John P Murphy Foundation
The John P. Murphy Foundation is a private foundation based in Cleveland, Ohio. Established in 1960 by attorney and businessman John P. Murphy and his wife, Gladys T. Murphy, it supports charitable, educational, scientific, literary, and religious purposes in the Greater Cleveland area, with emphasis on arts and culture, community, and higher education.
John P Murphy Foundation at a glance
In short: John P Murphy Foundation gave $2.4M across 76 grants in 2024 (avg $32K), mostly in Ohio. 12% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $2,402,000
- -3.3% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 76
- -6.2% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $31,605
- +3.0% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $15,000
- Total assets
- $54,087,314
- +3.4% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 12% first-time grantees (9 of 76, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Ohio (99% 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 John P Murphy Foundation
- Contact
Application contact: Nancy W Mccann President
Mailing address: 1660 West 2Nd Street Suite 800, Cleveland, OH 44113-1461
Phone: (216) 623-4770
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who John P Murphy Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Cleveland Clinic Foundation ($355K). Together the top 10 received $1.4M.
Grant Size Distribution
379 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 314 grants of 379 (83%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s website identifies Cuyahoga County and, to a lesser extent, its contiguous counties as its service area. Its 2024 grant dollars were reported as 99% to Ohio recipients, 1% to Washington recipients, and 1% to New York recipients.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 76 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is John P Murphy Foundation open to new grantees?
12%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 9 of 76 grantees (12%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $15K; repeat grants $34K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $15K repeat.
- 84% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+15%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 141% 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 $2.0M (2022) to $2.5M (2023). In 2024 it made 76 grants totaling $2.4M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Cleveland Clinic Foundation Cleveland, OH | Programmatic Support | $355,000 |
| The Musical Arts Association Cleveland, OH | Programmatic Support | $243,000 |
| Cleveland Institute of Music Cleveland, OH | Programmatic Support | $170,000 |
| Kent State University Foundation Kent, OH | Programmatic Support | $122,500 |
| Cuyahoga Community College Foundation Cleveland, OH | Programmatic Support | $100,000 |
| Greater Cleveland Media Development Corp Cleveland, OH | Programmatic Support | $80,000 |
| The City Club of Cleveland Cleveland, OH | Programmatic Support | $75,500 |
| The Salvation Army Cleveland, OH | Programmatic Support | $75,000 |
| Cleveland Public Theatre Cleveland, OH | Programmatic Support | $70,000 |
| United Way of Greater Cleveland Cleveland, OH | Programmatic Support | $70,000 |
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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 | $54,087,314 | $2,650,144 | $3,757,062 | $2,402,000 | 76 | $3,458,200 | $2,401,164 | $2,457,780 |
| 2023 | $52,308,197 | $1,508,277 | $3,806,988 | $2,484,600 | 81 | $3,501,411 | $1,237,240 | $2,483,498 |
| 2022 | $48,723,097 | $1,172,404 | $3,486,418 | $2,021,000 | 76 | $3,179,294 | $893,519 | $2,615,894 |
| 2021 | $61,449,050 | $8,471,403 | $3,439,704 | $2,094,000 | 74 | $3,023,058 | $8,185,411 | $3,154,615 |
| 2020 | $57,374,482 | $1,931,278 | $3,299,381 | $2,113,000 | 72 | — | $1,664,805 | $2,466,032 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, John P Murphy Foundation reported a distributable amount of $2.5M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation states that it was established to distribute grants for “charitable, educational, scientific, literary and religious purposes” in the Greater Cleveland area. Its website lists programs and services and select capital campaigns as eligible support, and identifies 501(c)(3) tax-exempt corporations in good standing with the IRS as eligible organizations. It focuses on organizations and institutions in Cuyahoga County and, to a lesser extent, its contiguous counties.
Examples of grantees illustrate the range of organizations supported. The Musical Arts Association says the Cleveland Orchestra inspires and enriches lives through musical experiences. The Cleveland Institute of Music says its mission is to empower talented classical music students to fulfill their potential. Kent State University Foundation says it provides private-sector funding and stewardship of gifts to support Kent State University. Cuyahoga Community College Foundation says it advances student success and transforms the lives of those the college serves. Greater Cleveland Media Development Corporation describes work to increase media production and workforce development in Northeast Ohio.
