October Mountain Foundation Inc
October Mountain Foundation Inc is a private family foundation established in December 2015 by Carol Davis and Dr. Joel Marcus. Based in Lynbrook, New York, the foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to philanthropic grantmaking. The foundation has experienced significant growth since its inception, with total assets expanding from $4.5 million in 2021 to approximately $29.9 million by 2024.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$29.9M
+46.3% YoY
Annual Giving
$2.3M
+5.4% YoY
Grant Count
42
-4.5% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$55K
+10.5% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, October Mountain Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $1.2M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's grantmaking focuses on education, human services, philanthropy and voluntarism, with particular emphasis on human rights, social justice, addiction and substance abuse, and mental health. The foundation dedicates approximately 96% of its expenses to charitable disbursements, demonstrating a strong commitment to grantmaking efficiency.
Grantmaking
The foundation does not accept unsolicited funding requests. Grants are made exclusively to preselected charitable organizations through an invitation-only process.
Grant Range
$5,000 to $500,000
Average Grant
$64,100
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation funds nationally, with particular emphasis on New York, Massachusetts, California, and Washington.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Metric | Amount | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $29,876,263 | 2024 |
| Total Giving | $2,304,500 | 2024 |
| Total Revenue | $12,009,966 | 2024 |
| Total Expenses | $2,554,533 | 2024 |
| Total Liabilities | $0 | 2023 |
The foundation's growth has been fueled primarily by contributions from its founders. Investment income and dividends contributed $632,649 in 2024.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $29,876,263 | $20,420,830 | $22,041,446 |
| Revenue | $12,009,966 | $718,616 | $19,846,405 |
| Expenses | $2,554,533 | $2,341,340 | $2,328,516 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $2,443,838 | $2,278,392 | $2,315,006 |
| Net Investment Income | $1,696,110 | $656,468 | $115,615 |
| Distributable Amount | $1,217,893 | $1,121,486 | $252,498 |
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
151 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include The Hawkins Project ($500,000), Center for Reproductive Rights ($250,000), Fistula Foundation ($150,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| AUSTEN RIGGS CENTER STOCKBRIDGE, MA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $100,000 |
| CAMP FRIENDSHIP BROOKLYN, NY | GENERAL SUPPORT | $30,000 |
| CARE FOR THE HOMELESS NEW YORK, NY | GENERAL SUPPORT | $100,000 |
| CENTER FOR REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS NEW YORK, NY | GENERAL SUPPORT | $250,000 |
| CHESS IN THE SCHOOLS NEW YORK, NY | GENERAL SUPPORT | $100,000 |
| CHIPS BROOKLYN, NY | GENERAL SUPPORT | $75,000 |
| CITY HARVEST BROOKLYN, NY | GENERAL SUPPORT | $52,500 |
| CONSTRUCT INC GREAT BARRINGTON, MA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $30,000 |
| ELIZABETH FREEMAN CENTER PITTSFIELD, MA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $30,000 |
| EVERGREEN TREATMENT SERVICES SEATTLE, WA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $15,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The foundation operates with a lean organizational structure and no paid staff. The board of trustees consists of six members who serve without compensation:
- Carol Davis – Trustee and President
- Joel I Marcus – Trustee and Treasurer
- Timothy B Peters – Trustee and Secretary
Dr. Joel Marcus is the Executive Chairman and Founder of Alexandria Real Estate Equities, a leading life science real estate company, which informs the foundation's interest in health-related causes.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| CAROL DAVIS | TRUSTEE AND PRESIDENT | 0.5 | — |
| JOEL I MARCUS | TRUSTEE AND TREASURER | 0.5 | — |
| JACOB MARGOLIS | TRUSTEE | 0.75 | — |
| LEILA MARGOLIS | TRUSTEE | 0.75 | — |
| KATHERINE MALONE | TRUSTEE | 0.5 | — |
| MICHAEL MCGINNIS | TRUSTEE | 0.5 | — |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does October Mountain Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation's grantmaking focuses on education, human services, philanthropy and voluntarism, with particular emphasis on human rights, social justice, addiction and substance abuse, and mental health. The foundation dedicates approximately 96% of its expenses to charitable disbursements, demonstrating a strong commitment to grantmaking efficiency.
How do I apply for a grant from October Mountain Foundation Inc?
**Grant Activity:** • Annual giving: Approximately $2.3 million (2024) • Number of grants: 36-42 grants annually • Grant range: $5,000 to $500,000 • Median grant size: $25,000-$28,000 • Average grant size: $64,100 **Application Process:** The foundation does not accept unsolicited funding requests. Grants are made exclusively to preselected charitable organizations through an invitation-only process. **Recent Grantees (2024):** • The Hawkins Project: $500,000 • Center for Reproductive Rights: $…
Where does October Mountain Foundation Inc make grants?
The foundation funds nationally, with particular emphasis on New York, Massachusetts, California, and Washington.
What size grants does October Mountain Foundation Inc award?
In 2024, October Mountain Foundation Inc awarded 42 grants totaling $2.3M — an average of about $55K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is October Mountain Foundation Inc required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, October Mountain Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $1.2M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is October Mountain Foundation Inc's EIN?
October Mountain Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 47-4442570. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in October Mountain Foundation Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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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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