Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Woodlawn Foundation?

The Woodlawn Foundation, Inc. is a nonprofit corporation that receives donations and makes grants to other nonprofit organizations that receive pastoral care from Opus Dei.

At the present time, Woodlawn provides grants to approximately 40 to 50 nonprofit corporations each year.

The first center of Opus Dei in the United States, opened in Chicago in 1949, was called "Woodlawn Residence." Woodlawn Foundation takes its name and its inspiration from the pioneering apostolic spirit of that first center.

Does Woodlawn Foundation help to provide for the long-term needs by promoting bequests, charitable remainder trusts, charitable gift annuities, gifts of real estate, gifts of securities and other large gifts?

Yes. Woodlawn has administered a number of charitable trusts and annuities, and has had excellent experience with these types of gifts.

Over the years, the Woodlawn has handled virtually every type of charitable gift, and helped many people make their gifts in ways that help to minimize taxes. The directors and officers of the Foundation have been chosen because of their professional legal and financial experience. Woodlawn also has long-standing relationships with outside legal, financial and investment counsel.

Does Woodlawn promote fundraising efforts by the organizations to which it gives grants?

Yes. Woodlawn makes most of its capital grants as matching grants, and makes them contingent upon the organization meeting certain fundraising goals. Woodlawn’s new "Challenge Grants" Capital Campaign places heavy emphasis upon the need for grantee organizations to raise their own funds. The Board of Director's grants committe carefully measures progress towards these goals, recording pledges and loans receivable in the audited financial statements. 

Does Woodlawn Foundation receive pledges, credit card or automatic bank draft donations?

Yes. Most capital donations to Woodlawn are made in the form of three-year pledges. By spreading a large gift over several years, many donors are able to make the much larger gifts needed for capital projects. Many donors have also indicated their intention to make regular contributions on a monthly, quarterly or annual basis, and receive corresponding reminders from Woodlawn. Many donors also make automatic, credit-card or bank draft donations on a monthly, quarterly or other basis.

Woodlawn Foundation considers all pledges to be good faith expressions of intent, but subject to possible changes of circumstances and not legally binding, either upon the donor or upon his or her heirs. Authorizations to make regular contributions by credit card may be canceled at any time.

What is the legal status of Woodlawn Foundation?

Woodlawn Foundation, Inc. is a nonprofit corporation, incorporated in 1978 under the laws of the State of New York. The Internal Revenue Service has issued a ruling that is a tax-exempt public charity under Sections 501(c)(3) and 509(a)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code.

Cash donations are deductible up to 50% of adjusted gross income and contributions of appreciated property are deductible up to 30% of adjusted gross income. Contributions in excess of these amounts may be carried forward and deducted in future years, for up to five years.