FundersMaryland

Mary Jean and Oliver Travers Foundation

Phoenix, MD · EIN 52-6056360. Reported 333 grants totalling $1,805,474 to 176 organizations across tax years 2020-2023. This foundation did not tell the IRS it funds only preselected organizations.

Yesaccepts unsolicited requests
$2,500median grant
$1,805,474granted, 2020-2023
176organizations funded
62%of grantees funded again the next year
$7,855,648assets, latest filing

Does this foundation accept applications?

Yes -- on its own tax return. Form 990-PF asks every private foundation whether it makes grants only to organizations it selects itself. Of the 91,758 foundations in our data that made a grant and answered, 78% said yes -- and applying to those is wasted effort. Mary Jean and Oliver Travers Foundation did not check that box on its most recent filing, which puts it in the minority that is at least open to being approached.

This is the foundation's own statement to the IRS, not our judgement, and it says nothing about whether they have a form, a deadline, or an appetite for new grantees. Treat it as the reason this foundation is worth your research time, not as an invitation. Many small foundations of this kind have no website and no application process -- a letter of inquiry is the normal first step.

How big are its grants?

The median grant is $2,500. Half of everything it gave fell between $1,000 and $5,000; the smallest was $500 and the largest $201,500. If you are asking for materially more than the top of that range, you are asking the wrong foundation.

Under $1,000
21 grants
$1,000 - $5,000
215 grants
$5,000 - $10,000
52 grants
$10,000 - $25,000
36 grants
$25,000 - $50,000
3 grants
$50,000 - $100,000
4 grants
$100,000 and Up
2 grants

Every organization it funded

This is the complete list from its filings, largest first. Years funded is the number of separate tax years in which the organization received money -- more than one means a real relationship rather than a one-off.

