Bolger Foundation
The Bolger Foundation is a private foundation based in Ridgewood, New Jersey. It supports charitable organizations, with a preference for capital projects that can have an ongoing impact, including construction, building improvements, and capital equipment.
Bolger Foundation at a glance
In short: Bolger Foundation gave $1.6M across 34 grants in 2024 (avg $48K), mostly in New Jersey. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,642,779
- +78.6% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 34
- +25.9% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $48,317
- +41.8% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $25,250
- Total assets
- $33,303,251
- +13.9% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- New Jersey (60% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026.
How to apply to Bolger Foundation
- How to Apply
-
Applications must be submitted online; the foundation says it does not accept applications by other means. The application requires proof of exempt status, a copy of Form 990, a financial report, a project budget, and project details. The filing lists James T. Bolger as the application contact.
- Review Cycle
- Spring applications are accepted November 1–February 1, and fall applications June 1–September 1.
- Deadline
- Spring applications are accepted November 1–February 1, and fall applications June 1–September 1.
- Contact
Application contact: James T Bolger
Mailing address: 79 Chestnut Street, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
Phone: (201) 670-9270
Email: jtbolger@bolgerandcompany.com
Website: https://thebolgerfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
2 open opportunities from Bolger Foundation
Who Bolger Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Servants Heart ($255K). Together the top 10 received $1.2M.
Grant Size Distribution
93 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 70 grants of 93 (75%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation accepts applications from eligible U.S.-based organizations. In 2024, 60% of grant dollars went to recipients in New Jersey, 14% to Pennsylvania, 8% to Massachusetts, 6% to New York, and 3% to New Mexico.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 34 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Bolger Foundation gives
- 26% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 5376% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 94% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $30K (2021) to $1.6M (2024). In 2024 it made 34 grants totaling $1.6M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Servants Heart Wyckoff, NJ | To Assist the Org. in Its Charitable Function | $255,000 |
| Brownsville Ambulance Services Brownsville, PA | To Assist the Org. in Its Charitable Function | $226,500 |
| New Hope Community Ministries Prosepct Park, NJ | To Assist the Org. in Its Charitable Function | $150,000 |
| New York City Relief Inc Clifton, NJ | To Assist the Org. in Its Charitable Function | $125,000 |
| The Boston House Brookline, MA | To Assist the Org. in Its Charitable Function | $125,000 |
| The Phoenix Center Nutley, NJ | To Assist the Org. in Its Charitable Function | $80,000 |
| Our House Foundation Inc New Providence, NJ | To Assist the Org. in Its Charitable Function | $60,000 |
| Ridgewood Historical Society Ridgewood, NJ | To Assist the Org. in Its Charitable Function | $54,500 |
| Assistance Dogs of the West Santa Fe, NM | To Assist the Org. in Its Charitable Function | $50,000 |
| Greater Newark Conservancy Inc Newark, NJ | To Assist the Org. in Its Charitable Function | $50,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Bolger Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $33,303,251 | $7,920,421 | $3,815,187 | $1,642,779 | 34 | $1,664,884 | $2,029,801 | $1,774,099 |
| 2023 | $29,230,580 | $10,859,401 | $1,801,308 | $920,051 | 27 | $937,651 | $1,001,524 | $1,491,674 |
| 2022 | $21,102,421 | $8,157,555 | $722,270 | $454,750 | 16 | $467,988 | $164,616 | $910,008 |
| 2021 | $15,755,101 | $5,613,615 | $237,024 | $30,000 | 7 | $41,228 | $415,356 | $746,562 |
| 2020 | $10,281,426 | $4,858,767 | $221,591 | $80,000 | 9 | — | — | $300,863 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Bolger Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.8M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s mission is to inspire individuals and support charitable organizations, empowering them to better serve their community and the world. It favors one-time capital needs that enhance tangible property owned by the applicant organization, such as new facilities, building or grounds improvements, and significant equipment.
