AP Kirby Jr Foundation Inc
AP Kirby Jr Foundation Inc is a private family foundation based in Mendham, New Jersey, established in 1988 by Allan Price Kirby Jr. The foundation received tax-exempt status in February 1989. With total assets of approximately $91.1 million, the foundation operates as an invitation-only funder that does not accept unsolicited applications. The foundation represents the philanthropic legacy of Allan P. Kirby Jr. (1931-2020), grandson of F.W. Woolworth Company founder Fred Morgan Kirby.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$95.9M
+5.3% YoY
Annual Giving
$6.4M
+18.1% YoY
Grant Count
91
+11.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$71K
+6.4% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, AP Kirby Jr Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $7.0M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation supports organizations aligned with the Kirby family's values of free enterprise, constitutional studies, education, and patriotic service. Primary funding areas include:
- Arts and culture
- Historical activities
- Education
- Philanthropy and nonprofits
- Health and diseases
- Human services
- Public affairs
- Information and communications
- Libraries and public libraries
Grantmaking
The foundation operates as an invitation-only funder and does not accept unsolicited applications. Contact information includes a mailing address (PO Box 90, Mendham, NJ 07945) and phone number (973) 543-2200, though email and website are not publicly available.
Grant Range
$1,000 - $3.7 million
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation has a primary geographic focus on New Jersey with national reach. Funding extends to multiple states including New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington D.C., and other U.S. locations, with particular activity in major cities including New York, Chicago, and Washington D.C.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2023:
- Total assets: $91,118,072
- Annual revenue: $23,564,240
- Annual expenses: $5,959,321
- Total liabilities: $0
- Total giving: $5,456,157
The foundation maintains a strong financial position with no liabilities and substantial assets relative to annual giving.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $95,937,436 | $91,118,072 | $73,510,801 |
| Revenue | $11,878,492 | $23,564,240 | $53,759,872 |
| Expenses | $7,059,128 | $5,959,321 | $3,958,137 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $6,631,517 | $5,669,144 | $3,661,758 |
| Net Investment Income | $11,096,233 | $5,170,154 | $9,876,508 |
| Distributable Amount | $7,014,700 | $5,478,087 | $3,516,227 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
153 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Hillsdale College ($300,210), United Services Organization ($150,000), United Way of Morris County ($125,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| American Institute for Cancer Resea Washington, DC | Charitable | $10,000 |
| Alantic Salmon Federation Calais, ME | Charitable | $1,000 |
| Blair Academy Blairstown, NJ | Charitable | $10,000 |
| Brookside Engine Company 1 Brookside, NJ | Charitable | $1,000 |
| Fund for American Studies Washington, DC | Charitable | $20,000 |
| George Mason University Found - Mer Fairfax, VA | Charitable | $10,000 |
| Gilder Lehrman Inst for American Hi New York, NY | Charitable | $5,000 |
| Lafayette College Easton, PA | Charitable | $10,000 |
| Lakeland Emergency Squad Andover, NJ | Charitable | $5,000 |
| Leadership Institute Arlington, VA | Charitable | $5,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Milan S Kirby - Chairman
- Slater B Kirby - Treasurer
- Coray S Kirby - Secretary
- Jessie K Lee - Trustee
- Carl O Helstrom - Trustee (compensated position)
The other board members serve without compensation.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Milan S Kirby | Chairman | — | — |
| Jessie K Lee | Trustee | — | — |
| Slater B Kirby | Treasurer | — | — |
| Coray S Kirby | Secretary | — | — |
| Carl O Helstrom | Trustee | 5 | $2,500 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does AP Kirby Jr Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation supports organizations aligned with the Kirby family's values of free enterprise, constitutional studies, education, and patriotic service. Primary funding areas include: • Arts and culture • Historical activities • Education • Philanthropy and nonprofits • Health and diseases • Human services • Public affairs • Information and communications • Libraries and public libraries
How do I apply for a grant from AP Kirby Jr Foundation Inc?
**Grant Activity:** • Annual giving: $5.4-6.6 million • Total giving in 2023: $5,456,157 across 82 grants • Grant range: $1,000 - $3.7 million • Typical awards: $10,000-$100,000 **Grant Categories:** • Small grants: $1,000 - $5,000 (cultural and civic organizations) • Community grants: $5,000 - $25,000 (local New Jersey organizations) • Mid-level grants: $25,000 - $100,000 (education and healthcare) • Major institutional support: $100,000 - $3.6 million **Application Process:** The foundation o…
Where does AP Kirby Jr Foundation Inc make grants?
The foundation has a primary geographic focus on New Jersey with national reach. Funding extends to multiple states including New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington D.C., and other U.S. locations, with particular activity in major cities including New York, Chicago, and Washington D.C.
What size grants does AP Kirby Jr Foundation Inc award?
In 2024, AP Kirby Jr Foundation Inc awarded 91 grants totaling $6.4M — an average of about $71K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is AP Kirby Jr Foundation Inc required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, AP Kirby Jr Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $7.0M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is AP Kirby Jr Foundation Inc's EIN?
AP Kirby Jr Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 22-2922817. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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