The Orokawa Foundation concentrates its philanthropy on building long-term institutional capacity in the Baltimore–Maryland region, primarily through large endowment gifts to higher education, medical research, and community organizations. Its grants are sizable and strategic, aimed at sustaining universities, the medical school, and locally rooted programs that combine education and youth development. The foundation favors established institutions over small project grants and appears to prioritize enduring impact via endowments.
Concentrated, large-dollar grants focused on a small set of institutional recipients; predominantly endowment gifts rather than one-off program grants; repeat support to University of Maryland entities and major local nonprofits.
The Orokawa Foundation Inc C/o Martin J Eby makes large endowment gifts, and its recent record is anchored by a $1,176,000 grant to the University of Maryland Foundation for an endowment fund. The pattern is consistent across higher education, medical research, and community institutions, with repeated support for the University of Maryland School of Medicine and other Baltimore-area organizations. In 2024, the foundation gave $500,000 each to the University of Maryland School of Medicine Foundation Dr Rod and the University of Maryland School of Medicine Foundation, both for endowment funds. That same year it also backed Towson YMCA, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Living Classrooms Foundation, and Paul’s Place Outreach Center Inc with endowment support. Earlier grants show similar priorities: the YMCA of Central MD, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, and Camp Sunshine all appear in the recent grant record. The foundation’s giving is built around established institutions rather than small project awards, and many of its grants are framed as long-term capital or endowment support.
In higher education and medical research, the foundation’s recent grants centered on the University of Maryland system, including $1,176,000 to the University of Maryland Foundation in 2023 and $175,000 to the same recipient in 2024, both for endowment funds. Medical research also appears directly through a $250,000 grant in 2024 to Leukemia & Lymphoma Society for leukemia and lymphoma research. Community capacity-building is another clear theme: the foundation gave $300,000 to Paul’s Place Outreach Center Inc in 2023 and $250,000 in 2024, both for endowment funds. Youth and experiential learning also show up in gifts such as $575,000 to Living Classrooms Foundation and $600,000 to YMCA of Central MD, each designated as endowment support.
Typical grants fall at $25,000 at the 25th percentile, $45,000 at the median, and $100,000 at the 75th percentile, with several much larger endowment gifts above that range. The recent record shows repeat support for multiple recipients across 2023 and 2024, including the University of Maryland Foundation, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Camp Sunshine, Paul’s Place Outreach Center Inc, Associated Catholic Charities Inc, Itineris Foundation, and Insideout Writers. The foundation is classified as a regular funder, funds organizations rather than individuals, and does not make program-related investments. Most listed awards are designated for endowment funds or similarly long-term support.
$5.8M
$100.3M
$10.8M
$6.2M
Most grants fall between $25K and $100K, with a median of $45K.
25th Percentile
$25K
Median
$45K
75th Percentile
$100K
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Notable grantees: University of Maryland Foundation, University of Maryland School of Medicine Foundation, YMCA of Central Maryland, Living Classrooms Foundation
The grant record is concentrated in the United States, with all listed recent grants going to US recipients. Maryland is the main receiving state, accounting for 72% of grants, with frequent awards in Baltimore, Towson, Annapolis, and Adelphi. Outside Maryland, the foundation also gave to New York, Pennsylvania, Maine, and California organizations, including recipients in New York, Reading, Casco, and Los Angeles. The top state by grant count is New York, even though most grants go to Maryland recipients.
Its recent grants favor established institutions that can hold endowment funds, especially universities, medical research organizations, YMCAs, community service nonprofits, and regional education or youth-serving groups. The recent record includes the University of Maryland Foundation, the University of Maryland School of Medicine Foundation, YMCA of Central MD, Living Classrooms Foundation, and Paul’s Place Outreach Center Inc.
The distribution centers on $25,000 at the 25th percentile, $45,000 at the median, and $100,000 at the 75th percentile. Recent awards also include several larger endowment gifts, such as $1,176,000 to the University of Maryland Foundation and $600,000 to YMCA of Central MD.
Yes. Multiple recipients appear in both 2023 and 2024, including the University of Maryland Foundation, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Camp Sunshine, Paul’s Place Outreach Center Inc, Associated Catholic Charities Inc, Itineris Foundation, and Insideout Writers. The pattern suggests recurring support rather than isolated one-time awards.
Maryland receives 72% of the grants in the recent record. Baltimore, Towson, Annapolis, and Adelphi appear repeatedly among recipient cities, while the full recent country distribution is entirely U.S.-based.
