Oceanfirst Foundation
OceanFirst Foundation is a private foundation based in Toms River, New Jersey. It supports nonprofit organizations serving communities in its footprint, with funding priorities that include health and wellness, housing, quality of life, youth development and education, economic stability, and higher education.
Oceanfirst Foundation at a glance
In short: Oceanfirst Foundation gave $1.6M across 425 grants in 2025 (avg $4K), mostly in New Jersey. 40% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $1,574,670
- +2.6% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 425
- -35.8% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $3,705
- +59.8% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $2,200
- Total assets
- $6,145,481
- -30.5% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 40% first-time grantees (108 of 271, 2025)
- Primary geography
- New Jersey (85% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Oceanfirst Foundation
- How to Apply
-
The foundation does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. It advises prospective applicants to review program information and contact the foundation to discuss whether a project fits its guidelines and which grant program may be appropriate. Requests must be submitted through its online grant portal with required supporting documents. Organizations new to the foundation, with leadership changes, or seeking to show their work may request an optional site visit; site visits are not required. Applicants should connect early, particularly if applying for the first time. Eligibility generally requires qualified 501(c)(3) status and service within the foundation’s footprint; the website says organizations outside the service area or not previously funded should confirm eligibility before applying. Prior grantees must have up-to-date Use of Funds Reports. Applicants must meet New Jersey charitable-registration requirements, and any required certified annual audit should be provided. The foundation excludes, among other categories, individuals, research, political causes and lobbying, sports teams and leagues, and primarily religious programs. Its website also states that organizations engaging in discrimination on listed protected grounds are ineligible.
- Review Cycle
- Deadlines vary by funding program.
- Deadline
- Deadlines vary by funding program.
- Contact
Application contact: Katherine B Durante Executive Direc
Mailing address: 975 Hooper Ave, Toms River, NJ 08753
Phone: (732) 341-4676
Email: info@oceanfirstfdn.org
Website: https://oceanfirstfdn.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
5 open opportunities from Oceanfirst Foundation
General Operating / Flexible Support Grants
Oceanfirst Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Home Runs for Heroes Grants
Oceanfirst Foundation
Amount
More than US $1,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
JOIN! Grants
Oceanfirst Foundation
Amount
Up to US $2,500
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who Oceanfirst Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Georgian Court University ($55K). Together the top 10 received $282K.
Organizations only. It also paid 1 individual scholarship ($25,000), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
2,605 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 2,598 grants of 2,605 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s website identifies a 12-county New Jersey service area: Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean, Somerset, and Union counties. Organizations outside this area, or organizations not previously funded, are advised to contact the foundation to confirm eligibility. In 2025, 85% of grant dollars went to New Jersey recipients, 8% to Pennsylvania, 6% to New York, and 1% to Virginia; the share to the District of Columbia was reported as 0%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 425 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Oceanfirst Foundation open to new grantees?
40%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 108 of 271 grantees (40%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $5K; repeat grants $6K. How we count
Medians: $3K first-time, $6K repeat.
