The James Kerney Foundation logo

The James Kerney Foundation

Foundation · Grantmaker Lawrence Township, NJ EIN: 22-6055884 Website

The James Kerney Foundation is a private foundation based in Lawrence Township, New Jersey. Founded upon James Kerney’s death in 1934, it supports institutions serving Trenton residents, with the foundation describing its giving as focused on family services, community development, and education.

Key facts about The James Kerney Foundation

In short: The James Kerney Foundation gave $254K across 25 grants in 2025 (avg $10K), mostly in New Jersey. 28% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.

EIN
22-6055884
Latest 990 filing
Form 990-PF, 2025
Annual giving (2025)
$253,665
Grants made (2025)
25
Average grant
$10,147
Median grant
$10,000
New grantees (estimate)
28% first-time grantees (7 of 25, 2025)
Total assets
$2,761,454
Primary geography
New Jersey (94% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
How to apply
The application should state the organization’s name, its exempt status, and the specific purpose for which grant funds would be used. Full details ↓
Deadline
Grants are awarded on an ongoing basis.

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

$2.8M

-1.6% YoY

Annual Giving

$254K

+24.5% YoY

Grant Count

25

+108.3% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$10K

-40.2% YoY

Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The James Kerney Foundation reported a distributable amount of $245K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

Is The James Kerney Foundation open to new grantees?

28%

first-time grantees, 2025

In 2025, 7 of 25 grantees (28%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $9K; repeat grants $11K. How we count

Medians: $10K first-time, $10K repeat.

  • 32% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
  • Giving grew 247% from 2022 to 2025. Method
  • In 2025 it paid out 104% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method

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.

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

Mission & Focus Areas

The foundation says it gives support to institutions focused on family services, community development, and education for Trenton residents. Its 2025 grants provide examples of the kinds of organizations it supports: Womanspace describes its mission as preventing abuse, protecting families, and providing supportive services; 120 East State says it restores and operates downtown Trenton properties for community benefit, including as a center for arts and educational organizations; and HomeWorks Trenton describes a free after-school residential program for high school girls from marginalized communities.

Other 2025 recipients include HomeFront, which says it works to end homelessness in Central New Jersey and help families become self-sufficient, and Anchor House, whose stated mission is to support young people experiencing abuse, neglect, homelessness, or transition from the child welfare system.

Grantmaking

In 2025, the foundation reported 25 grants totaling $253,665. Awards ranged from $200 to $40,750, with a median grant of $10,000. The largest awards included $40,750 to Rescue Mission, $25,000 each to Womanspace and 120 East State, $21,000 to HomeWorks Trenton, and $18,000 to the JR Halsey Foundation of the Arts. These grants were listed for general purposes.

Review Cycle

** Grants are awarded on an ongoing basis.

Your AI grants department

Ready to take the next step with The James Kerney Foundation?

Fully replaces Grant database subscriptions Instrumentl · Foundation Directory · GrantStation & similar

Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

The foundation’s website says it supports institutions serving residents of Trenton, New Jersey. In 2025, 94% of grant dollars went to recipients in New Jersey and 5% to recipients in Florida. The largest listed grants went to organizations in New Jersey, including recipients in Trenton and nearby communities.

Grant Distribution by State

11states

Share of all 25 itemized 2025 grant dollars.

Cities

TrentonState CollegeLawrencevillePortlandPrincetonEwingLawrence TownshipFalmouthRoeblingTampaNew YorkWatertownAtlantaAuburnBordentownClintonEqing TownshipHonoluluLawrenceMiddlebury

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$100K$200K$300K24 grants202019 grants202110 grants202218 grants202312 grants202425 grants2025

