FADICA – Catholic Philanthropy Network proudly awarded the Rauenhorst family the 2025 Distinguished Catholic Leadership Award at its Annual Meeting and Symposium on March 11. This prestigious lifetime achievement award recognizes visionary leadership, outstanding philanthropic initiative, and a deep spirit of service in advancing the renewal and vitality of the Catholic Church.
The Rauenhorst family embodies visionary servant leadership and outstanding philanthropic initiative. Their legacy of service and generosity has thrived across generations, demonstrating the power of faith in action and what it means to be true servant leaders.
Their commitment to faith-driven philanthropy and social impact began with Gerald and Henrietta Rauenhorst—affectionately known as Gerry and Hanky. For over five decades, Gerry and Hanky partnered with the Catholic Church in multiple ways, establishing the GHR Foundation over 60 years ago to structure their faith-based philanthropy. Through GHR, they applied a unique design-build approach to philanthropy, influenced by Gerry’s career in construction, to develop innovative solutions for serving others.
In the early 2000s, they further extended this mission by establishing several more foundations, allowing each of their children to carry forward the values of generosity and service in their own ways. These foundations collectively honor the philanthropic legacy of Gerald and Henrietta Rauenhorst, existing “to be of service to people and their limitless potential for good.”
Today, members of the Rauenhorst family partner with the Catholic Church locally, nationally, and globally. Areas of their widespread impact include:
- Expanding global water access through a wells project in partnership with Church leaders in Africa.
- Pioneering impact investing for the care of our common home.
- Providing strategic leadership for Catholic schools in the United States.
- Partnering with Native communities to support education, Native language programs, and initiatives for truth, reconciliation, and healing between the Catholic Church and Native communities.
- Supporting dioceses where they live through generous service.
- Expanding education access and economic opportunity in the St. Paul/Minneapolis region.
The Rauenhorst family’s commitment to leadership formation is also notable, as they intentionally cultivate and invite the next generation into service and philanthropy. Their work has strengthened the Catholic Church and human flourishing worldwide.
Nine members of the Rauenhorst family, including those from FADICA members JJR Foundation, Mark and Karen Rauenhorst Foundation, GHR Foundation, and MGR Foundation, were present to accept the award during the March 11 ceremony. The presentation began with a blessing from Archbishop Gabriele Caccia, Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations, followed by remarks from Archbishop Bernard Hebda of St. Paul and Minneapolis, and words of appreciation from FADICA President & CEO Alexia Kelley and Board Chair Michael Wolohan, MD. The family shared a moving video highlighting the impact and legacy of Gerald and Henrietta Rauenhorst.
“Just as [the Rauenhorsts] have been leaders for so many Catholic organizations and within the Church, they have also been servant leaders in FADICA,” said Alexia Kelley. “We want to thank the family members here for the ways that they have served the FADICA mission through Board and Committee leadership, as well as collective member initiatives in Catholic education and for the global church.“
The award was presented as part of FADICA’s 2025 Annual Meeting and Symposium: The Church and Our Common Home, which took place March 10-12 in New York City. The gathering brought together nearly 140 participants, including 80 Catholic-inspired funders, 36 partners, 30 Church leaders, and 12 bishops from across the nation to discuss the future of faith-driven philanthropy.
