By CatholicPhilly Staff Report • Posted June 12, 2026

The Papal Foundation has elected Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez to its Board of Trustees.

Founded in 1988 and based outside Philadelphia, the foundation is the only U.S. organization dedicated exclusively to fulfilling requests from the Holy Father for the needs of the Church. Since its founding, the foundation has distributed more than $270 million in grants and scholarships for initiatives identified by recent popes.

“We are honored to welcome Archbishop Pérez to our leadership team,” said Ward Fitzgerald, president of the board of trustees. “As a shepherd of one of the nation’s largest archdioceses, he brings invaluable pastoral insight and leadership.”

David Savage, executive director of the foundation, said Archbishop Pérez’s “lifelong dedication to faith, service, and human dignity will help guide our efforts as we continue to expand our impact globally.”

As a trustee, Archbishop Pérez will help oversee grantmaking and scholarship programs supporting education, health care, housing, and pastoral initiatives in developing nations.

More information is available at The Papal Foundation.