Focus Central America
Focus Central America is a private foundation based in Warren, New Jersey. Founded in 2021 by philanthropist Barry Segal, it supports organizations in Central America working on innovative, systemic responses to the root causes of forced migration and factors affecting people’s ability to live with dignity.
Focus Central America at a glance
In short: Focus Central America gave $1.9M across 110 grants in 2024 (avg $18K), top state California. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,932,965
- +20.3% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 110
- -26.7% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $17,572
- +64.0% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $15,000
- Total assets
- $11,454,853
- +39.6% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- California (4% 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 Focus Central America
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Its website invites people to share information about organizations for consideration; program officers lead the partner-identification and evaluation process.
- Contact
Mailing address: 67 Mountain Blvd 201, Warren, NJ 07059
Phone: (908) 279-7881
Website: https://focuscentralamerica.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Focus Central America funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Peaceworks ($45K). Together the top 10 received $334K.
Grant Size Distribution
346 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 345 grants of 346 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation considers organizations based in Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama, where it is actively growing its network. It says Nicaraguan organizations must be able to receive money in the United States. Its listed partners include organizations in Guatemala, Honduras, and Costa Rica.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 110 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Focus Central America gives
- 74% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 1545% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 728% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). 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 2021 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $118K (2021) to $1.9M (2024). In 2024 it made 110 grants totaling $1.9M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Other Organizations | Charitable purpose due to concerns for safety of the employees of the organization and the sensitive nature of the information, the full list of contributions is available to the irs upon request. | $55,000 |
| Peaceworks Union, NJ | Charitable Purpose | $45,050 |
| Agua Para El Pueblo | Charitable Purpose | $40,000 |
| Amigos of Costa Rica West Chester, PA | Charitable Purpose | $35,000 |
| Fundacion Herencia Viva | Charitable Purpose | $32,000 |
| Pennat | Charitable Purpose | $31,565 |
| ACD Guatemala | Charitable Purpose | $30,000 |
| Amos Hope and Health Gibsonia, PA | Charitable Purpose | $30,000 |
| Asaprosar | Charitable Purpose | $30,000 |
| Asociacion Cedcas De Los Lago | Charitable Purpose | $30,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Focus Central America?
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 | $11,454,853 | $6,906,783 | $2,981,380 | $1,932,965 | 110 | $3,092,963 | $2,945,079 | $424,663 |
| 2023 | $8,205,141 | $1,997,924 | $2,550,491 | $1,607,226 | 150 | $2,708,149 | $853,158 | $345,289 |
| 2022 | $7,976,215 | $7,482,929 | $1,562,707 | $875,500 | 75 | $1,441,974 | $3,863,020 | $209,283 |
| 2021 | $2,400,566 | $4,913,953 | $184,494 | $117,500 | 11 | $172,120 | $1,816,084 | $46,981 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Focus Central America reported a distributable amount of $425K 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
Focus Central America supports work in agriculture and food security, child protection, civil engagement, disabilities, early childhood education, other education, employment and entrepreneurship, environmental conservation, direct-service health, and LGBTQ+ rights.
It looks for organizations based and managed in the communities they serve, with clear strategies for improving quality of life. It particularly seeks to support locally led organizations, including those led by women and people from Indigenous and Afro-descendant communities. The foundation says it typically funds organizations with annual budgets under $500,000 and that small unrestricted grants can make a significant difference.
Grantees’ stated missions illustrate the range of work supported. Agua Para el Pueblo says it promotes access to high-quality drinking water and sanitation services in Honduras. Bien De Mujer describes its work as empowering women and educating children in Costa Rica. ACD Guatemala says it works with children, adolescents, women, and families facing complex conditions to reduce vulnerability and migration risk. Un Mundo describes its work as promoting dignity, community, and self-sufficiency while facilitating access to health care, education, and livable wages in marginalized Honduran communities.
Grantmaking
In 2024, Focus Central America reported making 110 grants totaling $1,932,965. Itemized grants ranged from $2,500 to $55,000, with a median of $15,000. The foundation says its typical first-year grant is between $5,000 and $15,000.
Among the largest reported 2024 grants were $45,050 to PeaceWorks, $40,000 to Agua Para el Pueblo, $35,000 to Amigos of Costa Rica, and $32,000 to Fundación Herencia Viva. It also awarded $30,000 each to ACD Guatemala, Amos Hope and Health, ASAPROSAR, Asociación CEDCAS de los Lago, Bien De Mujer, Contextos, and Un Mundo. One $55,000 grant was listed for “Other Organizations”; the filing states that a full list is available to the IRS upon request because of safety concerns for the organization’s employees and the sensitive nature of the information.
The foundation’s regional program officers lead the process of finding, evaluating, and recommending new partners to its leadership team. It says the process can take several months from initial contact to final decision.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The foundation’s 2024 filing lists Barry Segal as president, Jennifer Shore as secretary, Martin Segal as vice president and treasurer, and Sharon Harrison as trustee. The foundation’s website identifies Barry Segal as its founder and lists Martin Segal as president and Sharon Harrison as vice president.
Focus Central America is led by Barry Segal, President on every filing since 2021; none of the 4 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Barry Segal
President
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sharon Harrison
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jennifer Shore
Secretary
Trustee → Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Martin Segal
Vice President & Treasurer
Vice President → Vice President & Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2021
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Brooks Smith (2022–2023) — Trustee
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 Focus Central America
How much does Focus Central America give each year?
Focus Central America gave $1.9M across 110 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $1.6M across 150 grants.
What is Focus Central America's typical grant size?
Focus Central America's median grant in 2024 was $15,000, and its average grant was $17,572, across 110 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Focus Central America's largest grantees?
Focus Central America's largest 2024 grantees include Peaceworks ($45,050), Agua Para El Pueblo ($40,000) and Amigos of Costa Rica ($35,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 6% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Focus Central America?
Focus Central America reported $11.5M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $3.1M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $425K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Focus Central America fund?
Focus Central America supports work in agriculture and food security, child protection, civil engagement, disabilities, early childhood education, other education, employment and entrepreneurship, environmental conservation, direct-service health, and LGBTQ+ rights. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Focus Central America?
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
Where does Focus Central America make grants?
The foundation considers organizations based in Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama, where it is actively growing its network. It says Nicaraguan organizations must be able to receive money in the United States. Its listed partners include organizations in Guatemala, Honduras, and Costa Rica.
What is Focus Central America's EIN?
Focus Central America's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 87-1440781. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2024.
Does Focus Central America accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
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 2021–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Focus Central America funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 15, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/focus-central-america-morg_ec0ad46f91d24a65a165e2c83b371b2b
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_871440781_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Focus Central America funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/focus-central-america-morg_ec0ad46f91d24a65a165e2c83b371b2b},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-15. 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 Focus Central America'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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