The Counihan Family Foundation concentrates on child-centered philanthropy, funding both children’s health care and education programs domestically and in high-need international communities. Their awards fund institution-level projects — pediatric rehabilitation and academic programming — and support STEM/mentoring initiatives in Africa, indicating a preference for direct, programmatic impact on young people.
The Counihan Family Foundation’s most distinctive pattern is its combination of large child-focused grants with international education and health support. In 2024, it awarded $600,000 to the Stephen Leacock Foundation for Children for academic programming in high-need areas of Ontario and South Africa, while also giving $300,000 to Unity in Africa Trust for the iGEMS program. Those awards sit alongside major domestic health and education grants, including $500,000 in 2023 and $100,000 in 2024 to Vanderbilt University Medical Center for pediatric in-patient rehabilitation and regular operations, plus support for a school of nursing scholarship fund at the University of Miami. The foundation also funds humanitarian and family-service organizations such as Doctors Without Borders, The Salvation Army, World Vision, Save the Children, and Care. Across the recent grants list, the common thread is direct support for institutions serving children, students, patients, and vulnerable families rather than small, one-off local awards. The foundation’s giving shows repeated commitments to the same organizations across multiple years, with several grantees receiving support in both 2023 and 2024. It also funds individuals, though the recent grants listed here are institutional awards.
Child health and rehabilitation is a clear part of the foundation’s grantmaking. Vanderbilt University Medical Center received $500,000 in 2023 and $100,000 in 2024 for a pediatric in-patient rehabilitation project and regular operations. Education support is another recurring theme: the University of Miami received $50,000 in 2023 and $50,000 in 2024 for its School of Nursing Scholarship Fund, and Miami Dade College Foundation received $50,000 in 2023 and $50,000 in 2024 for regular operations. The foundation also backs academic programming in high-need communities, including $600,000 in 2024 to Stephen Leacock Foundation for Children for Ontario and South Africa and $200,000 in 2023 for the same purpose. In Africa, it supported $300,000 in 2024 to Unity in Africa Trust for the iGEMS program, showing a sustained interest in youth development and STEM-oriented programming.
Typical grant size clusters at $15,000 at the 25th percentile, $25,000 at the median, and $50,000 at the 75th percentile, even though the recent list also includes larger seven-figure-scale awards. The foundation’s pattern is repeat support: Stephen Leacock Foundation for Children, Unity in Africa Trust, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Doctors Without Borders, The Salvation Army, Fisher House Foundation Inc, World Vision, Miami Dade College Foundation, and University of Miami each appear in more than one year. It is a regular funder rather than a donor-advised fund, funds individuals, and makes no program-related investments. The recent grants shown are predominantly programmatic or operating support, with several awards explicitly labeled for regular operations.
$4.3M
$37M
$1.9M
$4.3M
Most grants fall between $15K and $50K, with a median of $25K.
25th Percentile
$15K
Median
$25K
75th Percentile
$50K
About 2% of grants go to recipients in TN.
Top 3 recipient countries by grant volume for Counihan Family Foundation.
| Rank | Country | Grants | Total | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United StatesDomestic | 214 | $9.2M | 95.1% |
| 2 | South Africa |
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Concentrated, high-dollar grants to a small number of organizations (three large grants totaling $1.4M). Grants appear to be project- and operations-focused rather than many small gifts, with both domestic (U.S.) and international beneficiaries.
Notable grantees: Stephen Leacock Foundation for Children, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Unity in Africa Trust
The foundation gives nationally, but the recent grants are heavily concentrated in the United States, with 97 grants there versus 2 in South Africa and 1 in Canada. Among U.S. recipients, Florida appears often, including Miami, Coral Gables, Pembroke Park, and the state’s top grant-count concentration. Outside the U.S., grants reached Richmond Hill in Ontario and Port Elizabeth and Port Alfred in South Africa. The recipient mix also includes New York, Nashville, Washington, and Rockville, showing a broad U.S. footprint alongside a small set of international awards.
