The Joseph P. Donahue Charitable Foundation concentrates its giving on private school education and a small number of mission-driven projects, with a clear emphasis on supporting faith-based and alternative K–12 education alongside targeted environmental work. Grants are sizable and focused, and the foundation shows a tendency to make repeat awards to organizations it trusts rather than dispersing many small gifts.
Concentrated, low-volume giving: few but relatively large grants, repeat funding to select grantees, primarily supporting private education and specific conservation initiatives rather than broad diversified giving.
Notable grantees: Lowell Catholic High School, Orchard Valley Waldorf School, Selva Oscura
A $56,000 unrestricted grant to Lowell Catholic High School anchors the Joseph P Donahue Charitable Foundation’s recent record, and it points to a funder that backs private school education with multi-year support rather than one-off gifts. The foundation’s recent grants show a strong preference for faith-based and alternative K–12 education, alongside a smaller set of environmental, conservation, and place-based projects. Lowell Catholic High School appears again in a $55,000 grant in 2023, while Orchard Valley Waldorf School received $50,000 in 2024 after earlier support in 2023 and 2025, suggesting sustained relationships with selected schools. Selva Oscura also appears in multiple years, showing that the foundation does repeat grants when it finds an alignment with its priorities. Beyond education, the foundation has backed conservation and community-focused work in New England, as well as a handful of arts and publishing organizations. Its grants are frequently unrestricted, indicating flexible support within a fairly focused portfolio. The overall pattern is a concentrated grantmaker with a small number of recurring beneficiaries and a preference for giving at levels that are large relative to its typical grant size.
Catholic and independent education sit at the center of the Joseph P Donahue Charitable Foundation’s giving. In 2024, it awarded $50,000 to Orchard Valley Waldorf School for unrestricted support, and the school also received $25,000 in 2025 and $25,000 in 2023. Lowell Catholic High School received $56,000 in 2024 and $55,000 in 2023, both unrestricted. The foundation also supported Church of the Good Shepherd with $20,000 in 2024 and $11,000 in 2025, again without restrictions. Outside education, the foundation funded conservation and land-oriented work: Lowell Parks & Conservation Trust received $30,000 in 2025, $15,000 in 2024, and $15,000 in 2023, while Mahoosuc Land Trust Inc received $15,000 in 2024. Its cultural support includes grants to Pioneer Valley Poetry Productions and Off the Park Press.
Typical grants are modest relative to the foundation’s annual payout, with a p25 of $1,000, a median of $2,000, and a p75 of $5,000. The recent grant list also shows a much smaller set of larger awards, including repeated support to the same organizations across multiple years. Many awards are listed as unrestricted, and the foundation appears to favor flexible support. It does not fund individuals and is not described as making program-related investments. The pattern is one of concentrated, relationship-based giving rather than a large volume of one-time grants.
$313K
$2.9M
$272K
$318K
Most grants fall between $1K and $5K, with a median of $2K.
25th Percentile
$1K
Median
$2K
75th Percentile
$5K
About 3% of grants go to recipients in VT.
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Grant recipients are concentrated in New England, with Vermont the top state by grant count and New Hampshire accounting for 3% of grants. Massachusetts cities appear often, including Lowell, Northampton-area Northfield, and Danvers, while Maine recipients include Bethel, Greenville, Augusta, and Newry. Outside New England, the foundation has also supported organizations in Chicago, Plainfield, and Seattle. The country distribution is entirely U.S.-based in the provided data.
The foundation’s recent grants center on Catholic secondary education and independent/Waldorf K–12 schooling, especially through repeated support to Lowell Catholic High School and Orchard Valley Waldorf School. It also funds selected conservation, arts, and publishing organizations, including land trusts and poetry/publication projects.
Yes. The recent grants list repeatedly labels awards as unrestricted, including grants to Lowell Catholic High School, Orchard Valley Waldorf School, Selva Oscura, and Lowell Parks & Conservation Trust. The pattern suggests flexible support is a normal part of its grantmaking.
