Ohrstrom Foundation Inc

Private foundation · Grantmaker Harrison, NY EIN: 54-6039966

Ohrstrom Foundation Inc is a private foundation based in Harrison, New York. Its 2021 filing reports 50 grants totaling nearly $11 million, including grants to charitable organizations working in areas such as conservation, environmental protection, health care, and food assistance.

Ohrstrom Foundation Inc at a glance

In short: Ohrstrom Foundation Inc gave $11.0M across 50 grants in 2021 (avg $220K), mostly in Massachusetts. Source: 2021 IRS Form 990-PF.

Annual giving (2021)
$10,978,172
Grants made (2021)
50
Average grant
$219,563
Median grant
$50,000
Total assets
$68,660,105
Primary geography
Massachusetts (83% of itemized 2021 grant dollars)
Latest 990 filing
Form 990-PF, 2021 View filing

Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2021; updated October 2026.

How to apply to Ohrstrom Foundation Inc

Accepts unsolicited proposals
No
How to Apply

The foundation stated that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. This information is from its final-return filing and should not be read as a current application process.

Contact

Mailing address: 500 Mamaroneck Avenue, Harrison, NY 10528
Phone: (212) 286-2600

Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.

Who Ohrstrom Foundation Inc funds

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2021

Vanguard Charitable: $9.1M across 4 grantsVanguard Charitable$9.1M · 4 grantsAct for Lebanon: $100KAct for Lebanon$100KWorld Central Kitchen: $100K across 2 grantsWorld Central Kitchen$100K · 2 grantsThe 5 Gyres Institute: $80KThe 5 Gyres Institute$80KMaliasili Initiatives Inc: $75KMaliasili Initiatives Inc$75KRainforest Trust: $75KRainforest Trust$75KSmithsonian Institution - Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute: $75KSmithsonian Institution -Smithsonian Conservation…$75KSouthern Environmental Law Center: $75KSouthern Environmental LawCenter$75KOcean Conservancy: $70K across 2 grantsOcean Conservancy$70K · 2 grantsConscious Alliance: $60K across 2 grantsConscious Alliance$60K · 2 grants

The largest 2021 recipient was Vanguard Charitable ($9.1M across 4 grants). Together the top 10 received $9.8M.

Grant Size Distribution

50 grants across all recorded years

24<$50K22$50–100K1$100–250K$250–500K$500K–1M3$1–5M$5M+

The most common grant size was under $50K: 24 grants of 50 (48%).

Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

In 2021, Massachusetts recipients received 83% of grant dollars, followed by Virginia (5%), the District of Columbia (4%), New York (2%), and California (1%).

Grant Distribution by State

15states

Share of 2021 grant dollars across all 50 itemized grants.

Cities

WashingtonBostonNew YorkMinneapolisBoulderWarrentonAlbuquerqueArlingtonAshevilleBaltimoreBoyceBozemanBreaCallawayCharlottesvilleCorvallisDoverEssex JunctionFront RoyalJenkintown

Giving History

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$5M$10M$15M50 grants2021

In 2021 it made 50 grants totaling $11.0M.

Grants by year

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
Vanguard Charitable Boston, MABryant Crane Fund$3,043,474
Vanguard Charitable Boston, MAHopewell Fund$3,043,474
Vanguard Charitable Boston, MASalmson Fund$3,043,474
Act for Lebanon Scarsdale, NYSupport for Arcenciel and Nusaned$100,000
The 5 Gyres Institute Los Angeles, CAGeneral Operating Support$80,000
Maliasili Initiatives Inc Essex Junction, VTMara Conservancies Emergency Support Fund$75,000
Rainforest Trust Warrenton, VAGeneral Support$75,000
Smithsonian Institution - Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute Front Royal, VACo-Existence Program Across the Greater Mara Ecosystem$75,000
Southern Environmental Law Center Charlottesville, VAClean & Fair Energy Future for VA$75,000
Dementiamatters Boyce, VAA Walk in the World of Dementia Program$58,750
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Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Figures from IRS filings, by filing year
Filing yearTotal AssetsRevenueExpensesGrants paidGrantsNet Investment IncomeDistributable Amount
2021$68,660,105$7,060,438$11,519,149$10,978,17250$6,962,148$5,424,333

Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Ohrstrom Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $5.4M for 2021 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.

Mission & Focus Areas

No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2021 grants show support for organizations with varied missions. For example, 5 Gyres says it works to empower action against plastic pollution through science, education, and advocacy; Rainforest Trust says it protects wildlife and the planet by creating rainforest reserves; and the Southern Environmental Law Center says it works to protect clean air, clean water, a livable climate, and the region’s natural resources.

