Mercy Works Foundation
Preselected recipients only
Mercy Works Foundation is a private foundation in Germantown, Wisconsin. In tax year 2025 it gave $1.6 million in 52 grants; the typical grant was $22,500 and the largest $256,563. It only gives to organizations it selects itself and does not accept unsolicited applications.
From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2025.
- Grants paid, 2025$1.6 million
- Number of grants52
- Typical grant$22,500
- Largest grant$256,563
- Assets$12.5 million
- New grantees19%
Giving in 2025 was down from $1.9 million the year before.
19% of its 2025 grantees had not received a grant from it the year before, a mix of repeat and new grantees.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Number of grants | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $2.4 million | 68 | $12.2 million |
| 2024 | $1.9 million | 60 | $12.4 million |
| 2025 | $1.6 million | 52 | $12.5 million |
How to apply
Mercy Works Foundation says in its IRS filing that it only makes contributions to preselected organizations, so unsolicited applications are unlikely to be considered. Organizations it funds are usually invited.
What Mercy Works Foundation funds
Where it gives
Its grants went to recipients in 14 states, the most to Wisconsin.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin | 25 | $565,650 |
| California | 4 | $460,274 |
| Florida | 2 | $110,000 |
| Virginia | 4 | $105,000 |
| Nebraska | 3 | $75,799 |
| Ohio | 2 | $75,000 |
| Minnesota | 4 | $62,000 |
| Colorado | 2 | $50,000 |
| Illinois | 1 | $35,000 |
| Texas | 1 | $25,000 |
Grants paid in 2025
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Christopher Missions Foundation | Chapel construction | $256,563 |
| Wells of Life | New wells | $162,000 |
| Relevant Radio Inc | General operations | $100,250 |
| John Paul II Healing Center | Renewal of the church | $95,000 |
| Salvatorian Mission Warehouse | Ghana rice project | $70,000 |
| Catholic Foundation for the Green Bay Diocese | Seminarian fund and one by one campaign | $65,000 |
| Apostolate for Family Consecration Inc | Family consecration workshops | $50,000 |
| Vida Clinic Inc | Trinity house and maternity home | $50,000 |
| Help the Helpless | Build homes for homeless | $40,000 |
| Institute for Priestly Formation | Bishops formation and summer seminarian | $40,000 |
| Franciscan Works | Phase 3 fencing project | $35,000 |
| Live Action | Baby oliver project (pro-life) | $30,000 |
| National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion | General operations and land purchase | $30,000 |
| Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe | General operations | $30,000 |
| Missionaries of the Word | General operations | $28,400 |
| Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church | General operations and music program | $27,000 |
| Cardinal Newman Society | General operations | $25,000 |
| Charlotte Lozier Institute - Susan B Anthony Education Fund | Defending life & dignity research (pro life) | $25,000 |
| Christ in the City | Corporal works of mercy | $25,000 |
| Diocese of la Crosse | 2 p-t parish positions & two statues | $25,000 |
| Heartbeat International | Move the movement | $25,000 |
| Institute of Catholic Culture | Magdala apostolate self-paced classes and expanded curriculum for women religious | $25,000 |
| Kolbe Prison Ministry | Kpm mission retreats | $25,000 |
| Saint John Institute | A date with father nate catholic faith | $25,000 |
| Saint Paul VI Institute for Human Reproduction | St. John paul the great fellowship program | $25,000 |
| Spitzer-Magis Center | Magisai app | $25,000 |
| Sophia Institute | Catechizing catholic educators | $20,000 |
| St Francis de Sales Seminary | Summer seminarian formation (rome experience) | $20,000 |
| St Irenaeus Institute for Catholic Thought | Catholic studies program at uw - milwaukee | $20,000 |
| Mary Mother of God Mission Society | Matching grant vehicle replacement | $16,711 |
| Dismas Ministry Inc | Pastoral outreach to inmates | $15,000 |
| Farm of the Child | Program expenses | $15,000 |
| Little Sisters of the Poor | Caring for the aged poor as family | $15,000 |
| Labor of Love DBA Bella Pregnancy Medical Clinic Inc | Updates for technology, security, and medical team | $12,500 |
| Simon of Cyrene | Matching grant: borehole wells in nigeria | $10,799 |
| Esto Vir Inc | Video production "what is esto vir?" | $10,000 |
| Monastery of the Holy Name of Jesus | General operations | $10,000 |
| Net Ministries USA | Parish mission coordinator and traveling retreat ministry | $10,000 |
| Prenatal Partners for Life | Funeral and marker grants program | $10,000 |
| St Paul University Catholic Fndn Inc | Ocia program for st. Pauls catholic student center at uw-madison | $10,000 |
Officers and trustees
- Charles Johnson
- Brian Follett
- William Walker
- Scott Follett
- Peter Giersch
- Joan Follett
- Mark Follett
- Joe Malone
Questions people ask
Does Mercy Works Foundation accept grant applications?
No. Its IRS filing says it only makes contributions to preselected organizations.
How much does Mercy Works Foundation give?
$1.6 million in tax year 2025, across 52 grants, with a typical grant of $22,500.
Who runs Mercy Works Foundation?
Its 2025 filing lists Charles Johnson (Chair), Brian Follett (Vice-Chair), William Walker (Treasurer) and Scott Follett (Secretary) among 8 officers and trustees.
What does Mercy Works Foundation fund?
Based on its grants, mainly faith communities, education and health.