Crotty Family Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $1.5M - $1.6M
• Success Rate: N/A (invitation-only)
• Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
• Grant Range: $100,000 - $500,000 (typical)
• Geographic Focus: Primarily Massachusetts, some national

Contact Details

• Website: No public website
• Phone: 617-948-3800
• Email: Not publicly available
• Address: 260 Franklin St, Suite 1510, Boston, MA 02110-3112

Overview

The Crotty Family Foundation Inc is a private grant-making foundation established in 2004 by Thomas J. Crotty and family. With total assets of approximately $12.3 million as of 2024, the foundation distributes between $1.5-1.6 million annually in grants to preselected charitable organizations. The foundation has experienced remarkable growth, with assets increasing from under $800,000 in 2020 to over $12 million in 2024. Operating as a traditional family foundation, they focus primarily on education, human services, and philanthropy initiatives, with a geographic concentration in Massachusetts though they also support organizations in California and Virginia. The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications and works exclusively with organizations they identify and select through their own research and relationships.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not operate formal grant programs but makes discretionary grants in the following ranges based on historical giving:

• Major Grants: $100,000 - $500,000 (typical range for established partners)
• Awards between 13-17 grants annually
• Total annual distribution: $1.5M - $1.6M

Priority Areas

• Education (primary focus)
• Human Services
• Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Foundations
• Youth development programs
• Community development initiatives

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated, based on their giving patterns, they appear not to fund:

• Individual requests
• International programs (focus is primarily domestic)
• Medical research
• Arts and culture (minimal historical funding in this area)

Governance and Leadership

President: Thomas J. Crotty

• Senior Advisor at Battery Ventures (Boston-based venture capital firm)
• Former Managing Partner at Battery Ventures (joined 1989)
• Board member, University of Notre Dame
• Board member, Grassroot Soccer (nonprofit fighting HIV/AIDS in Africa)
• Co-founder, Hub Financial Charities (established after 9/11)
• Trustee Emeritus, Community Foundation for MetroWest
• Education: BA in Business from University of Notre Dame, MBA from Wharton School

Clerk: Sharolyn K. Crotty

The foundation operates with no paid staff, with all officers serving without compensation, typical of family foundations of this size.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. The Crotty Family Foundation only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Grants are awarded through trustee discretion based on organizations identified through the foundation's own research, networks, and relationships.

Getting on Their Radar

Given Thomas Crotty's extensive involvement in the Boston venture capital and nonprofit community, organizations may become known to the foundation through:

• The Battery Ventures network and portfolio companies' corporate social responsibility initiatives
• University of Notre Dame alumni and development networks
• Community Foundation for MetroWest connections
• Boston-area philanthropy and business leadership circles
• Grassroot Soccer and related youth development networks

Organizations working in education and human services in Massachusetts, particularly those with connections to Notre Dame or the Boston business community, may have the best opportunity to develop visibility with the foundation's leadership.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed. As a private family foundation making discretionary grants, timing likely varies based on board meeting schedules and individual grant considerations.

Success Rates

Not applicable - invitation-only funding model

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - no public application process

Application Success Factors

Given the foundation's invitation-only model, organizations cannot directly apply. However, based on their giving patterns and the president's background:

• Strong alignment with education initiatives, particularly those connected to higher education or youth development
• Massachusetts-based organizations have historically received the majority of funding
• Organizations with established track records and proven impact models
• Potential connections through Boston business community, particularly technology/venture capital sector
• Programs that align with Thomas Crotty's known interests: education, youth development, community building
• Organizations that may have connections through University of Notre Dame networks

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• This is an invitation-only funder - do not submit unsolicited proposals
• Foundation has grown significantly (15x asset increase 2020-2024), suggesting potential for increased giving
• Focus on relationship building through Boston business and nonprofit networks rather than direct applications
• Thomas Crotty's venture capital background suggests receptivity to innovative, scalable solutions
• Education and human services organizations in Massachusetts are the strongest fit
• Consider connections through University of Notre Dame, Battery Ventures network, or Boston philanthropy circles
• Annual giving of $1.5-1.6M distributed across 13-17 grants suggests meaningful grant sizes for selected partners

References

• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - IRS Form 990 data for Crotty Family Foundation (2020-2024)
• Cause IQ Foundation Profile - Financial and grant data analysis
• Grantmakers.io - Grant recipient data and patterns
• Tax Exempt World - Foundation registration and compliance information
• Candid Foundation Directory - Foundation classification and focus areas
• Battery Ventures website - Thomas Crotty biography and professional background
• LinkedIn - Thomas J. Crotty professional profile
• Community Foundation for MetroWest - Board and trustee information
• University of Notre Dame - Board of Trustees listings
• Grassroot Soccer - Board member information