F. M. Kirby Foundation

F. M. Kirby Foundation is a US private foundation based in Morristown, NJ.

Profile derived from the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings (TY2024, TY2023, TY2022) and its website, with every statement checked against those sources. Sources read on 7 October 2026.

Priority Areas

The F. M. Kirby Foundation makes thoughtful, prudent philanthropic commitments to highly selective grantee partners, investing in opportunities that foster self-reliance and create strong, healthy communities. It largely supports organisations in the arts, education, environment, health, human services and public affairs, alongside select religious organisations and churches of familial special interest. Its programme interests include performing arts, cultural and educational museums; equitable educational access, school choice, special education and civics; land conservation and environmental advocacy; biomedical research and medical centres; emergency, housing, family, disability and community services; and public policy, individual rights, free speech and public media. Geographically, it largely supports organisations serving the family’s areas of interest in New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and New York. Grantees from other regions tend to have prior familial affiliation, and the Foundation values sustained funding relationships.

Themes

• Arts, culture and humanities
• Education
• Environment
• Health
• Human services
• Public affairs
• Religion

Geographic Focus

Priority: New Jersey; The greater Morris County area; North Carolina; The Research Triangle region of Durham, Raleigh, and Chapel Hill; Pennsylvania; Luzerne County; Northampton County; New York; Adirondack Park.

What They Don't Fund

• Individuals
• Public foundations which would, as a result thereof, become private foundations
• Loans
• Fundraising activities such as benefits, dinners, performances, or sporting events

For the Foundation’s regular grants, unsolicited letters of inquiry are not accepted. Its team identifies organisations and invites them to apply. Invited organisations receive a designated application window at the start of each year, then submit a funding request online through the grants portal within that window.

• Repeat giving: In its TY2024 filing, 82% of its grant dollars to organisations went to organisations it had also funded in its TY2022 or TY2023 filing.
• Grant size: Across its TY2022, TY2023 and TY2024 filings, half of its 767 grants to organisations were $40,000 or less.

What the foundation says:

• The Foundation makes thoughtful and prudent commitments to highly selective grantee partners.
• Grantees from other regions tend to have prior familial affiliation.
• The Board recognises that philanthropic aspirations take time, effort and perseverance, often resulting in sustained funding relationships.
• For the Kirby Prize, it recognises enterprises close to the challenges at hand, centring the voice and experience of those they serve, with demonstrated traction and courageous, collaborative leadership.