- 47% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (−16%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 386% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2019–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $1.5M (2024) to $2.7M (2020). In 2025 it made 425 grants totaling $1.6M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Georgian Court University Lakewood, NJ | 2025 Scholarship Program | $55,000 |
| 1 individual scholarship Recipients not named | — | $25,000 |
| Brookdale Community College Foundation Lincroft, NJ | 2025 Scholarship Program | $25,000 |
| Monmouth University W Long Branch, NJ | 2025 Scholarship Program | $25,000 |
| Ocean County College Foundation Toms River, NJ | 2025 Scholarship Program | $25,000 |
| Rowan College of South Jersey Sewell, NJ | 2025 Scholarship Program | $25,000 |
| Rowan University Foundation Glassboro, NJ | 2025 Scholarship Program | $25,000 |
| Stockton University Galloway, NJ | 2025 Scholarship Program | $25,000 |
| The College of New Jersey Foundation Ewing, NJ | 2025 Scholarship Program | $25,000 |
| Operation Warm Glen Mills, PA | Operation Warm Project | $17,500 |
Ready to take the next step with Oceanfirst Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $6,145,481 | $636,887 | $2,508,333 | $1,574,670 | 425 | $2,503,333 | $563,529 | $648,534 |
| 2024 | $8,841,927 | $685,828 | $2,513,921 | $1,534,866 | 662 | $2,490,002 | $676,110 | $707,833 |
| 2023 | $10,650,020 | $876,492 | $3,123,858 | $2,388,355 | 669 | $3,094,667 | $863,891 | $739,115 |
| 2022 | $10,875,786 | $1,974,319 | $2,507,537 | $1,873,187 | 542 | $2,483,901 | $1,968,451 | $944,708 |
| 2021 | $11,280,604 | $2,224,716 | $2,324,110 | $1,716,843 | 307 | $2,282,537 | $2,211,718 | $1,044,803 |
| 2020 | $12,214,998 | $1,701,839 | $3,184,113 | $2,675,251 | 552 | — | $1,697,189 | $983,556 |
| 2019 | $12,762,272 | $2,427,804 | $2,977,387 | $2,442,643 | 574 | — | $2,423,204 | $1,432,778 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Oceanfirst Foundation reported a distributable amount of $649K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s stated mission is to empower nonprofits to think bigger, solve more problems, and make life better in the neighborhoods served by OceanFirst Bank.
Its website identifies priorities including advancing economic stability and mobility; supporting housing solutions; improving health and wellness; empowering the next generation; and investing in higher education. Examples of supported work include workforce training, affordable housing and homelessness prevention, access to healthcare and mental health services, food security, youth mentoring and enrichment, and scholarships.
The 2025 filing lists scholarship-program grants to colleges and universities, including Georgian Court University, an individual recipient Community College, Brookdale Community College, Monmouth University, Ocean County College, Rowan College of South Jersey, Rowan University, Stockton University, and The College of New Jersey. The grantees’ descriptions include providing scholarships and educational support: for example, Brookdale Community College Foundation Trust says its mission is to help students achieve their dream of earning a college degree, while Ocean County College Foundation says it provides student scholarships, awards, loans, and community programs. The filing also lists a grant to Operation Warm, whose stated mission includes providing coats, shoes, and other basic-need support to children.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation reported 425 grants totaling $1,574,670. Grant amounts ranged from $50 to $55,000, with a median of $2,200. The largest listed award was $55,000 to Georgian Court University for its 2025 scholarship program. Eight other colleges and universities received $25,000 each for scholarship programs. Other listed awards included $17,500 to Operation Warm for its project and $10,000 each to Count Basie Center for the Arts and Hackensack Meridian Health Foundation as board matching gifts.
The foundation’s website describes several funding opportunities. Its scholarship program provides grants to partner colleges and universities to award scholarships; the 2025 program description named nine partner schools and stated that awards were for students’ direct educational expenses. A Summer Camp Grants description offered support for nonprofit camp providers to provide scholarships of up to $250 per child; the description was last updated in January 2026 and should not be treated as a current application cycle. The website also describes general operating or flexible support grants. New applicants for that opportunity are instructed to set up a 10-minute call before applying.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Christopher D. Maher as president and chairman; Michael J. Fitzpatrick as treasurer; and Katherine B. Durante as secretary and executive director. Directors listed are John F. Barros, James M. Bollerman, Jack M. Farris, Kimberly Guadagno, Esq., Lori S. Herndon, Joseph M. Kyrillos, and Joseph J. LeBel.
Oceanfirst Foundation is led by Katherine B. Durante, Secretary & Executive Director on every filing since 2019; 1 of 19 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Katherine B. Durante
Secretary & Executive Director
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$229K (2019) → $264K (2025)
Christopher D. Maher
President & Chairman
On filings since 2019
1.8 hrs/week
No compensation reported
David C. Wintrode
Director
On filings since 2019
1.8 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Diane F. Rhine
Director
On filings since 2019
1.8 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Grace C. Torres
Director
On filings since 2019
1.8 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jack M. Farris
Director
On filings since 2019
1.8 hrs/week
No compensation reported
John E. Walsh
Director
On filings since 2019
1.8 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Joseph M. Kyrillos Jr.
