ALTOONA, PA – The Independent Catholic Foundation is pleased to announce twenty-nine Impact Grants to be awarded during the 2026-27 grant cycle for a variety of faith-based initiatives. Grants continue to be generated by a $955,000 unrestricted bequest that the foundation’s Board designated for this purpose. The initial bequest has grown to $1.2 million even after awarding $398,400 in nine annual grant cycles.
2026-27 Impact Grants
All Saints Catholic School, Cresson: $765 for an all-school Hallow App subscription.
All Saints Parish, Boswell: $3,000 for its Summer Youth Camp facilitated by the Sister Servants of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Altoona Deanery Pastoral Council: $2,300 for its multi-parish Confirmation Retreat facilitated by Franciscan University SENT teams.
Basilica of St. Michael the Archangel, Loretto: $1,300 for its Parish Mission in honor of Our Lady of Loretto.
Bishop Carroll Catholic High School, Ebensburg: $2,800 for off-campus retreats for 175 students, and $1,100 for an all-school Hallow App subscription.
Bishop Guilfoyle Academy, Altoona: $3,500 for high school student off-campus retreats and a Summer Catholic Youth Conference at Franciscan University.
Bishop McCort Catholic Academy, Johnstown: $1,500 for off-campus retreats for 330 students and $765 for an all-school Hallow App subscription.
Church of the Good Shepherd, Port Matilda: $2,500 to help launch the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd religious education model.
Holy Family Parish, Hooversville: $500 for its Hungarian picnic and keynote speaker.
Holy Family Parish, Portage: $1,400 for junior high and Confirmation candidate catechesis.
Lock Haven Catholic School, Lock Haven: $1,000 for an all-school Hallow App subscription.
Most Holy Trinity Parish, Huntingdon: $1,000 for religious education catechist registration for the Franciscan University Catechist Conference.
Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish, Altoona: $750 to transition to the diocesan Confirmation model and ensure all students in grades 9-11 are prepared for their final sacrament of initiation.
Our Lady Queen of Angels Parish, Central City: $500 for ethnic outreach.
Our Mother of Sorrows Parish, Johnstown: $5,000 to launch the Preambula adult faith formation initiative.
St Michael School, Loretto: $750 for student retreats, and $1,000 for an all-school Hallow App subscription.
St. Benedict Parish, Johnstown: $4,000 for its “We Believe” Parish Mission from October 5-7, 2026.
St. Benedict Catholic School, Carrolltown: $765 for an all-school Hallow App subscription.
St. Catherine of Siena Parish, Duncansville: $450 for a one-year subscription to “Healing the Whole Person” through the John Paul II Healing Center.
St. Clement Parish, Johnstown: $1,150 for a one-year subscription to the Augustine Institute’s Formed.org.
St. John Gualbert Cathedral, Johnstown: $3,000 to assist with Theology on Tap speakers’ stipends.
St. John the Evangelist, Altoona: $1,150 for a one-year subscription to the Augustine Institute’s Formed.org.
St. Joseph Catholic Academy, Boalsburg: $720 for its senior retreat to Bethany Youth Retreat Center.
St. Joseph Church, Bellwood: $782 for its Vacation Bible School.
St. Joseph Parish, Renovo, and Holy Spirit Parish, Lock Haven: $5,000 to send 31 students to the Steubenville Youth Conference.
St. Mary and St. Michael Parishes, Hollidaysburg: $2,800 for its Alpha Program.
Founded in 1990 as a lay governed nonprofit public charity, the Independent Catholic Foundation provides financial support through endowments and investment accounts to Catholic charitable causes nationwide with special emphasis on those located within the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown. Individuals, families, and agencies entrust their extraordinary generosity with ICF knowing it will steward every gift in a Catholic responsible manner. CEO Chris Ringkamp welcomes confidential conversations by phone, 814-201-2080, or by email, chris@icfoundation.us.
