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The Robert And Michelle Cooke Atchinson Foundation

Annual Giving
$5.2M
Grant Range
$10K - $0.5M

The Robert And Michelle Cooke Atchinson Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $5,212,600 (2023)
  • Number of Grants: 49 awards (2023)
  • Grant Range: Varies (historical grants from $10,000 to $500,000+)
  • Geographic Focus: Primarily Greater Boston area, with some support for global health initiatives
  • Application Method: Invitation only - no public application process
  • EIN: 04-6875099

Contact Details

Foundation Location: Winchester, MA

Note: This foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. All grants are made to preselected charitable organizations.

Overview

The Robert And Michelle Cooke Atchinson Foundation was established in July 1999 as a private independent foundation. Robert G. Atchinson, co-founder, managing director, and portfolio manager of Adage Capital Management (a Boston-based investment firm), serves as trustee along with his wife Michelle. The foundation operates with a focused philanthropic strategy, providing steady support to select youth organizations in the Boston area while maintaining additional interests in health and global health initiatives. The Atchinsons are deeply involved in the organizations they support, with Robert serving as chair of Massachusetts Eye and Ear and chair of the board of the Campaign for Catholic Schools. Michelle has volunteered as a reading tutor at the Lower Mills School in Dorchester and serves on the Strategic Advisory Committee for Upstream, a non-profit dedicated to women's health.

Funding Priorities

Priority Areas

Education & Youth Development:

  • Catholic education initiatives, particularly in underserved communities
  • Youth development and mentoring programs
  • College access and career readiness programs
  • Educational equity initiatives

Health & Healthcare:

  • Major Boston-area medical institutions
  • Women's health and family planning
  • Global health organizations providing medical support internationally
  • Head and neck cancer research

Girls' Education & Women's Empowerment:

  • International programs advancing girls' education
  • Women's health and reproductive planning initiatives

Community Development:

  • Youth sports programming
  • Scholarship programs
  • Organizations supporting children and families in Massachusetts

Known Grant Recipients (Historical)

Major Recipients:

  • Campaign for Catholic Schools: Received $500,000 in 2017 and nearly $1.5 million in total funding since 2014; Robert established the Robert G. and Michelle Cooke Atchinson Fund for Teacher Support and co-chaired a $10 million effort to renovate the 100-year-old Lower Mills campus of Saint John Paul II Catholic Academy in 2010
  • Massachusetts General Hospital: Supported since 2008 with approximately $350,000 in funding over multiple grants
  • Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary: Ongoing support; co-founded the Mike Toth Head and Neck Cancer Research Center
  • Nantucket Cottage Hospital: Healthcare support

Youth & Education Organizations:

  • Year Up (college access and career readiness)
  • Big Brother Big Sister Central Mass/Metrowest
  • College of the Holy Cross
  • St. Joseph's Preparatory School
  • Inner-City Scholarship Fund
  • Play Ball (youth sports programming)

Global Health:

  • Care2Communities (medical support for women)
  • Medicines for Humanity
  • Maranyundo Initiative (advancing girls' education)

Other Recipients:

  • Strategic Grant Partners (supporting leaders with ideas to improve lives of children and families in Massachusetts)
  • Upstream (women's reproductive health)
  • Horizons for Homeless Children

Nantucket Community Support:

  • Boys and Girls Club
  • NGC Children's Charity
  • Strong Wings
  • Nantucket Historical Association
  • Great Harbor Yacht Club Foundation

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated, the foundation's pattern suggests they do not fund:

  • Organizations outside their established areas of interest
  • Organizations without a connection to their geographic focus areas (Greater Boston, Nantucket, or specific global health initiatives)
  • General operating support for organizations they haven't previously vetted

Governance and Leadership

Robert G. Atchinson (Trustee and Co-Founder):

