The Robert and Michelle Cooke Atchinson Foundation concentrates large, targeted gifts to a few high-impact institutions, primarily in Massachusetts. Their funding emphasizes medical and scientific research, support for Catholic elementary schools in Boston, and reproductive health access/advocacy, with several multi-grant relationships indicating repeat, sustained support.
The Robert and Michelle Cooke Atchinson Foundation shows a clear pattern of large, repeat gifts to a small set of Massachusetts institutions. Massachusetts Eye & Ear received three major grants between 2023 and 2025, including $2,250,000 in 2025 for medical research. The foundation also backed Upstream with $1,000,000 in 2024 to improve and change reproductive health care, and it made $1,000,000 grants in 2024 and $525,020 in 2025 to the Campaign for Catholic Schools to strengthen and support Catholic elementary schools in Boston neighborhoods. Beyond those headline awards, the foundation funds a mix of medical research, Catholic education, youth development, and local civic support. Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution received $1,000,000 in 2025 for general support, and Boston Children’s Hospital received $125,000 in 2025 for medical research and support. Grants also reach organizations serving children, students, and families across Boston, Central Massachusetts, and Nantucket, with several recipients appearing in more than one year. The giving pattern suggests sustained relationships rather than one-time awards, especially in health research and Catholic school support.
Medical and scientific research is a major theme. The foundation gave $100,000 in 2024 to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute for general support for cancer research, and $125,000 in 2025 to Boston Children’s Hospital for general support for medical research and support. Another research-focused grant went to Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution for general support in 2025. They also fund reproductive health work. Upstream received $1,000,000 in 2024 and $300,000 in 2025 to improve and change reproductive health care. In education, the foundation gave $100,000 in 2025 to The Catholic Schools Foundation for Catholic schools, alongside larger multi-year support to the Campaign for Catholic Schools for Catholic elementary schools in Boston neighborhoods. Youth development appears through programs such as Big Brother Big Sister Central Massmetrowest for mentoring children throughout Central Massachusetts and Year Up for technical and professional skills development.
Typical grants are mid-sized to large, with a p25 of $10,000, a median of $25,000, and a p75 of $50,000. The public recent-grants list shows a much larger upper tier as well, including multiple six- and seven-figure awards, so the foundation combines many smaller awards with a few major institutional gifts. Recurring relationships are common: Massachusetts Eye & Ear, Upstream, Campaign for Catholic Schools, Share Winter Foundation, Nantucket Boys & Girls Club, Massachusetts Wonderfund, and Year Up each appear in multiple years. The foundation is a regular funder, not a DAF, and it also funds individuals.
$6.3M
$131.5M
$32.2M
$7.9M
Most grants fall between $10K and $50K, with a median of $25K.
25th Percentile
$10K
Median
$25K
75th Percentile
$50K
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Highly concentrated: few, very large grants total most giving; repeated multi-grant relationships with select institutions rather than many small awards; strong Massachusetts/Boston geographic focus.
Notable grantees: Massachusetts Eye & Ear, Campaign for Catholic Schools (Boston), Upstream, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
Grantmaking is overwhelmingly Massachusetts-centered: 86% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state, and Massachusetts is also the top state by grant count. Boston is the most frequent city in the recent grants list, with recipients including Massachusetts Eye & Ear, Upstream, Camp Harbor View Foundation, Boston Children’s Hospital, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Year Up, and The Boston Foundation. Other Massachusetts places that appear include Worcester, Roxbury, Newton, Nantucket, Woods Hole, Siasconset, Norton, and Braintree. Outside Massachusetts, the recent-grants list includes Providence, Rhode Island.
The foundation focuses on medical and scientific research, Catholic elementary schools in Boston neighborhoods, reproductive health access and systems change, and youth-serving organizations. Recent grants show repeated support for Massachusetts Eye & Ear, Upstream, the Campaign for Catholic Schools, and several child and youth programs in Massachusetts.
