The Robert and Michelle Cooke Atchinson
The Robert and Michelle Cooke Atchinson is a private foundation based in Winchester, Massachusetts. Its 2024 filing reports grants to charitable organizations including medical research institutions, schools, youth-serving organizations, and community nonprofits.
The Robert and Michelle Cooke Atchinson at a glance
In short: The Robert and Michelle Cooke Atchinson gave $6.3M across 58 grants in 2024 (avg $108K), mostly in Massachusetts. 28% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $6,268,790
- +20.3% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 58
- +18.4% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $108,083
- +1.6% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $25,000
- Total assets
- $131,470,571
- +21.8% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 28% first-time grantees (16 of 58, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Massachusetts (96% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The Robert and Michelle Cooke Atchinson
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations.
- Contact
Mailing address: 16 Niles Lane, Winchester, MA 01890
Phone: (781) 863-0458
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Robert and Michelle Cooke Atchinson funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Massachusetts Eye & Ear ($2.3M). Together the top 10 received $5.0M.
Grant Size Distribution
215 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 140 grants of 215 (65%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, Massachusetts organizations received 96% of grant dollars and Rhode Island organizations received 2%. California received 1%; New York and North Carolina each received 0%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 58 itemized grants.
Cities
Is The Robert and Michelle Cooke Atchinson open to new grantees?
28%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 16 of 58 grantees (28%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $89K; repeat grants $115K. How we count
Medians: $25K first-time, $25K repeat.
- 62% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 164% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 94% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $2.4M (2021) to $6.3M (2024). In 2024 it made 58 grants totaling $6.3M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Eye & Ear Boston, MA | Increase Medical Research | $2,250,000 |
| Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Woods Hole, MA | General Support | $1,000,000 |
| Campaign for Catholic Schools Braintree, MA | To strengthen & support catholic elementary schools in boston neighborhoods. | $525,020 |
| Upstream Boston, MA | To Improve and Change Reproductive Health Care | $300,000 |
| Camp Harbor View Foundation Boston, MA | To support summer camps and activites provided to boston's at-risk neighborhoods. | $200,000 |
| Nantucket Boys & Girls Club Nantucket, MA | To empower the youth of nantucket to reach their full potential. | $185,000 |
| Big Brother Big Sister Central Massmetrowest Worcester, MA | Support Mentoring for Children Throughout Central Massachusetts. | $150,000 |
| Boston Childrens Hospital Boston, MA | General Support for Medical Research and Support | $125,000 |
| The Boston Foundation Boston, MA | Improving Boston Area Nonprofits | $120,000 |
| The Catholic Schools Foundation Boston, MA | To Support Catholic Schools. | $100,000 |
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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 | $131,470,571 | $32,169,258 | $7,946,719 | $6,268,790 | 58 | $6,289,312 | $31,011,851 | $6,702,326 |
| 2023 | $107,933,032 | $29,614,165 | $6,560,408 | $5,212,600 | 49 | $5,223,777 | $28,316,765 | $5,563,240 |
| 2022 | $84,724,275 | $2,266,574 | $16,645,317 | $4,255,000 | 46 | $4,274,645 | — | $5,129,925 |
| 2021 | $98,518,018 | $21,931,984 | $2,865,831 | $2,377,400 | 34 | $2,386,662 | $20,916,556 | $4,575,334 |
| 2020 | $79,872,894 | $8,641,874 | $4,949,158 | $4,662,975 | 28 | — | $4,254,889 | $3,740,032 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Robert and Michelle Cooke Atchinson reported a distributable amount of $6.7M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No foundation mission statement is provided. Its 2024 grants show support for medical research, Catholic schools, reproductive health care, youth programs, and other community services. Among the grantees, the Massachusetts Wonderfund says it serves children engaged with the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families, while Horizons for Homeless Children says its mission is to improve the lives of homeless children and their families. The Francis Ouimet Scholarship says it provides need-based college scholarships to people who have worked at golf courses in Massachusetts.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation made 58 grants totaling $6,268,790. Grant amounts ranged from $1,000 to $2,250,000, with a median of $25,000. In 2023, it made 49 grants totaling $5,212,600. Its 2024 filing, the latest on this page, reports 58 grants totaling $6.3 million.
