Margaret A. Darrin Charitable Trust

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: $7.6 million (2024)
Total Assets: $111.3 million (2024)
Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
Grant Range: $235,000 - $2.5 million (known grants)
Geographic Focus: Primarily New Jersey, especially Morris County, with some focus on Lake George, NY region
EIN: 47-6723443

Contact Details

Address: 120 Columbia Turnpike, Florham Park, NJ 07932

Trustees:

Michael T. Hanifin, Co-Trustee
Kevin J. O'Donnell, Co-Trustee

Note: The trust does not maintain a public website or publicly listed contact information.

Overview

The Margaret A. Darrin Charitable Trust was established in 2015 following the vision and generosity of the late Margaret "Peggy" Darrin (1924-2017), who passed away at age 92. With total assets of $111.3 million and annual charitable disbursements of approximately $7.6 million in 2024, the trust is a significant private foundation serving New Jersey communities. The trust's mission, as articulated by trustee Michael Hanifin, is "to empower and transform the lives of people in our community who find themselves unexpectedly overwhelmed in extraordinarily adverse circumstances." Mrs. Darrin was a firm believer in education as a gateway to success and maintained a lifelong commitment to conservation, particularly around Lake George where she honeymooned in 1948. The trust is well known for providing transformative funding to organizations whose missions support the basic needs of the local community, focusing on healthcare, education, and environmental conservation.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The trust operates as a private foundation making discretionary grants. Known major grants include:

Healthcare Infrastructure: $2.5 million to Morristown Medical Center's Sameth Emergency Department (for advanced CT scanner purchase)
Cancer Support Services: $1.5 million to Crossroads4Hope (second major gift to this organization)
Emergency Medical Facilities: $235,000 for COVID-19 negative-pressure exam rooms at Morristown Medical Center
Education: Partnership with Tri-County Scholarship Fund (recognized with Making A Difference Award in 2021)
Conservation: Ongoing support for Lake George Land Conservancy and environmental research

Priority Areas

Healthcare

Hospital emergency departments and medical infrastructure
Advanced diagnostic equipment and technology
Cancer support and patient services
Pandemic response and public health initiatives

Education

Scholarships for financially disadvantaged children
Access to quality, values-based K-12 schools
Educational equity for racially diverse, inner-city children in New Jersey

Environmental Conservation

Lake George preservation and land conservation
Freshwater research (support for Darrin Fresh Water Institute at RPI)
Conservation land acquisition and public access

Community Support

Organizations serving people in "extraordinarily adverse circumstances"
Basic needs and crisis support
Transformative community programs

What They Don't Fund

Public information is not available regarding specific exclusions, though the trust's focus is clearly on New Jersey-based organizations (particularly Morris County) with some connection to the Darrin family's interests in Lake George conservation.

Governance and Leadership

Trustees:

Michael T. Hanifin (Co-Trustee): Compensation approximately $330,000-$340,000 annually. Serves as primary spokesperson for the trust.
Kevin J. O'Donnell (Co-Trustee): Compensation approximately $150,000-$170,000 annually.

Staff:

Monica Carolan (Administrative Assistant): Compensation approximately $90,000-$106,500 annually.

Key Quote from Leadership: Michael Hanifin has stated: "Our mission is to empower and transform the lives of people in our community who find themselves unexpectedly overwhelmed in extraordinarily adverse circumstances."

About the Founder: Margaret "Peggy" Darrin (née Margaretta Anna Voelkner) was born in Detroit, Michigan on October 30, 1924. She worked at Automatic Switch Company in New York City and married David M. Darrin, a Navy pilot, in 1948. The couple raised three sons (David, Timothy, and Drake) in suburban New Jersey. Mrs. Darrin was passionate about Lake George conservation, education, and supporting vulnerable populations. In 2005, she and her son David received the Lake George Land Conservancy's Henry M. Rowan Conservation Award for donating 1.9 acres of waterfront property for public use.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process.

The Margaret A. Darrin Charitable Trust operates as a private foundation making grants through trustee discretion. There is no public website, published application guidelines, or formal grant application portal. The trust identifies organizations aligned with its mission and the late Mrs. Darrin's values, often through:

Pre-existing relationships with Morris County healthcare and educational institutions
Partnerships with established intermediary organizations (e.g., Tri-County Scholarship Fund)
Board member knowledge of community needs
Multi-year relationships with previous grant recipients (e.g., multiple grants to Morristown Medical Center and Crossroads4Hope)

Organizations seeking support would need to be introduced through existing relationships or professional networks connected to the trustees.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed. The trust appears to make grants on a rolling basis throughout the year based on trustee decisions.

Success Rates

Not publicly available.

