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David R Clare And Margaret C Clare Foundation

Annual Giving
$21.0M
Grant Range
$4K - $0.4M

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $21,000,000 (approximately)
  • Success Rate: Not applicable (invitation only)
  • Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
  • Grant Range: $4,000 - $400,000
  • Geographic Focus: National (multi-state)

Contact Details

Address: c/o Porzio Bromberg & Newman, Morristown, NJ 07962

Note: The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications.

Overview

The David R Clare And Margaret C Clare Foundation was established in 1991 in Florida by David Ross Clare, former President and Chairman of the Executive Committee of Johnson & Johnson (1976-1989), and his wife Margaret Mary (Corcoran) Clare. The foundation is a private grantmaking organization with approximately $3.7 million in assets as of 2024, distributing approximately $21-22 million annually in charitable grants. The foundation focuses primarily on education (particularly institutions serving students with learning differences), children and youth services, Roman Catholic churches and schools, and healthcare organizations. The foundation operates on an invitation-only basis, directing grants to pre-selected organizations across multiple states including New Jersey, Florida, Massachusetts, Missouri, and others.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates through trustee-directed grantmaking rather than formal grant programs. Grants are awarded on an invitation-only basis to pre-selected organizations.

Priority Areas

Based on recent grant activity, the foundation supports:

  • Higher Education: Particularly institutions serving students with learning differences, including specialized programs for neurodivergent students and educator training
  • Youth Services: Residential shelters and advocacy services for at-risk children and teens who have experienced abuse, neglect, or homelessness
  • Catholic Education: Roman Catholic churches and schools at various educational levels
  • Healthcare: Hospital foundations and healthcare organizations
  • Children's Services: Child advocacy centers and youth development programs

Example Grants:

  • Beacon College (Florida): $50,000 for programs supporting college educators who teach students with learning differences and career-readiness programming
  • Youth Haven, Inc. (Southwest Florida): $45,000 for residential shelter services for children ages 6-19
  • Massachusetts Institute of Technology: $25,000
  • Overlook Hospital Foundation (Summit, NJ): $20,302
  • Child Advocacy Services Center (Kansas City, MO): $25,354

What They Don't Fund

  • Individual applicants (grants are made only to organizations)
  • Organizations that have not been pre-selected by trustees
  • Unsolicited proposals

Governance and Leadership

Trustees and Managing Directors:

  • Carol A Clare - Managing Director & Trustee (Compensation: $308,050 in 2024)
  • David R Clare Jr - Managing Director & Trustee (Compensation: $264,550 in 2024)
  • Matthew D Hinton - Regional Director & Trustee (Compensation: $126,250 in 2024)

Foundation History:

The foundation was established by David Ross Clare (born July 21, 1925, in Perth Amboy, New Jersey), who served Johnson & Johnson from 1946-1990, culminating in his role as President (1976-1989) and Chairman of the Executive Committee. He married Margaret Mary Corcoran on July 5, 1947, and established this foundation in 1991 following his retirement.

David R. Clare Jr., identified as managing director and trustee, stated in public materials that the foundation's funding areas include higher education and human services.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. The foundation contributes only to pre-selected organizations identified by its trustees. Unsolicited applications are not accepted.

Grants are awarded through trustee discretion based on relationships and organizations known to the foundation leadership.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - grants are awarded to pre-selected organizations on a rolling basis throughout the year.

Success Rates

In 2024, the foundation awarded 58 grants totaling approximately $21 million. In 2023, 64 grants were awarded. Since 2020, the foundation has made 291 individual grants totaling over $50 million.

Success rates for unsolicited applications: 0% (applications not accepted)

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - no public application process exists.

Application Success Factors

Since this foundation operates on an invitation-only basis, the following factors appear to characterize organizations that receive support:

Organizations Aligned with Founder's Background:

  • Catholic educational institutions (reflecting the founders' religious affiliation)
  • Organizations in New Jersey (foundation headquarters and Clare family's home state)
  • Florida-based organizations (where the foundation was originally established and where David Clare had connections through Lost Tree country club in North Palm Beach)
  • Healthcare institutions (reflecting David Clare's career in the pharmaceutical industry at Johnson & Johnson)

Innovative Educational Approaches: The Beacon College grant of $50,000 demonstrates the foundation's interest in:

  • Programs serving students with learning differences
  • Educator training and professional development for teaching neurodivergent students
  • Career-readiness and life skills programming
  • Post-graduate support programs (such as Beacon's "First Career" residential mentoring program)

Child Welfare and Advocacy: The Youth Haven grant demonstrates support for:

  • Residential services for vulnerable children
  • Comprehensive care models with community collaboration
  • Organizations serving children who have experienced trauma, abuse, or neglect

Quote from Youth Haven Executive Director Jinx Liggett: "The David R. Clare and Margaret C. Clare Foundation is an incredible organization and we're thankful for their continued generous support" - indicating the foundation maintains ongoing relationships with grantees.

Grant Size Patterns:

  • Small grants: $4,000 - $10,000
  • Mid-range grants: $25,000 - $75,000 (most common)
  • Large grants: $100,000 - $400,000 (less common)

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No Public Application Process: This foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals. Direct application is not possible.
  • Relationship-Based Grantmaking: Grants are awarded to organizations known to trustees through personal or professional connections.
  • Geographic Patterns: While national in scope, there is clear emphasis on New Jersey and Florida, reflecting the founders' personal connections to these states.
  • Thematic Consistency: Education (especially Catholic education and programs for students with learning differences), child welfare, and healthcare are consistent funding priorities.
  • Multi-Year Support: Evidence suggests the foundation maintains ongoing relationships with grantees (e.g., "continued generous support" mentioned by Youth Haven).
  • Trustee Discretion: With family members serving as managing directors, grantmaking reflects the values and interests of the Clare family, particularly David Ross Clare's legacy in pharmaceutical industry leadership and Catholic faith.
  • No Pathway for New Organizations: Organizations without existing connections to foundation trustees are unlikely to receive funding.

References

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