Eligible applicants must be U.S.-based 501(c)(3) public charities classified under Section 509(a)(1) or (2). The foundation does not fund public entities, individuals, or overseas organizations. It excludes operating costs and salaries, leasehold improvements, endowment, annual-fund appeals and benefit fundraisers, among other categories. Requests should be $10,000–$250,000; the project budget must be below $2.5 million. Organizations—or organizations they support—with net assets above $15 million should not apply.
Examples of 2024 grantees illustrate the range of organizations funded. New Hope Community Ministries, which received $150,000, describes its mission as helping families break cycles of poverty and build a flourishing community. The Phoenix Center, awarded $80,000, says it develops the potential of students with significant developmental disabilities and students on the autism spectrum. Greater Newark Conservancy, which received $50,000, says it expands access to healthy food, environmental education, and green spaces. These are grantees’ own descriptions, not additional focus areas stated by the foundation.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation awarded 34 grants totaling $1,642,779. Grants ranged from $1,500 to $255,000, with a median of $25,250. The foundation’s guidelines list a request range of $10,000–$250,000.
Among the largest 2024 awards were $255,000 to Servants Heart in Wyckoff, New Jersey; $226,500 to Brownsville Ambulance Services in Brownsville, Pennsylvania; $150,000 to New Hope Community Ministries in Prospect Park, New Jersey; and $125,000 each to New York City Relief Inc. and The Boston House. The filing describes the purposes of these awards as assistance with the organizations’ charitable functions.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists James T. Bolger as president; Thomas Wells as secretary; Michael Tozzoli as treasurer; John G. Bolger, Kathryn A. Byrne, and Patrick Crowe as trustees; Betsie Bolger as vice president; and AJ Bolger and Kaylee Bolger as associate trustees.
Bolger Foundation is led by James T. Bolger, President on every filing since 2020; none of the 9 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
James T. Bolger
President
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
John G. Bolger
Trustee
Vice President → Trustee, 2022
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kathryn A. Byrne
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Patrick Crowe
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Aj Bolger
Associate Trustee
Trustee → Associate Trustee, 2021
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Betsie Bolger
Vice President
Trustee → Vice President, 2022
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michael Tozzoli
Treasurer
Trustee → Treasurer, 2022
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Thomas Wells
Secretary
CEO & Trustee → Secretary, 2022
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kaylee Bolger
Associate Trustee
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about Bolger Foundation
How much does Bolger Foundation give each year?
Bolger Foundation gave $1.6M across 34 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $920K across 27 grants.
What is Bolger Foundation's typical grant size?
Bolger Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $25,250, and its average grant was $48,317, across 34 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Bolger Foundation give grants?
Bolger Foundation gives mostly in New Jersey: 60% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were Pennsylvania (14%) and Massachusetts (8%). The most frequent recipient cities were Ridgewood, NJ (3 grants), Paterson, NJ (2 grants) and Dallas, TX (2 grants).
Does Bolger Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 34 grants with a stated purpose on Bolger Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "To Assist the Org. in Its Charitable Function" (33 grants).
Who are Bolger Foundation's largest grantees?
Bolger Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Servants Heart ($255,000), Brownsville Ambulance Services ($226,500) and New Hope Community Ministries ($150,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 38% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Bolger Foundation?
Bolger Foundation reported $33.3M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $1.7M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $1.8M (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does Bolger Foundation fund?
The foundation’s mission is to inspire individuals and support charitable organizations, empowering them to better serve their community and the world. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Bolger Foundation?
Applications must be submitted online; the foundation says it does not accept applications by other means. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Bolger Foundation's EIN?
Bolger Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 23-7418090. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Bolger Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Bolger Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 10, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/bolger-foundation-morg_85492bf6ec8b4ad58828bfe46d7f6b4b
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_237418090_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Bolger Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/bolger-foundation-morg_85492bf6ec8b4ad58828bfe46d7f6b4b},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-10. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Bolger Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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