The recent grants show a strong focus on children, students, patients, and vulnerable families. Examples include pediatric rehabilitation at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, academic programming for children in Ontario and South Africa through Stephen Leacock Foundation for Children, and youth development through Unity in Africa Trust’s iGEMS program.
Yes. Several recipients appear in both 2023 and 2024, including Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Stephen Leacock Foundation for Children, Unity in Africa Trust, Doctors Without Borders, The Salvation Army, Fisher House Foundation Inc, World Vision, Miami Dade College Foundation, and University of Miami.
The grant-size distribution centers at $15,000 for the 25th percentile, $25,000 at the median, and $50,000 at the 75th percentile. The recent grants list also shows larger awards, including $600,000, $500,000, $300,000, and $200,000 grants.
Its grants are national, but the top state by grant count is Florida. The recipient distribution also shows 97 grants in the U.S., 2 in South Africa, and 1 in Canada.
Yes. Recent grants include $600,000 and $200,000 to Stephen Leacock Foundation for Children for academic programming in Ontario and South Africa, $300,000 and $200,000 to Unity in Africa Trust for the iGEMS program, and support to humanitarian and medical organizations with international reach such as Doctors Without Borders, World Vision, and Care.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
| 8 |
| $2.1M |
3.6% |
| 3 | Canada | 3 | $1.1M | 1.3% |
Recipient country reflects the grantee's headquarters per IRS 990-PF and Schedule F filings, not the program's implementation country.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GET AHEAD PROJECT QUEENSTOWN | WHITTLESEA | $500,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT REGULAR OPERATIONS |
| UNITY IN AFRICA TRUST | PORT ELIZABETH | $300,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT THE IGEMS PROGRAM |
| REFUGEES INTERNATIONAL | WASHINGTON, DC | $225,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT REGULAR OPERATIONS |
| DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS | NEW YORK, NY | $200,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT REGULAR OPERATIONS IN PROVIDING GLOBAL MEDICAL AID |
| SAVE THE CHILDREN | FAIRFIELD, CT | $150,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT REGULAR OPERATIONS |
| CARE | ATLANTA, GA | $150,000 | 2026 | TO HELP CHANGE THE LIVES OF WOMEN, CHILDREN, AND FAMILIES ALL OVER THE WORLD |
| INTERNATIONAL RESCUE COMMITTEE | NEW YORK, NY | $125,000 | 2026 | TO HELP PEOPLE WHOSE LIVES AND LIVELIHOODS ARE SHATTERED BY CONFLICT AND DISASTER |
| VANDERBILT GIFT AND DONATIONS | NASHVILLE, TN | $100,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT REGULAR OPERATIONS |
| DIRECT RELIEF | SANTA BARBARA, CA | $100,000 | 2026 | IMPROVING THE HEALTH AND LIVES OF PEOPLE LIVING IN THE MOST VULNERABLE SITUATIONS - UKRAINE CRISIS AND ISRAEL CONFLICT |
| MIAMI DADE COLLEGE FOUNDATION | MIAMI, FL | $100,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT REGULAR OPERATIONS |
| VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER | NASHVILLE, TN | $100,000 | 2026 | PEDIATRIC IN-PATIENT REHABILITATION PROJECT & TO SUPPORT REGULAR OPERATIONS |
| DAMANT LODGE HOME FOR THE AGED | PORT ALFRED | $100,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT REGULAR OPERATIONS |
| FISHER HOUSE FOUNDATION INC | ROCKVILLE, MD | $75,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT MILITARY, VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES |
| GLOBALGIVING | WASHINGTON, DC | $75,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT REGULAR OPERATIONS |
| DAV CHARITABLE SERVICE TRUST | ERLANGER, KY | $75,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT PROGRAMS THAT BENEFIT VETERANS AND FAMILIES OF ILL AND INJURED VETERANS |
| WEST END UNITED METHODIST CHURCH | NASHVILLE, TN | $75,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT REGULAR OPERATIONS |
| FEEDING SOUTH FLORIDA | PEMBROKE PARK, FL | $75,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT REGULAR OPERATIONS IN HUNGER RELIEF |
| WOMEN FOR WOMEN INTERNATIONAL | WASHINGTON, DC | $75,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT REGULAR OPERATIONS |
| PLANNED PARENTHOOD FEDERATION OF AMERICA | NEW YORK, NY | $75,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT REGULAR OPERATIONS |
| AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY | TAMPA, FL | $75,000 | 2026 | TO PROVIDE BREAKTHROUGH RESEARCH, OFFER PATIENT PROGRAM AND SERVICES, AND PROVIDING CANCER INFORMATION AND ASSISTANCE THROUGH A HELPLINE |
| SOUTH FLORIDA PBS | BOYNTON BEACH, FL | $50,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT REGULAR OPERATIONS TO BRING ARTS, EDUCATION AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS TO VIEWERS |
| NASHVILLE SYMPHONY | NASHVILLE, TN | $50,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT REGULAR OPERATIONS |
| PENCIL TENNESSEE | NASHVILLE, TN | $50,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT REGULAR OPERATIONS IN EDUCATION |
| WORLD VISION | TACOMA, WA | $50,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT REGULAR OPERATIONS |
| ROOM IN THE INN | NASHVILLE, TN | $50,000 | 2026 | TO PROVIDE PROGRAMS THAT EMPHASIZE HUMAN DEVELOPMENT AND RECOVERY THROUGH EDUCATION, SELF-HELP AND WORK, CENTERED IN COMMUNITY AND LONG TERM SUPPORT FOR THOSE WHO CALL THE STREETS OF NASHVILLE HOME. |
| BETHLEHEM CENTERS OF NASHVILLE | NASHVILLE, TN | $50,000 | 2026 | TO PROVIDE QUALITY PROGRAMS AND SERVICES TO IMPACT THE LIVES OF CHILDREN, ADOLESCENTS, AND SENIORS THROUGHOUT MIDDLE TENNESSEE |
| NASHVILLE PUBLIC TELEVISION | NASHVILLE, TN | $50,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT REGULAR OPERATIONS |
| SALVATION ARMY (INTERNATIONAL) | ALEXANDRIA, VA | $50,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT REGULAR OPERATIONS |
| NASHVILLE PUBLIC RADIO | NASHVILLE, TN | $50,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT REGULAR OPERATIONS |
| FAITH FAMILY MEDICAL CENTER | NASHVILLE, TN | $50,000 | 2026 | TO PROVIDE AFFORDABLE, QUALITY CARE TO PATIENTS WHO ARE WORKING TO GET AHEAD, BUT CANNOT AFFORD TO SEE A DOCTOR |
