I a O'Shaughnessy Foundation
The I A O'Shaughnessy Foundation is a private foundation based in Bloomington, Minnesota. It is a family foundation whose mission is to share Ignatius Aloysius O’Shaughnessy’s legacy for the common good through grants that enrich communities and improve people’s lives.
I a O'Shaughnessy Foundation at a glance
In short: I a O'Shaughnessy Foundation gave $5.2M across 110 grants in 2024 (avg $48K), top state Illinois. 46% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $5,233,440
- +1.3% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 110
- +29.4% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $47,577
- -21.7% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $25,000
- Total assets
- $79,658,812
- +10.9% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 46% first-time grantees (41 of 90, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Illinois (22% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to I a O'Shaughnessy Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- Invitation Only
-
The foundation makes grants by invitation only and does not accept unsolicited requests or letters of inquiry. Its filing states that contributions are made only to preselected charitable organizations.
- Contact
Mailing address: 2001 Killebrew Drive 120, Bloomington, MN 55425
Phone: (651) 222-2323
Website: https://iaoshaughnessyfdn.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who I a O'Shaughnessy Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was University of Notre Dame Du Lac ($442K across 7 grants). Together the top 10 received $2.2M.
Organizations only. It also paid 2 grants to individuals ($321,852), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
474 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 331 grants of 474 (70%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s 2024 grants went to organizations in multiple states. By share of grant dollars, the largest recipient-state shares were Illinois (22%), Minnesota (21%), Colorado (16%), Indiana (9%), and New York (6%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 110 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is I a O'Shaughnessy Foundation open to new grantees?
46%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 41 of 90 grantees (46%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $47K; repeat grants $68K. How we count
Medians: $25K first-time, $30K repeat.
- 40% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 25% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 104% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF 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 $4.2M (2021) to $5.3M (2022). In 2024 it made 110 grants totaling $5.2M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 1 grant to individuals Recipients not named | — | $306,000 |
| Uchicago Impact Chicago, IL | Enhancing Cultivate to Deepen Its Impact on Education | $300,000 |
| Big Shoulders Fund Chicago, IL | Emerging School Leaders Program | $250,000 |
| Communities in Schools - Chicago Chicago, IL | Expansion of cis of chicago's intensive student supports program | $175,000 |
| Reading Partners Twin Cities Saint Paul, MN | Literacy tutoring growth and innovation to meet community needs | $175,000 |
| TNTP New York, NY | Denver Metro Charter Leader Cohort | $175,000 |
| Reading Partners Wheat Ridge, CO | Expanding Access to Literacy Tutoring | $150,000 |
| Resilient Communities Resilitient Future Inc Denver, CO | Trauma Informed Futures Project | $150,000 |
| Boys Hope Girls Hope of Illinois Inc Wilmette, IL | More Hope: Boys Hope Girls Home Homes | $140,000 |
| Operation Breakthrough Kansas City, MO | Rising Rays Program to Prepare for Kindergarten | $140,000 |
Ready to take the next step with I a O'Shaughnessy 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 | $79,658,812 | $7,655,909 | $6,332,933 | $5,233,440 | 110 | $5,889,440 | $10,911,373 | $5,659,764 |
| 2023 | $71,851,898 | $3,852,351 | $6,397,256 | $5,163,880 | 85 | $5,779,020 | $7,685,870 | $5,343,591 |
| 2022 | $73,944,092 | $3,962,445 | $8,046,926 | $5,342,499 | 81 | $5,956,206 | $4,040,313 | $5,588,477 |
| 2021 | $78,131,263 | $3,090,113 | $5,258,888 | $4,175,776 | 101 | $4,701,149 | $13,934,870 | $5,597,474 |
| 2020 | $83,836,756 | $3,506,169 | $5,299,722 | $4,218,404 | 97 | — | $7,847,523 | $4,735,696 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, I a O'Shaughnessy Foundation reported a distributable amount of $5.7M 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 stated mission is to share the legacy of Ignatius Aloysius O’Shaughnessy for the common good, making grants that enrich communities and improve people’s lives. Its website emphasizes education, including access to quality education and the development of children’s academic, social, and critical-thinking skills.
