Mission and Philosophy
The Napa Institute Foundation supports the work of the Napa Institute (www.napa-institute.org) as well as other independent and Church-affiliated organizations which promote the teachings of Jesus Christ in accordance with the Magisterium of the Roman Catholic Church. Some of these organizations include the Catholic University of America Tim and Steph Busch School of Business and Economics, the Carmelite Sisters of the Most Sacred Heart of Los Angeles, St. Michael's Abbey, JSerra Catholic High School, and many others. The Foundation will not support any organization or mission that is not in accord with the Magisterium of the Roman Catholic Church.
The Foundation focuses the bulk of its gifting to smaller private enterprises where it can have a major impact and develop the organization’s mission. For larger investments, a representative of the Foundation or its principals will participate in the governance. Without special circumstance, the Foundation will not fund larger more widespread “public” charities with large budgets. Special circumstances most often includes collaborative donations with peers in the faith to effectuate new ideas and opportunities.
Through this strategy, the Foundation and its principals have co-founded many not for profit religious organizations and associations such as: St. Anne School in Laguna Niguel (1992), JSerra Catholic High School in San Juan Capistrano (2003), Magis Reason & Faith Center (2002), Queen of Life Chapel, Irvine (1999) Napa Institute, Irvine (2011) and ClergyHospitality.com, Irvine (2014), among others.
In addition to education, the Foundation has a keen interest in the promotion of priests and professed religious life. This includes providing hospitality for travelling Roman Catholic priests at two Meritage Collection resorts in Napa, CA and Santa Barbara, CA. Clergy Hospitality allows free stays and a food program for priests who celebrate Mass daily and are approved by the local Bishop. The Foundation has also played a role in the support of the Norbertine priests in Silverado, CA; Carmelite Sisters of Alhambra, CA; the Sisters of Mary Mother of the Eucharist (Mother Assumpta) Ann Arbor, MI; the new Congregation of Norbertine Sisters, Wilmington, CA; and The North American College which houses diocesan seminarians in Rome, Italy.
Since 1990, the Foundation and its principals have participated in the formation of Legatus chapters throughout the Western United States in California and Las Vegas, NV. During that time, they played a key role through the funding and organizational assistance of 12 chapters. Legatus is an organization of Catholic CEOs and their spouses.
The Foundation’s principals participated in the acquisition of the Crystal Cathedral to become the Christ Cathedral for the Roman Catholic Church of Orange County.