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.
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)
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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
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 |
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
250 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Lake George Land Conservancy ($700,000), Habitat for Humanity (morris) ($550,000), Morristown Medical Center Foundation ($500,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ALZHEIMER'S ASSOCIATION FLORHAM PARK, NJ | TO FURTHER ADVANCE THE ORGANIZATIONS CHARITABLE PURPOSE | $7,500 |
| AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY MORRISTOWN, NJ | TO FURTHER ADVANCE THE ORGANIZATIONS CHARITABLE PURPOSE | $30,000 |
| AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION GLEN ALLEN, VA | TO FURTHER ADVANCE THE ORGANIZATIONS CHARITABLE PURPOSE | $7,500 |
| AMERICAN LUNG ASSOCIATION CHICAGO, IL | TO FURTHER ADVANCE THE ORGANIZATIONS CHARITABLE PURPOSE | $7,500 |
| AMERICAN RED CROSS - DISASTER RELIEF FAIRFIELD, NJ | TO FURTHER ADVANCE THE ORGANIZATIONS CHARITABLE PURPOSE | $210,000 |
| ANDEAN HEALTH & DEVELOPMENT CAROL STREAM, IL | TO FURTHER ADVANCE THE ORGANIZATIONS CHARITABLE PURPOSE | $100,000 |
| ARTHRITIS FOUNDATION ATLANTA, GA | TO FURTHER ADVANCE THE ORGANIZATIONS CHARITABLE PURPOSE | $7,500 |
| AVIDD COMMUNITY SERVICES (BETHEL RIDGE CORPORATION) DENVILLE, NJ | TO FURTHER ADVANCE THE ORGANIZATIONS CHARITABLE PURPOSE | $7,500 |
| BONNIE BRAE LIBERTY CORNER, NJ | TO FURTHER ADVANCE THE ORGANIZATIONS CHARITABLE PURPOSE | $175,000 |
| CASA OF MORRIS & ESSEX COUNTIES MORRISTOWN, NJ | TO FURTHER ADVANCE THE ORGANIZATIONS CHARITABLE PURPOSE | $150,000 |
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 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.
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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