Margaret a Darrin Charitable Trust
The Margaret A Darrin Charitable Trust is a private foundation established in 2015 in Florham Park, New Jersey. The trust was created following the vision and generosity of Margaret "Peggy" Darrin (1924-2017), who passed away at age 92. As a significant private foundation, the trust focuses on providing transformative funding to organizations whose missions support the basic needs of local communities.
Key facts about Margaret a Darrin Charitable Trust
- EIN
- 47-6723443
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $6,905,000
- Grants made (2024)
- 61
- Average grant
- $113,197
- Median grant
- $25,000
- New grantees (estimate)
- 15% first-time grantees (9 of 61, 2024)
- Total assets
- $111,338,164
- Primary geography
- New Jersey (79% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
Who Margaret a Darrin Charitable Trust funds
By grant dollars, the top recipient states for Margaret a Darrin Charitable Trust's 61 itemized 2024 grants were New Jersey (79%) and New York (18%). The most frequent recipient cities were Morristown, NJ (8 grants), Florham Park, NJ (5 grants), New York, NY (5 grants) and Atlanta, GA (3 grants). None of its 61 grants with a stated purpose were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "To Further Advance the Organizations Charitable Purpose" (61 grants).
Is Margaret a Darrin Charitable Trust open to new grantees?
15%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 9 of 61 grantees (15%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $93K; repeat grants $117K. How we count
Medians: $25K first-time, $18K repeat.
- 85% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (−4%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 106% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized IRS Form 990-PF grant lists (2020–2024). 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 Margaret a Darrin Charitable Trust
- How to evaluate Margaret a Darrin Charitable Trust as a funder
Our grant prospecting guide: read the 990-PF, check fit, and decide whether to apply.
- Draft an LOI to Margaret a Darrin Charitable Trust with AI
AI grant writing that drafts from your organization’s own materials, in your voice.
- Track this opportunity in a free grant tracker
A free Google Sheets or Excel template for deadlines, award terms, and reports due.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$111.3M
-0.1% YoY
Annual Giving
$6.9M
+1.1% YoY
Grant Count
61
+7.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$113K
-5.5% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Margaret a Darrin Charitable Trust reported a distributable amount of $7.2M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The trust's mission, as articulated by trustee Michael Hanifin, is "to empower and transform the lives of people in our community who find themselves unexpectedly overwhelmed in extraordinarily adverse circumstances."
Primary funding focus areas include:
- Education
- Healthcare
- Human Services
- Addiction and Substance Abuse
- Community Development
- Food Pantries
- Historic Buildings
- Environmental Conservation
Margaret Darrin was a firm believer in education as a gateway to success and maintained a lifelong commitment to conservation, particularly around Lake George where she honeymooned in 1948.
Grantmaking
The trust operates as a private foundation making discretionary grants with no limitations on awards. The trust does not maintain a public website or publicly listed contact information, and decision timelines are not publicly disclosed.
Grant Range
** $235,000 - $2.5 million (known grants)
Ready to take the next step with Margaret a Darrin Charitable Trust?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The trust primarily focuses on New Jersey, with particular emphasis on Morris County. The trust also maintains funding focus on the Lake George, New York region, reflecting Margaret Darrin's personal connection to the area.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 61 itemized 2024 grant dollars.
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2023-2024:
- Total Assets: $111.3 - $111.4 million
- Annual Giving: $6.8 - $7.6 million
- Total Revenues (2023): $6,332,365
- Total Expenses (2023): $8,518,368
Tax-Exempt Status: 501(c)(3) private foundation, tax-exempt since March 2015
EIN: 47-6723443
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $111,338,164 | $111,406,537 | $113,605,031 |
| Revenue | $8,738,672 | $6,332,365 | $5,202,984 |
| Expenses | $8,796,476 | $8,518,368 | $10,734,511 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $7,611,307 | $7,527,806 | $9,548,364 |
| Net Investment Income | $7,665,936 | $5,363,275 | $3,544,608 |
| Distributable Amount | $7,193,735 | $6,531,293 | $6,836,239 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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 2024
Grant Size Distribution
287 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest recipients include Lake George Land Conservancy ($700,000), Habitat for Humanity (Morris) ($550,000), Morristown Medical Center Foundation ($500,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| LAKE GEORGE LAND CONSERVANCY Bolton Landing, NY | TO FURTHER ADVANCE THE ORGANIZATIONS CHARITABLE PURPOSE | $700,000 |
