The Robert L. Corkin Charitable Foundation concentrates large, targeted gifts to major Boston-area institutions, with a clear emphasis on pediatric healthcare and higher education in the region. It also supports Jewish communal life through sizeable donations to local Jewish federations and agencies. Giving appears strategic and institution-focused rather than broad-based or grassroots.
Concentrated, high-dollar grants to a small number of repeat institutional grantees; multiple multi-hundred-thousand dollar gifts to the same organizations rather than many small awards.
Robert L Corkin Charitable Foundation’s recent giving is marked by a handful of very large general-support grants to Boston institutions, led by Boston Children's Hospital at $334,683 in 2025 and $334,167 in 2024. That pattern points to a foundation that favors sustained institutional support rather than many small awards. Alongside pediatric healthcare, the foundation has backed Boston University with $200,000 grants in 2023 and 2025, showing a continuing commitment to higher education in the same metropolitan corridor. Its portfolio also includes significant support for Jewish communal organizations, including Combined Jewish Philanthropies at $253,000 in 2023 and repeated grants to the National Jewish Center for Learning & Leadership at $60,000 in 2024 and 2025. The grant list also includes large awards to Brigham & Women’s Hospital, Zoo New England, and the Institute of Contemporary Art, suggesting a relationship-driven approach centered on established organizations. Across the recent grants, general support is the dominant purpose, reinforcing a flexible, institution-focused style of funding.
Pediatric healthcare is one of the clearest themes in the foundation’s giving. In 2023, it awarded $250,000 to Children's Hospital for general support, and it also made $100,000 grants to Brigham & Women's Hospital in both 2024 and 2025. Higher education is another recurring area: Boston University received $200,000 in 2023, while Trustees of Boston University received $200,000 in both 2024 and 2025. The foundation also supports Jewish communal life through institutional grants, including $253,000 to Combined Jewish Philanthropies in 2023 and $60,000 to Clal-the National Jewish Center for Learning & Leadership in 2024. Cultural and community-serving organizations appear as well, such as Zoo New England and the Institute of Contemporary Art, each supported with six-figure general grants.
Typical grant size is centered on mid-sized gifts, with a p25 of $1,250, a median of $5,000, and a p75 of $25,000. The recent list also shows repeated support to the same organizations across multiple years, including Boston Children's Hospital, Boston University, Brigham & Women's Hospital, Zoo New England, Smart From the Start, The Greater Boston Food Bank, and University of Denver. That repetition suggests ongoing relationships rather than one-time awards. The foundation is structured as a charitable foundation and does not fund individuals or make program-related investments. General support is the prevailing grant purpose across the recent grants.
$1.7M
$38.1M
$5M
$2.2M
Most grants fall between $1K and $25K, with a median of $5K.
25th Percentile
$1K
Median
$5K
75th Percentile
$25K
Sign up for a free Kindora account to access AI-generated insights into this funder's giving patterns, decision-makers, and fit signals.
Get Started FreeFree Kindora accounts unlock side-by-side comparisons with foundations that share this funder's focus areas and giving profile.
Get Started FreeSign up free to see how well your nonprofit fits this funder, get an AI-generated pitch, and unlock similar foundations.
Notable grantees: Boston Children's Hospital, Boston University / Trustees of Boston University, Combined Jewish Philanthropies, Children's Hospital
Grantmaking is heavily concentrated in Massachusetts, with 74% of grants going to recipients in the HQ state and MA also ranking first by grant count. Boston is the main recipient city in the recent grants, including Boston Children's Hospital, Brigham & Women's Hospital, Zoo New England, and The Greater Boston Food Bank. Outside Massachusetts, the foundation’s recent grants reach New York through the Trustees of Boston University and the National Jewish Center for Learning & Leadership, and Colorado through University of Denver. The recipient-country distribution is entirely U.S.-based.
The recent grants lean toward major institutional support in pediatric healthcare, higher education, Jewish communal organizations, and a smaller set of cultural or community-serving institutions. General support is the stated purpose on the recent grants list, including large awards to Boston-area hospitals, Boston University, and Jewish philanthropic organizations.
The foundation’s grant-size distribution centers on modest awards, with a p25 of $1,250, a median of $5,000, and a p75 of $25,000. The recent grants list also includes larger institutional gifts, including six-figure awards to major Boston organizations.
Yes. Several recipients appear in multiple years, including Boston Children's Hospital in 2024 and 2025, Brigham & Women's Hospital in 2024 and 2025, Zoo New England in 2023 through 2025, Smart From the Start in 2023 through 2025, and University of Denver in 2023 through 2025.
