Michael E Murphy Foundation
The Michael E Murphy Foundation is a private foundation based in Chicago, Illinois, established in 1986. It operates as a grantmaking organization with a focus on charitable purposes.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$4.1M
-9.1% YoY
Annual Giving
$614K
+29.2% YoY
Grant Count
25
-3.8% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$25K
+34.4% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Michael E Murphy Foundation reported a distributable amount of $579K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Grantmaking
The foundation made 18 grants in 2024, with grant amounts ranging from $1,000 to $100,000. The median grant size is $15,000. Recent grantees include Boston College ($100,000), Big Shoulders Fund ($75,000), Immaculate Conception Church ($57,500), and Northwestern Memorial Foundation.
Grant Range
is $15,000. Recent grantees include Boston College ($100,000), Big Shoulders Fund ($75,000), Immaculate Conception Church ($57,500), and Northwestern Memorial Foundation.
Ready to take the next step with Michael E Murphy Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of December 2024:
- Total Assets: $4,135,365
- Total Revenues: $204,992
- Total Expenses: $620,024
- Investment Income and Dividends: $201,627
- Number of Employees: 0
The foundation ranks in the top 10% of foundations by asset size nationally.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $4,135,365 | $4,550,397 | $3,455,235 |
| Revenue | $204,992 | $1,583,444 | $475,852 |
| Expenses | $620,024 | $488,282 | $446,997 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $613,500 | $474,720 | $445,220 |
| Net Investment Income | $200,704 | $160,830 | $275,852 |
| Distributable Amount | $579,426 | $465,361 | $432,143 |
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
111 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Boston College ($100,000), Big Shoulders Fund ($75,000), Immaculate Conception Church ($57,500).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ANNUAL CATHOLIC APPEAL CHICAGO, IL | CHARITABLE PURPOSE | $25,000 |
| ASCENSION CATHOLIC SCHOOL OAK PARK, IL | CHARITABLE PURPOSE | $15,000 |
| ASCENSION CHURCH CHICAGO, IL | CHARITABLE PURPOSE | $15,000 |
| BIG SHOULDERS FUND CHICAGO, IL | CHARITABLE PURPOSE | $75,000 |
| BOSTON COLLEGE CHESTNUT HILL, MA | CHARITABLE PURPOSE | $100,000 |
| CATHOLIC THEOLOGICAL UNION CHICAGO, IL | CHARITABLE PURPOSE | $25,000 |
| CHICAGO SHAKESPEARE THEATER CHICAGO, IL | CHARITABLE PURPOSE | $12,000 |
| GOOD SPORT BRAINTREE, MA | CHARITABLE PURPOSE | $3,000 |
| HIGH JUMP CHICAGO, IL | CHARITABLE PURPOSE | $6,000 |
| IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CHURCH CHICAGO, IL | CHARITABLE PURPOSE | $57,500 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The foundation's board consists of:
- Leslie M Barker (President/Director)
- Adele A Murphy (Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Director)
- Glenn S Murphy (Director)
- Christopher M Murphy (Director)
All board members serve without compensation and on a volunteer basis.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ADELE A MURPHY | VP, SEC., TREAS., DIRECTOR | — | — |
| LESLIE M BARKER | PRESIDENT/DIRECTOR | — | — |
| GLENN S MURPHY | DIRECTOR | — | — |
| CHRISTOPHER M MURPHY | DIRECTOR | — | — |
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply for a grant from Michael E Murphy Foundation?
The foundation made 18 grants in 2024, with grant amounts ranging from $1,000 to $100,000. The median grant size is $15,000. Recent grantees include Boston College ($100,000), Big Shoulders Fund ($75,000), Immaculate Conception Church ($57,500), and Northwestern Memorial Foundation. The foundation operates on a preselected basis only and does not accept unsolicited applications for funds. Prospective grantees should note this limitation when considering whether to approach the foundation.
What size grants does Michael E Murphy Foundation award?
In 2024, Michael E Murphy Foundation awarded 25 grants totaling $614K — an average of about $25K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Michael E Murphy Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Michael E Murphy Foundation reported a distributable amount of $579K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Michael E Murphy Foundation's EIN?
Michael E Murphy Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-3436624. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Michael E Murphy Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
Green and Blue Foundation
CHICAGO, IL
Assets
—
Grants
3
Total Given
$51K
Above and Beyond Daycare Center
FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS, IL
Assets
—
Grants
0
Total Given
—
Primo Center for Women & Children
CHICAGO, IL
Assets
$9.7M
Grants
1
Total Given
$35K
RHS Foundation
MOLINE, IL
Assets
$1.1M
Grants
37
Total Given
$342K
Rose Lafferty Educational Fund Xxxxx9006
CHICAGO, IL
Assets
$3.4M
Grants
1
Total Given
$228K
The John Crerar Foundation
CHICAGO, IL
Assets
$991K
Grants
1
Total Given
$35K
Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with Michael E Murphy Foundation 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 Michael E Murphy Foundation to a real strategy.