-Exempt Status: The foundation has been tax-exempt since December 1994 and is designated as a 501(c)(3) organization.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | — | — | $33,432,524 |
| Revenue | — | — | — |
| Expenses | — | — | — |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | — | — | — |
| 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
51 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Centre for Women Studies and Intervention ($1,000,000), Thrive for Life Prision Project Inc ($100,000), Jesuit Refugee Service Romania ($100,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Thrive for Life Prision Project Inc New York, NY | General Operations | $100,000 |
| Xavier University of Louisiana New Orleans, LA | Hosting Opus Prize Ceremony | $90,000 |
| Centre for Women Studies and Intervention | Honoree Sister Uti Francisca Ngozi | $1,000,000 |
| Jesuit Refugee Service Romania | Honoree Catalin and Bianca Albu | $100,000 |
| Eagle Valley Land Trust Edwards, CO | General Operations | $10,000 |
| Foundations and Donors Interested in Catholic Activites Washington, DC | CEAMA Sister Laura | $5,000 |
| Homework House Holyoke, MA | General Operations | $5,000 |
| Sisters of St Joseph of Springfield Springfield, MA | Dear Neighbor Fund | $2,500 |
| The Gray House Springfield, MA | 50% General Operations and 50% Food | $6,000 |
| Marianas Alliance for Growth of Islanders Beaverton, OR | Marianas Festival | $10,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kristine Rauenhorst | Chair/Director | 1 | — |
| Michael Rauenhorst | Vice Chair/Director | 1 | — |
| Tammy Crosby | Vice President | 1.2 | $5,670 |
| Carol Slatter | Vice President | 0.35 | $1,572 |
| Nat Robinson | Treasurer/Director | 1 | — |
| Judy Doerr | Secretary/Director | 1 | — |
| Katie Scharfbillig | Tax Officer | 2 | $7,425 |
| Julie Goldman | Officer In Training | 1 | — |
| Sr Eneless Chimbali | Director | 1 | — |
| Sr Annette McDermott | Director | 1 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
**2024 Opus Prize Finalists** (announced July 2024, hosted at Santa Clara University):
University of Portland hosted the Opus Prize in 2018, but it now has ...**Cătălin and Bianca Albu** - Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) Romania, Bucharest, Romania. JRS-Romania assists displaced people from Europe, the Middle East, and Asia integrating into life in Romania.
Two additional finalists addressing prisoner education and support in the U.S., and safety and equitable treatment of Nigerian women.
The Opus Prize is awarded annually on Catholic university campuses, providing opportunities to inspire new generations of leaders. Recent hosting universities have included Santa Clara University (2024) and DePaul University.
DePaul to host Opus Prize ceremony - The DePauliaContact Information
Opus Prize Foundation 10350 Bren Road West Minnetonka, MN 55343 Email: info@opusprize.org
Additional Address on File: 101 S Phillips Ave Ste 508 Sioux Falls, SD 57104-6700
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Opus Prize Foundation fund?
The Opus Prize Foundation gives primarily for human services. The foundation's stated mission centers on recognizing and supporting faith-driven leaders and organizations that combine innovation with faith to inspire long-term, local solutions addressing poverty and injustice. The Prize aims not only to expand the humanitarian efforts of recipients but to inspire others to pursue lives of service. Opus Prize laureates are identified as leaders who carry unshakable faith and develop creative sol…
How do I apply for a grant from Opus Prize Foundation?
The Opus Prize is one of the world's largest faith-based awards for social entrepreneurship and social innovation. The annual award structure consists of: • **$1 million** to the Opus Prize laureate • **$100,000 each** to two finalists This totals $1.2 million distributed annually. Typical grant awards range from $1,000 to $1,000,000. The foundation's 2024 total giving was $1,370,000. **Application Process:** Opus Prize nominations are managed by university partners. The foundation does not acc…
Where does Opus Prize Foundation make grants?
The foundation's grantmaking focuses primarily on Massachusetts, Oregon, and New York. However, the Opus Prize itself is awarded globally, recognizing leaders and organizations anywhere in the world.
What size grants does Opus Prize Foundation award?
In 2024, Opus Prize Foundation awarded 14 grants totaling $1.4M — an average of about $98K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Opus Prize Foundation's EIN?
Opus Prize Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 46-0434399. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Opus Prize Foundation'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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