Walter J And Natalie M Rais Foundation
The organization is a private foundation focused on supporting religious and faith-based initiatives, particularly through contributions to monasteries and parishes. Its mission reflects a commitment to enhancing community welfare through faith-driven projects, as evidenced by significant funding directed towards the Monastery of the Blessed Sacrament and St. William Parish. Additionally, the foundation supports health-related causes, including medical research, as shown by its grant to the Scleroderma Foundation. The foundation primarily serves organizations within the state of Michigan.
Source: Zeffy Agent · Mar 2026
Ideal Applicant
A Michigan-based faith-based institution or an established local nonprofit with clear alignment to parish/monastery support or demonstrated local ties; existing relationships or introductions to trustees or funded organizations improve fit.
Good Fit
- • Located in Michigan or serving Michigan communities
- • Religious or parish-focused mission (capital projects, parish needs, monastery support)
- • Established local relationships or introductions to trustees or funded organizations
- • Capacity to manage large, single-year grants
Geography
In the latest available year all grant dollars went to recipients in Michigan, showing a single-state, in-state-focused footprint.
Recipient Variety
The latest year shows three distinct recipients (a monastery, a parish, and a health charity), which indicates some mission diversity but is a small sample and not broadly diversified for a foundation of this giving level.
New Applicants
Based on the filing notes that grants are by preselection/invitation only, and no public application route or contact was found; because only one year is available, recipient turnover cannot be tested, but the invitation-only statement and lack of contact information make entry for unfamiliar applicants unlikely.
Source: Zeffy Agent · Mar 2026
