Thomas R O'Donnell Scholarship Fund
The Thomas R O'Donnell Scholarship Fund is a private foundation based in Great Neck, New York. It awards scholarships to students attending post-secondary educational institutions.
Thomas R O'Donnell Scholarship Fund at a glance
In short: Thomas R O'Donnell Scholarship Fund gave $188K across 36 grants in 2024 (avg $5K), top state New York. 53% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $187,617
- +6.2% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 36
- +12.5% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $5,212
- -5.6% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $5,000
- Total assets
- $1,714,861
- +6.1% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 53% first-time grantees (10 of 19, 2024; small sample)
- Primary geography
- New York (38% 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 Thomas R O'Donnell Scholarship Fund
- How to Apply
-
The fund does not limit its giving to preselected organizations. The filing describes a paper application requiring high school transcripts, a birth certificate, SAT scores, and college acceptance letters. Contact Thomas J O'Donnell.
- Contact
Application contact: Thomas J O'Donnell
Mailing address: 817 Old Cuttermill Road, Great Neck, NY 11021
Phone: (516) 365-3470
Email: trodfundadmin@trodfund.com
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Thomas R O'Donnell Scholarship Fund funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Bryan Vanness ($10K). Together the top 10 received $71K.
Organizations only. It also paid 17 grants to individuals ($91,511), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
162 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 162 grants of 162 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, grant dollars went to recipients in several states. New York accounted for 38%, New Jersey 12%, Florida 8%, Vermont 8%, and Massachusetts 8%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 36 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Thomas R O'Donnell Scholarship Fund open to new grantees?
53%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 10 of 19 grantees (53%) were first-time recipients. With only 19 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 5 points. First grants averaged $4K; repeat grants $17K. How we count
Medians: $4K first-time, $10K repeat.
- 47% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 39% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 232% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). 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 $135K (2021) to $188K (2024). In 2024 it made 36 grants totaling $188K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 17 grants to individuals Recipients not named | — | $91,511 |
| Bryan Vanness Nashua, NH | Rivier University | $10,000 |
| Benjamin Strol | McGill University | $10,000 |
| Casandra Cremin Fort Myers, FL | Keiser University | $9,606 |
| Ethan Rodriguez Ft Lauderdale, FL | Nova Southeastern Univeristy | $6,000 |
| Inka Bodnar New Platz, NY | SUNY New Paltz | $5,168 |
| Brogan Dicerto Bronx, NY | Fordham University | $5,000 |
| Evan Smith Cincinnati, OH | Xavier University | $5,000 |
| Gary Yander Stony Brook, NY | Stony Brook University | $5,000 |
| Joe Brennan Stony Brook, NY | Stony Brook University | $5,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Thomas R O'Donnell Scholarship Fund?
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 | $1,714,861 | $252,220 | $203,462 | $187,617 | 36 | $187,617 | $37,427 | $80,970 |
| 2023 | $1,616,673 | $69,836 | $189,181 | $176,680 | 32 | $176,680 | $34,891 | $79,069 |
| 2022 | $1,635,114 | $118,488 | $13,009 | $135,773 | 29 | $135,773 | $29,581 | $83,975 |
| 2021 | $1,807,921 | $115,581 | $32,338 | $134,889 | 30 | $134,889 | $28,277 | $85,173 |
| 2020 | $1,682,148 | $58,165 | $158,860 | $146,149 | 35 | — | $30,986 | $81,731 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Thomas R O'Donnell Scholarship Fund reported a distributable amount of $81K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the fund awarded 36 grants totaling $187,617. Grants ranged from $66 to $15,000, with a median of $5,000. The largest awards included $15,000 for Bennington College, $10,000 for Rivier University, $10,000 for Smith College, and $10,000 for Northampton Community College.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Thomas J O'Donnell as chairman, Frank Connolly Jr as secretary, and Brian Salomone as treasurer.
Thomas R O'Donnell Scholarship Fund is led by Thomas J. O'Donnell, Chairman on every filing since 2020; none of the 3 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Thomas J. O'Donnell
Chairman
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Brian Salomone
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Frank Connolly Jr.
Secretary
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 Thomas R O'Donnell Scholarship Fund
How much does Thomas R O'Donnell Scholarship Fund give each year?