The recent grant record points to higher education and medical research through the University of Maryland system, leukemia and lymphoma research through Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, and community capacity-building through organizations such as Paul’s Place Outreach Center Inc, Living Classrooms Foundation, and YMCA of Central MD.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UNIVERSITY OF MD BALTIMORE FOUNDATION INC | BALTIMORE, MD | $1,176,000 | 2026 | ENDOWMENT FUND |
| YMCA OF CENTRAL MD | CHICAGO, IL | $500,000 | 2026 | ENDOWMENT FUND |
| LIVING CLASSROOMS FOUNDATION | BALTIMORE, MD | $425,000 | 2026 | ENDOWMENT FUND |
| CHESAPEAKE BAY FOUNDATION | ANNAPOLIS, MD | $350,000 | 2026 | ENDOWMENT FUND |
| THE LEUKEMIA & LYMPHOMA SOCIETY | NEW YORK, NY | $335,000 | 2026 | ENDOWMENT FUND |
| CAMP SUNSHINE | CASCO, ME | $300,000 | 2026 | ENDOWMENT FUND |
| HABITAT FOR HUMANITY | BALTIMORE, MD | $250,000 | 2026 | ENDOWMENT FUND |
| ST JOSEPH MEDICAL CENTER FOUNDATION INC | READING, PA | $200,000 | 2026 | ENDOWMENT FUND |
| ROCA BALTIMORE LLC | BALTIMORE, MD | $150,000 | 2026 | ENDOWMENT FUND |
| PAUL'S PLACE OUTREACH CENTER INC | BALTIMORE, MD | $150,000 | 2026 | ENDOWMENT FUND |
| THE FAMILY TREE | BALTIMORE, MD | $147,180 | 2026 | ENDOWMENT FUND |
| NEXT ONE UP FOUNDATION INC | BALTIMORE, MD | $125,000 | 2026 | ENDOWMENT FUND |
| WORLDWIDE ORPHANS FOUNDATION | NEW YORK, NY | $112,500 | 2026 | ENDOWMENT FUND |
| ASSOCIATED CATHOLIC CHARITIES INC | BALTIMORE, MD | $100,000 | 2026 | ENDOWMENT FUND |
| INSIDEOUT WRITERS | LOS ANGELES, CA | $100,000 | 2026 | ENDOWMENT FUND |
| ROBIN HOOD FOUNDATION | NEW YORK, NY | $95,000 | 2026 | ENDOWMENT FUND |
| CRISTO REY JESUIT HIGH SCHOOL | BALTIMORE, MD | $75,000 | 2026 | ENDOWMENT FUND |
| SUNRISE DAY CAMPS ASSOCIATION | OCEANSIDE, NY | $75,000 | 2026 | ENDOWMENT FUND |
| ITINERIS FOUNDATION | BALTIMORE, MD | $75,000 | 2026 | ENDOWMENT FUND |
| BALTIMORE CHILDREN'S MUSEUM | BALTIMORE, MD | $75,000 | 2026 | ENDOWMENT FUND |
| CENTER FOR URBAN FAMILIES | BALTIMORE, MD | $75,000 | 2026 | ENDOWMENT FUND |
| IRVINE NATURE CENTER | OWNINGS MILLS, MD | $51,029 | 2026 | ENDOWMENT FUND |
| MEDECINS SANS FRONTIERS USA INC | SEATTLE, WA | $50,000 | 2026 | ENDOWMENT FUND |
| BALTIMORE SQUASHWISE INC | BALTIMORE, MD | $50,000 | 2026 | ENDOWMENT FUND |
| THE CHILDREN'S GUILD INC | BALTIMORE, MD | $50,000 | 2026 | ENDOWMENT FUND |
| KENNEDY KRIEGER INSTITUTE | BALTIMORE, MD | $50,000 | 2026 | ENDOWMENT FUND |
| ALZHEIMERS ASSOCIATION | TIMONIUM, MD | $50,000 | 2026 | ENDOWMENT FUND |
| MD FOODBANK INC | BALTIMORE, MD | $50,000 | 2026 | ENDOWMENT FUND |
| ROCA PALLIN YOUTH CENTER INC | CHELSEA, MA | $50,000 | 2026 | ENDOWMENT FUND |
| BALTIMORE EDUCATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP TRUST INC | BALTIMORE, MD | $40,000 | 2026 | ENDOWMENT FUND |