Yes. Multiple recipients appear across more than one year, including Massachusetts Eye & Ear, Upstream, Campaign for Catholic Schools, Share Winter Foundation, Nantucket Boys & Girls Club, Massachusetts Wonderfund, and Year Up. That pattern points to sustained relationships rather than one-off awards.
The typical grant size is $10,000 at the 25th percentile, $25,000 at the median, and $50,000 at the 75th percentile. The recent grants list also includes much larger awards, including several $1,000,000 gifts and a $2,250,000 grant.
Its grantmaking is heavily concentrated in Massachusetts, which receives 86% of grants and is the top state by grant count. Boston appears repeatedly in the recent grants list, along with Worcester, Roxbury, Newton, Nantucket, Woods Hole, Siasconset, Norton, and Braintree.
Yes. The foundation’s profile indicates that it funds individuals, alongside organizational grants to hospitals, schools, youth programs, and other nonprofits.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MASSACHUSETTS EYE & EAR | BOSTON, MA | $2,250,000 | 2025 | INCREASE MEDICAL RESEARCH |
| WOODS HOLE OCEANOGRAPHIC INSTITUTION | WOODS HOLE, MA | $1,000,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CAMPAIGN FOR CATHOLIC SCHOOLS | BRAINTREE, MA | $525,020 | 2025 | TO STRENGTHEN & SUPPORT CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS IN BOSTON NEIGHBORHOODS. |
| UPSTREAM | BOSTON, MA | $300,000 | 2025 | TO IMPROVE AND CHANGE REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH CARE |
| CAMP HARBOR VIEW FOUNDATION | BOSTON, MA | $200,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT SUMMER CAMPS AND ACTIVITES PROVIDED TO BOSTON'S AT-RISK NEIGHBORHOODS. |
| NANTUCKET BOYS & GIRLS CLUB | NANTUCKET, MA | $185,000 | 2025 | TO EMPOWER THE YOUTH OF NANTUCKET TO REACH THEIR FULL POTENTIAL. |
| BIG BROTHER BIG SISTER CENTRAL MASSMETROWEST | WORCESTER, MA | $150,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT MENTORING FOR CHILDREN THROUGHOUT CENTRAL MASSACHUSETTS. |
| BOSTON CHILDRENS HOSPITAL | BOSTON, MA | $125,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT FOR MEDICAL RESEARCH AND SUPPORT |
| THE BOSTON FOUNDATION | BOSTON, MA | $120,000 | 2025 | IMPROVING BOSTON AREA NONPROFITS |
| MASSACHUSETTS WONDERFUND INC | NEWTON, MA | $100,000 | 2025 | TO SERVE CHILDREN ENGAGED WITH THE MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES |
| THE CATHOLIC SCHOOLS FOUNDATION | BOSTON, MA | $100,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT CATHOLIC SCHOOLS. |
| THE FRANCIS OUIMET SCHOLARSHIP FUND INC | NORTON, MA | $100,000 | 2025 | TO PROVIDE FOR NEED-BASED COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS TO YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN WHO HAVE WORKED AT MASSACHUSETTS GOLF COURSES |
| SHARE WINTER FOUNDATION | PROVIDENCE, RI | $100,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT THE LIVES, HEALTH AND FITNESS OF YOUTH THROUGH WINTER SPORTS. |
| HORIZONS FOR HOMELESS CHILDREN | ROXBURY, MA | $85,000 | 2025 | TO IMPROVE THE LIVES OF YOUNG HOMELESS CHILDREN IN MASSACHUSETTS |
| NANTUCKET COTTAGE HOSPITAL FOUNDATION | NANTUCKET, MA | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT FOR MEDICAL RESEARCH AND SERVICES |
