The Porticus North America Foundation
The Porticus North America Foundation is a private foundation headquartered in New York, NY, established in 1979. Formerly known as the Humanitas Foundation, it operates as part of the global Porticus network. The foundation supports projects sponsored by Catholic organizations throughout the United States and maintains a sister foundation in Canada called the Ansgar Charitable Foundation.
Key facts about The Porticus North America Foundation
- EIN
- 13-3005012
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,291,240
- Grants made (2024)
- 19
- Average grant
- $67,960
- Median grant
- $50,000
- New grantees (estimate)
- 68% first-time grantees (13 of 19, 2024)
- Total assets
- $33,124,336
- Primary geography
- District of Columbia (39% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- How to apply
- The foundation operates with preselected grantees only, indicating a limited open application process. Full details ↓
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology). Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Porticus North America Foundation funds
By grant dollars, the top recipient states for The Porticus North America Foundation's 19 itemized 2024 grants were District of Columbia (39%), New York (22%) and South Dakota (11%). The most frequent recipient cities were Washington, DC (6 grants), New York, NY (3 grants) and Pine Ridge, SD (2 grants). 26% of grants with a stated purpose were for general or operating support.
Is The Porticus North America Foundation open to new grantees?
68%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 13 of 19 grantees (68%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $88K; repeat grants $25K. How we count
Medians: $60K first-time, $35K repeat.
- 16% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (−3%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 96% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
Estimate from itemized IRS Form 990-PF grant lists (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Next steps with The Porticus North America Foundation
- How to evaluate The Porticus North America Foundation as a funder
Our grant prospecting guide: read the 990-PF, check fit, and decide whether to apply.
- Draft an LOI to The Porticus North America Foundation with AI
AI grant writing that drafts from your organization’s own materials, in your voice.
- Track this opportunity in a free grant tracker
A free Google Sheets or Excel template for deadlines, award terms, and reports due.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$33.1M
+9.1% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.3M
-5.1% YoY
Grant Count
19
+26.7% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$68K
-25.1% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Porticus North America Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.4M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation seeks to foster church renewal, improve Catholic education, and serve the disadvantaged through its grantmaking. Its funding priorities include:
- Religious and Christian initiatives
- Catholicism and Catholic education
- Church renewal
- Service to disadvantaged populations
- Democracy and civic engagement
- Policy change initiatives
The foundation accomplishes its charitable purposes through a program of making charitable gifts, grants, and program-related investments. It does not conduct direct charitable activities.
Grantmaking
Grant Range
$50,000
How to Apply
**
Ready to take the next step with The Porticus North America Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation funds projects across multiple U.S. states and territories, including:
- California
- Colorado
- District of Columbia
- Illinois
- Indiana
- New York
- Puerto Rico
- South Dakota
- Virginia
Major funding activity occurs in cities including New York, Chicago, and San Francisco.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 19 itemized 2024 grant dollars.
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of Fiscal Year 2024:
- Total Assets: $33,124,336
- Total Revenue: $2,268,909
- Total Expenses: $1,617,512
- Total Giving: $1,291,240
As of Fiscal Year 2023:
- Total Assets: $30.4 million
- Total Revenue: $7,055,890
- Total Expenses: $1.64 million
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $33,124,336 | $30,360,354 | $27,709,913 |
| Revenue | $2,268,909 | $7,055,890 | $2,236,623 |
| Expenses | $1,617,512 | $1,643,972 | $2,001,730 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $1,306,012 | $1,373,104 | $2,385,618 |
| Net Investment Income | $2,058,643 | $6,784,808 | $1,125,511 |
| Distributable Amount | $1,359,819 | $1,169,506 | $1,309,310 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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
57 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest recipients include Georgetown University ($300,000), Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors ($175,000), National Council of the US Society of St Vincent ($100,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY Washington, DC | NEW CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES: DEMOCRACY, BUILDING BRIDGES, YOUNG PEOPLE, AND THE SYNOD. | $300,000 |
| ROCKEFELLER PHILANTHROPY ADVISORS New York, NY | TRUST FOR CIVIC LIFE: INVESTING IN LOCALLY LED CIVIC PROGRAMMING IN RURAL U.S. | $175,000 |
| NATIONAL COUNCIL OF THE US SOCIETY OF ST VINCENT Maryland Heights, MO | TRANSITION GRANT - ST VINCENT DE PAUL. | $100,000 |
| CONSTRUCTIVE DIALOGUE INSTITUTE New York, NY | SUPPORTING A FAITH-BASED COHORT OF COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES TO IMPROVE DISCOURSE ON THEIR CAMPUSES. | $100,000 |
| ISSUE ONE Washington, DC | COUNCIL FOR RESPONSIBLE SOCIAL MEDIA. | $100,000 |
| CATHOLIC CHURCH EXTENSION SOCIETY OF THE US Chicago, IL | CULTIVATING RURAL FATIH COMMUNITIES AS COMMUNITY ANCHORS. | $100,000 |
| ONE AMERICA MOVEMENT Bowie, MD | CATHOLIC FAITH LEADER OUTREACH. | $60,000 |
| ENDING CLERGY ABUSE (ECA) GLOBAL Seattle, WA | NURTURING GROWTH: A PATH TO HEALING. | $55,240 |
| NEW AMERICA FOUNDATION Washington, DC | GENERAL OPEERATING SUPPORT. | $50,000 |
| SALT LAKE CIVIL NETWORK INC Salt Lake City, UT | YOUNIFY GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT. | $50,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The foundation operates with volunteer leadership, with all board members and officers reporting zero compensation:
- Robert Kushen — President
- Brian Hayes — Vice President
- Daisy A Vazquez — Vice President & Secretary
- Coleen A Waldron — Vice President & Treasurer
- Jean-Louis Brenninkmeijer — Director
- Bernard Brenninkmeijer — Director
- Mark Brenninkmeijer — Director
The foundation has limited or no paid staff.
