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Robert Lloyd Corkin Charitable Foundation

Annual Giving
$1.8M
Grant Range
$1K - $0.3M

Robert Lloyd Corkin Charitable Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $1,786,500 (2023)
  • Success Rate: Not applicable (invitation only)
  • Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
  • Grant Range: $500 - $334,167
  • Grant Median: $13,000
  • Total Assets: $35.3 million (2023)
  • Geographic Focus: Primarily Massachusetts, with occasional national grants

Contact Details

Address: Sudbury/Hudson, MA
Phone: (508) 481-4000
Tax ID: 05-6022654

Note: The foundation does not accept unsolicited grant applications.

Overview

Established in 1967 by the late Herbert I. Corkin, chairman and CEO of the Entwistle Company in Hudson, MA, the Robert Lloyd Corkin Charitable Foundation is a private family foundation supporting charitable organizations primarily in Massachusetts. With total assets of $35.3 million and annual giving of approximately $1.8 million, the foundation distributed 76 grants in 2023 ranging from $500 to $334,167. The foundation's philanthropic focus reflects the family's deep commitment to pediatric healthcare, education, and Jewish communal organizations. Steven Corkin, nephew of the founder, continues the family's philanthropic legacy and serves as Vice Chair of Boston Children's Hospital Trust Board, demonstrating the foundation's enduring connection to children's health institutions.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates through trustee-directed grantmaking with no formal grant programs or application cycles. Grants are made on an invitation-only basis to preselected charitable organizations.

Recent Grant Distribution (2023):

  • 76 grants totaling $1,786,500
  • Grant range: $500 - $334,167
  • Median grant: $13,000

Priority Areas

Healthcare (Primary Focus):

  • Children's hospitals and pediatric healthcare institutions
  • Medical research organizations
  • Nursing and healthcare professional development

Education:

  • Universities and higher education institutions
  • Early childhood education programs
  • Jewish educational organizations

Youth Development:

  • Youth service organizations
  • Animal education and conservation (zoos)
  • Cultural institutions serving youth

Jewish Philanthropy:

  • Synagogues and Jewish community centers
  • Jewish educational and cultural organizations
  • Jewish social service agencies

Recent Major Recipients (2023):

  • Boston Children's Hospital: $611,667 (multiple grants)
  • Zoo New England: $300,000 (multiple grants)
  • Trustees of Boston University: $200,000
  • Institute of Contemporary Art: $105,000
  • Professional Nurses Chapter of Brigham and Women's Hospital: $100,000
  • Smart From the Start: $60,000
  • Franciscan Children's: $60,000 (historical)
  • Massachusetts 4-H Foundation

What They Don't Fund

As a private foundation with preselected recipients, the foundation does not fund:

  • Unsolicited grant requests
  • Organizations outside their established network
  • Individual needs or scholarships
  • Political organizations or campaigns

Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees

The foundation is governed by five trustees, each compensated $35,912 annually for approximately 5 hours of weekly service:

  • Steven Corkin: Nephew of founder Herbert I. Corkin; Vice Chair of Boston Children's Hospital Trust Board
  • Marjorie C. Kaplan
  • Thomas O. Katz
  • Dale F. Eck
  • Lee Manning

Family Legacy

The foundation was established by Herbert I. Corkin (1922-2012), a prominent Massachusetts businessman and philanthropist who led the Entwistle Company, a manufacturer of equipment for the Navy and defense agencies. The foundation reflects his lifelong commitment to children's healthcare and community service, a legacy continued by his family members who serve as trustees.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Robert Lloyd Corkin Charitable Foundation does not have a public application process. According to publicly available information, the foundation "only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds."

Grants are awarded at the discretion of the board of trustees to organizations with which the family has established relationships or connections.

Getting on Their Radar

Steven Corkin - Boston Children's Hospital Connection: Steven Corkin serves as Vice Chair of Boston Children's Hospital Trust Board. Organizations working in pediatric healthcare that have connections to Boston Children's Hospital or other institutions where trustees serve may have indirect pathways to foundation awareness through these professional networks.

Board Member Affiliations: The foundation's trustees maintain professional and personal connections in Massachusetts healthcare, education, and Jewish communal sectors. Organizations already connected to these networks through board relationships, professional associations, or collaborative partnerships may be positioned for trustee consideration.

Decision Timeline

Decision timelines are not publicly disclosed. As a private foundation with trustee-directed grantmaking, funding decisions are made at the discretion of the board throughout the year rather than according to fixed cycles.

Success Rates

Not applicable. The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, making traditional success rate metrics irrelevant.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable for unsolicited applications. Organizations that have received grants may receive renewed support based on trustee discretion and ongoing relationships.

Application Success Factors

Since the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, traditional success factors do not apply. However, understanding what the foundation values can inform relationship-building strategies:

Strong Track Record in Priority Areas: The foundation demonstrates consistent support for pediatric healthcare institutions, with Boston Children's Hospital receiving the largest grants ($611,667 in 2023). Organizations with proven impact in children's health, early childhood education, or youth development align with documented funding patterns.

Multi-Year Relationships: Grant recipients appear to receive ongoing support over multiple years, suggesting the foundation values sustained partnerships with proven organizations rather than funding many new organizations annually.

Massachusetts Focus: The overwhelming majority of grants support Massachusetts-based organizations, particularly those in the Greater Boston and MetroWest regions where the Corkin family has business and personal connections.

Professional Excellence in Healthcare: The foundation's $100,000 grant to the Professional Nurses Chapter of Brigham and Women's Hospital demonstrates support for healthcare workforce development and professional excellence.

Jewish Communal Organizations: The foundation provides substantial support to Jewish educational, cultural, and religious institutions, reflecting the family's commitment to Jewish communal life.

Range of Grant Sizes: While the foundation makes significant six-figure grants to major institutions, they also provide smaller grants ($500-$10,000) to community organizations, suggesting flexibility based on organizational size and project scope.

Animal Welfare and Conservation Education: Grants to Zoo New England ($300,000) and AAZK Zoo New England Chapter ($100,000) demonstrate interest in organizations that provide educational experiences for children while promoting conservation.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No Public Application Process: This foundation does not accept unsolicited grant proposals. Direct applications will not be considered.

  • Relationship-Based Grantmaking: Grants are made to preselected organizations with established connections to the trustees, particularly through healthcare, education, and Jewish communal networks.

  • Strong Pediatric Healthcare Focus: Boston Children's Hospital and Franciscan Children's receive substantial ongoing support, making pediatric healthcare the foundation's clearest priority.

  • Significant Giving Capacity: With 76 grants totaling nearly $1.8 million annually and assets exceeding $35 million, the foundation has substantial resources and makes both major institutional grants and smaller community grants.

  • Family Connection Matters: Steven Corkin's role as Vice Chair of Boston Children's Hospital Trust Board exemplifies how trustee affiliations influence funding priorities and beneficiary selection.

  • Massachusetts Regional Focus: Organizations outside Massachusetts are rarely funded; local presence and reputation in the Greater Boston/MetroWest area appears essential.

  • Multi-Year Support Pattern: Recipients often receive funding over multiple years, indicating the foundation prefers deepening existing relationships over expanding to new organizations.

References

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