Director
On filings since 2019
1.8 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Judith Leone
Director
On filings since 2019
1.8 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Robert A. Previti
Director
On filings since 2019
1.8 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Samuel R. Young
Director
On filings since 2019
1.8 hrs/week
No compensation reported
James M. Bollerman
Director
On filings since 2020
1.8 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Joseph M. Murphy Jr.
Director
On filings since 2020
1.8 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Robin Zager
Director
On filings since 2020
1.8 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kimberly M. Guadagno Esq.
Director
On filings since 2021
1.8 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Joseph J. Lebel III
Director
On filings since 2022
1.8 hrs/week
No compensation reported
John F. Barros
Director
On filings since 2023
1.8 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lori S. Herndon
Director
On filings since 2024
1.8 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Michael J. Fitzpatrick
Treasurer
On filings since 2019
1.8 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (13)
- Former: Angelo J. Catania (2019–2023) — Director
- Former: Anthony R. Coscia (2019–2023) — Director
- Former: Donald E. McLaughlin (2019–2023) — Director
- Former: Grace M. Vallachi (2019–2023) — Director
- Former: John R. Garbarino (2019–2023) — Director
- Former: John K. Lloyd (2019–2022) — Director
- Former: David W. Wolfe (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: Michael D. Devlin (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: Msgr Casimir H. Ladzinski (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: William Moss (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Kim Guadagno (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Anita M. Kneeley (2019) — Director
- Former: Steven E. Brady (2019) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $264K, to Katherine B Durante (Secretary/Executive Director).
Frequently asked questions about Oceanfirst Foundation
How much does Oceanfirst Foundation give each year?
Oceanfirst Foundation gave $1.6M across 425 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $1.5M across 662 grants.
What is Oceanfirst Foundation's typical grant size?
Oceanfirst Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $2,200, and its average grant was $3,705, across 425 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Oceanfirst Foundation that year got $5K on average.
Where does Oceanfirst Foundation give grants?
Oceanfirst Foundation gives mostly in New Jersey: 85% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were Pennsylvania (8%) and New York (6%). The most frequent recipient cities were Rye Brook, NY (39 grants), Toms River, NJ (34 grants), New York, NY (28 grants) and Philadelphia, PA (16 grants).
Does Oceanfirst Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 27% of Oceanfirst Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (114 of 425) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Employee Matching Gift" (86 grants), "Board Matching Gift" (77 grants) and "2025 Summer Camp Grant" (37 grants).
Who are Oceanfirst Foundation's largest grantees?
Oceanfirst Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Georgian Court University ($55,000), Ocean County College Foundation ($32,500 across 3 grants) and Rowan College of South Jersey ($32,000 across 2 grants), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 1 individual scholarship ($25,000), which are not listed by name. Together they received 8% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Oceanfirst Foundation?
Oceanfirst Foundation reported $6.1M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $2.5M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $649K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Oceanfirst Foundation fund?
The foundation’s stated mission is to empower nonprofits to think bigger, solve more problems, and make life better in the neighborhoods served by OceanFirst Bank. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Oceanfirst Foundation?
The foundation does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Oceanfirst Foundation's EIN?
Oceanfirst Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 22-3465454. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 5, 2025)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 13, 2026)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS June 18, 2020)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 6, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS April 28, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS April 28, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 3, 2024)
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Oceanfirst Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 8, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/oceanfirst-foundation-morg_05937de5c67e4d01851c365fbe800706
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_223465454_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Oceanfirst Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/oceanfirst-foundation-morg_05937de5c67e4d01851c365fbe800706},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-08. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Oceanfirst Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
Oceanfirst Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?