Word Among US Inc logo

Word Among US Inc

Public charity · Grantmaker Frederick, MD EIN: 52-1320592 Website

WORD AMONG US INC is a public charity based in Frederick, Maryland. It publishes Catholic magazines and other resources focused on prayer, Scripture, and discipleship, and makes grants to other charitable and religious organizations.

Key facts about Word Among US Inc

In short: Word Among US Inc gave $1.2M across 10 grants in 2024 (avg $120K), mostly in Maryland. 40% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.

EIN
52-1320592
Latest 990 filing
Form 990, 2024
Annual giving (2024)
$1,195,500
Grants made (2024)
10
Average grant
$119,550
Median grant
$45,500
New grantees (estimate)
40% first-time grantees (4 of 10, 2024)
Total assets
$23,607,774
Primary geography
Maryland (90% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)

Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).

Financial Overview

From 2024 IRS Form 990 · View filing

Total Assets

$23.6M

+15.0% YoY

Annual Giving

$1.2M

-12.2% YoY

Grant Count

10

+0.0% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$120K

-12.2% YoY

Is Word Among US Inc open to new grantees?

40%

first-time grantees, 2024

In 2024, 4 of 10 grantees (40%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $121K; repeat grants $119K. How we count

Medians: $12K first-time, $103K repeat.

  • 50% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
  • Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (−1%). Method

Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.

Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.

Mission & Focus Areas

The organization says it helps people encounter Jesus Christ through daily prayer and Scripture. Its 2024 filing describes magazines, books, pamphlets, and digital resources for Catholics at different stages of discipleship, including English- and Spanish-language magazines.

The 2024 grants show support for organizations working in areas including transitional housing, charitable giving, evangelism, vocations, and missionary work. For example, Partners in Evangelism describes its own mission as providing free copies of The Word Among Us and other resources to prisoners, military service members, women at crisis pregnancy centers, college students, seminarians, and other groups. The Sword of the Spirit describes its mission as promoting the Gospel through evangelism, Christian community formation, instruction, ecumenism, and programs for people who are poor or disadvantaged.

Grantmaking

In 2024, WORD AMONG US INC reported 10 grants totaling $1,177,500. Grant amounts ranged from $10,000 to $450,000, with a median of $45,500. Its largest grants were $450,000 to Patty’a Place for transitional housing; $250,000 to The Love of Christ Foundation for distribution to other charities; $208,000 to Partners in Evangelism for general operations; and $130,000 to the Archdiocese of Baltimore for vocations.

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Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

In 2024, 89% of grant dollars went to recipients in Maryland. The remaining reported shares were Michigan, 6%; Florida, 1%; Louisiana, 1%; and Washington, DC, 1%. The listed grants also included $10,000 to St Paul Outreach in Minnesota.

Grant Distribution by State

9states

Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 10 itemized grants.

Cities

FrederickBaltimoreEast LansingSt AugustineWashingtonSan DiegoChelseaCovingtonDenverDetroitJacksonvilleLansingLocust GroveMendota HeightsMiddletown

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$500K$1M$1.5M$2M10 grants2020 12 grants2021 10 grants2022 10 grants2023 10 grants2024

From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $905K (2020) to $1.7M (2022). In 2024 it made 10 grants totaling $1.2M.

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2024

Patty'a Place: $450KPatty'a Place$450KThe Love of Christ Foundation: $250KThe Love of Christ Foundation$250KPartners in Evangelism: $226KPartners in Evangelism$226KArchdiocese of Baltimore: $130KArchdiocese of Baltimore$130KThe Sword of the Spirit: $76KThe Sword of the Spirit$76KJacksonville Catholic Community: $15KJacksonville CatholicCommunity$15KTriumph of the Cross Community: $15KTriumph of the Cross Community$15KThe Vigil Project: $14KThe Vigil Project$14KArchdiocese for Military Services: $10KArchdiocese for MilitaryServices$10KSt Paul Outreach: $10KSt Paul Outreach$10K

The largest 2024 recipient was Patty'a Place ($450K). Together the top 10 received $1.2M.