  • Co-Founder, Managing Director, and Portfolio Manager at Adage Capital Management, L.P.
  • Chair of the Board, Campaign for Catholic Schools
  • Chair, Massachusetts Eye and Ear (since 2020)
  • Former board member at College of the Holy Cross and Horizons for Homeless Children
  • Member of Finance Committee, Partners Healthcare (now Mass General Brigham)
  • Led the effort to rebuild Lincoln Fields in Lexington
  • Co-chaired $10 million effort to renovate Saint John Paul II Catholic Academy's Lower Mills campus (2010)

Michelle Cooke Atchinson (Co-Trustee):

  • Active volunteer as reading tutor at Lower Mills School in Dorchester
  • Strategic Advisory Committee member for Upstream
  • Supporter of multiple Nantucket charitable organizations
  • Co-chair with Robert for 2020 Boston Pops on Nantucket fundraiser

The Atchinsons' approach to philanthropy is characterized by deep personal involvement in the organizations they support, often taking leadership positions and dedicating volunteer time alongside their financial contributions.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. According to public records, the foundation only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.

All grantmaking is conducted through trustee discretion, with Robert and Michelle Atchinson personally selecting organizations that align with their philanthropic priorities. Grants appear to be awarded based on:

  • Pre-existing relationships with the organizations
  • Personal involvement and knowledge of the organization's work
  • Alignment with the foundation's focused areas of interest
  • Geographic connection to Greater Boston or Nantucket, with exceptions for global health initiatives

Getting on Their Radar

The Atchinsons support organizations where they have direct involvement and personal connections. Based on their documented giving patterns, organizations that have received support typically share these characteristics:

Personal Connection Through Board Service: Robert Atchinson has served in leadership roles at several recipient organizations, including as Chair of Massachusetts Eye and Ear and Chair of the Campaign for Catholic Schools. Organizations where the Atchinsons serve in governance or volunteer roles appear more likely to receive support.

Boston Catholic Education Sector: The Atchinsons have demonstrated deep commitment to Catholic schools in underserved Boston communities, particularly through the Campaign for Catholic Schools. Michelle's volunteer work as a reading tutor at the Lower Mills School in Dorchester and Robert's co-chairing of the $10 million renovation effort for Saint John Paul II Catholic Academy demonstrate hands-on engagement that preceded major grants.

Strategic Grant Partners Network: The foundation has supported Strategic Grant Partners, whose mission is to "partner with outstanding leaders with game changing ideas that improve lives of children and families in Massachusetts." Organizations working through this intermediary may gain visibility.

Nantucket Community Connections: The Atchinsons maintain a presence on Nantucket and support multiple organizations there, including Boys and Girls Club, NGC Children's Charity, Strong Wings, the Nantucket Historical Association, and the Great Harbor Yacht Club Foundation. Nantucket-based organizations with youth or community focus may be considered.

Women's and Girls' Health Focus: Michelle's involvement with Upstream (women's reproductive health) and the foundation's support for Care2Communities (medical support for women) and Maranyundo Initiative (girls' education) suggests opportunities for organizations in these areas.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - grants are made at the discretion of the trustees throughout the year rather than on a fixed application cycle.

Success Rates

Not applicable due to invitation-only grantmaking model.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept applications.

Application Success Factors

Since this foundation operates on an invitation-only basis, the concept of a successful "application" does not apply. However, organizations that have received support share these characteristics:

Deep Personal Engagement: The Atchinsons demonstrate a pattern of supporting organizations where they are personally involved. Robert's chairmanship positions at Massachusetts Eye and Ear and the Campaign for Catholic Schools preceded or accompanied major grants. Michelle's volunteer tutoring at Lower Mills School shows hands-on engagement with Catholic education initiatives that the foundation supports heavily.

Multi-Year Commitment: The foundation demonstrates long-term support for organizations it values. Campaign for Catholic Schools received nearly $1.5 million since 2014, and Massachusetts General Hospital has been supported since 2008 with approximately $350,000 over multiple grants. This suggests the Atchinsons prefer sustained partnerships over one-time gifts.

