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Thewes Family Foundation is a private corporation based in BIRMINGHAM, MI. The foundation received its IRS ruling in 2012. The principal officer is George V Cassar Jr. It holds total assets of $6.9M. Annual income is reported at $943K. Total assets have grown from N/A in 2011 to $7.1M in 2023. The foundation is governed by 4 officers and trustees. Tax records are available from 2016 to 2023. The foundation primarily funds organizations in Michigan, Georgia and National (Catholic organizations). According to available records, Thewes Family Foundation has made 57 grants totaling $1.1M, with a median grant of $10K. The foundation has distributed between $254K and $294K annually from 2020 to 2023. Grantmaking activity was highest in 2022 with $294K distributed across 13 grants. Individual grants have ranged from $1K to $75K, with an average award of $19K. The foundation has supported 23 unique organizations. The foundation primarily supports organizations in Michigan, Georgia, Indiana, which account for 98% of all grants. Grantmaking reaches organizations across 4 states. Contributions to this foundation are tax-deductible.
Thewes Family Foundation is extremely difficult to access as a new applicant — only 7% of grantees are new (closed network). The foundation has a tight, relationship-based giving culture centered on Roman Catholic institutional priorities. Strategy for approach: (1) The organization must serve Roman Catholic religious purposes: priestly formation, Catholic K-12 education, pro-life/pregnancy ministry, or Catholic social services. (2) Organizations outside the Catholic/Christian faith context have essentially no path to funding. (3) The foundation's primary agent is George V. Cassar Jr. at (248) 258-8900 — any approach must go through personal relationship or referral within the Birmingham, MI Catholic community or through established Legionaries of Christ networks. (4) Michigan-based organizations have by far the best chance (72% of grants). Georgia is the only other state with consistent presence. (5) Do not cold-apply; warm connections through the Birmingham, MI Catholic community or Diocese are required.
Thewes Family Foundation has awarded $2.2M across 109 grants since inception, with grant counts declining from 28 in 2023 to 17 in 2024. Grants range from $1,000 to $100,000 with a median of $10,400. Larger grants ($30,000-$60,000) go to recurring partners (LC Pastoral Services, Sacred Heart Apostolic School, Pinecrest Academy). Smaller grants ($1,000-$10,000) go to local Michigan Catholic churches and pro-life ministries. Revenue is primarily investment income with occasional large charitable contributions (e.g., $2.3M in 2023). Annual disbursements are $250,000-$400,000.
Thewes Family Foundation occupies the niche of a small Michigan-based Catholic family foundation. Comparable funders include: The Raskob Foundation for Catholic Activities (national, larger), various diocesan foundations, and other Michigan Catholic family foundations. Unlike broad-based community foundations, Thewes is exclusively faith-driven. Its focus on Legionaries of Christ (a specific Catholic religious congregation) is distinctive and narrows the applicant pool significantly. The pro-life giving strand (pregnancy centers, right-to-life organizations) is common among traditional Catholic family foundations of this size.
In FY2024, the foundation made 17 grants totaling approximately $280,000-$350,000. Revenue dropped sharply to $288,563 (from $2.26M in 2023, which was inflated by a large one-time contribution). Key 2024 grantees: Sacred Heart Apostolic School ($30,000), Everest Academy ($20,750), CRC NA Inc ($20,000). The registered website thewes.com was listed for domain sale as of March 2026, indicating the foundation operates with minimal public presence. The foundation has been partially liquidating assets (noted on CauseIQ), suggesting possible wind-down or restructuring.
Application tips for Thewes Family Foundation: (1) This foundation is functionally closed to unsolicited applicants — 93% of grantees are repeat/existing partners. Do not cold-apply. (2) If you represent a Roman Catholic school, seminary, priestly formation program, pro-life ministry, or Catholic social services org in Michigan, Georgia, or nationally, establish a personal relationship with George V. Cassar Jr. first. (3) Contact: (248) 258-8900, 355 S. Old Woodward Ave., Suite 200, Birmingham, MI 48009. (4) Request amounts of $5,000-$30,000 for first grant; $50,000-$60,000 for established partners. (5) Emphasize Catholic identity, fidelity to magisterium, and concrete programmatic outcomes. Legionaries of Christ affiliation is a strong signal of alignment.
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Grants supporting preparation of candidates for the Roman Catholic priesthood, including to Sacred Heart Apostolic School for Legionaries of Christ formation.
Grants to promote and defend faithful Catholic education at schools like Everest Academy, Pinecrest Academy, and St. Thomas More Academy.
Grants to organizations dedicated to preventing abortions through pregnancy support, counseling, ultrasound services, and material assistance to mothers. Includes faith-based maternity support environments.
Grants to organizations promoting Christian religion and social/welfare services including Missionaries of Charity and LC Pastoral Services.
Thewes Family Foundation has awarded $2.2M across 109 grants since inception, with grant counts declining from 28 in 2023 to 17 in 2024. Grants range from $1,000 to $100,000 with a median of $10,400. Larger grants ($30,000-$60,000) go to recurring partners (LC Pastoral Services, Sacred Heart Apostolic School, Pinecrest Academy). Smaller grants ($1,000-$10,000) go to local Michigan Catholic churches and pro-life ministries. Revenue is primarily investment income with occasional large charitable c.
Thewes Family Foundation has distributed a total of $1.1M across 57 grants. The median grant size is $10K, with an average of $19K. Individual grants have ranged from $1K to $75K.
