History

In April of 2008, the Archdiocese of New York celebrated the 200th anniversary of its founding. Home to more than 2.5 million Catholics, the Archdiocese is one of the strongest and most diverse communities of faithful. It operates one of the largest Catholic school systems in the country, educating over 88,000 students each year and, through Catholic Charities, provides critical social services for millions of New Yorkers, regardless of faith.

With a vision of the role the Catholic Church would play in the future of the greater New York community, the Archdiocese embarked on the dual focused Bicentennial Campaign:

• The Bicentennial Parish Campaign - to strengthen the financial capital of all the parishes throughout the Archdiocese. The campaign was initiated in the parishes to address their individual parish needs as well as establish a new Fund for Needy Parishes.

• The Bicentennial Leadership Campaign - to secure leadership gifts at the Archdiocesan-level in support of Catholic education, Catholic Charities, St. Joseph’s Seminary and the continuing needs of retired clergy and religious. This broadened scope of beneficiaries, because gifts to the Bicentennial Campaign were generally subject to donor designation. Spearheaded by His Eminence, Edward Cardinal Egan this effort was also able to secure support for funding priorities that were not outlined in the Bicentennial Campaign case for support.

Established in 2006, with the funds raised through the Bicentennial, the New York Catholic Foundation acquires, administers and distributes funds to benefit the religious, charitable and educational needs of the Archdiocese of New York.

• The New York Catholic Foundation is a Corporation as defined in subparagraph (a)(5) of Section 102 of the New York Not-For-Profit Corporation Law.

• The Certificate of Incorporation for the new Corporation (the Catholic Bicentennial Foundation, Inc.) was filed on April 10, 2006. On December 5, 2006, a Certificate of Amendment of the Certification of Incorporation of Catholic Bicentennial Foundation, Inc. was filed to change the name of the new Corporation to the New York Catholic Foundation, Inc.

• The amended and restated By-laws of the new Corporation were adopted on March 3, 2009 by unanimous vote of the Members of the Corporation.

• The Foundation is exempt from taxation by virtue of it being operated, supervised, or controlled by or in connection with the Roman Catholic Church in the United States, its territories or possessions appearing in The Official Catholic Directory.

In the long run, the Foundation’s stewardship, transparency and accountability will enhance its ability to raise the funds needed to maintain the long-term viability of the Archdiocese of New York’s education, charitable and religious ministries.