John J. and Helena S. Raskob established the Raskob Foundation for Catholic Activities, Inc. in 1945. The Foundation has its corporate offices at "Irisbrook," the former residence of Mr. Raskob's brother, William F. Raskob, in Greenville, Delaware, a suburb of Wilmington. The Foundation is international in scope, accepting applications from around the world.

John J. Raskob, a financier, corporate executive and director with the DuPont Company, the General Motors Corporation, and the Bankers Trust Company, among others, conceived of and commissioned the construction of the Empire State Building in New York City. In that same year as the Raskobs sold their interest in the Empire State Building, they created the Raskob Foundation for Catholic Activities, Inc. and, after Mr. Raskob’s death in 1951, the Foundation was capitalized at over $7 million. Since that time, the Raskob Foundation grew to over $155 million in assets and has distributed over $100 million in grants to Roman Catholic organizations and programs throughout the world.

Mr. and Mrs. Raskob were Roman Catholics with a simple but profound vision. They believed that God had blessed them abundantly, and that they, in turn, were called to give thanks through personal service and generous financial support of the Church. They envisioned that this call to service and religious philanthropy would be a legacy for their descendants, to be handed on from generation to generation. They modeled an approach to philanthropy emphasizing behind the scenes, practical and pastoral grant-making. By fall 2001, the Foundation involved over 100 Members of the Raskob Family, reaching to four generations.

Now, years later, the Foundation that John J. and Helena S. Raskob established continues in their memory the charge that was given them. Each year, the Members of the Foundation review over 1,000 requests from within the United States and around the world and distribute millions of dollars. The Members of the Foundation are committed to continuing the work and the organization that John J. and Helena established, and to exercise the privilege that has been given them, namely, the opportunity to help make a difference in the lives of others, particularly those less fortunate.