Robert Lloyd Corkin Charitable Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: Information not publicly available
• Success Rate: N/A (invitation-only)
• Decision Time: N/A (preselected organizations)
• Grant Range: Varies (example: $60,000 documented grant)
• Geographic Focus: New England, primarily Massachusetts

Contact Details

Address: c/o Entwistle Company 6 Bigelow Street Hudson, MA 01749

Note: Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications

Overview

The Robert Lloyd Corkin Charitable Foundation is a private family foundation established in 1985 by the late Herbert I. Corkin (1922-2012), a WWII Flying Tigers pilot and former chairman/CEO of the Entwistle Company in Hudson, MA. Operating as a 501(c)(3) private foundation, it focuses primarily on pediatric healthcare institutions and nonprofits in the New England area. The foundation continues to be managed by multiple generations of the Corkin family, including Herbert's daughter Janice Corkin Rudolf (an internationally renowned sculptor) and his granddaughters. While specific financial data is not publicly accessible through standard databases, the foundation maintains active status with recent filings through November 2024.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates through trustee-directed giving rather than formal programs. Documented grants include:

• Boston Children's Hospital Trust: Ongoing major support
• Franciscan Children's: $60,000 (expanding services)
• Massachusetts 4-H Foundation: Corporate partnership level support
• Local community organizations: Variable amounts

Priority Areas

• Children's Healthcare - Primary focus on pediatric hospitals and health institutions
• Education - Youth development and educational institutions
• Human Services - Social service organizations
• Jewish Organizations - Religious and community agencies
• Local Community Support - Sudbury/Hudson area projects

What They Don't Fund

As an invitation-only foundation, they do not fund:

• Unsolicited requests from new organizations
• Organizations outside their pre-selected network
• Organizations outside the New England region

Governance and Leadership

Founding Family:

• Herbert I. Corkin (1922-2012) - Founder, WWII veteran, Flying Tigers pilot, Chairman/CEO of Entwistle Company
• Alvan R. Corkin (died 1994) - Co-founder

Current Leadership (Family Members):

• Janice Corkin Rudolf - Daughter of Herbert I. Corkin, internationally renowned sculptor
• Lee Manning - Granddaughter, Trustee
• Katherine (KC) Sylvestre - Granddaughter
• Steven Corkin - Nephew of Herbert, also serves as Vice Chair/Trustee of Boston Children's Hospital

The foundation appears to operate without paid staff, managed entirely by family members.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. The foundation explicitly states on its tax filings that it "only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and doesn't accept unsolicited applications for funds." All grants are made to organizations chosen by the trustees based on existing relationships and family connections.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - grants are made to preselected organizations at the trustees' discretion.

Success Rates

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept applications.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - invitation-only funding model.

Application Success Factors

Given this foundation's closed application process, traditional application success factors do not apply. Organizations receiving support from the Robert Lloyd Corkin Charitable Foundation typically:

• Have existing relationships with Corkin family members
• Align closely with the foundation's core focus on children's healthcare
• Operate in the New England region, particularly Massachusetts
• Have demonstrated track records in pediatric health, education, or community service
• May have connections through Boston Children's Hospital network (where Steven Corkin serves as Vice Chair/Trustee)

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• This is a legitimate grant-making foundation BUT operates on an invitation-only basis
• Do not submit unsolicited proposals - they will not be considered
• Focus is heavily weighted toward pediatric healthcare institutions in New England
• Family connections and existing relationships drive all grant decisions
• Foundation maintains low public profile with minimal online presence
• Consider seeking support from other Massachusetts foundations with open application processes
• If your organization has a connection to Boston Children's Hospital or the Corkin family businesses, that may be the only viable pathway

References

• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Robert Lloyd Corkin Charitable Foundation Profile. Accessed March 2, 2026. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/56022654
• Charity Navigator - Robert Lloyd Corkin Charitable Foundation Overview. Accessed March 2, 2026. https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/056022654
• Franciscan Children's - "Thank You to the Corkin Family" (March 2018). Accessed March 2, 2026. https://franciscanchildrens.org/thank-corkin-family/
• Massachusetts 4-H Foundation - Corporate Partners List. Accessed March 2, 2026. https://www.mass4hfoundation.org/ways-to-give/corporate-partners/
• Candid Foundation Directory - Robert Lloyd Corkin Charitable Foundation Profile. Accessed March 2, 2026. https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile/?key=CORK001
• Cause IQ - Robert Lloyd Corkin Charitable Foundation Database Entry. Accessed March 2, 2026. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/robert-lloyd-corkin-charitable-foundation,056022654/