Most grants go to Massachusetts recipients, and 74% of grants are made to organizations in the HQ state. Boston is the main recipient city in the recent grants, with additional Massachusetts recipients in Marlboro, Roslindale, Franklin, Littleton, and Hudson.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BOSTON CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL | BOSTON, MA | $334,683 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| TRUSTEES OF BOSTON UNIVERSITY | NEW YORK, NY | $200,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| INSTITUTE OF CONTEMPORARY ART | BOSTON, MA | $105,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| BRIGHAM & WOMEN'S HOSPITAL | BOSTON, MA | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ZOO NEW ENGLAND | BOSTON, MA | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| THE NATIONAL JEWISH CENTER FOR LEARNING AND LEADERSHIP INC | NEW YORK, NY | $60,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SMART FROM THE START | ROSLINDALE, MA | $60,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| UNIVERSITY OF DENVER | DENVER, CO | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| HORACE MANN EDUCATIONAL ASSOCIATES INC | FRANKLIN, MA | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| GROTON HILL MUSIC CENTER | LITTLETON, MA | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| VICTORY PROGRAMS | BOSTON, MA | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| HUDSON CULTURAL ALLIANCE | HUDSON, MA | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| THE GREATER BOSTON FOOD BANK | BOSTON, MA | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| BRAIN TUMOR SOCIETY | NEWTON, MA | $40,834 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| METROWEST BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF HUDSON | MARLBORO, MA | $40,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| HORIZON'S FOR HOMELESS CHILDREN | ROXBURY, MA | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| PROVISIONS MINISTRY INC | WESTBORO, MA | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| PROJECT STEP | BOSTON, MA | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| TEMPLE ISRAEL | BOSTON, MA | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| WORCESTER COUNTY FOOD BANK | SHREWSBURY, MA | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| BOSTON COLLEGE TRUSTEES | CHESTNUT HILL, MA | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| FENWAY HEALTH | BOSTON, MA | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MASSACHUSETTS 4-H FOUNDATION | FRAMINGHAM, MA | $15,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| TRUSTEES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $12,500 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| FILM INDEPENDENT INC | LOS ANGELES, CA | $11,379 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| LINCOLN NURSERY SCHOOL | LINCOLN, MA | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| UMASS CHAN MEDICIAL SCHOOL FOUNDATION INC | SHREWSBURY, MA | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| LINCOLN-SUDBURY SCHOLARSHIP FUND | SUDBURY, MA | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| TOWN OF HUDSON DEPT OF VETERANS SERVICES | HUDSON, MA | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| FINE ARTS WORK CENTER IN PROVINCETOWN INC | PROVINCETOWN, MA | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| THE LESLIE ST FANG FOUNDATION | BOSTON, MA | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| KNOCK KNOCK GIVE A SOCK | WEST ORANGE, NJ | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| THE RIVERS SCHOOL | WESTON, MA | $6,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| OHR TORAH STONE INSTITUTIONS OF ISRAEL | NEW YORK, NY | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| GOODMAN JEWISH FAMILY SERVICES | DAVIE, FL | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SUSTAINABLE CAPE | TRURO, MA | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| HUDSON HIGH SCHOOL | HUDSON, MA | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| LOVELANE SPECIAL NEEDS HORSEBACK RIDING PROGRAM INC | LINCOLN, MA | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| OLD METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF BERLIN DBA 19 CARTER | BERLIN, MA | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| HEBREW SENIORLIFE INC | BOSTON, MA | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ASSABET VALLEY EDUCATION FOUNDATION INC | MARLBORO, MA | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| BRANDEIS UNIVERSITY | WALTHAM, MA | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| STRUGGLE TO SAVE ETHIOPIAN JEWRY INC | NEW YORK, NY | $2,500 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| BELMONT HILL SCHOOL INC | BELMONT, MA | $2,300 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| PMC | NEEDHAM, MA | $2,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MSPCA-ANGEL | BOSTON, MA | $1,500 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| BEST FRIENDS ANIMAL SOCIETY | KANAB, UT | $1,500 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ST BRIDGID PARISH | LEXINGTON, MA | $1,250 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| VIDIOTS FOUNDATION | LOS ANGELES, CA | $1,250 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| PPAF PROVIDENCE PUBLIC ART FUND | MIAMI BEACH, FL | $1,250 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
BOSTON CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL
$334,683GENERAL SUPPORT
TRUSTEES OF BOSTON UNIVERSITY
$200,000GENERAL SUPPORT
BRIGHAM & WOMEN'S HOSPITAL
$100,000GENERAL SUPPORT
ZOO NEW ENGLAND
$100,000GENERAL SUPPORT
GENERAL SUPPORT
SMART FROM THE START
$60,000GENERAL SUPPORT
HORACE MANN EDUCATIONAL ASSOCIATES INC
$50,000GENERAL SUPPORT
VICTORY PROGRAMS
$50,000GENERAL SUPPORT
HUDSON CULTURAL ALLIANCE
$50,000GENERAL SUPPORT
METROWEST BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF HUDSON
$40,000GENERAL SUPPORT
HORIZON'S FOR HOMELESS CHILDREN
$30,000GENERAL SUPPORT
PROJECT STEP
$25,000GENERAL SUPPORT
TEMPLE ISRAEL
$25,000GENERAL SUPPORT
MASSACHUSETTS 4-H FOUNDATION
$15,000GENERAL SUPPORT
LINCOLN NURSERY SCHOOL
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
UMASS CHAN MEDICIAL SCHOOL FOUNDATION INC
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
LINCOLN-SUDBURY SCHOLARSHIP FUND
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
TOWN OF HUDSON DEPT OF VETERANS SERVICES
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
FINE ARTS WORK CENTER IN PROVINCETOWN INC
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
THE LESLIE ST FANG FOUNDATION
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
SUSTAINABLE CAPE
$5,000GENERAL SUPPORT
HUDSON HIGH SCHOOL
$5,000GENERAL SUPPORT
LOVELANE SPECIAL NEEDS HORSEBACK RIDING PROGRAM INC
$5,000GENERAL SUPPORT
OLD METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF BERLIN DBA 19 CARTER
$5,000GENERAL SUPPORT
HEBREW SENIORLIFE INC
$5,000GENERAL SUPPORT
ASSABET VALLEY EDUCATION FOUNDATION INC
$5,000GENERAL SUPPORT
PMC
$2,000GENERAL SUPPORT
MSPCA-ANGEL
$1,500GENERAL SUPPORT
ST BRIDGID PARISH
$1,250GENERAL SUPPORT
PPAF PROVIDENCE PUBLIC ART FUND
$1,250GENERAL SUPPORT