Roman Catholic Foundation of Eastern Missouri
The Roman Catholic Foundation of Eastern Missouri is a public charity based in St. Louis, Missouri. Established in 2013, it operates independently from the Archdiocese of St. Louis and connects donors with Catholic parishes, schools, and ministries, with the aim of sustaining the local Church for future generations.
Key facts about Roman Catholic Foundation of Eastern Missouri
In short: Roman Catholic Foundation of Eastern Missouri gave $5.6M across 128 grants in 2025 (avg $44K), mostly in Missouri. 41% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- EIN
- 46-3309222
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025
- Annual giving (2025)
- $5,625,696
- Grants made (2025)
- 128
- Average grant
- $43,951
- Median grant
- $15,000
- New grantees (estimate)
- 41% first-time grantees (52 of 127, 2025)
- Total assets
- $89,673,115
- Primary geography
- Missouri (59% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990 · View filing
Total Assets
$89.7M
+12.6% YoY
Annual Giving
$5.6M
+63.5% YoY
Grant Count
128
+39.1% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$44K
+17.5% YoY
Is Roman Catholic Foundation of Eastern Missouri open to new grantees?
41%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 52 of 127 grantees (41%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $19K; repeat grants $62K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $20K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2019–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Foundation’s mission is “Inspiring giving and connecting donors to Catholic ministries, sustaining the local Church for future generations.” It says it helps Catholic donors meet charitable and financial goals, assists parishes, schools, and ministries with long-term financial needs, invests funds according to Catholic values, and manages distributions according to donor intent.
The Foundation’s website describes Beyond Sunday tuition assistance scholarships for elementary and high school students, as well as school grants. Elementary scholarships are open to students of all faiths, with preference given to Catholic students whose families are Catholic and registered in an Archdiocese of St. Louis parish. High school Beyond Sunday Fellows scholarships are for Catholic students in families registered in an Archdiocese parish. The website says the Fellows program includes Catholic community-building, a shared faith experience, and an annual service activity.
The Foundation’s 2025 grants included support for organizations with a range of stated missions. For example, Life Teen describes itself as a Catholic missionary youth movement focused on parish youth ministry, young adult missionaries, and events and camps. The Augustine Institute describes its work as forming Catholics for the New Evangelization through academic and parish programs. The Becket Fund describes its mission as protecting the free expression of all faiths, while African Mission Healthcare Foundation says it works to strengthen African mission hospitals.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the Foundation reported 128 grants totaling $5,625,696. Grant amounts ranged from $5,050 to $800,835, with a median of $15,000. The largest grants included $800,835 to Life Teen Inc., $570,984 to Robinson Advancement Foundation for St Vincent Inc., $500,000 to The Papal Foundation, $260,500 to Augustine Institute Inc., and $227,471 to St Louis Roman Catholic Theological Seminary. The filing identifies these grants’ purpose as “donor recommended grants.”
The Foundation also describes Beyond Sunday scholarships and school grants; the scholarship program is tuition assistance for students, not a grant program for outside applicants.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation says its focus is Catholic parishes, schools, and ministries in the Archdiocese of St. Louis. In 2025, 59% of grant dollars went to recipients in Missouri, followed by Georgia (14%), Pennsylvania (9%), Colorado (5%), and Maryland (3%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 128 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $1.6M (2019) to $5.6M (2025). In 2025 it made 128 grants totaling $5.6M.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Life Teen Inc ($801K). Together the top 10 received $3.3M.
Grant Size Distribution
428 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 351 grants of 428 (82%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Life Teen Inc Atlanta, GA | Donor Recommended Grants | $800,835 |
| Robinson Advancement Foundation for St Vincent Inc Perryville, MO | Donor Recommended Grants | $570,984 |
| The Papal Foundation Chester, PA | Donor Recommended Grants | $500,000 |
| Augustine Institute Inc Englewood, CO | Donor Recommended Grants | $260,500 |
| St Louis Roman Catholic Theological Seminary Saint Louis, MO | Donor Recommended Grants | $227,471 |
| Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis Parish-101 Saint Louis, MO | Donor Recommended Grants | $191,503 |
| St Agatha Center O Fallon, MO | Donor Recommended Grants | $174,204 |
| Archdiocese of St Louis Saint Louis, MO | Donor Recommended Grants | $168,813 |
| World Villages for Children Lanham, MD | Donor Recommended Grants | $143,000 |
| Saint Patrick Parish-372 Wentzville, MO | Donor Recommended Grants | $125,000 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $89,673,115 | $11,821,241 | $9,040,525 | $5,625,696 |
| 2024 | $79,626,618 | $10,478,204 | $7,094,471 | $3,441,199 |
| 2023 | $67,874,003 | $9,163,484 | $6,581,930 | $3,096,078 |
Separately, the Foundation’s website reports $87 million in assets under management as of December 31, 2025, along with 298 funds and planned gifts.
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $89,673,115 | $79,626,618 | $67,874,003 |
| Revenue | $11,821,241 | $10,478,204 | $9,163,484 |
| Expenses | $9,040,525 | $7,094,471 | $6,581,930 |
| Net Investment Income | $4,202,402 | $2,086,407 | $1,689,558 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS May 8, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 4, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS April 9, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 8, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 15, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 12, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS April 30, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2024
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Castor Armesto, Michelle Armesto, Mike Conoyer, Carol Conoyer, Dan Charles, Mary Charles, Louis Eckelkamp III, Tina Eckelkamp, and Niall Gannon as trustees. Mark Guyol is listed as co-chairperson.
