DCU for Kids
DCU for Kids is a public charity based in Marlborough, Massachusetts. Its mission is to improve the quality of life for children in need. It supports organizations serving children and families through grants, and provides scholarships to students pursuing higher education.
DCU for Kids at a glance
In short: DCU for Kids gave $1.4M across 73 grants in 2024 (avg $19K), mostly in Massachusetts. 5% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,403,585
- -22.5% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 73
- -8.8% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $19,227
- -15.1% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $5,376,646
- +1.9% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 5% first-time grantees (4 of 73, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Massachusetts (65% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to DCU for Kids
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- Invitation Only
-
DCU for Kids does not accept unsolicited requests; applicants must be invited to apply. Its website states that invitations for the final 2026 grant cycle have been sent and that applications submitted without an invitation will not be reviewed.
- Review Cycle
- The listed June 1, 2026 grant deadline has passed.
- Deadline
- The listed June 1, 2026 grant deadline has passed.
- Contact
Mailing address: 853 Donald Lynch Boulevard, Marlborough, MA 01752
Phone: (800) 328-8797
Website: https://dcuforkids.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who DCU for Kids funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Boomer Esiason Foundation ($250K). Together the top 10 received $685K.
Grant Size Distribution
482 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 422 grants of 482 (88%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
DCU for Kids says its support reaches children throughout DCU branch communities and beyond. In 2024, 65% of grant dollars went to recipients in Massachusetts, 18% to New York, 12% to New Hampshire, 4% to Washington, DC, and 1% to Rhode Island. Its scholarship program is described as national, for eligible graduating seniors in the United States attending U.S. universities.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 73 itemized grants.
Cities
Is DCU for Kids open to new grantees?
5%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 4 of 73 grantees (5%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $8K; repeat grants $20K. How we count
Medians: $8K first-time, $10K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2024). 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 $1.4M (2024) to $3.4M (2020). In 2024 it made 73 grants totaling $1.4M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Boomer Esiason Foundation Garden City Park, NY | General Support | $250,000 |
| Boys & Girls Club of Lawrence Lawrence, MA | General Support | $60,000 |
| Boys & Girls Club of Worcester Worcester, MA | General Support | $60,000 |
| Boys & Girls Clubs of MetroWest Marlborough, MA | General Support | $55,000 |
| Autism Speaks Inc Washington, DC | General Support | $50,000 |
| Boys & Girls Club of Greater Lowell Lowell, MA | General Support | $50,000 |
| Boys & Girls Club of Manchester Manchester, NH | General Support | $50,000 |
| Boys & Girls Club of Greater Nashua Nashua, NH | General Support | $40,000 |
| Boys & Girls Club of Waltham Waltham, MA | General Support | $40,000 |
| The Home for Little Wanderers Boston, MA | General Support | $30,000 |
Ready to take the next step with DCU for Kids?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $5,376,646 | $2,072,151 | $1,971,788 | $1,403,585 | 73 | $227,979 |
| 2023 | $5,276,283 | $2,575,794 | $2,328,026 | $1,811,300 | 80 | $164,944 |
| 2022 | $5,028,515 | $1,945,803 | $3,123,726 | $2,626,950 | 95 | $27,060 |
| 2021 | $6,206,438 | $2,585,935 | $3,194,092 | $2,657,400 | 114 | $10,682 |
| 2020 | $6,828,870 | $2,589,569 | $3,814,346 | $3,429,550 | 120 | $60,160 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
DCU for Kids’ stated mission is to “improve the quality of life for children in need.” Its stated funding areas include youth community programming, support for people with basic needs, special-needs support, and medical, health, and well-being support. The organization also describes supporting enrichment and development activities, mentoring and education, medical research, and scholarships.
Its 2024 grantees illustrate the kinds of organizations it supports. For example, Boys & Girls Club of Greater Lowell describes its mission as helping young people realize their potential; Catie’s Closet says it provides children in need with clothing and basic necessities; and Family Reach Foundation says it provides non-medical financial support to families facing cancer. These are the grantees’ descriptions of their own missions.