| YEAR UP | BOSTON, MA | $50,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT THE DEVELOPMENT OF YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN IN TECHNICAL AND PROFESSIONAL SKILLS. |
| RON BURTON TRAINING VILLAGE | HUBBARDSTON, MA | $40,000 | 2025 | TO ENRICH THE LIVES OF CHALLENGED YOUTH IN AREAS OF CHARACTER AND LEADERSHIP |
| BOSTON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA | BOSTON, MA | $35,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY PROGRAMS AIMED TO INCREASE ACCESS TO AND PASSION FOR ORCHESTRAL MUSIC |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF BOSTON | BOSTON, MA | $35,000 | 2025 | TO ENABLE ALL YOUNG PEOPLE, ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO NEED US MOST, TO REACH THEIR FULL POTENTIAL AS PRODUCTIVE, CARING, RESPONSIBLE CITIZENS. |
| CATHOLIC CHARITIES BOSTON | BOSTON, MA | $33,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT REFUGEE LEGAL SERVICES AND HEALTH TRAINING PROGRAMS |
| CATHOLIC FOUNDATION OF SOUTHEASTERN MASSACHUSETTS | FALL RIVER, MA | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| COREY C GRIFFIN FOUNDATION | BRAINTREE, MA | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| THE HONOR FOUNDATION | SAN DIEGO, CA | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| UNICEF USA | NEW YORK, NY | $28,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS FOR EMERGENCY SITUATIONS |
| FOUNDATION FOR THE CAROLINA'S | CHARLOTTE, NC | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| BIG BROTHER BIG SISTER OF EASTERN MASSACHUSETTS | BOSTON, MA | $25,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT MENTORING FOR CHILDREN THROUGHOUT MASSACHUSETTS. |
| NANTUCKET GOLF CLUB FOUNDATION INC | SIASCONSET, MA | $25,000 | 2025 | TO PROMOTE THE POSITIVE DEVELOPMENT AND ENRICHMENT OF NANTUCKET CHILDREN |
| CLERGY TRUST | BRAINTREE, MA | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| THE GREATER BOSTON FOOD BANK INC | BOSTON, MA | $25,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT ENDING HUNGER ACROSS EASTERN MASSACHUSETTS |
| BOSTON BULLPEN PROJECT INC | NEEDHAM, MA | $25,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT SOCIAL SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS IN MASSACHUSETTS |
| THE COLLEGE OF THE HOLY CROSS | WORCESTER, MA | $25,000 | 2025 | TO PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR ADVANCED EDUCATION. |
| GAVIN FOUNDATION INC | SOUTH BOSTON, MA | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT FOR SUBSTANCE ABUSE EDUCATION, PREVENTION AND TREATMENT PROGRAMS |
| BOSTON HEALTH CARE FOR THE HOMELESS PROGRAM | BOSTON, MA | $25,000 | 2025 | TO PROVIDE EQUITABLE AND DIGNIFIED ACCESS TO THE HIGHEST QUALITY HEALTH CARE FOR ALL INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS |
| OLD COLONY YMCA | BROCKTON, MA | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| HARVARD COLLEGE | CAMBRIDGE, MA | $25,000 | 2025 | TO PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR ADVANCED EDUCATION |
| NANTUCKET PARTNERSHIP FOR CHILDREN INC - STRONG WINGS | NANTUCKET, MA | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| HEALTH EQUITY INTERNATIONAL | NEWTON, MA | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT FOR MEDICAL RESEARCH AND SERVICES |