Roman Catholic Foundation of Eastern Missouri is led by Joseph Bestgen, President, CEO & Secretary on every filing since 2022; 3 of 34 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Joseph Bestgen
President, CEO & Secretary
On filings since 2022
50 hrs/week
$147K (2022) → $187K (2025)
Mark J. Guyol
Co-Chairperson
President, CEO & Secretary → Trustee, 2023
Trustee → Co-Chairperson, 2024
On filings since 2019
0.4 hrs/week
$143K (2019) → $0 (2025)
Joan Guyol
Co-Chairperson
On filings since 2024
0.4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Castor Armesto
Trustee
On filings since 2019
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Connie Notestine
Trustee
On filings since 2019
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Dan Charles
Trustee
On filings since 2019
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
David F. Snively
Trustee
Vice President & Treasurer → Trustee, Vice President & Treasurer, 2020
Trustee, Vice President & Treasurer → Trustee, 2025
On filings since 2019
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Diane Snively
Trustee
On filings since 2019
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Donald L. Ross
Trustee
Co-Chairperson → Trustee, 2024
On filings since 2019
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Grant Dino
Trustee
On filings since 2019
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jim Shaughnessy
Trustee, Vice President & Treasurer
Trustee → Trustee, Vice President & Treasurer, 2025
On filings since 2019
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Karen Shaughnessy
Trustee
On filings since 2019
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Louis Eckelkamp III
Trustee
On filings since 2019
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mary Charles
Trustee
On filings since 2019
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Michelle Armesto
Trustee
On filings since 2019
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mike Walsh
Trustee
On filings since 2019
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Nancy A. Ross
Trustee
Co-Chairperson → Trustee, 2024
On filings since 2019
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Niall J. Gannon
Trustee
On filings since 2019
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Stephen M. Notestine
Trustee
On filings since 2019
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Tiffany Dino
Trustee
On filings since 2019
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Tina Eckelkamp
Trustee
On filings since 2019
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Archbishop Mitchell Rozanski
Trustee
On filings since 2020
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Bishop Mark S. Rivituso
Trustee
On filings since 2020
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Father Christopher Martin
Trustee
On filings since 2021
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Gerard Hempstead
Trustee
On filings since 2021
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jennifer Hempstead
Trustee
On filings since 2021
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jerry Keeven
Trustee
On filings since 2022
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lesa Keeven
Trustee
On filings since 2022
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Carol Conoyer
Trustee
On filings since 2023
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mike Conoyer
Trustee
On filings since 2023
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Janice Surdyke
Trustee
On filings since 2024
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Tim Surdyke
Trustee
On filings since 2024
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
John Modder
Vice President & CFO
On filings since 2024
50 hrs/week
$136K (2024) → $149K (2025)
Michael Weisbrod
Senior Gift Planning Officer
New on the 2025 filing
50 hrs/week
$115K (2025)
Former officers (13)
- Former: Gina Witte (2019–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Matt Witte (2019–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Susan L. Sansone (2019–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Timothy G. Sansone (2019–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Nancy J. Werner (2019–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Scott Welz (2019–2023) — Vice President & CFO
- Former: Monsignor Vernon E. Gardin (2019–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Archbishop Robert J. Carlson (2020) — Trustee
- Former: Kevin M. Short (2019) — Trustee
- Former: Monsignor Mark S. Rivituso (2019) — Trustee
- Former: Most Rev Robert J. Carlson (2019) — Trustee
- Former: Patti A. Short (2019) — Trustee
- Former: Suann P. Fields (2019) — Past Director of Finance & Oper
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $187K, to Joseph Bestgen (President/CEO/Secretary). 3 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Contact
Mailing address: 425 North New Ballas Road 200, St Louis, MO 63141
Phone: (314) 918-2890
Frequently asked questions about Roman Catholic Foundation of Eastern Missouri
How much does Roman Catholic Foundation of Eastern Missouri give each year?
Roman Catholic Foundation of Eastern Missouri gave $5.6M across 128 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $3.4M across 92 grants.
What is Roman Catholic Foundation of Eastern Missouri's typical grant size?
Roman Catholic Foundation of Eastern Missouri's median grant in 2025 was $15,000, and its average grant was $43,951, across 128 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Roman Catholic Foundation of Eastern Missouri that year got $19K on average.
Where does Roman Catholic Foundation of Eastern Missouri give grants?
Roman Catholic Foundation of Eastern Missouri gives mostly in Missouri: 59% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest states were Georgia (14%) and Pennsylvania (9%). The most frequent recipient cities were Saint Louis, MO (52 grants), Washington, DC (5 grants), Florissant, MO (4 grants) and Chesterfield, MO (4 grants).
Does Roman Catholic Foundation of Eastern Missouri give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 128 grants with a stated purpose on Roman Catholic Foundation of Eastern Missouri's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Donor Recommended Grants" (128 grants).
Who are Roman Catholic Foundation of Eastern Missouri's largest grantees?
Roman Catholic Foundation of Eastern Missouri's largest 2025 grantees include Life Teen Inc ($800,835), Robinson Advancement Foundation for St Vincent Inc ($570,984) and The Papal Foundation ($500,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 33% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Roman Catholic Foundation of Eastern Missouri?
Roman Catholic Foundation of Eastern Missouri reported $89.7M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $11.8M.
What does Roman Catholic Foundation of Eastern Missouri fund?
The Foundation’s mission is “Inspiring giving and connecting donors to Catholic ministries, sustaining the local Church for future generations.” See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Roman Catholic Foundation of Eastern Missouri?
Roman Catholic Foundation of Eastern Missouri has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Roman Catholic Foundation of Eastern Missouri's EIN?
Roman Catholic Foundation of Eastern Missouri's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 46-3309222. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
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