Ensuring the Preservation of
"Together, we safeguard the heritage and advance the charitable works of the Vatican."
— Lorraine Dodero
Who are the Friends of the Vatican?
The Friends of the Vatican was established in 2025 with the mission to “establish, receive, and maintain a fund or funds for the support of the charitable works of the Vatican.” The Foundation strives to act as a pillar of support for the neverending list of charitable projects, programs, and initiatives of the Vatican, which range from architectural restoration to facilities updates, to investing in security and internal systems, and more.
Recent Charitable Initiatives Supported by the Foundation
Our Work
Each year, the Board of Directors selects which of the Vatican’s charitable projects and programs will receive funding from the Foundation. These initiatives include projects such as the restoration and preservation of significant architecture, investing in green energy solutions and modern renovations for historic buildings, revamping security for His Holiness the Pope and visiting pilgrims, and much more.
some of the recent charitable initiatives from the Vatican for which the Foundation has helped to underwrite costs or has granted funds towards:
Vatican Gardens - watering, groundskeeping, planting
Agrivoltaics Project
Renovations - multimedia centers, telephones, and air conditioning
"What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, 'Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,' but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead."
— James 2:14-17
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What types of projects does the Friends of the Vatican support?
The Governorate of Vatican City presents charitable initiatives and projects in need of support to the Friends of the Vatican. The Foundation’s Board of Directors chooses which of these projects to adopt and fund. These projects include initiatives such as preserving and restoring architecture, updating and renovating facilities frequently used by the Pope, revamping security and safety within Vatican City, and much more.
2. Is the Friends of the Vatican independent from the Vatican itself?
Yes, the Friends of the Vatican is an independent not-for-profit entity organized under the laws of the State of Illinois, entrusted with the mission of ensuring the preservation of Vatican City. The Foundation is managed by a Board of Directors, who carry out the Foundation’s mission by selecting and adopting projects from the Vatican towards which to disburse grants and underwrite the costs.
3. Why should I give to the Friends of the Vatican?
The Friends of the Vatican makes it simple to contribute to its mission of ensuring the preservation of Vatican City while allowing you to receive a tax deduction. Your gift to the Foundation is therefore an excellent way to provide immediate as well as long-term support for this important mission.
4. Where does my gift to the Friends of the Vatican go?
Your gift to the Friends of the Vatican goes directly to the Friends of the Vatican. You can decide whether your gift is designated for the Annual Fund or the Endowment Fund. Grants from the Annual Fund are sent to the Vatican for an immediate impact on current projects, while the Endowment Fund consists of invested funds aimed at providing long term stability for the Foundation and its future grants. All of the Foundation’s accounts are located within the U.S.
5. Are the Friends of the Vatican’s investments in line with Catholic values?
While the Friends of the Vatican does not yet have any investments, the Foundation will always follow the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ most recently published Guidelines for Socially Responsible Investments when making any investment decisions. The Friends of the Vatican retains discretion and control over all disbursed grant funds in accordance with applicable IRS regulations and guidelines for nonprofit organizations.
