Robert & Joan Dircks Foundation Inc
The Robert & Joan Dircks Foundation is a private foundation based in Dunstable, Massachusetts. It supports nonprofit organizations, primarily in New Jersey, with programs and projects intended to improve the quality of life of children and individuals who are physically, mentally, or economically disadvantaged.
Key facts about Robert & Joan Dircks Foundation Inc
In short: Robert & Joan Dircks Foundation Inc gave $762K across 88 grants in 2025 (avg $9K), mostly in New Jersey. 28% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- EIN
- 22-3135737
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025
- Annual giving (2025)
- $761,500
- Grants made (2025)
- 88
- Average grant
- $8,653
- Median grant
- $7,500
- New grantees (estimate)
- 28% first-time grantees (24 of 86, 2025)
- Total assets
- $17,262,061
- Primary geography
- New Jersey (57% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- How to apply
- Applicants are directed to review the foundation’s funding guidelines, complete an application, and submit it with the requested information. Full details ↓
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology). Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$17.3M
+11.2% YoY
Annual Giving
$762K
-5.3% YoY
Grant Count
88
-16.2% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$9K
+12.9% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Robert & Joan Dircks Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $842K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Is Robert & Joan Dircks Foundation Inc open to new grantees?
28%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 24 of 86 grantees (28%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $6K; repeat grants $10K. How we count
Medians: $5K first-time, $10K repeat.
- 55% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+6%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 96% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. 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.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s mission is to support nonprofits that enrich and improve quality of life, primarily for people in New Jersey. Its stated focus is on innovative programs and projects benefiting children and individuals who are physically, mentally, or economically disadvantaged.
Its 2025 grants illustrate support for services related to childhood cancer, disability, health, family support, and housing. For example, W.H.Y. M.E. describes its work as providing services to ease the isolation and stress experienced by children and families coping with childhood cancer. Quest Therapeutic Services says it provides pediatric therapy for children with special needs, while the Adler Aphasia Center describes programs for people living with aphasia and their caregivers.
Grantmaking
The foundation reported 88 grants totaling $761,500 in 2025. Grants ranged from $2,000 to $25,000, with a median of $7,500. Its filing says awards are typically $1,000–$15,000 and are for one year.
Review Cycle
** None stated.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Robert & Joan Dircks Foundation Inc
Ready to take the next step with Robert & Joan Dircks Foundation Inc?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation says its geographic focus is primarily New Jersey, as well as locations of its trustees. In 2025, 57% of grant dollars went to recipients in New Jersey, 12% to Pennsylvania, 10% to Massachusetts, 4% to New York, and 4% to Michigan.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 88 itemized 2025 grant dollars.
States
Cities
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 2025
Grant Size Distribution
466 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| EMMANUEL CANCER FOUNDATION Clark, NJ | PEDIATRIC CANCER FAMILY SERVICES PROGRAM | $25,000 |
| PLAN-NJ Somerville, NJ | PROMOTING INDEPENDENT LIVING FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES | $25,000 |
| WHY ME INC Worcester, MA | SUPPORT SERVICE TO FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN DEALING WITH CANCER | $25,000 |
| ADLER APHASIA CENTER Maywood, NJ | CAREGIVER SUPPORT VIRTUAL THERAPEUTIC PROGRAMMING | $20,000 |
| HOME OF THE SPARROW Exton, PA | GRADUATE OUTREACH PROGRAM | $20,000 |
| QUEST THERAPEUTIC SERVICES West Chester, PA | SUPPORT CHILDREN WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DELAYS & DISABILITIES IN IMPROVING MOBILITY | $20,000 |
| ANSHE EMETH CDC OF CENTRAL JERSEY New Brunswick, NJ | COLLABORATE WITH OTHERS TO PROVIDE COMMUNITY BASED SERVICES | $15,000 |
| EMBRACE KIDS FOUNDATION New Brunswick, NJ | PEDIATRIC PALLIATIVE CARE PROGRAM | $15,000 |
| HAPPINESS IS CAMPING Hardwick, NJ | SUMMER CAMP FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE | $15,000 |
| HOMESHARING INC Bridgewater, NJ | SHARED AFFORDABLE HOUSING | $15,000 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Grants awarded | Grant count |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $761,500 | 88 |
| 2024 | $804,500 | 105 |
| 2023 | $758,000 | 99 |
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $17,262,061 | $15,529,095 | $13,967,360 |
| Revenue | $301,534 | $326,014 | $321,900 |
| Expenses | $877,579 | $959,237 | $868,022 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $807,932 | $866,133 | $802,009 |
| Net Investment Income | $231,887 | $236,025 | $255,650 |
| Distributable Amount | $841,868 | $759,254 | $659,431 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS May 16, 2020)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS September 13, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 14, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 14, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 15, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS October 14, 2025)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 15, 2026)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS May 16, 2020)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS September 13, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 14, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 14, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 15, 2024)
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Robert E. Dircks, Joan Walsh, Carolyn Van Riper, and William C. Dircks as trustees.
Robert & Joan Dircks Foundation Inc's 2025 filing lists 4 officers; 2 of 4 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Carolyn Van Riper
Trustee
On filings since 2019
15 hrs/week
$40K (2019) → $65K (2025)
Joan Walsh
Trustee
On filings since 2019
10 hrs/week
$22K (2019) → $0 (2025)
Robert E. Dircks
Trustee
On filings since 2019
10 hrs/week
$22K (2019) → $41K (2025)
William C. Dircks
Trustee
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Thomas C. Dircks (2019–2024) — Trustee
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
Contact
Application contact: The Robert And Joan Dircks Foundati
Mailing address: PO Box 559, Dunstable, MA 01827
Phone: (978) 449-0072
Website: https://dircksfoundation.org
Frequently asked questions about Robert & Joan Dircks Foundation Inc
How much does Robert & Joan Dircks Foundation Inc give each year?
Robert & Joan Dircks Foundation Inc gave $762K across 88 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $805K across 105 grants.
What is Robert & Joan Dircks Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
Robert & Joan Dircks Foundation Inc's median grant in 2025 was $7,500, and its average grant was $8,653, across 88 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Robert & Joan Dircks Foundation Inc that year got $6K on average.
Where does Robert & Joan Dircks Foundation Inc give grants?
Robert & Joan Dircks Foundation Inc gives mostly in New Jersey: 57% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were Pennsylvania (12%) and Massachusetts (10%). The most frequent recipient cities were Morristown, NJ (5 grants), West Chester, PA (4 grants), New Brunswick, NJ (2 grants) and Worcester, MA (2 grants).
Does Robert & Joan Dircks Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 88 grants with a stated purpose on Robert & Joan Dircks Foundation Inc's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support.
Who are Robert & Joan Dircks Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
Robert & Joan Dircks Foundation Inc's largest 2025 grantees include Emmanuel Cancer Foundation ($25,000), Plan-NJ ($25,000) and Why ME Inc ($25,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 10% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Robert & Joan Dircks Foundation Inc?
Robert & Joan Dircks Foundation Inc reported $17.3M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $808K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $842K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Robert & Joan Dircks Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation’s mission is to support nonprofits that enrich and improve quality of life, primarily for people in New Jersey. Its stated focus is on innovative programs and projects benefiting children and individuals who are physically, mentally, or economically disadvantaged. Its 2025 grants illustrate support for services related to childhood cancer, disability, health, family support, and housing. For example, W.H.Y. M.E. describes its work as providing services to ease the isolation and s…
How do I apply for a grant from Robert & Joan Dircks Foundation Inc?
Applicants are directed to review the foundation’s funding guidelines, complete an application, and submit it with the requested information. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
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 2019–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
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