| CATHOLIC CHARITIES DIOCESE OF NASHVILLE | NASHVILLE, TN | $50,000 | 2026 | TO PROVIDE A COMMUNITY OF LOVE AND GRACE |
| VFW FOUNDATION | KANSAS CITY, MO | $50,000 | 2026 | IMPROVING THE LIVES OF MILITARY VETERANS, SERVICE MEMBERS, AND THEIR FAMILIES |
| SALVATION ARMY (NASHVILLE) | NASHVILLE, TN | $50,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT REGULAR OPERATIONS |
| AMERICAN RED CROSS | WASHINGTON, DC | $50,000 | 2026 | TO PROTECT LIFE AND HEALTH AND TO ENSURE RESPECT FOR THE HUMAN BEING |
| U OF M SCHOOL OF NURSING SCHOLARSHIP FUND | MIAMI, FL | $50,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT REGULAR OPERATIONS |
| LINCOLN PARK COMMUNITY UMC | READING, PA | $50,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT REGULAR OPERATIONS |
| SALVATION ARMY (MIAMI) | LUTZ, FL | $50,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT REGULAR OPERATIONS |
| HEIFER INTERNATIONAL | LITTLE ROCK, AR | $50,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT EFFORTS TO END HUNGER AND POVERTY IN A SUSTAINABLE WAY |
| FEEDING AMERICA | CHICAGO, IL | $50,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT REGULAR OPERATIONS IN HUNGER RELIEF |
| MORNINGSIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL FOUNDATION | ATLANTA, GA | $40,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT REGULAR OPERATIONS |
| INTERFAITH DENTAL CLINIC OF NASHVILLE | NASHVILLE, TN | $40,000 | 2026 | TO CREATE A HEALTHIER COMMUNITY BY PROVIDING TRANSFORMATIONAL ORAL HEALTH CARE FOR THOSE EXPERIENCING POVERTY |
| THISTLE FARMS | NASHVILLE, TN | $30,000 | 2026 | TO PROVIDE A PATHWAY OF HEALING AND HOPE FOR WOMEN SURVIVORS OF TRAFFICKING, PROSTITUTION, AND ADDICTION |
| HABITAT FOR HUMANITY | AMERICUS, GA | $30,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT REGULAR OPERATIONS IN HUMANITARIAN EFFORTS |
| NURSES FOR NEWBORNS | NASHVILLE, TN | $30,000 | 2026 | TO REDUCE INFANT MORTALITY, CHILD ABUSE, AND NEGLECT IN TENNESSEE |
| FRIENDS OF WARNER PARKS INC | NASHVILLE, TN | $25,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT REGULAR OPERATIONS |
| LUKE 1412 | NASHVILLE, TN | $25,000 | 2026 | TO PROVIDE MEALS TO THE HUNGRY, HOMELESS AND WORKING POOR OF NASHVILLE |
| THE HUMANE SOCIETY OF THE UNITED STATES | WASHINGTON, DC | $25,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT REGULAR OPERATIONS |
| UMASS | AMHERST, MA | $25,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT REGULAR OPERATIONS |
| RAZOM FOR UKRAINE | NEW YORK, NY | $25,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT REGULAR OOPERATIONS |
| READING EDUCATION FOUNDATION | READING, PA | $25,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT REGULAR OPERATIONS IN EDUCATION |
GET AHEAD PROJECT QUEENSTOWN
$500,000TO SUPPORT REGULAR OPERATIONS
UNITY IN AFRICA TRUST
$300,000TO SUPPORT THE IGEMS PROGRAM
DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS
$200,000TO SUPPORT REGULAR OPERATIONS IN PROVIDING GLOBAL MEDICAL AID
SAVE THE CHILDREN
$150,000TO SUPPORT REGULAR OPERATIONS
TO HELP CHANGE THE LIVES OF WOMEN, CHILDREN, AND FAMILIES ALL OVER THE WORLD