The foundation’s grant-size distribution is p25 $1,000, median $2,000, and p75 $5,000. Its recent grants also include larger awards, but the center of the distribution is at relatively small-to-mid-sized grant levels.
Yes. Several recipients appear in multiple years, including Lowell Catholic High School, Orchard Valley Waldorf School, Selva Oscura, Off the Park Press, Lowell Parks & Conservation Trust, and Church of the Good Shepherd. That pattern indicates ongoing relationships rather than purely one-time support.
Most grants go to Vermont, which is the top state by grant count. New Hampshire is also present, but only 3% of grants go to recipients in the foundation’s HQ state. Recent recipient cities include Lowell, Montpelier, Chicago, Plainfield, and Greenville.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LOWELL PARKS & CONSERVATION TRUST | LOWELL, MA | $30,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| OFF THE PARK PRESS | PLAINFIELD, NJ | $26,425 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| ORCHARD VALLEY WALDORF SCHOOL | MONTPELIER, VT | $25,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| SELVA OSCURA | CHICAGO, IL | $25,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| CHURCH OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD | NASHUA, NH | $11,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| GOLDEN HANDCUFFS REVIEW | SEATTLE, WA | $10,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| FRACTURED ATLAS C/O ELIOT CARDINAUX | AMHERST, MA | $10,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| BROTHER SULLIVAN FUND | DANVERS, MA | $10,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| LOWELL FESTIVAL FOUNDATION FALL FES | LOWELL, MA | $8,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| WHITE RIVER PARTNERSHIP | SOUTH ROYALSTON, VT | $7,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| LITTER KREWE CORP | LOWELL, MA | $6,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| WALDORF SCHOOL OF LEXINGTON | LEXINGTON, MA | $6,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| CENTRAL CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL | LAWRENCE, MA | $6,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| GIRLS INCORPORATED FO GREATER LOWEL | LOWELL, MA | $6,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| GREENVILLE JUNCTION DEPOT FRIENDS | GREENVILLE, ME | $6,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| MAHOOSUC LAND TRUST INC | BETHEL, ME | $6,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| BRIDGTON ACADEMY | NORTH BRIDGTON, ME | $6,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| MAINE ADAPTIVE SPORTS AND REC | NEWRY, ME | $5,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| CHELMSFORD COMM EXCHANGE | CHELMSFORD, MA | $5,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| CAPSTONE VT | BARRE, VT | $5,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| LOWELL CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL | LOWELL, MA | $5,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| MONTPELIER COMMUNITY GOSPEL CHOIR | MONTPELIER, VT | $5,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| MOOSEHEAD MARINE MUSEUM | GREENVILLE, ME | $5,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| NATURAL RESOURCES COUNCIL OF MAINE | AUGUSTA, ME | $5,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| ALAMEDA COUNTY FOOD BANK | OAKLAND, CA | $4,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| LOWELL BOYS & GIRLS CLUB | LOWELL, MA | $4,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| CLEMMONS FAMILY FARM | CHARLOTTE, VT | $4,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| THE GOOD SMARITAN HAVEN | BARRE, VT | $3,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| SPECTRUM YOUTH & FAMILY SERVICES | BURLINGTON, VT | $3,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| MILL CITY GROWS | LOWELL, MA | $3,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| NORTHWOOD