The Elva & Lawrence O'Brien Family
The Elva & Lawrence O'Brien Family is a private foundation, based in Washington, DC. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $6.1M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 9 grants totaling $386K. Net investment income was $114K.
The Elva & Lawrence O'Brien Family at a glance
In short: The Elva & Lawrence O'Brien Family gave $386K across 9 grants in 2024 (avg $43K), mostly in District of Columbia. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $386,000
- +181.8% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 9
- +0.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $42,889
- +181.8% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $12,000
- Total assets
- $6,127,145
- +26.1% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- District of Columbia (90% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who The Elva & Lawrence O'Brien Family funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 9 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was National Archives Foundation ($270K). Together the top 9 received $386K.
Grant Size Distribution
42 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 40 grants of 42 (95%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 9 itemized grants.
Cities
How The Elva & Lawrence O'Brien Family gives
- Giving grew 468% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 144% of 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 $68K (2021) to $386K (2024). In 2024 it made 9 grants totaling $386K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| National Archives Foundation Washington, DC | Support Educational Initiatives | $270,000 |
| City Wildlife Washington, DC | Help and Protect Urban Wildlife | $37,000 |
| Environmental Film Festival Washington, DC | Educational Outreach Programs | $30,000 |
| American Resilience Project Florence, MA | Provide Sustainable Resources | $15,000 |
| Holy Trinity Church Washington, DC | Parish Operations for Spiritual Grow | $12,000 |
| Sandy Hook Promise Newtown, CT | Create Safe Learning Envirnment | $10,000 |
| Barnstable Land Trust West Barnstable, MA | To Promote Land Conservation | $5,000 |
| Cotuit Library Cotuit, MA | Support Resources for Cotuit Library | $5,000 |
| Birdsey Cape Wildlife Center Barnstable, MA | Free Wildlife Vet Care to Local Area | $2,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $6,127,145 | $1,477,841 | $438,135 | $386,000 | 9 | $386,000 | $114,242 | $268,935 |
| 2023 | $4,858,545 | $995,017 | $159,661 | $137,000 | 9 | $137,000 | $103,676 | $205,186 |
| 2022 | $3,532,633 | $776,115 | $122,502 | $92,000 | 10 | $92,000 | $14,191 | — |
| 2021 | $3,175,302 | $770,470 | $84,305 | $68,000 | 8 | $68,000 | $56,164 | — |
| 2020 | $2,489,137 | $646,012 | $136,000 | $136,000 | 6 | — | $13,910 | — |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Elva & Lawrence O'Brien Family reported a distributable amount of $269K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The Elva & Lawrence O'Brien Family is led by Lawrence F. O'Brien III, President on every filing since 2020; none of the 4 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Lawrence F. O'Brien III
President
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lawrence L. O'Brien
Trustee
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Peter F. O'Brien
Trustee
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Helen O'Brien
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
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 The Elva & Lawrence O'Brien Family
How much does The Elva & Lawrence O'Brien Family give each year?
The Elva & Lawrence O'Brien Family gave $386K across 9 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $137K across 9 grants.
What is The Elva & Lawrence O'Brien Family's typical grant size?
The Elva & Lawrence O'Brien Family's median grant in 2024 was $12,000, and its average grant was $42,889, across 9 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Elva & Lawrence O'Brien Family give grants?
The Elva & Lawrence O'Brien Family gives mostly in District of Columbia: 90% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Massachusetts (7%). The most frequent recipient cities were Washington, DC (4 grants).
Does The Elva & Lawrence O'Brien Family give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 9 grants with a stated purpose on The Elva & Lawrence O'Brien Family's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support.
Who are The Elva & Lawrence O'Brien Family's largest grantees?
The Elva & Lawrence O'Brien Family's largest 2024 grantees include National Archives Foundation ($270,000), City Wildlife ($37,000) and Environmental Film Festival ($30,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 87% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Elva & Lawrence O'Brien Family?
The Elva & Lawrence O'Brien Family reported $6.1M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $386K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $269K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What is The Elva & Lawrence O'Brien Family's EIN?
The Elva & Lawrence O'Brien Family's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 13-7342895. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
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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