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2025

Rescue Mission: $41KRescue Mission$41KWomanspace: $25KWomanspace$25K120 East State: $25K120 East State$25KHomeworks Trenton Inc: $21KHomeworks Trenton Inc$21KJR Halsey Foundation of the Arts: $18KJR Halsey Foundation of theArts$18KPEI Kids: $17KPEI Kids$17KHomefront: $16KHomefront$16KPaul Robeson Charter School: $15KPaul Robeson Charter School$15KBig Brothers Big Sisters: $13KBig Brothers Big Sisters$13KTrenton Circus Squad: $12KTrenton Circus Squad$12K

Grant Size Distribution

84 grants across all recorded years

83<$50K1$50–100K$100–250K$250–500K$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
Rescue Mission Trenton, NJGeneral Purpose$40,750
Womanspace Lawrence Township, NJGeneral Purpose$25,000
120 East State Trenton, NJGeneral Purpose$25,000
Homeworks Trenton Inc Princeton, NJGeneral Purpose$21,000
JR Halsey Foundation of the Arts Trenton, NJGeneral Purpose$18,000
PEI Kids Lawrence Township, NJGeneral Purpose$16,754
Homefront Lawrenceville, NJGeneral Purpose$15,500
Paul Robeson Charter School Trenton, NJGeneral purpose$15,000
Big Brothers Big Sisters Tampa, FLGeneral Purpose$12,500
Trenton Circus Squad Trenton, NJGeneral Purpose$12,000

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Filing year Assets Revenue Expenses Grant total Grant count
2025 $2,761,454 $257,787 $302,288 $253,665 25
2024 $2,805,955 $514,808 $239,611 $203,705 12
2023 $2,530,758 $403,918 $164,903 $140,125 18
Revenue
Expenses
Qualifying Distributions
Net Investment Income
$0$500K$1M$1.5M202020212022202320242025
Metric202520242023
Total Assets$2,761,454$2,805,955$2,530,758
Revenue$257,787$514,808$403,918
Expenses$302,288$239,611$164,903
Qualifying Distributions$253,665$203,705$140,125
Net Investment Income$219,939$488,763$384,001
Distributable Amount$244,663$193,259$150,809

Data update history

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

  1. Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 8, 2026)
  2. IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

The 2025 filing lists Sally Kerney Lane as President. Listed trustees are T Lincoln Kerney, James Kerney II, and Katie M Kerney. Barbara Kerney Phelan is listed as Corresponding Secretary, Henry W Sullivan as Treasurer, and Jennifer Priory Figge as Recording Secretary. Laurie Odden Brown is also listed as a trustee.

The James Kerney Foundation is led by Sally Kerney Lane, President on every filing since 2020; none of the 8 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.

Officers on the 2025 filing

  • Sally Kerney Lane

    President

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    $4K (2020) → $0 (2025)

  • James Kerney II

    Trustee

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    $2K (2020) → $0 (2025)

  • T. Lincoln Kerney II

    Trustee

    Treasurer → Trustee, 2021

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    $2K (2020) → $0 (2025)

  • Katie M Kerney

    Trustee

    On filings since 2021

    1 hr/week

    $1K (2021) → $0 (2025)

  • Laurie Odden Brown

    Trustee

    On filings since 2021

    1 hr/week

    $1K (2021) → $0 (2025)

  • Barbara Kerney Phelan

    Corres. Sec'y

    Corresponding Secretary → Corresponding Sec'y, 2021

    Corresponding Sec'y → Corres. Sec'y, 2024

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    $4K (2020) → $0 (2025)

  • Henry W Sullivan

    Treasurer

    Vice President & Asset Manager → Treasurer, 2021

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    $4K (2020) → $0 (2025)

  • Jennifer Priory Figge

    Recording Sec'y

    Recording Secretary → Recording Sec'y, 2021

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    $4K (2020) → $0 (2025)

Former officers (2)
  • Former: J. Regan Kerney (2020) — Trustee
  • Former: Judith M. Persichilli (2020) — Trustee

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.