Compensation Overview
No officer or director reported compensation in the available filings.
From 2024 IRS filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Robert Kushen | President | — | — |
| Brian Hayes | Vice President | — | — |
| Daisy a Vazquez | Vice President & Secretary | — | — |
| Jean-Louis Brenninkmeijer | Director | — | — |
| Bernard Brenninkmeijer | Director | — | — |
| Mark Brenninkmeijer | Director | — | — |
| Coleen a Waldron | Vice President & Treasurer | — | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation has supported several notable Catholic educational and faith-based initiatives:
**McGrath Institute for Church Life** at the University of Notre Dame launched a Porticus-funded initiative focused on strengthening dialogue in a digital age
Strengthening Dialogue in a Digital Age: McGrath Institute Launches Porticus-Funded**Seton Hall University's Center for Catholic Studies** received a multi-year grant from the foundation
Center for Catholic Studies Receives Porticus Grant - Seton Hall University**North Carolina A&T State University's Honors College** received support through foundation funding
Honors College Receives Prestigious NCHC Portz Grant\n | North Carolina\Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Porticus North America Foundation fund?
The foundation seeks to foster church renewal, improve Catholic education, and serve the disadvantaged through its grantmaking. Its funding priorities include: • Religious and Christian initiatives • Catholicism and Catholic education • Church renewal • Service to disadvantaged populations • Democracy and civic engagement • Policy change initiatives The foundation accomplishes its charitable purposes through a program of making charitable gifts, grants, and program-related investments. It does …
How do I apply for a grant from The Porticus North America Foundation?
The foundation operates with preselected grantees only, indicating a limited open application process. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
Where does The Porticus North America Foundation make grants?
The foundation funds projects across multiple U.S. states and territories, including: • California • Colorado • District of Columbia • Illinois • Indiana • New York • Puerto Rico • South Dakota • Virginia Major funding activity occurs in cities including New York, Chicago, and San Francisco.
What size grants does The Porticus North America Foundation award?
In 2024, The Porticus North America Foundation awarded 19 grants totaling $1.3M — an average of about $68K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Porticus North America Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Porticus North America Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.4M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Porticus North America Foundation's EIN?
The Porticus North America Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 13-3005012. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Porticus North America Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
The Chicago Community Trust
Chicago, IL
Assets
$6.0B
Grants
3,976
Total Given
$1.4B
Tides Foundation
San Francisco, CA
Assets
$534.5M
Grants
2,110
Total Given
$382.1M
The William & Flora Hewlett Foundation
Menlo Park, CA
Assets
$14.2B
Grants
2,001
Total Given
$625.0M
The Ford Foundation
New York, NY
Assets
$17.5B
Grants
4,007
Total Given
$844.7M
The Rockefeller Foundation
New York, NY
Assets
$6.4B
Grants
381
Total Given
$233.2M
Foundation to Promote Open Society
New York, NY
Assets
$10.8B
Grants
738
Total Given
$481.5M
Silicon Valley Community Foundation
Mountain View, CA
Assets
$12.3B
Grants
3,576
Total Given
$3.2B
Greater Washington Community Foundation
Washington, DC
Assets
$518.3M
Grants
1,417
Total Given
$116.9M
Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors Inc
New York, NY
Assets
$891.5M
Grants
1,153
Total Given
$275.0M
Jpmorgan Chase Foundation
New York, NY
Assets
$1.2B
Grants
10,334
Total Given
$202.5M
The Pfizer Foundation Inc
New York, NY
Assets
$255.3M
Grants
9,306
Total Given
$23.2M
The Ojc Fund
Brooklyn, NY
Assets
$46.1M
Grants
3,410
Total Given
$386.1M
More Funders in New York
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.