The grants show support for a range of organizations and activities. For example, Big Shoulders Fund says its mission is to support underserved schools providing quality, values-based education for Chicago’s children. Operation Breakthrough says it provides a safe, loving, educational environment for children in poverty and empowers their families through advocacy, emergency aid, and education. 29 Acres says it works to improve quality of life for adults with autism through housing and customized programming. These are the grantees’ stated missions, not the foundation’s.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation awarded 110 grants totaling $5,233,440. The median grant was $25,000; individual grants ranged from $830 to $306,000. Recent awards include $306,000 to Boston College – an individual recipient for scaling and sustaining integrated student support; $300,000 to UChicago Impact to deepen the impact of Cultivate on education; and $250,000 to Big Shoulders Fund for its Emerging School Leaders Program. Other large awards included $175,000 each to Communities in Schools – Chicago for expansion of intensive student supports, Reading Partners Twin Cities for literacy tutoring growth and innovation, and TNTP for a Denver Metro Charter Leader Cohort.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Daniel J. O’Shaughnessy as president and director. Other listed officers and directors are Elizabeth L. Wysong, Patrick W. O’Shaughnessy, Karen J. O’Shaughnessy, Brendan P. O’Shaughnessy, Lucille M. O’Shaughnessy, Mary K. O’Shaughnessy, Michael J. Monahan, Erin O’S. Martin, and Connor O’S. Monahan. The filing lists Michael J. Monahan as treasurer and director and Lucille M. O’Shaughnessy as secretary and director.
I a O'Shaughnessy Foundation is led by Daniel J. O'Shaughnessy, President & Director since 2023 (on filings since 2020); none of the 10 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Daniel J. O'Shaughnessy
President & Director
President, Vice President & Director → President & Director, 2023
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Karen J. O'Shaughnessy
Vice President & Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lucille M. O'Shaughnessy
Secretary & Director
Vice President & Director → Secretary & Director, 2023
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Elizabeth L. Wysong
Vice President & Director
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mary K. O'Shaughnessy
Vice President & Director
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Michael J. Monahan
Treasurer & Director
Vice President & Director → Treasurer & Director, 2023
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Brendan P. O'Shaughnessy
Vice President & Director
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Connor O'S Monahan
Vice President & Director
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Erin O'S Martin
Vice President & Director
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Patrick W. O'Shaughnessy
Vice President & Director
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (8)
- Former: Kathryn Lyman Wysong (2020–2022) — Vice President & Director
- Former: Teresa E. Duggan (2020–2022) — Vice President & Director
- Former: Timothy D. O'Shaughnessy (2020–2022) — Vice President & Director
- Former: Gerald E. O'Shaughnessy (2022) — Vice President & Director
- Former: Charles E. Lyman (2020–2021) — Vice President & Director
- Former: Chevonne E. O'Shaughnessy (2020–2021) — Vice President & Director
- Former: Eileen A. O'Shaughnessy (2020–2021) — Secretary & Director
- Former: John F. O'Shaughnessy Jr. (2020–2021) — President & Director
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 I a O'Shaughnessy Foundation
How much does I a O'Shaughnessy Foundation give each year?
I a O'Shaughnessy Foundation gave $5.2M across 110 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $5.2M across 85 grants.
What is I a O'Shaughnessy Foundation's typical grant size?
I a O'Shaughnessy Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $25,000, and its average grant was $47,577, across 110 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from I a O'Shaughnessy Foundation that year got $47K on average.
Where does I a O'Shaughnessy Foundation give grants?
I a O'Shaughnessy Foundation's top state is Illinois, with 22% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were Minnesota (21%) and Colorado (16%). The most frequent recipient cities were Saint Paul, MN (15 grants), Chicago, IL (11 grants), Minneapolis, MN (10 grants) and Denver, CO (10 grants).
Does I a O'Shaughnessy Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 20% of I a O'Shaughnessy Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (22 of 110) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Lawrence M. O'Shaughnessy Memorial Grant" (5 grants) and "Membership" (4 grants).
Who are I a O'Shaughnessy Foundation's largest grantees?
I a O'Shaughnessy Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include University of Notre Dame Du Lac ($442,145 across 7 grants), Uchicago Impact ($300,000) and Montessori Training Center of Minnesota Inc ($256,437 across 9 grants), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 2 grants to individuals ($321,852), which are not listed by name. Together they received 19% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is I a O'Shaughnessy Foundation?
I a O'Shaughnessy Foundation reported $79.7M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $5.9M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $5.7M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does I a O'Shaughnessy Foundation fund?
The foundation’s stated mission is to share the legacy of Ignatius Aloysius O’Shaughnessy for the common good, making grants that enrich communities and improve people’s lives. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from I a O'Shaughnessy Foundation?
The foundation makes grants by invitation only and does not accept unsolicited requests or letters of inquiry. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is I a O'Shaughnessy Foundation's EIN?
I a O'Shaughnessy Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 41-6011524. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does I a O'Shaughnessy Foundation 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
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 15, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 4, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 13, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 11, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 12, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). I a O'Shaughnessy Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved November 6, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/i-a-o-shaughnessy-foundation-morg_c9cc52bc72a146859a1e321e237729cb
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_416011524_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{I a O'Shaughnessy Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/i-a-o-shaughnessy-foundation-morg_c9cc52bc72a146859a1e321e237729cb},
note = {Accessed 2026-11-06. 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 I a O'Shaughnessy 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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