Reapplication Policy

Not publicly disclosed. However, evidence suggests the trust values ongoing relationships, as demonstrated by multiple grants to the same organizations (Morristown Medical Center received at least three separate grants; Crossroads4Hope received at least two).

Application Success Factors

While there is no formal application process, organizations that have successfully received funding share these characteristics:

Geographic Alignment: Strong preference for Morris County, New Jersey organizations, particularly those in Florham Park, Morristown, and surrounding communities. The trust also maintains interest in Lake George, NY conservation efforts.

Mission Alignment: Organizations must serve people "in extraordinarily adverse circumstances" and address basic community needs. The trust seeks to make "transformative" rather than incremental impact.

Established Credibility: Grant recipients include well-established institutions (Morristown Medical Center, major regional nonprofits) and reputable intermediaries (Tri-County Scholarship Fund) rather than new or unproven organizations.

Connection to Founder's Values: Organizations aligned with Margaret Darrin's documented interests—healthcare infrastructure, education as a pathway out of poverty, environmental conservation, and support for vulnerable populations—appear more likely to receive consideration.

Significant Project Scope: Known grants range from $235,000 to $2.5 million, suggesting the trust prefers substantial projects with measurable impact rather than small programmatic grants.

Capacity for Multi-Year Relationship: The trust has made multiple grants to the same organizations over time, suggesting preference for deepening existing relationships rather than one-time gifts to many organizations.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

No public application exists: This is an invitation-only funder requiring introduction through existing relationships or trustees' networks
Think big and transformative: Documented grants are six- to seven-figure gifts for major capital projects, equipment purchases, or significant programmatic expansion
Morris County focus: Strong geographic preference for northern New Jersey, especially Morris County healthcare and educational institutions
Mission must align precisely: Organizations serving people in crisis or "extraordinarily adverse circumstances" with emphasis on healthcare, education, and environment
Build long-term relationships: The trust demonstrates loyalty to grantees through repeat funding, suggesting relationship-building is more valuable than broad outreach
Demonstrate transformation, not maintenance: Language from trustees emphasizes "empowerment," "transformation," and addressing "basic needs" rather than enhancement of existing stable programs
Family legacy matters: Understanding Margaret Darrin's biography, values, and interests (education, Lake George, supporting the vulnerable) may provide insight into funding priorities

References

ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Margaret A. Darrin Charitable Trust (EIN 47-6723443), Form 990-PF filings. Accessed January 2026. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/476723443
Cause IQ - Margaret A. Darrin Charitable Trust organizational profile. Accessed January 2026. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/margaret-adarrin-charitable-trust,476723443/
Foundation for Morristown Medical Center - "Darrin Charitable Trust Grants $2.5 Million to Sameth Emergency Department Renovation." Accessed January 2026. https://www.f4mmc.org/darrin-ed/
Foundation for Morristown Medical Center - "Darrin Charitable Trust Grant Enhances Safety in Sameth Emergency Department." Accessed January 2026. https://www.f4mmc.org/darrin-charitable-trust-grant-enhances-safety-in-sameth-emergency-department/
Fox40 / EIN Presswire - "Crossroads4Hope has just received a $1.5 million grant from the Margaret A. Darrin Charitable Trust," October 2024. https://fox40.com/business/press-releases/ein-presswire/754916275/crossroads4hope-has-just-received-a-1-5-million-grant-from-the-margaret-a-darrin-charitable-trust/
Tri-County Scholarship Fund - "Margaret A. Darrin" partnership page. Accessed January 2026. https://www.tcsfund.org/darrin
Tri-County Scholarship Fund - "Record-Breaking $2.25 Million for Scholarships Raised at Tri-County's 40th Annual Awards Celebration" (Making A Difference Award to Margaret A. Darrin Charitable Trust). Accessed January 2026. https://www.tcsfund.org/post/record-breaking-2-25-million-for-scholarships-raised-at-tri-county-s-40th-annual-awards-celebration
Lake George Land Conservancy - "Margaret A. Darrin" biographical page. Accessed January 2026. https://lglc.org/join-the-story/margaret-darrin/
The Post-Star - "Margaret 'Peggy' Darrin" obituary, May 2017. Accessed January 2026. https://poststar.com/lifestyles/announcements/obituaries/margaret-peggy-darrin/article_de95273b-7097-5940-b552-3906e8c9f565.html
Legacy.com / Star-Ledger - "Margaret Darrin Obituary (1924-2017)." Accessed January 2026. https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/starledger/name/margaret-darrin-obituary?id=9632120
Charity Navigator - Margaret A. Darrin Charitable Trust profile (EIN 47-6723443). Accessed January 2026. https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/476723443
Candid Foundation Directory - Margaret A. Darrin Charitable Trust profile. Accessed January 2026. https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile?key=2343926