St. Joseph Foundation

On behalf of the Archbishop of Seattle, the St. Joseph Foundation sustains ministries and programs that support the spiritual, educational, and ministry needs of Catholics in Western Washington.

About the Foundation

Established on August 5, 2021, the St. Joseph Foundation is dedicated to connecting faith with charitable giving for the long-term support of the mission of the church and the Catholic community in Western Washington.

Grants are awarded twice a year based on the approval of the board of directors, once in the spring and once in the fall.

If you would like to donate to the foundation, set up a recurring gift, or if you have a question about making a donation, please contact Erin Oest-Larsen at 206-382-4563 or
erin.oest-larsen@seattlearch.org.

Grant Guidelines | Grant Guidelines in Spanish

Funding Priorities

Catholic Initiatives

To advance the beliefs, teachings and spirit of the Catholic Church, while supporting the spiritual and social needs of the Catholic community in Western WA. The Foundation supports not-for-profit Catholic organizations as well as general Archdiocesan needs.

Pastoral Ministries

To advance Archdiocesan pastoral ministries that support missionary discipleship, Catholic social teaching and other efforts to spread the Gospel. This includes special priorities such as the environmental initiatives outlined in Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si'.

Formation Education

To advance the continuing education and faith formation for lay ministers, deacons, seminarians, and priests in support of advancing the Mission of the Church in Western Washington.

St. Joseph Foundation Apply for a Grant

We support Catholic ministry and encourage Catholic non-profits in Western Washington to apply for funding. The next application period will close September 15, 2023.

Grant Guidelines | Grant Guidelines in Spanish | FAQ's

The Summer 2023 application window closed on September 15, 2023.
The board will meet on November 2, 2023.
We will notify applicants in November 2023.
We will open the application portal again on January 1, 2024.
Grant applications will be due by March 15, 2024.

Please email foundation@seattlearch.org with any questions.

Board Members

Awarded Grants - 2023

Society of St. Vincent de Paul/Queen of Angels Conference

Sunday Outreach Lunch
Approved amount: $1,500

Funding Priority: Catholic Initiatives

To provide a hot meal to folks on the street, living in cars or not able to fix a hot meal. Also provide blankets, coats, hand warmers and personal items, especially in the cold weather.

University of Washington Newman Center

Approved amount: $17,000

Funding Priority: Pastoral Ministries

Our goal with retaining FOCUS is to continue to build our Evangelization efforts in order to bring additional students into our ministry, including from student groups we currently have not been able to reach well on our own.

Intercommunity Peace & Justice Center

Approved amount: $30,000

Funding Priority: Catholic Initiatives

Students will explore their various identities and how they shape their lived experience through building personal narratives to be shared with the community.

Train 15 Catholic high school juniors and seniors to become faith-based youth organizers.
Engage at least 70 additional youth, and 30 adults, through an intern-led listening campaign in the fall.
Host at least one major action in the spring activating and mobilizing at least 40 youth, and 20 adults around the justice issue chosen by the interns.
Partner with at least 7 community partners to train the interns and expose them to other faith-based justice work and vocational paths.

Awarded Grants -2022

Agape - 2022 grant award: $157,000 to fund purchase of a van and general operations for three years.

Catholic Healthcare Collaboration - $1 million over five years Grant supports this innovative partnership between the Archdiocese of Seattle, Catholic Community Services and Catholic Housing Services of Western Washington, and local Catholic hospitals, including PeaceHealth, Providence and Virginia Mason Franciscan Health, which will transform the way Catholic organizations collaborate and respond to the cry of the poor. Learn more: archseattle.org/catholichealth
Education Across Borders - $5,600 Grant provides funding for two students to participate in an international service-learning project in the Dominican Republic. Learn more: www.educationacrossborders.org
Immigrant & Refugee Ministry - $104,000 for 1 year Grant supports one full-time coordinator and stipends for lay leaders to expand the Immigrant and Refugee Ministry throughout the Archdiocese of Seattle. Learn more: archseattle.org/ministries/outreach-ministries/immigrant-refugee-ministry

Seattle Seafarers Center - $156,000 over two years Grant supports funding for an executive director who will work to expand fundraising efforts for this ecumenical program that meets the spiritual and practical needs of ship workers arriving at our local ports. Learn more about the Seattle Seafarers ministry: archseattle.org/ministries/outreach-ministries/seafarer-ministry
Seminarian Support - $21,000 Grant provides funding to send 10 seminarians to World Youth Day in Lisbon, Portugal, in August 2023. Learn more about seminarians in the Archdiocese of Seattle: archseattle.org/living-catholic/god-is-calling-you-vocations/meet-our-seminarians
Saint Luke Productions - $50,000
Grant provides support to bring the live performance of “Tolton: From Slave to Priest” to 10 communities in the Archdiocese of Seattle. Learn more about this show: www2.stlukeproductions.com/dramas/tolton
Western Washington Catholic Charismatic Renewal - $3,000
Grant will support general operations to carry out the mission of nurturing and inspiring Catholics to experience a personal relationship with Jesus Christ through baptism in the Holy Spirit. Learn more: wwccr.org
Youth Ministry - $24,000 Grant will provide funding to send 12 young people to World Youth Day in Lisbon, Portugal, in August 2023. Learn more about the archdiocese’s youth ministry: archseattle.org/for-parishes/for-parishes-youth-ministry

To learn more, please contact:

Erin Oest-Larsen, Chief Development Officer
foundation@seattlearch.org
206-382-4563