Fr. Scott Donahue

Fr. Scott Donahue
President & CEO, Mercy Home for Boys & Girls

Fr. Scott Donahue is the President and CEO of Mercy Home for Boys & Girls and the principal liturgist for and celebrant of the popular televised “Sunday Mass at Mercy Home” program, which reaches more than 50,000 Chicago-area shut-ins. On March 12, 1982, Fr. Donahue was ordained a Roman Catholic priest for the Archdiocese of Chicago.

Fr. Donahue has worked with the youth home since 1990 when he joined Mercy Home’s Board of Regents. In 1996, he was named Mercy Home’s Associate President, a position he held for10 years. During his tenure as Associate President, Fr. Donahue instituted the MercyWorks faith-based volunteer program of Mercy Home and assisted then President Fr. Close in raising $10 million to expand and open more homes for kids in crisis.

As Mercy Home’s president, Fr. Donahue continues to lead the agency’s strategic vision to enhance the depth of services it provides to children in light of its recent expansion. As part of this vision, Fr. Donahue instituted the Academy, and re-structured the services provided for young people to enhance educational and vocational achievement.

Fr. Donahue has also overseen the dramatic expansion of the AfterCare program, which offers life-long connection to Mercy Home for former residents, and has worked to strengthen young people’s faith foundations to help guide them throughout their lives. He carefully stewards the trust and support of donors across the country who provide Mercy Home with more than 99 percent of its operating funds.

Fr. Donahue holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Loyola University of Chicago, and three master’s degrees, one in social work from Loyola University, one in theology from St. Mary of the Lake Seminary, and one in applied spirituality, from the University of San Francisco.