Compensation Overview

From 2021 IRS filing

Sally Kerney Lane — President: $1KSally Kerney LanePresident$1KT Lincoln Kerney — Trustee: $1KT Lincoln KerneyTrustee$1KBarbara Kerney Phelan — Corresponding Sec'y: $1KBarbara Kerney PhelanCorresponding Sec'y$1KJames Kerney II — Trustee: $1KJames Kerney IITrustee$1KHenry W Sullivan — Treasurer: $1KHenry W SullivanTreasurer$1KJennifer Priory Figge — Recording Sec'y: $1KJennifer Priory FiggeRecording Sec'y$1KKatie M Kerney — Trustee: $1KKatie M KerneyTrustee$1KLaurie Odden Brown — Trustee: $1KLaurie Odden BrownTrustee$1K

Contact

Application contact: The James Kerney Foundation
Mailing address: PO Box 6698, Lawrence Township, NJ 08648
Phone: (609) 716-6500
Website: https://jameskerneyfoundation.org

Frequently asked questions about The James Kerney Foundation

How much does The James Kerney Foundation give each year?

The James Kerney Foundation gave $254K across 25 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $204K across 12 grants.

What is The James Kerney Foundation's typical grant size?

The James Kerney Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $10,000, and its average grant was $10,147, across 25 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The James Kerney Foundation that year got $9K on average.

Where does The James Kerney Foundation give grants?

The James Kerney Foundation gives mostly in New Jersey: 94% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Trenton, NJ (11 grants), Lawrence Township, NJ (2 grants), Lawrenceville, NJ (2 grants) and State College, PA (2 grants).

Does The James Kerney Foundation give general operating support?

Yes: 100% of The James Kerney Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (25 of 25) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.

Who are The James Kerney Foundation's largest grantees?

The James Kerney Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Rescue Mission ($40,750), Womanspace ($25,000) and 120 East State ($25,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 36% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.

How large is The James Kerney Foundation?

The James Kerney Foundation reported $2.8M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $254K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $245K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).

What does The James Kerney Foundation fund?

The foundation says it gives support to institutions focused on family services, community development, and education for Trenton residents. Its 2025 grants provide examples of the kinds of organizations it supports: Womanspace describes its mission as preventing abuse, protecting families, and providing supportive services; 120 East State says it restores and operates downtown Trenton properties for community benefit, including as a center for arts and educational organizations; and HomeWorks …

How do I apply for a grant from The James Kerney Foundation?

The application should state the organization’s name, its exempt status, and the specific purpose for which grant funds would be used. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑

What is The James Kerney Foundation's EIN?

The James Kerney Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 22-6055884. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.

Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.

Your AI grants department

Here's the math on researching The James Kerney Foundation by hand.

Explore Open Grants

Browse active grant opportunities in The James Kerney Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database

Similar Funders

Funders that support many of the same organizations

Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation Inc

Princeton, NJ

The foundation funds health initiatives to expand healthcare access and strengthen health systems, with priorities including cancers, blood disorders, brain health, and clinical-trial participation. Its 2024 grants had a median of $134,090, though awards ranged widely; its stated focus geographies are Brazil, India, ten Sub-Saharan African countries, and the United States. It invites organizations to inquire about its grantmaking process, with application materials available upon request and no deadline listed.

Assets

$83.3M

Grants

144

Total Given

$67.7M

Honey Perkins Family Foundation Inc

Wilmington, DE

Honey Perkins Family Foundation supports charitable organizations working in areas such as food access, youth services, literacy, arts, and education, with 2024 grants concentrated in Georgia, Virginia, South Carolina, New Jersey, and New York. Its grants typically ranged from $100 to $1,000, with a median of $500. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.

