The Orrson Family Foundation Inc

Private foundation · Grantmaker Towson, MD EIN: 47-1334325

The Orrson Family Foundation Inc is a private foundation, based in Towson, MD. IRS filing data is available from 2018 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $1.6M in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 4 grants totaling $137K. Net investment income was $26K.

Key facts about The Orrson Family Foundation Inc

In short: The Orrson Family Foundation Inc gave $137K across 4 grants in 2025 (avg $34K), mostly in Maryland. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.

EIN
47-1334325
Latest 990 filing
Form 990-PF, 2025
Annual giving (2025)
$137,000
Grants made (2025)
4
Average grant
$34,250
Median grant
$40,000
Total assets
$1,598,765
Primary geography
Maryland (64% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)

Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026.

Financial Overview

From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

$1.6M

+12.9% YoY

Annual Giving

$137K

+42.3% YoY

Grant Count

4

+0.0% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$34K

+42.3% YoY

Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Orrson Family Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $75K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

How The Orrson Family Foundation Inc gives

  • Giving grew 27% from 2022 to 2025. Method
  • In 2025 it paid out 182% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method

From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.

Your AI grants department

Ready to take the next step with The Orrson Family Foundation Inc?

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

Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

Grant Distribution by State

2states

Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 4 itemized grants.

Cities

BaltimoreNew York

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$50K$100K$150K4 grants2018 4 grants2020 3 grants2021 3 grants2022 3 grants2023 4 grants2024 4 grants2025

From 2018 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $80K (2021) to $137K (2025). In 2025 it made 4 grants totaling $137K.

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 3 recipients in 2025

Catholic Relief Services Inc: $55KCatholic Relief Services Inc$55KSt Joseph Church Co Society - JES: $50KSt Joseph Church Co Society -JES$50KLoyola Early Learning Center: $30KLoyola Early Learning Center$30K

The largest 2025 recipient was Catholic Relief Services Inc ($55K). Together the top 3 received $135K.

Organizations only. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($2,500), which are not listed by name.

Grant Size Distribution

17 grants across all recorded years

14<$50K3$50–100K$100–250K$250–500K$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

The most common grant size was under $50K: 14 grants of 17 (82%).

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
Catholic Relief Services Inc Baltimore, MDGeneral Purpose$54,500
St Joseph Church Co Society - JES New York, NYGeneral Purpose$50,000
Loyola Early Learning Center Baltimore, MDGeneral Purpose$30,000
1 grant to individuals Recipients not named —$2,500

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Revenue
Expenses
Qualifying Distributions
Net Investment Income
$0$200K$400K$600K2018 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
Metric202520242023
Total Assets$1,598,765$1,416,615$1,023,506
Revenue$328,800$492,300$85,921
Expenses$146,223$101,910$104,349
Qualifying Distributions$137,000$96,250$97,500
Net Investment Income$26,436$30,662$28,489
Distributable Amount$75,200$55,725$40,224

Data update history

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

  1. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2018 (received by the IRS April 25, 2019)
  2. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS January 26, 2021)
  3. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 16, 2022)
  4. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 15, 2023)
  5. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 12, 2024)
  6. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 15, 2025)
  7. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS November 17, 2025)
  8. IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2018–2025

Leadership & Key People

Officers and directors from IRS filings

The Orrson Family Foundation Inc is led by Paul R. Orrson, President & Officer since 2020 (on filings since 2018); none of the 5 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.

Officers on the 2025 filing

  • Paul R. Orrson

    President & Officer

    President → President & Officer, 2020

    On filings since 2018

    No compensation reported

  • Lydia Dibos

    Vice President

    On filings since 2018

    No compensation reported

  • Mary E. Orrson

    Secretary

    On filings since 2018

    No compensation reported

  • Emily M. Orrson

    Officer

    On filings since 2020

    No compensation reported

  • James P. Orrson

    Treasurer

    On filings since 2020

    No compensation reported

Former officers (1)
  • Former: Christopher Davis (2018) — Treasurer

Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2018–2025. "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 Orrson Family Foundation Inc

How much does The Orrson Family Foundation Inc give each year?

The Orrson Family Foundation Inc gave $137K across 4 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $96K across 4 grants.

What is The Orrson Family Foundation Inc's typical grant size?

The Orrson Family Foundation Inc's median grant in 2025 was $40,000, and its average grant was $34,250, across 4 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.

Where does The Orrson Family Foundation Inc give grants?

The Orrson Family Foundation Inc gives mostly in Maryland: 64% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was New York (36%). The most frequent recipient cities were Baltimore, MD (2 grants).

Does The Orrson Family Foundation Inc give general operating support?

Yes: 100% of The Orrson Family Foundation Inc's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (4 of 4) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.