| THE WARMING PLACE | NANTUCKET, MA | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| GOLF FIGHTS CANCER | NORTON, MA | $20,000 | 2025 | TO RAISE FUNDS TO MAKE TANGIBLE IMPROVEMENTS THE CANCER-CARE EXPERIENCE FOR PATIENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES |
| MARANYUNDO INITIATIVE | CAMBRIDGE, MA | $20,000 | 2025 | PROVIDING ACCESS TO AND EXCELLENCE IN GIRLS' EDUCATION IN RWANDA |
| HERREN PROJECT | PORTSMOUTH, RI | $20,000 | 2025 | TO PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES TO RECEIVE QUALITY CARE WITH ADDICTION |
| BOSTON MEDFLIGHT | BEDFORD, MA | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CITY YEAR | BOSTON, MA | $20,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT TUTORS, MENTORS, AND ROLE MODELS TO HELP STUDENTS STAY IN SCHOOL AND ON TRACK TO GRADUATE HIGH SCHOOL READY FOR COLLEGE AND CAREER SUCCESS. |
| PLAY BALL | CONCORD, MA | $15,000 | 2025 | TO CREATE AND EXPAND SPORTS OPPORTUNITIES FOR URBAN MIDDLE SCHOOLERS |
| BLUE STAR FAMILIES INC | ENCINITAS, CA | $15,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT MILITARY FAMILIES |
| BOSTON CELTICS SHAMROCK FOUNDATION | BOSTON, MA | $10,050 | 2025 | TO ENRICH THE LIVES OF CHALLENGED YOUTH IN AREAS OF CHARACTER AND LEADERSHIP. |
| THE SISTERS OF ST JOSEPH | BRIGHTON, MA | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT OF THE CHURCH |
| MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL | BOSTON, MA | $10,000 | 2025 | ENSURE THAT DIVERSE PATIENTS AND FAMILIES RECEIVE HIGH QUALITY HEALTH CARE |
| ONE SUMMIT INC | NORTH ANDOVER, MA | $10,000 | 2025 | TO BUILD RESILIENCE AND FACILITATE GROWTH IN PEDIATRIC CANCER PATIENTS AND THEIR SIBLINGS THROUGH EXPERIENTAL LEARNING, MENTORSHIP, AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT WITH US NAVY SEALS |
| MEDICINES FOR HUMANITY | MALIBU, CA | $10,000 | 2025 | TO PROVIDE MEDICAL SUPPORT TO CHILDREN IN IMPOVERISHED COMMUNITIES WORLDWIDE. |
MASSACHUSETTS EYE & EAR
$2,250,000INCREASE MEDICAL RESEARCH
CAMPAIGN FOR CATHOLIC SCHOOLS
$525,020TO STRENGTHEN & SUPPORT CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS IN BOSTON NEIGHBORHOODS.
CAMP HARBOR VIEW FOUNDATION
$200,000TO SUPPORT SUMMER CAMPS AND ACTIVITES PROVIDED TO BOSTON'S AT-RISK NEIGHBORHOODS.
TO EMPOWER THE YOUTH OF NANTUCKET TO REACH THEIR FULL POTENTIAL.
SUPPORT MENTORING FOR CHILDREN THROUGHOUT CENTRAL MASSACHUSETTS.
BOSTON CHILDRENS HOSPITAL
$125,000GENERAL SUPPORT FOR MEDICAL RESEARCH AND SUPPORT
TO SERVE CHILDREN ENGAGED WITH THE MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
TO PROVIDE FOR NEED-BASED COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS TO YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN WHO HAVE WORKED AT MASSACHUSETTS GOLF COURSES
TO SUPPORT THE LIVES, HEALTH AND FITNESS OF YOUTH THROUGH WINTER SPORTS.
TO IMPROVE THE LIVES OF YOUNG HOMELESS CHILDREN IN MASSACHUSETTS
NANTUCKET COTTAGE HOSPITAL FOUNDATION
$50,000GENERAL SUPPORT FOR MEDICAL RESEARCH AND SERVICES
TO SUPPORT THE DEVELOPMENT OF YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN IN TECHNICAL AND PROFESSIONAL SKILLS.
