The Ortner Family Foundation

The foundation’s website describes churches, families, and schools as central to its view of cultural renewal and identifies Catholic schools as a starting point for its work. It supports Catholic education and related efforts in formation and fellowship. Its website names the Institute for Catholic Liberal Education, Religious Freedom Institute, Cana Academy, Thomistic Institute, Catholic Education Partners, Ethics and Public Policy Center, St. Jerome Institute, Thomas Aquinas College, and A Simple House among organizations it supports.

The grantees’ stated missions illustrate the range of its giving. The Religious Freedom Institute says it works to promote religious liberty as a fundamental human right and a cornerstone of a successful society. The Ethics and Public Policy Center says it applies the Judeo-Christian moral tradition to public policy issues and seeks to influence policymakers and culture. The Evangelical Catholic says it trains and supports local Catholic ministries for evangelization. Trinity House Community says it supports families and the renewal of faith and culture through programs for parents and parish communities.

The foundation also oversees Catholic School Playbook, which shares best practices among high-performing Catholic schools with school leaders, and Run with Saints, which equips Catholics to build and participate in local communities with faithful peers and mentors.