The foundation’s guidelines exclude individuals and for-profit corporations, organizations outside Northeast Ohio, local chapters of national nonprofits, endowments, debt reduction, loans, staff or contractor compensation, and special-event sponsorships or ticket and table purchases. Its Kulas Foundation guidelines also mention music therapy research; those guidelines are for a separate foundation and are not included here.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 76 grants totaling $2,402,000. Grant amounts ranged from $1,000 to $355,000, with a median of $15,000. The largest awards included $355,000 to Cleveland Clinic Foundation, $243,000 to The Musical Arts Association, $170,000 to Cleveland Institute of Music, $122,500 to Kent State University Foundation, and $100,000 to Cuyahoga Community College Foundation. The listed purposes for these awards were programmatic support.
The board customarily meets four times annually to consider requests; the 2024 filing describes meetings as usually quarterly. The website advises organizations, especially those that have not received a grant before, to contact the foundation to determine eligibility and obtain current application forms and instructions. It says the foundation accepts a very limited number of new applicants each year. The 2024 filing’s application instructions call for six copies of the application, copies of tax-exempt certificates, and Treasury Department letters certifying that the applicant is a publicly supported tax-exempt organization and not a private foundation. Applicants are informed of the meeting at which trustees will consider their application and typically receive a decision within two weeks after that meeting. Grants must be spent as approved; funds not used for the approved request must be returned.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Nancy McCann as president, treasurer, and trustee; Lou Grasso as vice president, trustee, and secretary; and Patricia Brownell, Richard J. Clark, John F. O’Brien, Leslie Resnik, and Frederick G. Stueber as vice presidents and trustees. The foundation website identifies Nancy W. McCann as president, Lou Grasso as vice president, and Christine Porter as grants manager.
John P Murphy Foundation is led by Nancy McCann, President, Treasurer & Trustee on every filing since 2020; all 7 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Nancy McCann
President, Treasurer & Trustee
On filings since 2020
20 hrs/week
$300K (2020) → $342K (2024)
Frederick G. Stueber
Vice President & Trustee
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
$39K (2020) → $41K (2024)
John F. O'Brien
Vice President & Trustee
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
$39K (2020) → $41K (2024)
Leslie Resnik
Vice President & Trustee
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
$39K (2020) → $41K (2024)
Patricia Brownell
Vice President & Trustee
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
$39K (2020) → $41K (2024)
Richard J. Clark
Vice President & Trustee
Executive Vice President, Secretary & Trustee → Vice President & Trustee, 2023
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
$249K (2020) → $41K (2024)
Lou Grasso
Vice President, Trustee & Secretary
Vice President & Trustee Starting → Vice President, Trustee & Secretary, 2023
On filings since 2022
20 hrs/week
$10K (2022) → $258K (2024)
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 $342K, to Nancy McCann (Pres/Treas/Trustee). 7 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about John P Murphy Foundation
How much does John P Murphy Foundation give each year?
John P Murphy Foundation gave $2.4M across 76 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $2.5M across 81 grants.
What is John P Murphy Foundation's typical grant size?
John P Murphy Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $15,000, and its average grant was $31,605, across 76 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from John P Murphy Foundation that year got $15K on average.
Where does John P Murphy Foundation give grants?
John P Murphy Foundation gives mostly in Ohio: 99% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Cleveland, OH (52 grants), Shaker Heights, OH (2 grants), Akron, OH (2 grants) and Elyria, OH (2 grants).
Does John P Murphy Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 76 grants with a stated purpose on John P Murphy Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Programmatic Support" (76 grants).
Who are John P Murphy Foundation's largest grantees?
John P Murphy Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Cleveland Clinic Foundation ($355,000), The Musical Arts Association ($243,000) and Cleveland Institute of Music ($170,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 32% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is John P Murphy Foundation?
John P Murphy Foundation reported $54.1M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $3.5M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $2.5M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does John P Murphy Foundation fund?
The foundation states that it was established to distribute grants for “charitable, educational, scientific, literary and religious purposes” in the Greater Cleveland area. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from John P Murphy Foundation?
John P Murphy Foundation has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is John P Murphy Foundation's EIN?
John P Murphy Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 34-6528308. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). John P Murphy Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 10, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/john-p-murphy-foundation-morg_362d5ccf7c8d45299ad6ced802d30f15
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_346528308_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{John P Murphy Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/john-p-murphy-foundation-morg_362d5ccf7c8d45299ad6ced802d30f15},
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 John P Murphy 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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