Irene C Shea Foundation
The Irene C Shea Foundation is a private foundation established in 1993 and based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It operates as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization with a focus on general support grantmaking to nonprofit organizations.
Key facts about Irene C Shea Foundation
In short: Irene C Shea Foundation gave $1.2M across 32 grants in 2025 (avg $37K), mostly in Pennsylvania. 13% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- EIN
- 25-6410108
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025
- Annual giving (2025)
- $1,190,000
- Grants made (2025)
- 32
- Average grant
- $37,188
- Median grant
- $25,000
- New grantees (estimate)
- 13% first-time grantees (4 of 32, 2025)
- Total assets
- $22,589,449
- Primary geography
- Pennsylvania (97% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
Quick answers about Irene C Shea Foundation
How much does Irene C Shea Foundation give each year?
Irene C Shea Foundation gave $1.2M across 32 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $1.2M across 30 grants.
What is Irene C Shea Foundation's typical grant size?
Irene C Shea Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $25,000, and its average grant was $37,188, across 32 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Irene C Shea Foundation that year got $10K on average.
Where does Irene C Shea Foundation give grants?
Irene C Shea Foundation gives mostly in Pennsylvania: 97% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Pittsburgh, PA (26 grants).
Does Irene C Shea Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Irene C Shea Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (32 of 32) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Irene C Shea Foundation's largest grantees?
Irene C Shea Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Carlow University ($159,000), Women's Center & Shelter of Greater ($100,000) and Pennsylvania Organization for Wo ($75,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 28% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
Is Irene C Shea Foundation open to new grantees?
13%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 4 of 32 grantees (13%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $10K; repeat grants $41K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $25K repeat.
- 84% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+14%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 93% 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 (2020–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Next steps with Irene C Shea Foundation
- How to evaluate Irene C Shea Foundation as a funder
Our grant prospecting guide: read the 990-PF, check fit, and decide whether to apply.
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Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$22.6M
+1.8% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.2M
+2.6% YoY
Grant Count
32
+6.7% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$37K
-3.8% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Irene C Shea Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.5M for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's primary funding interests include:
- Education
- Science and STEM education
- Human Services
- Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking
Grantmaking
The foundation made 25 grants in fiscal year 2025, with total giving of $1,190,000.
Grant Range
s:**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Illinois.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 32 itemized 2025 grant dollars.
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of Fiscal Year Ending July 2025:
- Total Assets: $22,589,449
- Total Revenue: $2,079,061
- Total Expenses: $1,685,908
- Net Income: $393,153
- Total Liabilities: $0
- Number of Employees: 1
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $22,589,449 | $22,198,634 | $16,156,138 |
| Revenue | $2,079,061 | $7,520,471 | $1,947,821 |
| Expenses | $1,685,908 | $1,475,223 | $1,434,876 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $1,352,296 | $1,288,343 | $1,337,649 |
| Net Investment Income | $1,858,405 | $7,357,168 | $1,855,187 |
| Distributable Amount | $1,453,570 | $1,226,245 | $1,205,244 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
Grant Size Distribution
132 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| CARLOW UNIVERSITY Pittsburgh, PA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $159,000 |
| WOMEN'S CENTER & SHELTER OF GREATER Pittsburgh, PA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $100,000 |
| PENNSYLVANIA ORGANIZATION FOR WO Pittsburgh, PA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $75,000 |
| EAST LIBERTY FAMILY HEALTH CARE Pittsburgh, PA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $75,000 |
| Coalition for Christian Outreach Pittsburgh, PA | GENERAL PURPOSE | $65,000 |
| Angel's Place Pittsburgh, PA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $60,000 |
| THE PITTSBURGH PROJECT Pittsburgh, PA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $50,000 |
| East End Cooperative Ministry Pittsburgh, PA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $50,000 |
| KIDSVOICE Pittsburgh, PA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $50,000 |
| HOLY FAMILY INSTITUTE Pittsburgh, PA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $50,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
PNC Bank NA serves as Trustee of the foundation.
Irene C Shea Foundation's 2025 filing lists 3 officers; all 3 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Susan Hickey
Co-Trustee
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
$25K (2020) → $35K (2025)
PNC Bank NA
Co-Trustee
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
$178K (2023) → $229K (2025)
Elizabeth J. Beck
Co-Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
5 hrs/week
$29K (2025)
Former officers (1)
- Former: Thomas J. Hickey (2020–2024) — Co-Trustee
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
Contact Information
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Irene C Shea Foundation fund?
The foundation's primary funding interests include: • Education • Science and STEM education • Human Services • Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking
How do I apply for a grant from Irene C Shea Foundation?
**Grant Activity:** The foundation made 25 grants in fiscal year 2025, with total giving of $1,190,000. **Grant Sizes:** Typical awards range from $7,000 to $159,000. **Recent Grantees (FY 2025):** • Carlow University: $159,000 (General Support) • Women's Center and Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh: $100,000 (General Support) • East Liberty Family Health Care Center: $75,000 (General Support) • The Center for Theater Arts: $18,425 (General Support) The foundation provides general support funding t…
How much is Irene C Shea Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2025, Irene C Shea Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.5M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Irene C Shea Foundation's EIN?
Irene C Shea Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 25-6410108. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
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Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.