Other 2021 recipients included organizations serving people in need: Blue Ridge Area Food Bank says it distributes food through a network of providers and programs, while Fauquier Free Clinic says it offers medical, dental, and mental health care to residents lacking appropriate alternatives.

Grantmaking

In 2021, the foundation reported 50 grants totaling $10,978,172. Grant amounts ranged from $9,000 to $3,043,474, with a median of $50,000. Three grants of $3,043,474 each went to Vanguard Charitable for the Bryant Crane Fund, Hopewell Fund, and Salmson Fund.

Other reported grants included $100,000 to Act for Lebanon for support for Arcenciel and Nusaned; $80,000 to The 5 Gyres Institute for general operating support; $75,000 each to Maliasili Initiatives for the Mara Conservancies Emergency Support Fund, Rainforest Trust for general support, the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute for a coexistence program across the Greater Mara Ecosystem, and the Southern Environmental Law Center for a clean and fair energy future for Virginia; and $55,000 to Ocean Conservancy for work with local governments in Florida.

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

The 2021 filing listed W. Carey Crane III, Kristiane C. Graham, and Clarke Ohrstrom as vice presidents and directors; Mark J. Ohrstrom as treasurer; Jennifer L. Franklin as secretary; Richard Mittenthal as assistant secretary/treasurer; and Winifred O. Nichols, Christopher F. Ohrstrom, and George L. Ohrstrom II as directors.

Ohrstrom Foundation Inc's 2021 filing lists 9 officers; none of the 9 officers listed in 2021 report compensation.

Officers on the 2021 filing

  • Christopher F. Ohrstrom

    Director

    New on the 2021 filing

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Clarke Ohrstrom

    Vice President & Director

    New on the 2021 filing

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • George L. Ohrstrom II

    Director

    New on the 2021 filing

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Kristiane C. Graham

    Vice President & Director

    New on the 2021 filing

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Wcarey Crane III

    Vice President & Director

    New on the 2021 filing

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Winifred O. Nichols

    Director

    New on the 2021 filing

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Jennifer L. Franklin

    Secretary

    New on the 2021 filing

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Mark J. Ohrstrom

    Treasurer

    New on the 2021 filing

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Richard Mittenthal

    Assistant Secretary & Treasurer

    New on the 2021 filing

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021. "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 Ohrstrom Foundation Inc

How much does Ohrstrom Foundation Inc give each year?

Ohrstrom Foundation Inc gave $11.0M across 50 grants in 2021, according to its 2021 IRS Form 990-PF.

What is Ohrstrom Foundation Inc's typical grant size?

Ohrstrom Foundation Inc's median grant in 2021 was $50,000, and its average grant was $219,563, across 50 grants on its 2021 IRS Form 990-PF.

Where does Ohrstrom Foundation Inc give grants?

Ohrstrom Foundation Inc gives mostly in Massachusetts: 83% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2021 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Virginia (5%). The most frequent recipient cities were Washington, DC (11 grants), Boston, MA (4 grants), New York, NY (4 grants) and Minneapolis, MN (3 grants).

Does Ohrstrom Foundation Inc give general operating support?

Yes: 38% of Ohrstrom Foundation Inc's 2021 grants with a stated purpose (19 of 50) were for general or operating support, per its 2021 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Covid Relief" (4 grants) and "Support for Beirut" (3 grants).

Who are Ohrstrom Foundation Inc's largest grantees?

Ohrstrom Foundation Inc's largest 2021 grantees include Vanguard Charitable ($9,139,422 across 4 grants), Act for Lebanon ($100,000) and World Central Kitchen ($100,000 across 2 grants), according to its 2021 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 85% of its itemized 2021 grant dollars.

How large is Ohrstrom Foundation Inc?

Ohrstrom Foundation Inc reported $68.7M in total assets on its 2021 IRS Form 990-PF. Its revenue that year was $7.1M.

What does Ohrstrom Foundation Inc fund?

No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2021 grants show support for organizations with varied missions. See mission & focus areas ↑

How do I apply for a grant from Ohrstrom Foundation Inc?

The foundation stated 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 Ohrstrom Foundation Inc required to give away each year?

Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2021, Ohrstrom Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $5.4M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

What is Ohrstrom Foundation Inc's EIN?

Ohrstrom Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 54-6039966. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021.

Does Ohrstrom Foundation Inc 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

  1. IRS filings on file for fiscal year 2021

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Figures come from Ohrstrom Foundation Inc'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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