Assets

$791K

Grants

41

Total Given

$24K

The Provident Bank Foundation

Iselin, NJ

The Provident Bank Foundation supports education, human services, and workforce development that help people in marginalized communities move toward economic self-sufficiency. Its 2025 grants ranged from $1,500 to $20,000, with a $10,000 median; 2026 Empowerment Grants offer $5,000–$25,000 per year for two years, depending on an organization’s budget. It funds communities within Provident Bank’s branch network and those contiguous to a branch; it accepts applications through its online portal, but the profile does not state whether unsolicited requests are accepted.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$17.4M

Grants

51

Total Given

$617K

Gertrude L Hirsch Charitable Trust

Saint Louis, MO

Assets

$2.3M

Grants

25

Total Given

$125K

Mary G Roebling Foundation Inc

Princeton, NJ

The Mary G. Roebling Foundation supports charitable organizations, including meal services, youth programs, and education, with most of its grants going to New Jersey and a small share to Texas. Its 2024 grants ranged from $2,500 to $10,000, with a median of $5,000. It gives only to preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.

Assets

$2.4M

Grants

28

Total Given

$157K

Merancas Foundation Inc

Charlotte, NC

The Merancas Foundation funds nonprofits addressing economic hardship, especially through education, affordable housing, and services that support individual and community wellbeing. Its 2025 grants ranged from $10,000 to $1.8 million, with a median of $50,000, and it focuses on the Charlotte, Atlanta, and Trenton metropolitan areas. It accepts unsolicited requests through an online “Are We a Match” process; full proposals are by invitation for pre-approved applicants and current partners.

Assets

$174.4M

Grants

140

Total Given

$16.2M

Tenacre Foundation

Princeton, NJ

Tenacre Foundation supports Christian Science nursing and related ministries, camps, schools, and education initiatives. Its 2025 grants ranged from $1,500 to $7 million, with a median grant of about $64,000, and went to organizations in several states, especially Kansas, New York, and Missouri. It funds only preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.

Religion Related

Assets

$364.9M

Grants

70

Total Given

$31.4M

Semrod Family Private Foundation

Naples, FL

The Semrod Family Private Foundation supports a range of charitable work, including education, animal welfare, health care, environmental protection, and assistance for people facing hardship. Its 2024 grants ranged from $250 to $6,500, with a median of $1,000, and went to organizations across multiple states, especially Florida. It funds preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$443K

Grants

37

Total Given

$46K

Educational Ventures Inc

Princeton, NJ

Educational Ventures Inc supports charitable organizations across education, housing, health, family support, and food access, with 2025 grants concentrated in New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Nevada. Its grants ranged from $200 to $100,000, with a median of $2,000. It does not accept unsolicited requests and gives only to preselected organizations.

Assets

$9.9M

Grants

38

Total Given

$524K

Duke Energy Foundation

Charlotte, NC

The Duke Energy Foundation funds workforce development, local economic development and recovery, disaster resilience, conservation, and economic opportunity in communities across North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana. It reports more than $30 million in annual charitable grants; awards vary widely, with a 2024 median of $25,000, and applications of $20,000 or less are accepted on a rolling basis. Applicants should contact their local Foundation representative before applying.

Assets

$1.9M

Grants

41

Total Given

$25.6M

Citizens Philanthropic Foundation Inc

Short Hills, NJ

Citizens Philanthropic Foundation funds nonprofit programs in workforce development, financial empowerment, hunger relief, and community economic development, with most giving in New York and New Jersey. In 2024, it made 127 grants ranging from $500 to $500,000, with a median of $3,750. Applicants must submit a preliminary application; it is not currently accepting sponsorship requests.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$18.7M

Grants

127

Total Given

$3.1M

The Burke Foundation Inc

Princeton, NJ

The Burke Foundation funds maternal and infant health, early childhood development, and services for families during the first 1,000 days, primarily in New Jersey. Its 2024 grants ranged from $100 to $340,000, with a median of $7,750, though it announced a shift toward fewer, larger grants in 2025. It funds only preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.

Assets

$122.2M

Grants

102

Total Given

$3.3M

More Funders in New Jersey

The James Kerney Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?

Want AI to do this for you?