The Heffernan Family Foundation
The Heffernan Family Foundation is a private foundation based in Rye Brook, New York, established in 2016. The foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) organization with a commitment to philanthropic giving across education, human services, and community support initiatives.
Key facts about The Heffernan Family Foundation
- EIN
- 46-4243193
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025
- Annual giving (2025)
- $2,874,888
- Grants made (2025)
- 29
- Average grant
- $99,134
- Median grant
- $5,000
- New grantees (estimate)
- 41% first-time grantees (12 of 29, 2025)
- Primary geography
- New York (58% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
Who The Heffernan Family Foundation funds
By grant dollars, the top recipient states for The Heffernan Family Foundation's 29 itemized 2025 grants were New York (58%) and Connecticut (40%). The most frequent recipient cities were New Rochelle, NY (5 grants), New York, NY (3 grants), Port Chester, NY (3 grants) and Bridgeport, CT (2 grants). 100% of grants with a stated purpose were for general or operating support.
Is The Heffernan Family Foundation open to new grantees?
41%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 12 of 29 grantees (41%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $32K; repeat grants $146K. How we count
Medians: $5K first-time, $10K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Next steps with The Heffernan Family Foundation
- How to evaluate The Heffernan Family Foundation as a funder
Our grant prospecting guide: read the 990-PF, check fit, and decide whether to apply.
- Draft an LOI to The Heffernan Family Foundation with AI
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Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$2.9M
+308.7% YoY
Grant Count
29
-48.2% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$99K
+689.3% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's core values center on four principles: helping those in need, generous giving, striving for positive change, and supporting communities.
Primary funding areas include:
- Education
- Human Services
- Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking
Grantmaking
The foundation also administers named scholarship programs, including the Frank and Lenore Heffernan Scholarship and the Garee Lee Smith Scholarship.
Ready to take the next step with The Heffernan Family Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily supports organizations in:
- New York
- New Hampshire
- Massachusetts
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 29 itemized 2025 grant dollars.
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Most Recent Data (2023):
- Total assets: $4,318,582
- Total revenues: $2,496,493
- Total expenses: $1,419,855
- Total grants, contributions: $1,600,231
- Investment income and dividends: $458,645
2024 Data:
- Total assets: $4,100,197
- Total giving: $703,350
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | — | — | — |
| Revenue | — | — | — |
| Expenses | — | — | — |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | — | — | — |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025
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
210 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2025 grants, the largest recipients include Iona Preparatory School ($1,220,921), Catholic Academy of Bridgeport ($1,130,921), The Cardinal's Annual Stewardship Appeal ($300,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| IONA PREPARATORY SCHOOL New Rochelle, NY | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $1,220,921 |
| CATHOLIC ACADEMY OF BRIDGEPORT Bridgeport, CT | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $1,130,921 |
| THE CARDINAL'S ANNUAL STEWARDSHIP APPEAL New York, NY | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $300,000 |
| ST THOMAS AQUINAS COLLEGE Sparkill, NY | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $45,696 |
| NATIONAL PKU ALLIANCE INC Eau Claire, WI | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $30,000 |
| SPECIAL OPERATORS TRANSITION FOUNDATION INC Niceville, FL | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $25,000 |
| PART OF THE SOLUTION INC Bronx, NY | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $20,000 |
| DANNY BUTLER MEMORIAL FUND INC Rye, NY | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $10,000 |
| FRANCISCAN FRIARS OF THE ATONEMENT Garrison, NY | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $10,000 |
| STEER FOR STUDENT ATHLETES INC Port Chester, NY | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $10,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Mike Heffernan serves as President and CEO of Heffernan Insurance Brokers and Board Chair of the Heffernan Foundation. John P. Heffernan is identified as a foundation supporter.
The Heffernan Family Foundation's 2025 filing lists 3 officers; none of the 3 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
James W. Heffernan
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
John P. Heffernan Jr.
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
June D. Heffernan
Director, Vice President & Secretary
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: John P. Heffernan (2020–2025) — Director, President & Treasurer · Filing note: Deceased 091725
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation celebrated 20 years of giving, marking significant milestone anniversaries in its philanthropic work. The organization announced 2025 scholarship recipients and continues to plan community events and fundraising activities for 2026.
Heffernan Foundation plans 2026 events | Insurance BusinessSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Heffernan Family Foundation fund?
The foundation's core values center on four principles: helping those in need, generous giving, striving for positive change, and supporting communities. Primary funding areas include: • Education • Human Services • Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking
How do I apply for a grant from The Heffernan Family Foundation?
**Grant Characteristics:** • Typical award range: $100,000–$300,000 • Recent annual giving: $703,350 (2024) • Grant volume: 66 grants made in 2023 **Recent Grantees (2023):** • Thomas Aquinas College ($200,000 - General Operating Support) • San Miguel Academy of Newburgh ($36,000 - General Operating Support) • Catholic Academy of Bridgeport ($30,000 - General Operating Support) The foundation also administers named scholarship programs, including the Frank and Lenore Heffernan Scholarship and t…
Where does The Heffernan Family Foundation make grants?
The foundation primarily supports organizations in: • New York • New Hampshire • Massachusetts
What size grants does The Heffernan Family Foundation award?
In 2025, The Heffernan Family Foundation awarded 29 grants totaling $2.9M — an average of about $99K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is The Heffernan Family Foundation's EIN?
The Heffernan Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 46-4243193. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
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Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.