Healey Family Foundation

The Healey Family Foundation operates as a pure pass-through grantmaker, supporting preselected 501(c)(3) organizations without conducting direct charitable activities. Established in 1990 and based in Madison, New Jersey, the foundation is managed by Executive Director Melanie Hudson with trustees John Hagerty and Megan M. Healey, all serving part-time without compensation. The foundation explicitly states it does not accept unsolicited requests for funds, instead directing all contributions to organizations chosen by its leadership. Its grantmaking heavily favors Catholic educational institutions, social service providers, and faith-based organizations, reflecting the family's philanthropic priorities. With 139 grants distributed in 2024, the foundation maintains a high-volume, moderate-value approach to charitable giving.

The Healey Family Foundation distributed $2,011,894 across 139 grants in fiscal year 2024, down from 146 grants in 2023 and 166 in 2022, suggesting a gradual tightening of the grantee portfolio. The grant size distribution is heavily skewed: 115 of 139 grants (83%) fall in the $500 to $25,000 range, with a median grant of $3,000. However, the largest single grant of $427,411 to Portsmouth Abbey School represents over 21% of total giving. The foundation also maintains donor-advised fund contributions ($100,000 each to Healey and Hagerty family funds). Total assets of approximately $15 million yield a payout rate of roughly 13.4%, significantly exceeding the 5% IRS minimum and historical patterns of $6.7 million in grants (2023) suggest variable annual giving levels.

In 2024, the Healey Family Foundation continued its established pattern of broad, Catholic-leaning philanthropy with 139 grants. Top recipients included Portsmouth Abbey School ($427,411), The Drexel Fund ($117,250, supporting private school choice), Cristo Rey Network ($95,000, Catholic work-study high schools), Catholic Charities USA ($75,400), and Georgetown University ($60,000). The foundation's geographic distribution concentrated in New Jersey (34 grants), New York (31 grants), and Washington DC (18 grants), while also reaching 22 additional states. The foundation maintains a Wix-based website at healey.org with minimal public information. Executive Director Melanie Hudson continues to lead operations, with 990 filings available from 2009 through 2024, showing consistent annual grantmaking over a 15-year period.

The Healey Family Foundation explicitly does not accept unsolicited funding requests, making traditional application strategies ineffective. However, organizations aligned with the foundation's priorities may consider these approaches: (1) Build relationships through Catholic educational networks, particularly those connected to Portsmouth Abbey School, Cristo Rey, or Georgetown University. (2) Participate in national Catholic philanthropy circles such as the Council of New Jersey Grantmakers, where the foundation maintains a profile. (3) Organizations working in Catholic education, scholarship access for underserved students, or faith-based social services are most aligned with the foundation's historic giving patterns. (4) The Drexel Fund connection suggests interest in private school choice and educational equity initiatives. (5) Small to mid-size organizations should note that 83% of grants are under $25,000, with a median of $3,000, so expectations should be calibrated accordingly. (6) National organizations with New Jersey, New York, or DC presence may have a geographic advantage.