Murphy's Backpacks Inc
Murphy's Backpacks Inc is a private foundation focused on Education, based in Chicago, IL. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $473K in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 3 grants totaling $61K. Net investment income was $16K.
Murphy's Backpacks Inc at a glance
In short: Murphy's Backpacks Inc gave $61K across 3 grants in 2024 (avg $20K), mostly in Florida. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $61,223
- +6.8% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 3
- -25.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $20,408
- +42.4% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $20,350
- Total assets
- $472,583
- -1.2% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Florida (68% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who Murphy's Backpacks Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 3 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Shadowlawn Elementary School - Miami-Dade County School System ($21K). Together the top 3 received $61K.
Grant Size Distribution
16 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 16 grants of 16 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 3 itemized grants.
Cities
How Murphy's Backpacks Inc gives
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (−11%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 266% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $30K (2020) to $69K (2021). In 2024 it made 3 grants totaling $61K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Shadowlawn Elementary School - Miami-Dade County School System Miami, FL | General Purposes | $21,071 |
| Palmetto Elementary School - Collier County School System Naples, FL | General Purposes | $20,350 |
| Joseph Lovett Elementary School - Chicago Public Schools Chicago, IL | General Purposes | $19,802 |
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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 | $472,583 | $59,760 | $65,726 | $61,223 | 3 | $63,362 | $15,761 | $23,818 |
| 2023 | $478,549 | $38,452 | $61,972 | $57,311 | 4 | $58,721 | $5,015 | $24,086 |
| 2022 | $502,069 | $336,808 | $55,734 | $51,134 | 3 | $52,377 | — | $13,803 |
| 2021 | $220,995 | $37,856 | $73,026 | $68,753 | 3 | $70,216 | — | $11,831 |
| 2020 | $256,165 | $37,216 | $32,730 | $29,955 | 3 | — | — | $12,630 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Murphy's Backpacks Inc reported a distributable amount of $24K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Murphy's Backpacks Inc is led by Jean E. Sheridan, President & Director on every filing since 2020; none of the 6 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Jean E. Sheridan
President & Director
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Abigail Sheridan
Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Andrew S. Cobb
Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Cristina Persico
Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Emily Link
Vice President, Treasurer & Director
Treasurer & Director → Vice President, Treasurer & Director, 2021
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
John F. Cobb
Secretary & Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
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.
Frequently asked questions about Murphy's Backpacks Inc
How much does Murphy's Backpacks Inc give each year?
Murphy's Backpacks Inc gave $61K across 3 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $57K across 4 grants.
What is Murphy's Backpacks Inc's typical grant size?
Murphy's Backpacks Inc's median grant in 2024 was $20,350, and its average grant was $20,408, across 3 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Murphy's Backpacks Inc give grants?
Murphy's Backpacks Inc gives mostly in Florida: 68% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Illinois (32%).
Does Murphy's Backpacks Inc give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Murphy's Backpacks Inc's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (3 of 3) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
How large is Murphy's Backpacks Inc?
Murphy's Backpacks Inc reported $473K in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $63K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $24K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What is Murphy's Backpacks Inc?
Murphy's Backpacks Inc is a private foundation focused on Education, based in Chicago, IL. It holds $473K in total assets as of 2024.
What is Murphy's Backpacks Inc's EIN?
Murphy's Backpacks Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 82-3616959. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Murphy's Backpacks Inc funds
Education Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
- Creative Impact Grants $500 - $2,500 · Due October 19, 2026
- Community and School Grants $28,000 total pool; 10-15 grants expected · Due October 19, 2026
- Mary Pinola/Crescenta Valley Chamber Education Fund $500 - $5,000 for ongoing programs; up to $15,000 for Strategic Initiative Grants · Due October 19, 2026
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Murphy's Backpacks Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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