Holmes Family Foundation Inc.

Holmes Family Foundation Inc. operates as a quintessential family philanthropy: intimate, relationship-driven, and entirely closed to cold applications. Led by President Stephen P. Holmes and VP/Secretary Bonnie L. Holmes — both serving without compensation since the foundation's founding in November 2004 — the foundation makes all grant decisions personally, without program officers, advisory committees, or formal application cycles. The database profile explicitly marks it as preselected-only, and third-party grant databases confirm it operates on an invite-only basis.

The foundation's giving philosophy centers on long-term partnership, not transactional grantmaking. Of the 37 documented grants in available records, the overwhelming majority went to organizations that appear across multiple grant cycles. Chilton Memorial Hospital Foundation received 3 grants totaling $450,000. New City Kids received 3 grants totaling $300,000. Girl Scouts of Northern New Jersey received 3 grants totaling $245,000. This is not a foundation that explores new partners frequently — it deepens ties with proven institutions.

The geographic focus is tightly northern New Jersey, with particular affinity for communities in Morris County and Passaic County — Pompton Plains, Paterson, and surrounding areas appear repeatedly among grantees. Faith-based mission is woven into the portfolio: First Reformed Church of Pompton Plains ($300,000 across 2 grants), The Center for Action & Contemplation ($100,000 across 2 grants), and First Reformed Dutch Church ($100,000) reflect the Holmes family's personal values embedded in their philanthropy.

For any organization seeking to enter this foundation's orbit, the path in runs through existing grantee networks — not through the foundation's listed phone number (888-866-3275) or PO Box in Pennington, NJ. Leaders connected to Newbridge Fund, Chilton Memorial Hospital Foundation, Girl Scouts of Northern New Jersey, or Oasis: A Haven for Women & Children are the most realistic warm-introduction sources. Organizations must also demonstrate financial strength and organizational maturity before any relationship conversation begins — the Holmes family backs institutions, not individual projects, and expects proven staying power from its partners.

Holmes Family Foundation Inc. has accelerated its grantmaking substantially over the past five years. Grants paid totaled $595,000 in 2019, $710,000 in 2020, and dipped to $560,000 in 2021 before surging to $1,300,000 in 2022, $1,355,000 in 2023, and $1,610,000 in 2024 — a 171% increase from 2019 to 2024. This expansion likely reflects both strong investment performance (net investment income peaked at $2,930,443 in 2021 and $1,854,207 in 2022) and a deliberate strategic decision to deploy more capital. Total assets have remained stable at approximately $26.4–$26.9M throughout 2019–2024, confirming the foundation is not drawing down principal.

Grant sizes span a meaningful range. In 2024, the foundation made 17 grants averaging approximately $95,000, with the single largest at $400,000 (Newbridge Services Inc.) and smaller relationship-opening awards likely in the $10,000–$25,000 range. Across all documented grants in the database, the median grant is approximately $62,500 and the average is $88,750. Critically, every documented grant purpose is labeled "UNRESTRICTED GENERAL" — the foundation exclusively provides general operating support, never project-restricted or capital grants.

By geography, 68% of grants (25 of 37 documented) went to New Jersey-based organizations. New York received 4 grants (11%), Tennessee 3 grants (8%), New Mexico 2 grants (5%), and DC, Georgia, and Pennsylvania each received 1 grant.

By sector, behavioral and mental health services command the largest share: Newbridge Fund Inc. ($525,000 cumulative) and Newbridge Services Inc. ($250,000 single grant) together represent approximately $775,000 — roughly 24% of the $3.215M total documented giving. Healthcare follows with Chilton Memorial Hospital Foundation at $450,000 (14%). Youth services (New City Kids, Girl Scouts of Northern NJ, Boys & Girls Clubs) total approximately $565,000 (17.5%). Faith-based giving collectively reaches approximately $500,000 (15.5%). Women and family services (Oasis: A Haven for Women & Children, Bessie Green Community Inc.) total approximately $400,000 (12.4%). Higher education received $150,000 across grants to Georgetown University and Bucknell University (4.7%).

The foundation's $26.4M asset base generates roughly $1.0–$1.85M in net investment income annually, funding a payout rate of approximately 5.5–6.1%, consistently above the IRS-mandated 5% minimum for private foundations.