MUSIC COLLABORATIVE | AMASA, MI | $3,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| WATER FOR CAMBODIA | BRISTOL, RI | $2,500 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| THE CRAIG MAXFIELD MEM S | LOWELL, MA | $2,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| ADAM KEENAN FOUNDATION | LOWELL, MA | $2,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| THE OLD MEETING HOUSE | EAST MONTPELIER, VT | $2,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| LAKE CHAMPLAIN LAND TRUST INC | BURLINGTON, VT | $2,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| NORTHERN STAGE | WHITE RIVER JUNCTION, VT | $2,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| SCRAG MOUNTAIN MUSIC | MARSHFIELD, VT | $2,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| ADAM KEENAN MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP FU | LOWELL, MA | $2,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| APPALACHIAN MOUNTAIN CLUB | BOSTON, MA | $2,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| MUSTARD SEED COMMUNITY | MEDFIELD, MA | $2,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| GREEN MOUNTAIN CLUB INC | WATERBURY, VT | $2,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| LOWELL HUMANE SOCIETY | LOWELL, MA | $2,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| COMMUNITY HARVEST | BERLIN, VT | $1,450 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT LAB | MONTPELIER, VT | $1,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| IMMACULATE CONCEPTION SCHOOL | LOWELL, MA | $1,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| PLAINFIELD ARTS | PLAINFIELD, VT | $1,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| PREVENT CHILD ABUSE VT | MONTPELIER, VT | $1,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| RURAL VERMONT | MONTPELIER, VT | $1,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| VERMONT PUBLIC RADIO | COLCHESTER, VT | $1,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
OFF THE PARK PRESS
$26,425UNRESTRICTED
ORCHARD VALLEY WALDORF SCHOOL
$25,000UNRESTRICTED
SELVA OSCURA
$25,000UNRESTRICTED
CHURCH OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD
$11,000UNRESTRICTED
GOLDEN HANDCUFFS REVIEW
$10,000UNRESTRICTED
FRACTURED ATLAS C/O ELIOT CARDINAUX
$10,000UNRESTRICTED
BROTHER SULLIVAN FUND
$10,000UNRESTRICTED
LOWELL FESTIVAL FOUNDATION FALL FES
$8,000UNRESTRICTED
LITTER KREWE CORP
$6,000UNRESTRICTED
WALDORF SCHOOL OF LEXINGTON
$6,000UNRESTRICTED
CENTRAL CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL
$6,000UNRESTRICTED
GREENVILLE JUNCTION DEPOT FRIENDS
$6,000UNRESTRICTED
MAHOOSUC LAND TRUST INC
$6,000UNRESTRICTED
BRIDGTON ACADEMY
$6,000UNRESTRICTED
MAINE ADAPTIVE SPORTS AND REC
$5,000UNRESTRICTED
CHELMSFORD COMM EXCHANGE
$5,000UNRESTRICTED
CAPSTONE VT
$5,000UNRESTRICTED
LOWELL CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL
$5,000UNRESTRICTED
MONTPELIER COMMUNITY GOSPEL CHOIR
$5,000UNRESTRICTED
MOOSEHEAD MARINE MUSEUM
$5,000UNRESTRICTED
NATURAL RESOURCES COUNCIL OF MAINE
$5,000UNRESTRICTED
ALAMEDA COUNTY FOOD BANK
$4,000UNRESTRICTED
LOWELL BOYS & GIRLS CLUB
$4,000UNRESTRICTED
NORTHWOOD MUSIC COLLABORATIVE
$3,000UNRESTRICTED
WATER FOR CAMBODIA
$2,500UNRESTRICTED
THE CRAIG MAXFIELD MEM S
$2,000UNRESTRICTED
ADAM KEENAN FOUNDATION
$2,000UNRESTRICTED
THE OLD MEETING HOUSE
$2,000UNRESTRICTED
LAKE CHAMPLAIN LAND TRUST INC
$2,000UNRESTRICTED
SCRAG MOUNTAIN MUSIC
$2,000UNRESTRICTED
ADAM KEENAN MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP FU
$2,000UNRESTRICTED
MUSTARD SEED COMMUNITY
$2,000UNRESTRICTED
GREEN MOUNTAIN CLUB INC
$2,000UNRESTRICTED
LOWELL HUMANE SOCIETY
$2,000UNRESTRICTED
COMMUNITY HARVEST
$1,450UNRESTRICTED
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT LAB
$1,000UNRESTRICTED
IMMACULATE CONCEPTION SCHOOL
$1,000UNRESTRICTED
PLAINFIELD ARTS
$1,000UNRESTRICTED
PREVENT CHILD ABUSE VT
$1,000UNRESTRICTED
RURAL VERMONT
$1,000UNRESTRICTED
VERMONT PUBLIC RADIO
$1,000UNRESTRICTED