Grant Size Distribution

52 grants across all recorded years

33<$50K3$50–100K8$100–250K4$250–500K3$500K–1M1$1–5M$5M+

The most common grant size was under $50K: 33 grants of 52 (63%).

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
Patty'a Place Baltimore, MDTransitional Housing$450,000
The Love of Christ Foundation Frederick, MDDist Other Charities$250,000
Partners in Evangelism Frederick, MDGeneral Operations$226,000
Archdiocese of Baltimore Baltimore, MDVocations$130,000
The Sword of the Spirit East Lansing, MIGeneral Fund$76,000
Jacksonville Catholic Community St Augustine, FLGeneral Operations$15,000
Triumph of the Cross Community Frederick, MDGeneral Operations$15,000
The Vigil Project Covington, LAMissionary Work$13,500
Archdiocese for Military Services Washington, DCOperations$10,000
St Paul Outreach Mendota Heights, MNOperations$10,000

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Filing year Assets Revenue Expenses Grants
2024 $23,607,774 $15,285,637 $14,883,491 $1,177,500
2023 $20,529,287 $15,665,894 $16,268,270 $1,361,588
2022 $19,102,609 $15,562,529 $16,055,720 $1,652,490

The organization reported 10 grants in each of the three filing years shown.

Revenue
Expenses
Net Investment Income
$0$5M$10M$15M$20M2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
Metric202420232022
Total Assets$23,607,774$20,529,287$19,102,609
Revenue$15,285,637$15,665,894$15,562,529
Expenses$14,883,491$16,268,270$16,055,720
Net Investment Income$336,656$294,133$227,768

Data update history

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

  1. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 15, 2021)
  2. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 15, 2022)
  3. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 13, 2023)
  4. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 5, 2024)
  5. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 11, 2025)
  6. IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

The 2024 filing lists Jeffrey Smith as president; Joseph M Difato as VP operation; Susan Heuver as VP mission; Leo Zanchettin as editorial director; Nancy Clemens as production manager; John Roeder as general manager; Michael Difato as chief marketing officer; Kevin Page as IT manager; Jamie Smith as CFO; and James Mannarino as assistant publisher. The organization’s staff information also identifies Jeff Smith as president and CEO, John Roeder as general manager, and Leo Zanchettin as editor.

Word Among US Inc is led by Jeffrey Smith, President since 2022 (on filings since 2020); 14 of 15 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.

Officers on the 2024 filing

  • Jeffrey Smith

    President

    President, CEO & Director → President, 2022

    On filings since 2020

    38 hrs/week

    $304K (2020) → $385K (2024)

  • Joseph C. Difato

    Vice President Operations & Director

    Director - Operations, Technology & Director → Vice President Operations & Director, 2022

    On filings since 2020

    40 hrs/week

    $159K (2020) → $244K (2024)

  • Michael Shaughnessy

    Director

    Director & Chairman → Director, 2022

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    $16 (2022) → $9K (2024)

  • Susan Timoney

    Director

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    $9K (2020) → $9K (2024)

  • Gregory Erlandson

    Director

    On filings since 2021

    1 hr/week

    $9K (2021) → $12K (2024)

  • Reina Irene Mejia Chacon

    Director

    New on the 2024 filing

    1 hr/week

    $9K (2024)

  • James Mannarino

    Assistant Pu

    Assistant Publisher-Press → Assistant Pu, 2022

    On filings since 2020

    $53K (2020) → $0 (2024)

  • John J. Difato

    CIO

    Chief Information Officer → CIO, 2023

    On filings since 2020

    25 hrs/week

    $126K (2020) → $121K (2024)

  • John Roeder

    General Mana

    Gm & Director of Marketing → General Mana, 2022

    On filings since 2020

    40 hrs/week

    $142K (2020) → $169K (2024)

  • Kevin Page

    It Manager

    On filings since 2020

    40 hrs/week

    $120K (2020) → $160K (2024)

  • Leo Zanchettin Jr.