Holmes Family Foundation Inc. sits in a mid-size private foundation tier, with assets of approximately $26.4M — a level shared by several peer foundations identified through asset-band analysis. The comparison below uses the closest asset-matched peers.

Holmes distinguishes itself in two important ways. First, its 2024 payout of $1.61M represents approximately 6.1% of assets — above the standard 5% IRS minimum and a signal that the foundation is actively deploying capital rather than conserving it. Second, Holmes maintains exceptional geographic concentration: 87%+ of grants stay in New Jersey, giving it a community-rooted character uncommon among foundations of this size. Peer foundations in this asset band largely lack public grant disclosure, making detailed comparisons impossible, but Holmes's documented 171% growth in annual giving from 2019 to 2024 suggests unusual momentum for a family foundation of this scale. Organizations already embedded in New Jersey's healthcare, faith, or youth-services infrastructure are best positioned to compete for a relationship with this foundation.

No press releases, formal announcements, or public social media activity from Holmes Family Foundation Inc. were found in searches covering 2025–2026. The foundation maintains an extremely low public profile — it has no active public-facing website specific to the NJ entity (the holmesfamilyfoundation.org domain resolves to an unrelated Florida-based organization), no social media accounts, and does not issue press releases. This is consistent with a tightly-held family foundation that values discretion.

What is visible through public financial filings: a Form 990 was filed in November 2025 covering fiscal year 2024, confirming the foundation remains active. Total charitable disbursements in 2024 reached $1,695,296, representing 90.3% of all foundation expenses — a giving-efficiency ratio among the highest possible for a private foundation. Total assets held steady at $26,444,353, with revenue of $1,754,928 generated almost entirely from investment income (dividends: $777,621; asset sales: $975,060).

The most significant 2024 development is the $400,000 grant to Newbridge Services Inc. — the single largest individual award in recent documented history — suggesting the foundation is willing to deploy major capital to flagship behavioral health partners. Leadership has been unchanged for more than 20 years: Stephen P. Holmes and Bonnie L. Holmes have served as president and VP/secretary since the foundation's IRS ruling date of November 2004, both without compensation. No leadership transitions or succession planning activity has been made public.

The most essential fact for any grant seeker: Holmes Family Foundation Inc. does not accept unsolicited applications. The foundation's own database record marks it as preselected-only, and multiple third-party grant research platforms confirm it is invite-only. Cold outreach via the listed phone number (888-866-3275) or PO Box (PO Box 1532, Pennington, NJ 08534) is unlikely to open doors on its own and may actively signal that an applicant has not done their homework.

The only viable path is a warm introduction to Stephen P. Holmes or Bonnie L. Holmes through someone in their existing network. Current grantees — particularly Newbridge Fund Inc., Chilton Memorial Hospital Foundation, New City Kids Inc., Girl Scouts of Northern New Jersey, and The Snedeker Foundation — are the most credible introduction channels. Development directors at these organizations should be cultivated as network contacts before any outreach to the foundation itself is attempted.

Geographic alignment is non-negotiable for most applicants. The foundation concentrates 87%+ of grants in New Jersey, with Morris County and Passaic County organizations appearing most consistently. Organizations headquartered in northern NJ are inherently favored; those from other states should be prepared to articulate a specific, active NJ service footprint.

Sector alignment matters equally. The most fundable organizational profiles combine two or more of: behavioral or mental health services, hospital or acute healthcare, faith-based community programming, youth development, or women and family services. The Center for Action & Contemplation's New Mexico-based contemplative programming received $100,000 across two grants, suggesting that strong faith and spiritual mission can occasionally override geographic preference.

When positioning for a relationship, emphasize organizational strength over programmatic novelty. Every documented grant has been "unrestricted general" support — the Holmes family funds institutions, not initiatives. Proposals should center on organizational track record, leadership longevity, financial health (audited financials are essential), and community embeddedness. Never lead with a specific project budget or earmarked program request.

On grant sizing: first-time awards are typically small. Anchoring an opening ask at $10,000–$25,000 and allowing the relationship to grow over multiple cycles is the pattern demonstrated by top grantees like Bessie Green Community Inc. ($300,000 across 3 grants) and Girl Scouts of Northern New Jersey ($245,000 across 3 grants). Patience across a 12–24 month relationship-building timeline before any grant materializes is realistic.