Focus on Youth and Education Equity: The majority of documented grants support youth development, educational access, and opportunities for underserved populations. Organizations serving children and families in Massachusetts, particularly those addressing educational equity, align with the foundation's core priorities.

Strategic Impact in Healthcare: In healthcare, the foundation supports major institutions (Mass General, Mass Eye and Ear) as well as targeted initiatives like the Mike Toth Head and Neck Cancer Research Center, which the Atchinsons co-founded. Healthcare organizations that offer opportunities for focused, high-impact projects may be of interest.

Values-Aligned Mission: Catholic education represents a significant portion of the foundation's giving, reflecting the Atchinsons' personal values. The $10 million renovation effort for Saint John Paul II Catholic Academy and establishment of the Robert G. and Michelle Cooke Atchinson Fund for Teacher Support demonstrate commitment to Catholic schools serving diverse communities.

Global Health with Clear Mission: While focused on Boston, the foundation supports select global health initiatives with clear missions around women's health (Care2Communities, Medicines for Humanity) and girls' education (Maranyundo Initiative). International organizations with these specific focuses have received support.

Track Record of Excellence: Organizations supported by the foundation tend to be well-established with demonstrated track records. Strategic Grant Partners, Year Up, and Big Brother Big Sister are all recognized leaders in their fields.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No public application process exists - this foundation only supports preselected organizations through trustee discretion
  • Personal relationships are paramount - nearly all documented grants go to organizations where Robert or Michelle Atchinson has direct involvement through board service, volunteering, or other personal connection
  • Multi-year support is the norm - the foundation demonstrates sustained commitment to organizations it values, with grants continuing over many years
  • Focus areas are specific but not narrow - youth development in Greater Boston, Catholic education in underserved communities, major healthcare institutions, and select global health/girls' education initiatives
  • Deep engagement accompanies funding - the Atchinsons don't just write checks; they serve on boards, volunteer time, co-chair capital campaigns, and co-found research centers
  • Geographic focus is primarily Greater Boston and Nantucket - with limited exceptions for compelling global health organizations
  • Education equity is a priority - particularly through Catholic schools serving diverse communities and programs like Year Up that provide college access and career readiness

References

  1. Instrumentl - The Robert And Michelle Cooke Atchinson Foundation 990 Report. https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/robert-and-michelle-cooke-atchinson-foundation (Accessed December 15, 2025)

  2. Grantmakers.io - Profile: The Robert and Michelle Cooke Atchinson Foundation. https://www.grantmakers.io/profiles/v0/046875099-the-robert-and-michelle-cooke-atchinson-foundation/ (Accessed December 15, 2025)

  3. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - The Robert And Michelle Cooke Atchinson Foundation. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/46875099 (Accessed December 15, 2025)

  4. Inside Philanthropy - Robert and Michelle Atchinson. https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/find-a-grant/major-donors/robert-and-michelle-atchinson (Accessed December 15, 2025)

  5. Archdiocese of Boston - Campaign for Catholic Schools Announces New Board Leadership. https://bostoncatholic.org/news/january-31-2024-campaign-for-catholic-schools-announces-new-board-leadership (Accessed December 15, 2025)

  6. Campaign for Catholic Schools - Our Team. https://campaignforcatholicschools.org/about/our-team/ (Accessed December 15, 2025)

  7. UNCF Lighted Pathways - Bob Atchinson Speaker Profile. https://uncflightedpathways.com/speaker/bob-atchinson/ (Accessed December 15, 2025)

  8. Nantucket Cottage Hospital - Michelle and Bob Atchinson to Chair the 2020 Boston Pops on Nantucket. https://nantuckethospital.org/michelle-and-bob-atchinson-to-chair-the-2020-boston-pops-on-nantucket/ (Accessed December 15, 2025)

  9. Wikipedia - Adage Capital Management. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adage_Capital_Management (Accessed December 15, 2025)

  10. Cause IQ - Robert and Michelle Cooke Atchinson Foundation Profile. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/robert-and-michelle-cooke-atchinson-foundation,046875099/ (Accessed December 15, 2025)

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