Thomas R O'Donnell Scholarship Fund gave $188K across 36 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $177K across 32 grants.
What is Thomas R O'Donnell Scholarship Fund's typical grant size?
Thomas R O'Donnell Scholarship Fund's median grant in 2024 was $5,000, and its average grant was $5,212, across 36 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Thomas R O'Donnell Scholarship Fund that year got $4K on average.
Where does Thomas R O'Donnell Scholarship Fund give grants?
Thomas R O'Donnell Scholarship Fund's top state is New York, with 38% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were New Jersey (12%) and Florida (8%). The most frequent recipient cities were Stony Brook, NY (3 grants) and Cincinnati, OH (2 grants).
Does Thomas R O'Donnell Scholarship Fund give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 36 grants with a stated purpose on Thomas R O'Donnell Scholarship Fund's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Stony Brook University" (3 grants).
Who are Thomas R O'Donnell Scholarship Fund's largest grantees?
Thomas R O'Donnell Scholarship Fund's largest 2024 grantees include Bryan Vanness ($10,000), Owen Karpeles ($10,000 across 2 grants) and Benjamin Strol ($10,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 17 grants to individuals ($91,511), which are not listed by name. Together they received 16% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Thomas R O'Donnell Scholarship Fund?
Thomas R O'Donnell Scholarship Fund reported $1.7M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $188K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $81K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
How do I apply for a grant from Thomas R O'Donnell Scholarship Fund?
The fund does not limit its giving to preselected organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Thomas R O'Donnell Scholarship Fund's EIN?
Thomas R O'Donnell Scholarship Fund's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 45-4635365. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 11, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 13, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 10, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 6, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 17, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Thomas R O'Donnell Scholarship Fund 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 Thomas R O'Donnell Scholarship Fund's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Similar funders in New York
The Ford Foundation
New York, NY
The Ford Foundation funds organizations and initiatives working to reduce inequality and advance social justice, including work on civic engagement, civil rights, climate justice, disability rights, and technology and society. In 2024, its grants ranged from $45 to $15 million, with a median of $100,000, supporting work in the U.S. and internationally. It says most grants are identified by the foundation and it does not accept unsolicited proposals by mail, email, or phone; limited opportunities may be offered separately.
Assets
$17.5B
Grants
4,007
Total Given
$844.7M
The New York Community Trust
New York, NY
The New York Community Trust funds nonprofit programs in areas such as arts, education, health, the environment, workforce development, and youth development, including projects that improve services, build organizational capacity, or advance policy and systems change. Its competitive grants mainly serve New York City, Long Island, and Westchester, with some national and international environmental funding; the 2024 median grant was $20,000. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$3.5B
Grants
2,748
Total Given
$193.8M
The Simons Foundation Inc
New York, NY
The Simons Foundation funds research and public engagement in mathematics and the physical, life, autism, and neuroscience sciences. In 2024, it made 1,727 grants, with a median award of $72,000 and amounts ranging from $1,480 to $20 million, supporting organizations in the U.S. and internationally. It states that it funds only preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$4.5B
Grants
1,727
Total Given
$272.0M
Local Initiatives Support Corporation
New York, NY
LISC funds affordable housing, community development, small businesses, and related efforts that strengthen inclusive communities, providing grants as well as loans, equity, and technical assistance across the country. Its 2024 grants had a median award of $40,000, though amounts varied widely. Application access is program-specific: for its Rhode Island child care facilities planning grants, applicants are instructed to consult program staff before submitting a request.
Assets
$1.6B
Grants
1,119
Total Given
$102.8M
Wellspring Philanthropic Fund Inc
New York, NY
Wellspring Philanthropic Fund supports human rights and social and economic justice, including work on climate, the environment, civic engagement, and Jewish causes, in the United States and internationally. Its 2024 grants had a median of $200,000, with amounts ranging from $500 to $9.75 million. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests; it plans to end grantmaking by the end of 2028.
Assets
$134.4M
Grants
1,101
Total Given
$326.0M
More Funders in New York
The filing figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0. About GrantGraph Open
Figures come from Thomas R O'Donnell Scholarship Fund'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.
Thomas R O'Donnell Scholarship Fund down — hundreds of funders to go?