Cronin Foundation
The Cronin Foundation is a private foundation based in Marshall, Michigan. Its 2024 filing describes grantmaking as its only activity and says its awards are geographically restricted by the establishing Will, the Marshall School District, and Calhoun County, Michigan.
Cronin Foundation at a glance
In short: Cronin Foundation gave $932K across 14 grants in 2024 (avg $67K), mostly in Michigan. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $932,103
- +4.9% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 14
- +40.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $66,579
- -25.1% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $26,200
- Total assets
- $12,230,953
- +1.0% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Michigan (100% 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 Cronin Foundation
- How to Apply
The filing says applicants must submit an application form describing the project or program, including what it is, where and when it will take place, how it will work, its total budget, other sources of income, and…
The filing says applicants must submit an application form describing the project or program, including what it is, where and when it will take place, how it will work, its total budget, other sources of income, and the applicant’s 501(c)(3) qualification. Applications should be directed to Ronald J DeGraw. The filing says the foundation does not restrict giving to preselected organizations.
- Review Cycle
- The filing states that applications are due on the first day of the month of the quarterly meeting; the deadline may be waived for good cause.
- Deadline
- The filing states that applications are due on the first day of the month of the quarterly meeting; the deadline may…
- Contact
Application contact: Ronald J Degraw
Mailing address: 203 East Michigan Avenue, Marshall, MI 49068
Phone: (269) 781-9851
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Cronin Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 9 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Marshall Public Schools ($330K across 5 grants). Together the top 9 received $932K.
Grant Size Distribution
51 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 33 grants of 51 (65%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The filing identifies the Marshall School District and Calhoun County, Michigan, as geographic restrictions, along with the establishing Will. All 2024 grant dollars went to recipients in Michigan.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 14 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Cronin Foundation gives
- Giving grew 22% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 100% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $765K (2021) to $932K (2024). In 2024 it made 14 grants totaling $932K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Marshall Public Schools Marshall, MI | Communication System | $242,317 |
| City of Marshall Marshall, MI | Eaton Park Project | $200,000 |
| Oaklawn Hospital Marshall, MI | General FundGrant | $175,000 |
| City of Marshall Marshall, MI | Riverwalk Project | $100,000 |
| Playright Sports Academy Albion, MI | Youth Sports Programming | $84,000 |
| Marshall Public Schools Marshall, MI | Weight Room Equipment | $45,000 |
| Marshall Public Schools Marshall, MI | STEM Academy Summer Programs | $30,000 |
| Fountain Cinic Marshall, MI | Hygeinist/Dental Supplies | $22,400 |
| Brass Band of Battle Creek Marshall, MI | Summer Camp for Band | $10,000 |
| Marshall Public Schools Marshall, MI | 6th Grade Sherman Lake Camp | $10,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Cronin 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 | $12,230,953 | $1,115,364 | $993,879 | $932,103 | 14 | $968,778 | $1,051,644 | $964,744 |
| 2023 | $12,109,690 | $1,010,020 | $951,714 | $888,435 | 10 | $892,435 | $929,656 | $873,987 |
| 2022 | $12,050,778 | $882,533 | $920,574 | $849,370 | 15 | $855,370 | $780,230 | $888,815 |
| 2021 | $12,089,215 | $1,382,231 | $818,047 | $765,000 | 12 | $813,171 | $1,382,231 | $941,721 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Cronin Foundation reported a distributable amount of $965K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The 2024 grants show support for local education, parks and public projects, health services, youth sports, scouting, and arts and culture. The Brass Band of Battle Creek, which received $10,000, describes its mission as bringing “joy, understanding and inspiration through the power of music,” including through youth brass music education and local concerts.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 14 grants totaling $932,103. Grants ranged from $2,386 to $242,317, with a median grant of $26,200. Among the largest awards were $242,317 to Marshall Public Schools for a communication system, $200,000 to the City of Marshall for the Eaton Park Project, $175,000 to Oaklawn Hospital for its general fund, and $100,000 to the City of Marshall for the Riverwalk Project. Other awards included $84,000 to Playright Sports Academy for youth sports programming and $45,000 to Marshall Public Schools for weight room equipment.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Mark O'Connell as President; David J DeGraw as Vice President; Ronald J DeGraw as Secretary/Treasurer; and James Schwartz and Becky Jones as Board Members.
Cronin Foundation is led by Mark O'Connell, President on every filing since 2021; none of the 5 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Mark O'Connell
President
On filings since 2021
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
David J DeGraw
Vice President
On filings since 2021
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ronald J DeGraw
Secretary & Treasurer
On filings since 2021
1.8 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Becky Jones
Board Member
On filings since 2023
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
James Schwartz
Board Member
On filings since 2023
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Joseph Caron (2021–2022) — Board Member
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2024. "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 Cronin Foundation
How much does Cronin Foundation give each year?
Cronin Foundation gave $932K across 14 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $888K across 10 grants.
What is Cronin Foundation's typical grant size?
Cronin Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $26,200, and its average grant was $66,579, across 14 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Cronin Foundation give grants?
Cronin Foundation gives mostly in Michigan: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Marshall, MI (11 grants) and Albion, MI (2 grants).
Does Cronin Foundation give general operating support?
Occasionally: 7% of Cronin Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (1 of 14) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Cronin Foundation's largest grantees?
Cronin Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Marshall Public Schools ($329,703 across 5 grants), City of Marshall ($300,000 across 2 grants) and Oaklawn Hospital ($175,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 86% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Cronin Foundation?
Cronin Foundation reported $12.2M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $969K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $965K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Cronin Foundation fund?
The 2024 grants show support for local education, parks and public projects, health services, youth sports, scouting, and arts and culture. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Cronin Foundation?
The filing says applicants must submit an application form describing the project or program, including what it is, where and when it will take place, how it will work, its total budget, other sources of income, and… Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Cronin Foundation's EIN?
Cronin Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 38-2908362. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Cronin Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 16, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/cronin-foundation-morg_567f2cae7f9f44c6b6c7f72182655fdb
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_382908362_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Cronin Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/cronin-foundation-morg_567f2cae7f9f44c6b6c7f72182655fdb},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-16. 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 Cronin 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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