How large is The Orrson Family Foundation Inc?

The Orrson Family Foundation Inc reported $1.6M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $137K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $75K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).

What is The Orrson Family Foundation Inc's EIN?

The Orrson Family Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 47-1334325. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2018–2025.

Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.

Your AI grants department

Here's the math on researching The Orrson Family Foundation Inc by hand.

Explore Open Grants

Browse active grant opportunities in The Orrson Family Foundation Inc's focus areas in our free grants database

Similar Funders

Funders with grantees in common, and similar funders in Maryland

Morris Weinman Memorial Foundation Inc

Owings Mills, MD

The foundation funds a broad range of charitable work, including health, education, food assistance, housing, arts, and conservation. In 2024, grants ranged from $350 to $19,000, with a median of $1,000; most funding went to Maryland organizations, though it also supported groups in other states. It accepts unsolicited requests: applicants should send Mark Weinman a written request describing their organization’s function and purpose.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$1.4M

Grants

42

Total Given

$70K

The Cowles Charitable Trust

Staten Island, NY

The Cowles Charitable Trust supports arts, education, ethical journalism, medical and climate research, primarily in Downstate New York and South Florida, with occasional national or international grants. Its 2024 grants had a median of $4,000; first-time applicants generally receive $2,500, though some grants are larger. It accepts unsolicited applications from eligible 501(c)(3) organizations.

Assets

$13.2M

Grants

262

Total Given

$1.4M

Baltimore Educational Scholarship Trust

Baltimore, MD

Baltimore Educational Scholarship Trust funds financial aid and related student-support programs at its 17 independent-school partners, serving academically ambitious African American students with financial need from the Baltimore area. In 2025, its 17 grants ranged from $19,151 to $70,806, with a median of $39,419, and all grant dollars went to Maryland recipients. Its available application information covers student admissions, not outside grant requests, so whether it accepts unsolicited requests is not stated.

Assets

$13.8M

Grants

17

Total Given

$669K

FH Charitable Foundation Inc

Branford, CT

Assets

$3.7M

Grants

3

Total Given

$84K

The Keith Campbell Foundation

Bethesda, MD

The Keith Campbell Foundation funds nonprofits working for equitable, livable communities, especially on watershed health, clean water, agriculture, and related community needs, with a focus on the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays and California’s San Francisco Bay watershed. Giving varies widely: 2024 grants ranged from $40 to $1.5 million, with a median of $5,000. It accepts unsolicited requests, with two application cycles per year.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$420.2M

Grants

688

Total Given

$27.9M

The Thomas B and Elizabeth M Sheridan

Hunt Valley, MD

The Sheridan Foundation primarily supports independent private middle and high schools in Baltimore City and County, with a secondary focus on Baltimore City cultural arts organizations. Its 2025 grants ranged from $75 to $125,000, with a median grant of $25,000. It is not currently considering applications from schools or arts institutions it has not engaged with in recent years; its filing says to make an initial approach by letter.

Assets

$16.4M

Grants

29

Total Given

$857K

The Matjasko-Chiu Foundation Inc

Chevy Chase, MD

Assets

$33K

Grants

3

Total Given

$2K

Arbor Dog Foundation Inc

Cockeysville, MD

Arbor Dog Foundation supports existing nonprofits serving Baltimore, especially underserved communities, with work in education, employment and workforce development, and environmental awareness. In 2024, grants ranged from $500 to $23,000, with a median of $7,500. It does not accept unsolicited funding requests and gives only to preselected organizations.

Assets

$4.9M

Grants

53

Total Given

$414K

IBM International Foundation

Armonk, NY

The IBM International Foundation funds education and workforce programs that build 21st-century and technology job skills, including initiatives for underserved students and job seekers. Its 2024 grants ranged from $10,000 to $8.48 million, with a median of $100,000, and went to organizations across several U.S. states, especially Delaware and Massachusetts. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.

Assets

$357.7M

Grants

16

Total Given

$11.7M

Samuel Ready Scholarships Inc

Riderwood, MD

To give academically promising girls, with great financial need, access to a baltimore-area independent school education with opportunities to develop and excel.

Assets

$23.2M

Grants

5

Total Given

$945K

Annie E Casey Foundation Inc

Baltimore, MD

The Annie E. Casey Foundation funds U.S. nonprofits and other partners working to improve outcomes for children and young people, including family strengthening, child welfare, education, employment, community development and juvenile justice. In 2024, grants ranged from $50 to $1,185,000, with a median of $40,000. Grants are by invitation only; it does not accept unsolicited requests.

Assets

$2.3B

Grants

1,462

Total Given

$93.1M

More Funders in Maryland

The Orrson Family Foundation Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?

Want AI to do this for you?