Robert & Joan Dircks Foundation Inc
The Robert & Joan Dircks Foundation is a private family foundation established in 1991 and headquartered in Dunstable, Massachusetts. The foundation was originally created as the Joan M. Dircks Foundation by Robert J. Dircks and his five children (Robert, Thomas, Joan, William, and Carolyn) following the death of Robert's wife, Joan, from cancer in 1990. After Robert's death in 1996, the foundation's name was changed to include both Robert and Joan. Over its 30-year history, the foundation has awarded more than 1,664 grants totaling over $13.3 million.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$15.5M
+11.2% YoY
Annual Giving
$805K
+6.1% YoY
Grant Count
105
+6.1% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$8K
+0.1% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Robert & Joan Dircks Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $759K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The mission of the Robert & Joan Dircks Foundation is to support small non-profit organizations that enrich and improve the quality of life for individuals. The foundation encourages innovative programs and projects that benefit and improve the lives of children and individuals who are physically, mentally, or economically disadvantaged.
Primary funding areas include:
- Education
- Human Services
- Food assistance and hunger relief
- Scholarships
- Disability assistance and special needs support
- Housing assistance
- Medical research
- Veteran's assistance
- Environmental programs
- Advocacy for abused and neglected children
- Women's empowerment and education
Grantmaking
The foundation accepts applications, though specific deadline information is not detailed in available sources. Interested organizations can contact the foundation directly for application guidelines.
Grant Range
$500–$25,000
Review Cycle
information is not detailed in available sources. Interested organizations can contact the foundation directly for application guidelines.
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily serves the New Jersey area, though it also funds organizations in Massachusetts and New York.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2023–2024:
- Total assets: $13,967,360–$15,529,095
- Total annual giving: $802,009–$804,500
- Total revenue: $321,900
- Total expenses: $868,022
- Number of employees: 1
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $15,529,095 | $13,967,360 | $12,688,307 |
| Revenue | $326,014 | $321,900 | $279,848 |
| Expenses | $959,237 | $868,022 | $889,394 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $866,133 | $802,009 | $786,108 |
| Net Investment Income | $236,025 | $255,650 | $176,564 |
| Distributable Amount | $759,254 | $659,431 | $713,580 |
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
250 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Robert & Joan Dircks Foundation Inc
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Adler Aphasia Center ($25,000), Emmanuel Cancer Foundation ($20,000), Happiness Is Camping ($15,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| A MOMENT OF MAGIC FOUNDATION WHITE PLAINES, NY | STUDENT LEADER TRAINING | $10,000 |
| ACADEMY OF CLINICAL & APPLIED PSYCHOLOGY LIVINGSTON, NJ | JOINING FORCES PROGRAM | $10,000 |
| ACADEMY OF ST JOSEPH NEW YORK, NY | SCHOOL FUNDING | $5,000 |
| ADLER APHASIA CENTER MAYWOOD, NJ | CAREGIVER SUPPORT VIRTUAL THERAPEUTIC PROGRAMMING | $25,000 |
| ALZHEIMER'S ASSOCIATION CHICAGO, IL | SUPPORT THE ACCELERATING RESEARCH FOR ALZHEIMER'S | $12,000 |
| APHASIA ACCESS ALEXANDRIA, VA | ADVOCATING FOR PROFESSIONALS TO DELIVER PERSONALIZED SERVICES FOR PEOPLE WITH APHASIA | $10,000 |
| ARTISTIC REALIZATION TECHNOLOGIES BELLE MEAD, NJ | AID THOSE WHO LACK USE OF HANDS TO PERFECT THEIR ART MAKING PROCESSES | $5,000 |
| BERGEN VOLUNTEER MEDICAL INITIATIVE HACKENSACK, NJ | FREE MENTAL SUPPORT FOR WORKING, LOW-INCOME PATIENTS OF BERGEN VOLUNTEER MEDICAL INITIATIVE | $10,000 |
| BRYN MAWR REHAB HOSPITAL FOUNDATION MALVERN, PA | REHAB HOSPITAL | $10,000 |
| CAMP HOLIDAY TRAILS CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA | CAMP FOR CHILDREN WITH MEDICAL NEEDS | $5,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The foundation is governed by a board of trustees consisting of the founder's children:
- Robert E. Dircks – Trustee (10 hours/week)
- Thomas C. Dircks – Trustee
- Joan Walsh – Trustee (10 hours/week)
- Carolyn Van Riper – Trustee (15 hours/week)
- William C. Dircks – Trustee
The foundation operates with limited paid staffing.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ROBERT E DIRCKS | TRUSTEE | 10 | $28,750 |
| THOMAS C DIRCKS | TRUSTEE | — | — |
| JOAN WALSH | TRUSTEE | 10 | $31,250 |
| CAROLYN VAN RIPER | TRUSTEE | 15 | $65,544 |
| WILLIAM C DIRCKS | TRUSTEE | — | — |
Contact Information
Phone: (978) 449-0072
Address: P.O. Box 559, Dunstable, MA 01827
Website: www.dircksfoundation.org
Email: contact@dircksfoundation.org
EIN: 22-3135737
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Robert & Joan Dircks Foundation Inc fund?
The mission of the Robert & Joan Dircks Foundation is to support small non-profit organizations that enrich and improve the quality of life for individuals. The foundation encourages innovative programs and projects that benefit and improve the lives of children and individuals who are physically, mentally, or economically disadvantaged. Primary funding areas include: • Education • Human Services • Food assistance and hunger relief • Scholarships • Disability assistance and special needs support
How do I apply for a grant from Robert & Joan Dircks Foundation Inc?
**Grant Characteristics:** • Typical grant range: $500–$25,000 • Median grant amount: $5,000–$6,250 • The foundation concentrates on small nonprofit organizations and prefers programs that focus on preventing or solving problems rather than funding operational needs **Recent Activity:** • Made 82–112 grants in recent years • Total giving in 2023: $802,009–$804,500 • Giving rate: 6.0% **Application Process:** The foundation accepts applications, though specific deadline information is not detail…
Where does Robert & Joan Dircks Foundation Inc make grants?
The foundation primarily serves the New Jersey area, though it also funds organizations in Massachusetts and New York.
What size grants does Robert & Joan Dircks Foundation Inc award?
In 2024, Robert & Joan Dircks Foundation Inc awarded 105 grants totaling $805K — an average of about $8K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Robert & Joan Dircks Foundation Inc required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Robert & Joan Dircks Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $759K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Robert & Joan Dircks Foundation Inc's EIN?
Robert & Joan Dircks Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 22-3135737. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Robert & Joan Dircks 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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