Foundation

The Diocese of Las Cruces Foundation Inc., was established on September 16, 1988. The purpose of the Foundation is to enhance and assist the educational and charitable work of the Diocese of Las Cruces.

The Directors/Officers of the Foundation are:

• Bishop Oscar Cantú, President
• Rev. Richard Catanach, Vice President
• Deacon David McNeill, Secretary
• Mrs. Rosie Duran, Treasurer
• Mrs. Susan Roberts, Executive Director
• Mrs. Teresita Gonzalez-Corral, Chair-Board of Governors

Assisting the Foundation in an advisory capacity is a volunteer group of Catholics from Diocesan area parishes.

Foundation Board of Governors

• Mr. Martin Campbell
• Mrs. Estella Cannon
• Mr. Greg Carrasco 
• Mrs. Juanita Cooley
• Mrs. Faith Annelies Cortez
• Mrs. Teresita Gonzalez-Corral
• Mrs. Rosemary Gamboa
• Mrs. Patricia Gomez
• Mr. Joe Kelly
• Mrs. Annaliese Lessau
• Mr. Robert D. Lopez
• Mr. Albert (Greg) Sanchez
• Mr. John A. Schaffer
• Mrs. Rosemary Smith
• Mr. Levi Wirta
• Mrs. Rita Wirta

The mission of the Diocese of Las Cruces Foundation is to establish and maintain operational endowment funds, annuities, trust and wills. Those duties include to develop programs and activities that will generate income and contributions to benefit existing programs or current planned gifts. The Foundation ensures proper management of these funds, to maintain principal and to distribute investment earnings. In addition ensuring earnings from gifts with specified benefactors are faithfully used for the designated purpose.

The interest or earnings generated from the General Endowments, allow the Foundation to distribute these proceeds as awards to charities throughout the diocese. These awards support social, educational, and community charities, that benefit the neediest of families in our neighborhoods.

The Diocese of Las Cruces Foundation is a vehicle for a diocesan planned giving program. This program provides long term financial support for the mission of the diocese and those programs that are important to our Bishop.

The following list represents some of the existing endowments and their benefactors. Anyone can make additional tax deductible gifts to these funds, whether outright or by will or through other arrangements with the Diocese of Las Cruces Foundation. Remember your gift will remain as part of the secured principle of each endowment:

• All Saints Catholic School Endowment - All Saints Catholic School in Roswell
• Carlos Corral Memorial Endowment - Catholic Charities of Las Cruces
• Father James B. Hay Endowment - Fr. James B. Hay School in Alamogordo
• General Endowment Fund - Social, Educational & Community Charities
• Home for Unwed Mothers - Home for Unwed Mothers
• Leo and Louise Clear Endowment - Las Cruces Catholic School Scholarships
• Fr. Bob Power Endowment – IHM - IHM Cathedral – Family Learning Center
• Poor Clare Monastery Endowment - Poor Clare Monastery in Roswell
• Retired Priest Endowment - Retired Priests assistance and expenses.
• Santa Clara Historic Chapel Endowment - Operational Expense – Santa Clara Chapel
• St. Edwards Catholic School Endowment - St. Edward Catholic School in Carlsbad
• St. Thomas Aquinas Endowment - St. Thomas Aquinas Parish, Lovington, NM

For a complete list of Endowment opportunities, please contact us.