Messner Foundation Inc
Messner Foundation Inc is a private 501(c)(3) grantmaking foundation established in 2007 and based in Northfield, New Jersey. The foundation operates as a family foundation with a board of trustees and focuses on philanthropic giving across multiple states.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$5.0M
-9.3% YoY
Annual Giving
$742K
+28.0% YoY
Grant Count
38
+2.7% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$20K
+24.6% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Messner Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $393K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's primary areas of interest include:
- Human services
- Health, including hospitals
- Education
- Children and youth
- Community development
- Philanthropy, voluntarism, and grantmaking
Grantmaking
The foundation accepts applications from nonprofit organizations. Specific application deadlines and procedures are available through direct inquiry.
Grant Range
$250–$200,000
Average Grant
amount: Varies by year
Review Cycle
and procedures are available through direct inquiry.
How to Apply
**
Ready to take the next step with Messner Foundation Inc?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily supports nonprofit organizations in New Jersey, with additional funding activity in Pennsylvania, Virginia, New York, and other states. Specific cities where funding has been directed include Atlantic City, Philadelphia, and Virginia Beach.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets & Revenue (2024):
- Total assets: $5,038,453
- Total revenue: $435,705
- Total expenses: $952,349
- Investment income and dividends: $239,240
- Net gain from sale of non-inventory assets: $241,293
Assets & Revenue (2023):
- Total assets: $5,555,097
- Total revenue: $481,523
- Total expenses: $778,191
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $5,038,453 | $5,555,097 | $5,853,675 |
| Revenue | $435,705 | $481,523 | $183,005 |
| Expenses | $952,349 | $778,191 | $722,377 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $868,233 | $703,994 | $639,734 |
| Net Investment Income | $360,589 | $408,338 | $100,362 |
| Distributable Amount | $393,442 | $373,862 | $408,924 |
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
206 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include St Jude's Children's Hospital ($200,000), University of Pennsylvania ($200,000), Covenant House New Jersey Inc ($45,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Atlantic Christian School Egg Harbor Township, NJ | Support cause | $5,000 |
| Atlantic City Rescue Mission Atlantic City, NJ | Support cause | $25,000 |
| Beacon Animal Rescue Oceanview, NJ | Support cause | $2,500 |
| Big Brothers Big Sisters of Atlantic & Cape May Counties Northfield, NJ | Support cause | $2,500 |
| CASA for Children of Atlantic & Cape May Counties Somers Point, NJ | Support cause | $5,000 |
| Community Food Bank of New Jersey Hillside, NJ | Support cause | $20,000 |
| Corbin City Baptist Church Corbin City, NJ | Support cause | $10,000 |
| Covenant House New Jersey Inc Newark, NJ | Support cause | $45,000 |
| Deborah Hospital Foundation Brown Mills, NJ | Support cause | $10,000 |
| Families of Autistic Children in Tidewater Virginia Beach, VA | Support cause | $2,500 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The foundation's board includes:
- Harold Messner (trustee, non-compensated)
- Elaine Messner (trustee, non-compensated)
- Leslie Kohler (compensated trustee)
- Brenda Cacossa (compensated trustee)
- Laura Sampson (compensated trustee)
- Richard King Jr (listed in contact information)
The foundation operates with 3 employees.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harold Messner | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Elaine Messner | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Leslie Kohler | Trustee | 8 | $50,000 |
| Brenda Cacossa | Trustee | 8 | $50,000 |
| Laura Sampson | Trustee | 8 | $50,000 |
Contact Information
Address: 2600 New Rd, Northfield, NJ 08225-1413
Telephone: 609-904-5653
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Messner Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation's primary areas of interest include: • Human services • Health, including hospitals • Education • Children and youth • Community development • Philanthropy, voluntarism, and grantmaking
How do I apply for a grant from Messner Foundation Inc?
**Grant Activity:** • Total giving: $742,471 (most recent year) • Number of grants: 44 grants awarded in recent year • Grant range: $250–$200,000 • Average grant amount: Varies by year • Median grant amount: Data available in IRS filings **Recent Grant Recipients:** • University of Pennsylvania: $200,000 • St. Jude Children's Research Hospital: $100,000 • Covenant House New Jersey: $25,000 **Application Process:** The foundation accepts applications from nonprofit organizations. Specific applic…
Where does Messner Foundation Inc make grants?
The foundation primarily supports nonprofit organizations in New Jersey, with additional funding activity in Pennsylvania, Virginia, New York, and other states. Specific cities where funding has been directed include Atlantic City, Philadelphia, and Virginia Beach.
What size grants does Messner Foundation Inc award?
In 2024, Messner Foundation Inc awarded 38 grants totaling $742K — an average of about $20K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Messner Foundation Inc required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Messner Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $393K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Messner Foundation Inc's EIN?
Messner Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 26-0581765. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Messner Foundation Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
Laborers Intl Union of 472 Hcl
NEWARK, NJ
Assets
$61.5M
Grants
1
Total Given
$179K
The Community Chest of Englewood
ENGLEWOOD, NJ
Assets
$491K
Grants
5
Total Given
$38K
Margaret a Darrin Charitable Trust
FLORHAM PARK, NJ
Assets
$111.3M
Grants
61
Total Given
$6.9M
Anplr Religious Education Inc
PASSAIC, NJ
Assets
$19K
Grants
0
Total Given
—
The William & Phyllis Mack Family
FORT LEE, NJ
Assets
$5.9M
Grants
53
Total Given
$3.2M
New Digital Trade Coalition Ndtc
NORTH BERGEN, NJ
Assets
$300
Grants
0
Total Given
—
Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with Messner Foundation Inc on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
- Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
- Find open RFPs from this funder
- Monitor for new funding opportunities
Go from researching Messner Foundation Inc to a real strategy.