    Editorial Di

    Editorial Director-Magazine → Editorial Di, 2022

    On filings since 2020

    39 hrs/week

    $175K (2020) → $190K (2024)

  • Michael Difato

    Chief Market

    Chief Marketing Officer → Chief Market, 2023

    On filings since 2020

    40 hrs/week

    $141K (2020) → $168K (2024)

  • Nancy Clemens

    Production M

    Production Manager → Production M, 2022

    On filings since 2020

    40 hrs/week

    $158K (2020) → $212K (2024)

  • Susan Heuver

    Vice President Mission

    Director & Managing Editor → Vice President Mission, 2022

    On filings since 2020

    38 hrs/week

    $155K (2020) → $228K (2024)

  • Jamie Smith

    CFO

    Controller, Assistant Secretary & Assistant Treasurer → CFO, 2022

    On filings since 2021

    40 hrs/week

    $126K (2021) → $184K (2024)

Former officers (9)
  • Former: David Fitzsimmons (2020–2023) — Director
  • Former: Elizabeth McNamara (2020–2023) — Publisher
  • Former: David Hughes (2020–2022) — Director
  • Former: Bryan Keilty (2020–2021) — Director
  • Former: Patrick Sullivan (2020–2021) — CFO, Secretary & Treasurer
  • Former: David Crosson (2021) — Art Director
  • Former: Elizabeth Roeder (2021) — Telemarketer
  • Former: Orlando Barros (2021) — Director of Fundraising
  • Former: Greg Erlandson (2020) — Director

Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.

Compensation Overview

From 2024 IRS filing

Jeffrey Smith — President: $385KJeffrey SmithPresident$385KJoseph M Difato — VP Operation: $244KJoseph M DifatoVP Operation$244KSusan Heuver — VP Mission &: $228KSusan HeuverVP Mission &$228KNancy Clemens — Production M: $212KNancy ClemensProduction M$212KLeo Zanchettin — Editorial Di: $190KLeo ZanchettinEditorial Di$190KJamie Smith — CFO: $184KJamie SmithCFO$184KJohn Roeder — General Mana: $169KJohn RoederGeneral Mana$169KMichael Difato — Chief Market: $168KMichael DifatoChief Market$168KKevin Page — It Manager: $160KKevin PageIt Manager$160KJohn J Difato — CIO: $121KJohn J DifatoCIO$121KJoseph C Difato — Director: $12KJoseph C DifatoDirector$12KGregory Erlandson — Director: $12KGregory ErlandsonDirector$12KMichael Shaughnessy — Director: $9KMichael ShaughnessyDirector$9KReina Irene Mejia Chacon — Director: $9KReina Irene Mejia ChaconDirector$9KSusan Timoney — Director: $9KSusan TimoneyDirector$9K

The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $385K, to Jeffrey Smith (President). 15 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.

Contact

Mailing address: 7115 Guilford Drive Suite 100, Frederick, MD 21704
Phone: (800) 775-9673
Website: https://wau.org

Frequently asked questions about Word Among US Inc

How much does Word Among US Inc give each year?

Word Among US Inc gave $1.2M across 10 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $1.4M across 10 grants.

What is Word Among US Inc's typical grant size?

Word Among US Inc's median grant in 2024 was $45,500, and its average grant was $119,550, across 10 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Word Among US Inc that year got $121K on average.

Where does Word Among US Inc give grants?

Word Among US Inc gives mostly in Maryland: 90% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest state was Michigan (6%). The most frequent recipient cities were Frederick, MD (3 grants) and Baltimore, MD (2 grants).

Does Word Among US Inc give general operating support?

Yes: 40% of Word Among US Inc's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (4 of 10) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990.

Who are Word Among US Inc's largest grantees?

Word Among US Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Patty'a Place ($450,000), The Love of Christ Foundation ($250,000) and Partners in Evangelism ($226,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 77% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.

How large is Word Among US Inc?

Word Among US Inc reported $23.6M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $15.3M.

What does Word Among US Inc fund?

The organization says it helps people encounter Jesus Christ through daily prayer and Scripture. Its 2024 filing describes magazines, books, pamphlets, and digital resources for Catholics at different stages of discipleship, including English- and Spanish-language magazines. See mission & focus areas ↑

How do I apply for a grant from Word Among US Inc?

Word Among US Inc has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check wau.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.

What is Word Among US Inc's EIN?

Word Among US Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 52-1320592. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.

Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.

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