Thewes Family Foundation is extremely difficult to access as a new applicant — only 7% of grantees are new (closed network). The foundation has a tight, relationship-based giving culture centered on Roman Catholic institutional priorities. Strategy for approach: (1) The organization must serve Roman Catholic religious purposes: priestly formation, Catholic K-12 education, pro-life/pregnancy ministry, or Catholic social services. (2) Organizations outside the Catholic/Christian faith context have.
Thewes Family Foundation is headquartered in BIRMINGHAM, MI. While based in MI, the foundation distributes grants to organizations across 4 states.
| Name | Title | Compensation | Benefits | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leonard J Gayeski | VICE-PRESIDENT/TREASURER | $0 | $0 | N/A |
| Mary Ann Tollett | PRESIDENT/DIRECTOR | $0 | $0 | N/A |
| Katherine Browne | DIRECTOR | $0 | $0 | N/A |
| Madeline Thewes | DIRECTOR | $0 | $0 | N/A |
Total Giving
$407K
Total Assets
$7.1M
Fair Market Value
$7.4M
Net Worth
$7.1M
Grants Paid
$269K
Contributions
$2.3M
Net Investment Income
$28K
Distribution Amount
$334K
Total Grants
57
Total Giving
$1.1M
Average Grant
$19K
Median Grant
$10K
Unique Recipients
23
Most Common Grant
$5K
of 2023 grantees were first-time recipients
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lc Pastoral Services IncorporatedPROMOTE THE DELIVERY OF SOCIAL AND WELFARE SERVICES | Bloomfield Hills, MI | $60K | 2023 |
| Pinecrest AcademyPROMOTE AND DEFEND FAITHFUL CATHOLIC EDUCATION | Dunwoody, GA | $50K | 2023 |
| Consecrated Women IncPROMOTE CHRISTIAN RELIGION | Lake Orion, MI | $30K | 2023 |
| Sacred Heart Apostolic SchoolPRIESTLY FORMATION FOR THE LEGIONARIES OF CHRIST | Rolling Prairie, IN | $30K | 2023 |
| St Thomas More AcademyTO INFORM AND EDUCATE STUDENTS IN THE CATHOLIC FAITH | Burton, MI | $20K | 2023 |
| Crc Na IncPROMOTE CHRISTIAN RELIGION | Cumming, GA | $20K | 2023 |
| Right To Life - Lifespan Education FundNON-DENOMINATIONAL AND NON-POLITICAL ORGANIZATION DEDEDICATED TO THE PROTECTION OF VULNERABLE HUMAN LIFE FROM CONCEPTION THROUGH NATURAL DEATH. | Livonia, MI | $13K | 2023 |
| Missionaries Of CharityPROMOTE CHRISTIAN RELIGION | Detroit, MI | $10K | 2023 |
| Everest AcademyTO PROMOTE CATHOLIC EDUCATION | Clarkston, MI | $10K | 2023 |
| The Divine MercyPROMOTE CHRISTIAN RELIGION | Clinton Township, MI | $10K | 2023 |
| The Lennon Pregnancy CenterTO ENABLE PARENTS TO CHOOSE LIFE FOR THEIR UNBORN CHILDREN AND TO RAISE THEIR CHILDREN IN LOVING FAMILIES. ACCOMPLISH MISSION BY OFFERING ENRICHMENT, ADVICE, EDUCATION, MATERIAL ASSISTANCE AND OTHER NON-JUDGMENTAL SUPPORT. | Dearborn Heights, MI | $5K | 2023 |
| Mary'S MantlePROMOTE A SAFE, FAITH-BASED, AND CARING ENVIRONMENT THAT SUPPORTS THE TRANSITION INTO MOTHERHOOD WITH A FOCUS ON SPIRITUAL, EMOTIONAL, PHYSICAL, EDUCATIONAL, AND VOCATIONAL WELL-BEING OF MOTHER AND CHILD. | Bloomfield Hills, MI | $5K | 2023 |
| Mother And Unborn Baby CareDEDICATED TO PREVENTING ABORTIONS BY HELPING MOTHERS TO CONTINUE THEIR PREGNANCIES THROUGH CHRIST-CENTERED PEER COUNSELING, ULTRASOUND AND SIGNIFICANT MATERIAL SUPPORT. | Southfield, MI | $5K | 2023 |
| All Saints ChurchPROMOTE CHRISTIAN RELIGION | Dunwoody, GA | $1K | 2023 |
| Divine Mercy CenterPROMOTE CHRISTIAN RELIGION | Clinton Township, MI | $25K | 2021 |
| Consecrate Women IncPROMOTE CHRISTIAN RELIGION | Lake Orion, MI | $20K | 2021 |
| Monastery Of The Blessed SacramentPROMOTE CHRISTIAN RELIGION | Farmington Hills, MI | $3K | 2021 |
| Christus Medicus FoundationPROMOTE CHRIST-CENTERED HEALTHCARE IN THE PUBLIC SQUARE AND THE MARKETPLACE | Northville, MI | $25K | 2020 |
| Pastoral Support Services IncPROMOTE THE DELIVERY OF SOCIAL AND WELFARE SERVICES | Lake Orion, MI | $20K | 2020 |
| The Media Research CenterPROMOTE TRUTH IN MEDIA | Reston, VA | $17K | 2020 |
| Sacred Heart Major SeminaryTO PREPARE CANDIDATES FOR THE ROMAN CATHOLIC PRIESTHOOD FOR THE ARCHDIOCESE OF DETROIT | Detroit, MI | $10K | 2020 |