James W O'Brien Foundation Inc
James W O'Brien Foundation Inc is a private foundation based in North Andover, Massachusetts. Its 2024 filing reports grants to charitable organizations, including colleges, schools, and community organizations.
James W O'Brien Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: James W O'Brien Foundation Inc gave $737K across 17 grants in 2024 (avg $43K), mostly in Massachusetts. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $736,730
- -0.6% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 17
- +1600.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $43,337
- -94.2% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $15,000
- Total assets
- $22,477,997
- +7.2% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Massachusetts (93% 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 James W O'Brien Foundation Inc
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and states that it contributes only to preselected charitable organizations.
- Contact
Mailing address: 807 Turnpike Street, North Andover, MA 01845-6131
Phone: (978) 686-6112
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who James W O'Brien Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Merrimack College ($256K). Together the top 10 received $707K.
Grant Size Distribution
22 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 14 grants of 22 (64%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2024 filing’s grant-dollar distribution by recipient state was Massachusetts 93%, Pennsylvania 5%, and New Hampshire 3%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 17 itemized grants.
Cities
How James W O'Brien Foundation Inc gives
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (−15%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 116% 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 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $737K (2024) to $922K (2022). In 2024 it made 17 grants totaling $737K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Merrimack College North Andover, MA | Charitable Purposes | $255,575 |
| Boston College High School Boston, MA | Charitable Purposes | $150,000 |
| St Mary's High School Lynn, MA | Charitable Purposes | $125,000 |
| Lynn English High School Lynn, MA | Charitable Purposes | $61,849 |
| Girls Inc of Lynn Lynn, MA | Charitable Purposes | $30,000 |
| Central Catholic High School Lawrence, MA | Charitable Purposes | $25,000 |
| The Augustinian Fund Villanova, PA | Charitable Purposes | $20,000 |
| Suffolk University Law School Boston, MA | Charitable Purposes | $20,000 |
| Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law Villanova, PA | Charitable Purposes | $15,000 |
| St Michael's Parish Today's Masses North Andover, MA | Charitable Purposes | $5,006 |
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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 | $22,477,997 | $1,240,605 | $1,178,328 | $736,730 | 17 | $1,232,857 | $1,087,893 | $1,064,196 |
| 2023 | $20,959,147 | $698,472 | $1,003,799 | $740,953 | 1 | $1,069,756 | $556,037 | $1,001,720 |
| 2022 | $20,233,975 | $1,223,673 | $1,391,769 | $921,993 | 1 | $1,137,961 | $1,074,008 | $1,035,812 |
| 2021 | $22,933,323 | $1,164,384 | $1,116,103 | $862,257 | 2 | $1,130,954 | $1,013,391 | $1,078,799 |
| 2020 | $20,650,600 | $608,461 | $1,070,983 | $827,445 | 1 | — | $471,232 | $944,568 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, James W O'Brien Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $1.1M 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
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants include support for educational institutions and community organizations. Merrimack College describes itself as a Catholic Augustinian institution offering undergraduate, professional, and graduate programs. Nashua Children's Home says it provides residential care and educational services to area children who cannot live at home or attend public schools. Lower Cape Outreach Council says it provides immediate assistance and encourages long-term self-sufficiency.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the foundation reported 17 grants totaling $736,730. Grant amounts ranged from $2,300 to $255,575, with a median of $15,000.
Largest reported grants included $255,575 to Merrimack College, $150,000 to Boston College High School, $125,000 to St Mary's High School, $61,849 to Lynn English High School, and $30,000 to Girls Inc of Lynn. Each was listed for “charitable purposes.” Other reported grants included $25,000 to Central Catholic High School, $20,000 each to The Augustinian Fund and Suffolk University Law School, and $15,000 to Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists John Braga, Carolyn McInnis, McInnis Family Office, Christopher Hopey, and Rardy Pena as trustees.
James W O'Brien Foundation Inc's 2024 filing lists 5 officers; 4 of 5 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Christopher Hopey
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$4K (2020) → $6K (2024)
Carolyn McInnis
Trustee
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
$3K (2021) → $6K (2024)
John Braga
Trustee
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
$7K (2022) → $0 (2024)
McInnis Family Office
Trustee
On filings since 2023
10 hrs/week
$87K (2023) → $83K (2024)
Rardy Pena
Trustee
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
$3K (2023) → $6K (2024)
Former officers (3)
- Former: Marybeth McInnis (2020–2022) — Trustee
- Former: James J. McInnis (2020–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Thomas Strangie (2020) — Trustee
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.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $83K, to McInnis Family Office (Trustee). 4 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about James W O'Brien Foundation Inc
How much does James W O'Brien Foundation Inc give each year?
James W O'Brien Foundation Inc gave $737K across 17 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $741K across 1 grant.
What is James W O'Brien Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
James W O'Brien Foundation Inc's median grant in 2024 was $15,000, and its average grant was $43,337, across 17 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does James W O'Brien Foundation Inc give grants?
James W O'Brien Foundation Inc gives mostly in Massachusetts: 93% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Lynn, MA (4 grants), Nashua, NH (4 grants), North Andover, MA (2 grants) and Boston, MA (2 grants).
Who are James W O'Brien Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
James W O'Brien Foundation Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Merrimack College ($255,575), Boston College High School ($150,000) and St Mary's High School ($125,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 72% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is James W O'Brien Foundation Inc?
James W O'Brien Foundation Inc reported $22.5M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $1.2M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $1.1M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does James W O'Brien Foundation Inc fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants include support for educational institutions and community organizations. Merrimack College describes itself as a Catholic Augustinian institution offering undergraduate, professional, and graduate programs. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from James W O'Brien Foundation Inc?
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and states that it contributes only to preselected charitable organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is James W O'Brien Foundation Inc's EIN?
James W O'Brien Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 04-3528495. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does James W O'Brien Foundation Inc 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 2020–2024
Live grants for the work James W O'Brien Foundation Inc funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
- Nixa Affiliate Grantmaking Program Up to US $10,000 · Due October 19, 2026
- Community and School Grants $28,000 total pool; 10-15 grants expected · Due October 19, 2026
- Mary Pinola/Crescenta Valley Chamber Education Fund $500 - $5,000 for ongoing programs; up to $15,000 for Strategic Initiative Grants · Due October 19, 2026
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in James W O'Brien Foundation Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). James W O'Brien Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 18, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/james-w-o-brien-foundation-inc-morg_78f7434455fe40bd9ed9836e18405e21
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_043528495_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{James W O'Brien Foundation Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/james-w-o-brien-foundation-inc-morg_78f7434455fe40bd9ed9836e18405e21},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-18. 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 James W O'Brien Foundation Inc'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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