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The John And Mary Corcoran Family Foundation

Annual Giving
$6.6M

The John And Mary Corcoran Family Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $6.2-6.6 million
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available
  • Decision Time: Not publicly available
  • Grant Range: Not publicly disclosed
  • Geographic Focus: Massachusetts, with emphasis on Greater Boston area
  • Total Assets: $111 million (2024)

Contact Details

Address: 100 Grandview Road, Suite 207, Braintree, MA 02184

Note: This foundation does not maintain a public website, email contact, or phone number for grant inquiries. Contact information is limited to the mailing address associated with their trustee office.

Overview

Established in 1992, The John And Mary Corcoran Family Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation based in Braintree, Massachusetts, with total assets of $111 million as of 2024. The foundation distributed approximately $6.6 million in charitable grants during 2024, maintaining consistent annual giving of $5-7 million over the past decade. Governed by family trustees John M. Corcoran Jr. and Thomas M. Corcoran, who also operate John M. Corcoran & Company (a prominent real estate development and property management firm established in 1951), the foundation focuses on supporting children and youth, education, religion, social and human services, and federated giving programs. Since 2014, the foundation has awarded 112 individual grants totaling over $46.9 million. The foundation operates with minimal overhead, dedicating 91-94% of annual expenses directly to charitable disbursements.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates as a private family foundation with trustee-directed grantmaking. Grants are awarded at the discretion of the board of trustees rather than through competitive application cycles.

Grant Distribution: The foundation typically awards 13-16 grants annually, with total annual giving ranging from $5.3 million to $6.6 million based on recent tax filings.

Priority Areas

Based on IRS filings and foundation classification, the foundation supports:

  • Education: Particular focus on elementary education
  • Children and Youth Services: Programs benefiting young people
  • Religion: Religious organizations and faith-based programs
  • Human Services: Social services and community support programs
  • Federated Giving Programs: United Way and similar umbrella organizations

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not publicly documented, but as a private family foundation operating through trustee discretion, they likely do not fund:

  • Organizations outside their established geographic focus
  • Individual scholarships or personal requests
  • Political campaigns or lobbying activities
  • Organizations without 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status

Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees

The foundation is governed by two family trustees who serve without compensation:

  • John M. Corcoran Jr. - Trustee and Manager
  • Thomas M. Corcoran - Trustee and Manager

Both trustees are principals of John M. Corcoran & Company, a real estate development, property management, and acquisitions firm serving Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island since 1951. The company manages properties for institutional investors, condominium associations, private entrepreneurs, and public housing authorities, demonstrating the family's long-standing commitment to community development and housing.

Foundation Management

The foundation operates with zero staff and no paid officers, indicating all grant decisions are made directly by the family trustees. This structure keeps administrative costs minimal and maximizes funds available for charitable giving.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. Grants are awarded at the discretion of the trustees, typically to organizations with which the foundation has pre-existing relationships or that align with the trustees' personal philanthropic interests.

The foundation does not maintain:

  • A website with application guidelines
  • An online grant portal
  • Published application deadlines
  • A formal Letter of Inquiry (LOI) process
  • Publicly available contact information for grant seekers

As a private family foundation, the trustees proactively identify and support organizations rather than soliciting applications from the general public.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - grants are awarded on a discretionary basis throughout the year rather than following a published decision timeline.

Success Rates

Not applicable for unsolicited applications. The foundation awarded grants to 16 organizations in 2022, 13 organizations in 2021, and has maintained a similar pattern of supporting 13-16 organizations annually.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - there is no formal application process for initial or repeat funding requests.

Application Success Factors

Since this foundation operates through trustee discretion without a public application process, traditional "application success factors" do not apply. However, organizations that have historically received support from private family foundations with similar profiles typically share these characteristics:

  • Geographic connection: Strong presence or impact in Massachusetts, particularly the Greater Boston/South Shore area where the trustees are based
  • Mission alignment: Clear focus on education (especially elementary education), youth services, religious programs, or human services
  • Established track record: Demonstrated history of effective program delivery and financial stability
  • Personal connection: Relationship with trustees, board members, or the Corcoran family business network
  • Community impact: Tangible, measurable outcomes that benefit children, families, and communities

Organizations that have benefited from the foundation's support are likely those known to the trustees through their business activities, personal networks, or community involvement in the Braintree and Greater Boston area.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No public application process: This foundation awards grants by trustee invitation only; unsolicited proposals are not accepted
  • Family-directed philanthropy: With only two family trustees and no staff, grant decisions are personal and reflect the family's philanthropic priorities
  • Consistent giving pattern: The foundation reliably distributes $5-7 million annually to 13-16 organizations, suggesting stable, ongoing relationships with grantees
  • Focus on local impact: Based in Braintree with trustees deeply rooted in Massachusetts real estate and community development
  • Emphasis on education and youth: Priority areas include elementary education and programs serving children and young people
  • Relationship-driven: As with most private family foundations operating without public guidelines, access depends on personal connections or trustee awareness of an organization's work
  • Strategic approach: Rather than pursuing this foundation through cold outreach, organizations should focus on building visibility in the Massachusetts nonprofit community where trustees may encounter their work organically

References

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