TO ENRICH THE LIVES OF CHALLENGED YOUTH IN AREAS OF CHARACTER AND LEADERSHIP
BOSTON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
$35,000TO SUPPORT EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY PROGRAMS AIMED TO INCREASE ACCESS TO AND PASSION FOR ORCHESTRAL MUSIC
BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF BOSTON
$35,000TO ENABLE ALL YOUNG PEOPLE, ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO NEED US MOST, TO REACH THEIR FULL POTENTIAL AS PRODUCTIVE, CARING, RESPONSIBLE CITIZENS.
CATHOLIC CHARITIES BOSTON
$33,000TO SUPPORT REFUGEE LEGAL SERVICES AND HEALTH TRAINING PROGRAMS
COREY C GRIFFIN FOUNDATION
$30,000GENERAL SUPPORT
UNICEF USA
$28,000SUPPORT INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS FOR EMERGENCY SITUATIONS
BIG BROTHER BIG SISTER OF EASTERN MASSACHUSETTS
$25,000SUPPORT MENTORING FOR CHILDREN THROUGHOUT MASSACHUSETTS.
TO PROMOTE THE POSITIVE DEVELOPMENT AND ENRICHMENT OF NANTUCKET CHILDREN
CLERGY TRUST
$25,000GENERAL SUPPORT
TO SUPPORT ENDING HUNGER ACROSS EASTERN MASSACHUSETTS
BOSTON BULLPEN PROJECT INC
$25,000TO SUPPORT SOCIAL SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS IN MASSACHUSETTS
THE COLLEGE OF THE HOLY CROSS
$25,000TO PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR ADVANCED EDUCATION.
GAVIN FOUNDATION INC
$25,000GENERAL SUPPORT FOR SUBSTANCE ABUSE EDUCATION, PREVENTION AND TREATMENT PROGRAMS
TO PROVIDE EQUITABLE AND DIGNIFIED ACCESS TO THE HIGHEST QUALITY HEALTH CARE FOR ALL INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS
HARVARD COLLEGE
$25,000TO PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR ADVANCED EDUCATION
NANTUCKET PARTNERSHIP FOR CHILDREN INC - STRONG WINGS
$25,000GENERAL SUPPORT
HEALTH EQUITY INTERNATIONAL
$25,000GENERAL SUPPORT FOR MEDICAL RESEARCH AND SERVICES
THE WARMING PLACE
$20,000GENERAL SUPPORT
TO RAISE FUNDS TO MAKE TANGIBLE IMPROVEMENTS THE CANCER-CARE EXPERIENCE FOR PATIENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES
PROVIDING ACCESS TO AND EXCELLENCE IN GIRLS' EDUCATION IN RWANDA
TO PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES TO RECEIVE QUALITY CARE WITH ADDICTION
BOSTON MEDFLIGHT
$20,000GENERAL SUPPORT
SUPPORT TUTORS, MENTORS, AND ROLE MODELS TO HELP STUDENTS STAY IN SCHOOL AND ON TRACK TO GRADUATE HIGH SCHOOL READY FOR COLLEGE AND CAREER SUCCESS.
PLAY BALL
$15,000TO CREATE AND EXPAND SPORTS OPPORTUNITIES FOR URBAN MIDDLE SCHOOLERS
TO ENRICH THE LIVES OF CHALLENGED YOUTH IN AREAS OF CHARACTER AND LEADERSHIP.
THE SISTERS OF ST JOSEPH
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT OF THE CHURCH
MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL
$10,000ENSURE THAT DIVERSE PATIENTS AND FAMILIES RECEIVE HIGH QUALITY HEALTH CARE
ONE SUMMIT INC
$10,000TO BUILD RESILIENCE AND FACILITATE GROWTH IN PEDIATRIC CANCER PATIENTS AND THEIR SIBLINGS THROUGH EXPERIENTAL LEARNING, MENTORSHIP, AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT WITH US NAVY SEALS
MEDICINES FOR HUMANITY
$10,000TO PROVIDE MEDICAL SUPPORT TO CHILDREN IN IMPOVERISHED COMMUNITIES WORLDWIDE.