| B'MORE CLUBHOUSE | BALTIMORE, MD | $40,000 | 2026 | ENDOWMENT FUND |
| GREEN STREET ACADEMY | BALTIMORE, MD | $35,000 | 2026 | ENDOWMENT FUND |
| RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE | OAK BROOK, IL | $30,000 | 2026 | ENDOWMENT FUND |
| PIVOT INC | BALTIMORE, MD | $30,000 | 2026 | ENDOWMENT FUND |
| AGT HOUSE OF RUTH | BALTIMORE, MD | $30,000 | 2026 | ENDOWMENT FUND |
| SHAREBABY INC | BROOKLANDVILLE, MD | $25,000 | 2026 | ENDOWMENT FUND |
| THE VENETOULIS INSTITUTE FOR LOCAL JOURNALISM | BALTIMORE, MD | $25,000 | 2026 | ENDOWMENT FUND |
| NATURE SACRED | ANNAPOLIS, MD | $25,000 | 2026 | ENDOWMENT FUND |
| THE ODYSSEY SCHOOL | TIMONIUM, MD | $25,000 | 2026 | ENDOWMENT FUND |
| THE BALTIMORE HUNGER PROJECT INC | COCKEYSVILLE, MD | $25,000 | 2026 | ENDOWMENT FUND |
| ATHLETES SERVING ATHLETES | LUTHERVILLE, MD | $25,000 | 2026 | ENDOWMENT FUND |
| WEEKEND BACKPACKS FOR HOMELESS KIDS INC | PIKESVILLE, MD | $15,000 | 2026 | ENDOWMENT FUND |
| BALTIMORE PUBLIC MEDIA CORPORATION | BALTIMORE, MD | $15,000 | 2026 | ENDOWMENT FUND |
| COMMON GROUND INC | WEST HENRIETTA, NY | $15,000 | 2026 | ENDOWMENT FUND |
| UNIVERISITY OF NC CHAPELL HILL GIFT CLEARING | CHAPEL HILL, NC | $10,000 | 2026 | ENDOWMENT FUND |
| DRINK AT THE WELL INC | BALTIMORE, MD | $10,000 | 2026 | ENDOWMENT FUND |
| TEENS WITH TRAUMA INC | LUTHERVILLETIMONIUM, MD | $10,000 | 2026 | ENDOWMENT FUND |
| BALTIMORE HOMECOMING INC | BALTIMORE, MD | $10,000 | 2026 | ENDOWMENT FUND |
| CATTAIL CHASE RACES INC | BROOKEVILLE, MD | $10,000 | 2026 | ENDOWMENT FUND |
| AVALON FOUNDATION | EASTON, MD | $10,000 | 2026 | ENDOWMENT FUND |
UNIVERSITY OF MD BALTIMORE FOUNDATION INC
$1,176,000ENDOWMENT FUND
YMCA OF CENTRAL MD
$500,000ENDOWMENT FUND
LIVING CLASSROOMS FOUNDATION
$425,000ENDOWMENT FUND
ENDOWMENT FUND
ST JOSEPH MEDICAL CENTER FOUNDATION INC
$200,000ENDOWMENT FUND
ROCA BALTIMORE LLC
$150,000ENDOWMENT FUND
ASSOCIATED CATHOLIC CHARITIES INC
$100,000ENDOWMENT FUND
CRISTO REY JESUIT HIGH SCHOOL
$75,000ENDOWMENT FUND
MEDECINS SANS FRONTIERS USA INC
$50,000ENDOWMENT FUND
THE CHILDREN'S GUILD INC
$50,000ENDOWMENT FUND
KENNEDY KRIEGER INSTITUTE
$50,000ENDOWMENT FUND
ALZHEIMERS ASSOCIATION
$50,000ENDOWMENT FUND
MD FOODBANK INC
$50,000ENDOWMENT FUND
ROCA PALLIN YOUTH CENTER INC
$50,000ENDOWMENT FUND
B'MORE CLUBHOUSE
$40,000ENDOWMENT FUND
GREEN STREET ACADEMY
$35,000ENDOWMENT FUND
RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE
$30,000ENDOWMENT FUND
AGT HOUSE OF RUTH
$30,000ENDOWMENT FUND
NATURE SACRED
$25,000ENDOWMENT FUND
COMMON GROUND INC
$15,000ENDOWMENT FUND
UNIVERISITY OF NC CHAPELL HILL GIFT CLEARING
$10,000ENDOWMENT FUND
TEENS WITH TRAUMA INC
$10,000ENDOWMENT FUND
CATTAIL CHASE RACES INC
$10,000ENDOWMENT FUND