| HABITAT FOR HUMANITY (MORRIS) Randolph, NJ | TO FURTHER ADVANCE THE ORGANIZATIONS CHARITABLE PURPOSE | $550,000 |
| MORRISTOWN MEDICAL CENTER FOUNDATION Morristown, NJ | TO FURTHER ADVANCE THE ORGANIZATIONS CHARITABLE PURPOSE | $500,000 |
| SEEING EYE Morristown, NJ | TO FURTHER ADVANCE THE ORGANIZATIONS CHARITABLE PURPOSE | $500,000 |
| CROSSROADS FOR HOPE Bedminster, NJ | TO FURTHER ADVANCE THE ORGANIZATIONS CHARITABLE PURPOSE | $500,000 |
| EVA'S VILLAGE Paterson, NJ | TO FURTHER ADVANCE THE ORGANIZATIONS CHARITABLE PURPOSE | $450,000 |
| SUMMIT SPEECH SCHOOL New Providence, NJ | TO FURTHER ADVANCE THE ORGANIZATIONS CHARITABLE PURPOSE | $400,000 |
| TRI-COUNTY SCHOLARSHIP FUND Mendham, NJ | TO FURTHER ADVANCE THE ORGANIZATIONS CHARITABLE PURPOSE | $375,000 |
| CENTER FOR EVALUATION & COUNSELING Parsippany, NJ | TO FURTHER ADVANCE THE ORGANIZATIONS CHARITABLE PURPOSE | $250,000 |
| CENTER FOR GREAT EXPECTATIONS Somerset, NJ | TO FURTHER ADVANCE THE ORGANIZATIONS CHARITABLE PURPOSE | $250,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Michael T. Hanifin - Co-Trustee
- Kevin J. O'Donnell - Co-Trustee
The trust operates with 3 employees.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 IRS filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Michael T Hanifin | Co-Trustee | 30 | $340,000 |
| Kevin J O'Donnell | Co-Trustee | 15 | $170,000 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
Crossroads4Hope received a $1.5 million grant from the Margaret A Darrin Charitable Trust in recent activity. The trust has also supported Atlantic Health Morristown Medical Center's emergency department expansion campaign and has been involved in funding initiatives supporting Habitat for Humanity in the Morris County area.
Margaret A. Darrin Charitable Trust - Grant Information & Application ...Contact Information
Address: 120 Columbia Turnpike, Florham Park, NJ 07932
Telephone: 973-822-2905
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Margaret a Darrin Charitable Trust fund?
The trust's mission, as articulated by trustee Michael Hanifin, is "to empower and transform the lives of people in our community who find themselves unexpectedly overwhelmed in extraordinarily adverse circumstances." Primary funding focus areas include: • Education • Healthcare • Human Services • Addiction and Substance Abuse • Community Development • Food Pantries • Historic Buildings • Environmental Conservation Margaret Darrin was a firm believer in education as a gateway to success and mai…
How do I apply for a grant from Margaret a Darrin Charitable Trust?
**Grant Range:** $235,000 - $2.5 million (known grants) **Recent Major Grants (2023):** • Lake George Land Conservancy: $700,000 • The Seeing Eye: $675,000 • Eva's Village: $625,000 The trust operates as a private foundation making discretionary grants with no limitations on awards. The trust does not maintain a public website or publicly listed contact information, and decision timelines are not publicly disclosed.
Where does Margaret a Darrin Charitable Trust make grants?
The trust primarily focuses on New Jersey, with particular emphasis on Morris County. The trust also maintains funding focus on the Lake George, New York region, reflecting Margaret Darrin's personal connection to the area.
What size grants does Margaret a Darrin Charitable Trust award?
In 2024, Margaret a Darrin Charitable Trust awarded 61 grants totaling $6.9M — an average of about $113K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Margaret a Darrin Charitable Trust required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Margaret a Darrin Charitable Trust reported a distributable amount of $7.2M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Margaret a Darrin Charitable Trust's EIN?
Margaret a Darrin Charitable Trust's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 47-6723443. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Margaret a Darrin Charitable Trust's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation Inc
Princeton, NJ
Assets
$83.3M
Grants
144
Total Given
$67.7M
American Express Foundation
New York, NY
Assets
$48.9M
Grants
1,495
Total Given
$23.2M
Community Foundation of New Jersey
Morristown, NJ
Assets
$1.0B
Grants
1,321
Total Given
$93.8M
Verizon Foundation
Basking Ridge, NJ
Assets
$23.8M
Grants
5,464
Total Given
$7.0M
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
Princeton, NJ
Assets
$13.4B
Grants
3,093
Total Given
$622.6M
Crane Fund for Widows and Children
Englewood Cliffs, NJ
Assets
—
Grants
985
Total Given
$4.5M
Oceanfirst Foundation
Toms River, NJ
Assets
$8.8M
Grants
662
Total Given
$1.5M
The Hyde and Watson Foundation
Warren Township, NJ
Assets
$88.2M
Grants
611
Total Given
$6.1M
Princeton Area Community Foundation Inc
Princeton, NJ
Assets
$279.6M
Grants
515
Total Given
$31.3M
Columbia Bank Foundation
Fair Lawn, NJ
Assets
$44.8M
Grants
410
Total Given
$1.9M
The Pfizer Foundation Inc
New York, NY
Assets
$255.3M
Grants
9,306
Total Given
$23.2M
Jpmorgan Chase Foundation
New York, NY
Assets
$1.2B
Grants
10,334
Total Given
$202.5M
More Funders in New Jersey
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.