Grantmaking
In 2024, DCU for Kids reported 73 grants totaling $1,403,585. Grant amounts ranged from $6,000 to $250,000, with a median of $10,000. The largest listed awards included $250,000 to Boomer Esiason Foundation, $60,000 each to Boys & Girls Club of Lawrence and Boys & Girls Club of Worcester, and $55,000 to Boys & Girls Clubs of MetroWest. Other notable awards included $50,000 each to Autism Speaks Inc, Boys & Girls Club of Greater Lowell, and Boys & Girls Club of Manchester.
DCU for Kids’ guidelines require applicants to be IRS-registered 501(c)(3) organizations at least two years past the effective date of exemption. A request may not exceed 20% of the program’s operational budget, and applicants must report relevant funding outcomes before additional grants are considered. The guidelines also state that an organization may submit one grant request per calendar year. Ineligible applicants include political organizations, for-profit organizations, colleges and universities, and certain religious, labor, social, or fraternal organizations; private foundations are ineligible unless they operate programming for children in need. The website also says it does not support fundraising events, capital campaigns or expenses, or sponsorship opportunities.
DCU for Kids also runs a scholarship program for graduating high school seniors planning to attend an accredited U.S. college or university. This is a scholarship program for students, not a grant program for outside organizations. The 2026 application deadline was March 6, 2026, and has passed.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Laurie LaChapelle as Chairperson/Treasurer, Sue Burton Kirdahy as a Board Member, and Michelle Kile as a Past Board Member.
DCU for Kids is led by Laurie LaChapelle, Chairperson & Treasurer since 2023 (on filings since 2020); none of the 3 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Laurie LaChapelle
Chairperson & Treasurer
Chair & Treasurer → Chair & Tresurer, 2022
Chair & Tresurer → Chairperson & Treasurer, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michelle Kile
Past Board Member
Board Member → Past Board Member, 2024
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sue Burton Kirdahy
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (2)
- Former: James Regan (2020–2022) — Past Director
- Former: Jane Fontaine (2020–2022) — Vice Chair & Secretary
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 DCU for Kids
How much does DCU for Kids give each year?
DCU for Kids gave $1.4M across 73 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $1.8M across 80 grants.
What is DCU for Kids's typical grant size?
DCU for Kids's median grant in 2024 was $10,000, and its average grant was $19,227, across 73 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from DCU for Kids that year got $8K on average.
Where does DCU for Kids give grants?
DCU for Kids gives mostly in Massachusetts: 65% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest states were New York (18%) and New Hampshire (12%). The most frequent recipient cities were Worcester, MA (10 grants), Boston, MA (7 grants), Lowell, MA (6 grants) and Nashua, NH (5 grants).
Does DCU for Kids give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of DCU for Kids's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (73 of 73) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990.
Who are DCU for Kids's largest grantees?
DCU for Kids's largest 2024 grantees include Boomer Esiason Foundation ($250,000), Boys & Girls Club of Lawrence ($60,000) and Boys & Girls Club of Worcester ($60,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 26% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is DCU for Kids?
DCU for Kids reported $5.4M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $2.1M.
What does DCU for Kids fund?
DCU for Kids’ stated mission is to “improve the quality of life for children in need.” Its stated funding areas include youth community programming, support for people with basic needs, special-needs support, and medical, health, and well-being support. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from DCU for Kids?
DCU for Kids does not accept unsolicited requests; applicants must be invited to apply. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is DCU for Kids's EIN?
DCU for Kids's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-2184636. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does DCU for Kids accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 15, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 15, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS October 25, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS October 24, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in DCU for Kids's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). DCU for Kids funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 10, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/dcu-for-kids-morg_bfbe444ba55541bd9fdd6f5c66e5a9ae
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_202184636_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{DCU for Kids funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/dcu-for-kids-morg_bfbe444ba55541bd9fdd6f5c66e5a9ae},
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 DCU for Kids'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.
DCU for Kids down — hundreds of funders to go?