INTERNATIONAL RESCUE COMMITTEE
$125,000TO HELP PEOPLE WHOSE LIVES AND LIVELIHOODS ARE SHATTERED BY CONFLICT AND DISASTER
VANDERBILT GIFT AND DONATIONS
$100,000TO SUPPORT REGULAR OPERATIONS
IMPROVING THE HEALTH AND LIVES OF PEOPLE LIVING IN THE MOST VULNERABLE SITUATIONS - UKRAINE CRISIS AND ISRAEL CONFLICT
MIAMI DADE COLLEGE FOUNDATION
$100,000TO SUPPORT REGULAR OPERATIONS
PEDIATRIC IN-PATIENT REHABILITATION PROJECT & TO SUPPORT REGULAR OPERATIONS
DAMANT LODGE HOME FOR THE AGED
$100,000TO SUPPORT REGULAR OPERATIONS
GLOBALGIVING
$75,000TO SUPPORT REGULAR OPERATIONS
TO SUPPORT PROGRAMS THAT BENEFIT VETERANS AND FAMILIES OF ILL AND INJURED VETERANS
WEST END UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
$75,000TO SUPPORT REGULAR OPERATIONS
AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY
$75,000TO PROVIDE BREAKTHROUGH RESEARCH, OFFER PATIENT PROGRAM AND SERVICES, AND PROVIDING CANCER INFORMATION AND ASSISTANCE THROUGH A HELPLINE
SOUTH FLORIDA PBS
$50,000TO SUPPORT REGULAR OPERATIONS TO BRING ARTS, EDUCATION AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS TO VIEWERS
NASHVILLE SYMPHONY
$50,000TO SUPPORT REGULAR OPERATIONS
PENCIL TENNESSEE
$50,000TO SUPPORT REGULAR OPERATIONS IN EDUCATION
ROOM IN THE INN
$50,000TO PROVIDE PROGRAMS THAT EMPHASIZE HUMAN DEVELOPMENT AND RECOVERY THROUGH EDUCATION, SELF-HELP AND WORK, CENTERED IN COMMUNITY AND LONG TERM SUPPORT FOR THOSE WHO CALL THE STREETS OF NASHVILLE HOME.
TO PROVIDE QUALITY PROGRAMS AND SERVICES TO IMPACT THE LIVES OF CHILDREN, ADOLESCENTS, AND SENIORS THROUGHOUT MIDDLE TENNESSEE
SALVATION ARMY (INTERNATIONAL)
$50,000TO SUPPORT REGULAR OPERATIONS
TO PROVIDE AFFORDABLE, QUALITY CARE TO PATIENTS WHO ARE WORKING TO GET AHEAD, BUT CANNOT AFFORD TO SEE A DOCTOR
TO PROVIDE A COMMUNITY OF LOVE AND GRACE
IMPROVING THE LIVES OF MILITARY VETERANS, SERVICE MEMBERS, AND THEIR FAMILIES
SALVATION ARMY (NASHVILLE)
$50,000TO SUPPORT REGULAR OPERATIONS
TO PROTECT LIFE AND HEALTH AND TO ENSURE RESPECT FOR THE HUMAN BEING
U OF M SCHOOL OF NURSING SCHOLARSHIP FUND
$50,000TO SUPPORT REGULAR OPERATIONS
LINCOLN PARK COMMUNITY UMC
$50,000TO SUPPORT REGULAR OPERATIONS
SALVATION ARMY (MIAMI)
$50,000TO SUPPORT REGULAR OPERATIONS
HEIFER INTERNATIONAL
$50,000TO SUPPORT EFFORTS TO END HUNGER AND POVERTY IN A SUSTAINABLE WAY
MORNINGSIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL FOUNDATION
$40,000TO SUPPORT REGULAR OPERATIONS
TO CREATE A HEALTHIER COMMUNITY BY PROVIDING TRANSFORMATIONAL ORAL HEALTH CARE FOR THOSE EXPERIENCING POVERTY
TO PROVIDE A PATHWAY OF HEALING AND HOPE FOR WOMEN SURVIVORS OF TRAFFICKING, PROSTITUTION, AND ADDICTION
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
$30,000TO SUPPORT REGULAR OPERATIONS IN HUMANITARIAN EFFORTS
NURSES FOR NEWBORNS
$30,000TO REDUCE INFANT MORTALITY, CHILD ABUSE, AND NEGLECT IN TENNESSEE
LUKE 1412
$25,000TO PROVIDE MEALS TO THE HUNGRY, HOMELESS AND WORKING POOR OF NASHVILLE
THE HUMANE SOCIETY OF THE UNITED STATES
$25,000TO SUPPORT REGULAR OPERATIONS
UMASS
$25,000TO SUPPORT REGULAR OPERATIONS
READING EDUCATION FOUNDATION
$25,000TO SUPPORT REGULAR OPERATIONS IN EDUCATION