Odyssey Group Foundation
The Odyssey Group Foundation is a private foundation based in Stamford, Connecticut, established in 2007 to support charitable organizations in communities where Odyssey Group employees live and work. Odyssey Group says it sets aside 2% of its pre-tax earnings for charitable purposes and that the Foundation and its business affiliates have pledged more than $100 million to over 600 charities worldwide since the Foundation’s inception.
Odyssey Group Foundation at a glance
In short: Odyssey Group Foundation gave $2.8M across 16 grants in 2024 (avg $178K), mostly in Connecticut. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $2,842,333
- -28.1% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 16
- +1500.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $177,646
- -95.5% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $75,000
- Primary geography
- Connecticut (57% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026.
How to apply to Odyssey Group Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The Foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
- Contact
Mailing address: 300 First Stamford Place, Stamford, CT 06902-6765
Phone: (203) 977-8000
Website: https://odysseygroup.com
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Odyssey Group Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Stamford Health System Inc ($1.0M). Together the top 10 received $2.7M.
Grant Size Distribution
156 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 119 grants of 156 (76%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, grant dollars were distributed among recipients in Connecticut (57%), New York (20%), Washington (18%), Illinois (2%), and California (1%). The Foundation also describes its charitable giving as supporting organizations around the world.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 16 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Odyssey Group Foundation gives
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (−16%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out well above 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 $2.2M (2022) to $4.0M (2023). In 2024 it made 16 grants totaling $2.8M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Stamford Health System Inc Stamford, CT | Construction of Emergency and Trauma Center | $1,000,000 |
| University of Washington Foundation Seattle, WA | Unrestricted Grants for Operating Costs | $500,000 |
| Americares Free Clinics Inc Stamford, CT | Unrestricted Grants for Operating Costs | $300,000 |
| Ronald McDonald House New York Inc New York, NY | Unrestricted Grants for Operating Costs | $225,000 |
| Americares Foundation Inc Stamford, CT | Unrestricted Grants for Operating Costs | $200,000 |
| Mt Sinai Icahn School New York, NY | Unrestricted Grants for Operating Costs | $187,333 |
| Futures 5 Inc Stamford, CT | Unrestricted Grants for Operating Costs | $100,000 |
| American Friends of the Ocean Cleanup Foundation New York, NY | Unrestricted Grants for Operating Costs | $100,000 |
| Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Rye Brook, NY | Unrestricted Grants for Operating Costs | $50,000 |
| St Baldrick's Foundation Inc Monrovia, CA | Unrestricted Grants for Operating Costs | $40,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Odyssey Group Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | — | $2,842,333 | $2,842,333 | $2,842,333 | 16 | $2,842,333 | $1,667 |
| 2023 | $2,500 | $3,955,000 | $3,955,000 | $3,955,000 | 1 | $3,955,000 | $13,645 |
| 2022 | — | $2,155,000 | $2,155,000 | $2,155,000 | 17 | $2,155,000 | $21 |
| 2021 | — | $3,400,000 | $3,400,000 | $3,400,000 | 83 | $3,400,000 | $5,120 |
| 2020 | — | $2,725,000 | $2,725,000 | $2,725,000 | 39 | — | $10,076 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Odyssey Group Foundation reported a distributable amount of $2K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Foundation describes its purpose as giving back to the communities where Odyssey Group employees live and work. Its stated “Good Works” include health and medical services, cancer research, food and shelter, community and human services, education, and disaster relief.
The organizations it supported in 2024 illustrate a range of work. Stamford Health, Inc. says its mission is to support Stamford Hospital and Stamford Health Medical Group. The University of Washington Foundation says it facilitates private contributions for the benefit of the university. Ronald McDonald House of New York says it supports pediatric patients with cancer and other complex illnesses and their families. Other 2024 recipients include St. Baldrick’s Foundation, which supports research into cures for childhood cancers, and Bartlett Arboretum Association, which cultivates trees, gardens, and plants and promotes environmental education and stewardship.
Grantmaking
The 2024 filing reports 16 grants totaling $2,842,333. Grant amounts ranged from $15,000 to $1,000,000, with a median of $75,000. The largest reported grants included $1,000,000 to Stamford Health System, Inc. for construction of an emergency and trauma center; $500,000 to the University of Washington Foundation; $300,000 to Americares Free Clinics, Inc.; and $225,000 to Ronald McDonald House New York, Inc. The latter three grants were listed for unrestricted operating costs.
The Foundation’s website describes short- and long-term grants at the corporate level and a biennial Employee Nomination Campaign through which employees can help support charities. Its 2023 annual report also described a $1.5 million pledge over three years to the University of Washington Foundation for the Kelsey Dickson Team Science Courage Research Award.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Odyssey Group Foundation is led by Brandon W. Sweitzer, Director & Chairperson since 2022 (on filings since 2020); none of the 7 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Brandon W. Sweitzer
Director & Chairperson
Directorchairperson → Director Chairperson, 2021
Director Chairperson → Director & Chairperson, 2022
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
V. Prem Watsa
Director
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Brian D. Young
Director
New on the 2024 filing
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Alane R. Cary
Grants Review Officer
Grant Officer → Grants Review Officer, 2022
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kirk M. Reische
Assistant Secretary
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Dina G. Daskalakis
Secretary
On filings since 2023
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Richard F. Coerver IV
Treasurer
On filings since 2023
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (4)
- Former: Andrew A. Barnard (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: V. Prem Warsa (2023) — Director
- Former: Jan Christiansen (2020–2022) — Treasurer
- Former: Peter H. Lovell (2020–2022) — Secretary
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 Odyssey Group Foundation
How much does Odyssey Group Foundation give each year?
Odyssey Group Foundation gave $2.8M across 16 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $4.0M across 1 grant.
What is Odyssey Group Foundation's typical grant size?
Odyssey Group Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $75,000, and its average grant was $177,646, across 16 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Odyssey Group Foundation give grants?
Odyssey Group Foundation gives mostly in Connecticut: 57% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were New York (20%) and Washington (18%). The most frequent recipient cities were Stamford, CT (5 grants) and New York, NY (3 grants).
Does Odyssey Group Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 94% of Odyssey Group Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (15 of 16) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Odyssey Group Foundation's largest grantees?
Odyssey Group Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Stamford Health System Inc ($1,000,000), University of Washington Foundation ($500,000) and Americares Free Clinics Inc ($300,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 63% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
What does Odyssey Group Foundation fund?
The Foundation describes its purpose as giving back to the communities where Odyssey Group employees live and work. Its stated “Good Works” include health and medical services, cancer research, food and shelter, community and human services, education, and disaster relief. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Odyssey Group Foundation?
The Foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
How much is Odyssey Group Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Odyssey Group Foundation reported a distributable amount of $2K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Odyssey Group Foundation's EIN?
Odyssey Group Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-8493704. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Odyssey Group Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Odyssey Group Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 12, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/odyssey-group-foundation-morg_271dbdea439e4d4daed9d336fb9ac557
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_208493704_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Odyssey Group Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/odyssey-group-foundation-morg_271dbdea439e4d4daed9d336fb9ac557},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-12. 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 Odyssey Group 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.
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