The largest 2024 grant was $2,250,000 to Massachusetts Eye & Ear for medical research. Other large grants included $1,000,000 to Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution for general support, $525,020 to Campaign for Catholic Schools to strengthen and support Catholic elementary schools in Boston neighborhoods, and $300,000 to Upstream to improve and change reproductive health care. The foundation also gave $200,000 to Camp Harbor View Foundation, $185,000 to Nantucket Boys & Girls Club, and $150,000 to Big Brother Big Sister Central MassMetroWest.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Robert G Atchinson, Michelle Cooke Atchinson, Daniel S Atchinson, Katherine M Atchinson, and Christine J Athens as trustees.
The Robert and Michelle Cooke Atchinson's 2024 filing lists 5 officers; none of the 5 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Christine J. Athens
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Daniel S. Atchinson
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Katherine M. Atchinson
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michelle Cooke Atchinson
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Robert G. Atchinson
Trustee
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 Robert and Michelle Cooke Atchinson
How much does The Robert and Michelle Cooke Atchinson give each year?
The Robert and Michelle Cooke Atchinson gave $6.3M across 58 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $5.2M across 49 grants.
What is The Robert and Michelle Cooke Atchinson's typical grant size?
The Robert and Michelle Cooke Atchinson's median grant in 2024 was $25,000, and its average grant was $108,083, across 58 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Robert and Michelle Cooke Atchinson that year got $89K on average.
Where does The Robert and Michelle Cooke Atchinson give grants?
The Robert and Michelle Cooke Atchinson gives mostly in Massachusetts: 96% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Boston, MA (18 grants), Nantucket, MA (5 grants), Braintree, MA (3 grants) and Worcester, MA (3 grants).
Does The Robert and Michelle Cooke Atchinson give general operating support?
Yes: 29% of The Robert and Michelle Cooke Atchinson's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (17 of 58) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The Robert and Michelle Cooke Atchinson's largest grantees?
The Robert and Michelle Cooke Atchinson's largest 2024 grantees include Massachusetts Eye & Ear ($2,250,000), Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution ($1,000,000) and Campaign for Catholic Schools ($525,020), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 60% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Robert and Michelle Cooke Atchinson?
The Robert and Michelle Cooke Atchinson reported $131.5M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $6.3M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $6.7M (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does The Robert and Michelle Cooke Atchinson fund?
No foundation mission statement is provided. Its 2024 grants show support for medical research, Catholic schools, reproductive health care, youth programs, and other community services. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Robert and Michelle Cooke Atchinson?
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Robert and Michelle Cooke Atchinson's EIN?
The Robert and Michelle Cooke Atchinson's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 04-6875099. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does The Robert and Michelle Cooke Atchinson accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work The Robert and Michelle Cooke Atchinson funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
- Nixa Affiliate Grantmaking Program Up to US $10,000 · Due October 19, 2026
- Community and School Grants $28,000 total pool; 10-15 grants expected · Due October 19, 2026
- Mary Pinola/Crescenta Valley Chamber Education Fund $500 - $5,000 for ongoing programs; up to $15,000 for Strategic Initiative Grants · Due October 19, 2026
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Robert and Michelle Cooke Atchinson's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Robert and Michelle Cooke Atchinson funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 18, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-robert-and-michelle-cooke-atchinson-morg_9d465ecd478b46dc904a2853a4e58448
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_046875099_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Robert and Michelle Cooke Atchinson funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-robert-and-michelle-cooke-atchinson-morg_9d465ecd478b46dc904a2853a4e58448},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-18. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from The Robert and Michelle Cooke Atchinson's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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