The O'brien Family Foundation

SAN MATEO, CA EIN: 52-2390855

The O'Brien Family Foundation is a private foundation established in 2002 and based in San Mateo, California. Also known as the Dennis and Gloria O'Brien Foundation, it operates as a 501(c)(3) organization with EIN 52-2390855. The foundation makes grants across multiple focus areas including education, scholarships, human services, and religious organizations.

Financial Overview

From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

$442K

-42.6% YoY

Annual Giving

$721K

+24.6% YoY

Grant Count

51

+2.0% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$14K

+22.2% YoY

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

Mission & Focus Areas

The foundation's giving primarily supports Roman Catholic agencies and churches, with additional funding directed toward human services and higher education. Specific funding interests include:

  • General support for charitable organizations
  • Scholarship programs and educational initiatives
  • Tutoring programs
  • Hunger relief and community support services
  • Youth education

Grantmaking

The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications and operates on an invite-only basis.

Grant Range

$250 to $200,000

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Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

The foundation primarily funds organizations in California, with some giving extending to Texas and Hawaii.

Grant Distribution by State

7states

Cities

AlamedaAthertonAustinBerkeleyBostonBurlingameCastro ValleyConcordEast Palo AltoFremontHaywardKailuakonaKaneoheLa Canada FlintridgeMartinezMaryknollMemphisMenlo ParkMission San JoseMonrovia

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Most Recent Financial Data (2024):

  • Total Assets: $441,571
  • Total Revenues: $428,152
  • Total Expenses: $756,434
  • Total Giving: $578,000 (approximately)

2023 Financial Data:

  • Total Assets: $770,000
  • Total Revenues: $216,136
  • Total Expenses: $613,611
  • Total Giving: $587,097

Giving Rate: Approximately 60.6% of assets (2023)

The foundation operates with zero employees and maintains a giving rate that frequently exceeds annual asset levels, indicating it distributes accumulated resources.

Revenue
Expenses
Qualifying Distributions
Net Investment Income
$0$287K$573K$860K$1M20202021202220232024
Metric202420232022
Total Assets$441,571$769,853$1,167,328
Revenue$428,152$216,136$350,507
Expenses$756,434$613,611$1,001,611
Qualifying Distributions$730,448$587,097$965,009
Net Investment Income$252,979$106,340$56,306
Distributable Amount$48,288$67,991$103,531

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$248K$496K$743K$991K54 grants202052 grants202152 grants202250 grants202351 grants2024

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2024

UNIVERSITY OF SAN FRANCI…$125KBAY SCHOLARS$100KMERCY HIGH SCHOOL$100KFLINTRIDGE SACRED HEART$50KCATHOLIC CHARITIES$38KST IGNATIUS COLLEGE PREP…$26KCALIFORNIA HOMEBUILDING …$25KJUSTIN SIENA HIGH SCHOOL…$22KCATHOLIC WORKER HOUSE$15KCHILD & FAMILY INSTITUTE…$15K

Grant Size Distribution

250 grants across all recorded years

229<$50K13$50–100K8$100–250K$250–500K$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

No grants recorded for .

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

  • Dennis C. O'Brien – President (0.5 hrs/week)
  • Gloria A. O'Brien – Secretary
  • Susan Frimel – Director
  • Chris O'Brien – Director (0.5 hrs/week)

Compensation Overview

From 2024 IRS filing

From 2024 filing

NameTitleHoursCompensation
DENNIS C O'BRIENPRESIDENT0.5
GLORIA A O'BRIENSECRETARY
SUSAN FRIMELDIRECTOR0.5
CHRIS O'BRIENDIRECTOR0.5

Subject Areas

Focus areas based on grantmaking activity

Related Funders

Similar funders by location and focus area

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

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