OrganizationLocationTotal receivedGrantsYears fundedLast
Calvert SchoolBaltimore, MD$326,500442023
Notre Dame PrepTowson, MD$149,500442023
John HopkinsBaltimore, MD$60,000442023
Cristo ReyBaltimore, MD$54,500442023
Goucher CollegeBaltimore, MD$54,500442023
Peabody InstitutionBaltimore, MD$52,500222023
Irvine Nature CenterOwings Mills, MD$41,500442023
National Jewish HealthDenver, CO$40,000332022
GbmcBaltimore, MD$36,000442023
CASA of Mid ShoreEaston, MD$33,500442023
Ladew GardensMonkton, MD$30,000442023
Sisters AcademyBaltimore, MD$28,500442023
Sewanee & the University of the SouthSewanee, TN$25,000222023
St IgnatiousBaltimore, MD$24,500332022
Maryland SPCABaltimore, MD$24,000442023
Ocean City Recreation BoostersOcean City, MD$23,000332023
Roanoke CollegeSalem, VA$20,000222022
Ums-Wright Prepatory SchoolMobile, AL$20,000222023
Walters Art GalleryBaltimore, MD$20,000222021
Helping Up MissionBaltimore, MD$19,500442023
Young AudiencesBaltimore, MD$18,500222021
Baltimore Museum of IndustryBaltimore, MD$18,000442023
Maryland Recreation and Parks AssociationBowie, MD$17,500222023
Baltimore Humane SocietyReisterstown, MD$17,000442023
Boys Latin School of MarylandBaltimore, MD$15,500332023
Ardens ArcBaltimore, MD$15,000442023
Towson High SchoolTowson, MD$15,000222023
White Oak FoundationYulee, FL$15,000112020
SquashwiseBaltimore, MD$14,500332022
Brian Cosgrove Memorial FundTowson, MD$13,000332023
University of Maryland Medical SystemBaltimore, MD$12,500112021
Catholic CharitiesBaltimore, MD$12,000442023
Glenn L Martin MD Aviation MuseumBaltimore, MD$11,000442023
Macquarie University$11,000112021
Mother May Lange Catholic SchoolBaltimore, MD$11,000112022
One Love FoundationBronxville, NY$10,564112021
Maryland Food BankBaltimore, MD$10,500442023
BestBaltimore, MD$9,500332022
Maryland Family NetworkBaltimore, MD$9,500222023
Cylburn ArboretumBaltimore, MD$9,000442023
Manor ConservancyMonkton, MD$9,000332023
The Arc of Northern Chesapeake RegionAberdeen, MD$9,000442023
The Family TreeBaltimore, MD$9,000112021
Ums-Wright Preparatory SchoolMobile, AL$9,000112020
Genesee Valley Outdoor LearningParkton, MD$8,500332023
Gilchrest Hospice CareTowson, MD$8,000332023
Holy Angels Catholic SchoolBaltimore, MD$8,000112020
Kennedy Krieger InstituteBaltimore, MD$8,000332022
Maryland ZooBaltimore, MD$8,000222023
Navy Seal FoundationVirginia Beach, VA$8,000442023
Parks and PeopleBaltimore, MD$8,000332023
Chesapeake Bay FoundationAnnapolis, MD$7,500222023
Chespeake Bay FoundationAnnapolis, MD$7,500112021
Hampden Family CenterBaltimore, MD$6,500332023
Maryland Club Preservation FoundationBaltimore, MD$6,500222021
Maryland State Squash AssociationForst Hill, MD$6,500332023
Rails to Trails ConservancyWashington, DC$6,500332023
River Valley RanchManchester, MD$6,500332023
St Paul's SchoolBrooklandville, MD$6,500222021
Alex's LemonadeBala Cynwyd, PA$6,000112021
American Diabetes AssociationBaltimore, MD$6,000442023
Catholic Relief ServicesBaltimore, MD$6,000222021
Catoctin Wildlife PreserveThurmont, MD$6,000332023
Chesapeake Therapeutic RidingStreet, MD$6,000332023
Swing for YouthBerlin, MD$6,000112021
Arts for Learning MarylandBaltimore, MD$5,500332023
Starboard SocietyCockeysville, MD$5,500222023
Als AssociationArlington, VA$5,000222023
Baltimore Tree TrustBaltimore, MD$5,000112021
Church of the RedeemerBaltimore, MD$5,000332023
East Coast Exotic Animal RescueFairfield, PA$5,000332023
First Tee Greater BaltimoreCockeysville, MD$5,000112022
Gilchrist Hospice CareTowson, MD$5,000112020
Golfer's Charitable FoundationHunt Valley, MD$5,000222023
James Buchanan Brady Urolgical InstituteBaltimore, MD$5,000222022
LungevityBethesda, MD$5,000112021
Lunggevity FoundationBethesda, MD$5,000112023
Maryland Center for History and CultureBaltimore, MD$5,000112022
One Love FoundationBaltimore, MD$5,000112023
Roland Park PlaceBaltimore, MD$5,000112020
The Restoration FarmStreet, MD$5,000222023
White Oak FoundationApex, NC$5,000112021
Baltimore Educational Scholarship TrustBaltimore, MD$4,500112023
Cheetah Conservation FundAlexandria, VA$4,500332023
Junior League of BaltimoreBaltimore, MD$4,500222023
Sacred Heart of Jesus ChristBaltimore, MD$4,500222021
St Ignatious Loyola AcademyBaltimore, MD$4,500112023
Friends of Maryland State ParksOcean City, MD$4,000112023
Frisky's Wildlife and Primate SanctuaryWoodstock, MD$4,000332023
JdrfNew York, NY$4,000222021
National Multiple Sclerosis SocietyWashington, DC$4,000442023
Cure Alzheimer's FundWellesley Hills, MA$3,500112020
Maryland School for BlindBaltimore, MD$3,500332023
Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care ShelterBaltimore, MD$3,310112023
Barnabus CenterRichmond, VA$3,000112020
Bow Wows Buddies FoundationWestminster, CO$3,000112023
Emerge GlobalOwensboro, KY$3,000222023
Episcopal Housing CorporationBaltimore, MD$3,000222023
The Odyssey SchoolTimonium, MD$3,000112022
The Salvation ArmyBaltimore, MD$3,000332023
Umb FoundationBaltimore, MD$3,000112022
Araminta Freedom InitiativeBaltimore, MD$2,500112020
Aspen Center for Environmental StudiesAspen, CO$2,500112021
BarcsBaltimore, MD$2,500112022
Deer Creek ChoraleJarrettsville, MD$2,500112023
Dyslexia Tutoring ProgramBaltimore, MD$2,500112021
Friends of Maryland State Forests and ParksEllicott City, MD$2,500112021
Good Shepard Housing FundWoodbridge, VA$2,500112023
Hampden Community CouncilBaltimore, MD$2,500112020
Higgins Brothers Surgi CenterLa Source$2,500222023
League of DreamsBaltimore, MD$2,500112021
Lungevity FoundationBethesda, MD$2,500112020
Maryland Line Fire Protective AssociationFreeland, MD$2,500112021
Next One UpBaltimore, MD$2,500112020
Phoenix Wildlife CenterPhoenix, MD$2,500332023
Providence Volunteer Fire CoBaltimroe, MD$2,500222023
Shore Rivers FoundationEaston, MD$2,500112020
Special Olympics MarylandArbutus, MD$2,500332023
Stamford House Historic Preservation FoundationButler, MD$2,500112021
Towson High Sports BoostersTowson, MD$2,500112021
Umms FoundationBaltimore, MD$2,500112023
Valleys Planning CouncilTowson, MD$2,500112022
Washington & Lee UniversityLexington, VA$2,500112022
Aces Place IncMiddle River, MD$2,400222023
Brevard Music CenterBrvard, NC$2,000222023
Center for Pregnancy ConcernsBaltimore, MD$2,000112021
Franciscan CenterBel Air, MD$2,000222023
Friends School of BaltimoreBaltimore, MD$2,000222021
Gunpowder RiverkeeperSparks Glencoe, MD$2,000112023
James W Houck FoundationCockeysville, MD$2,000222023
Segalman ScholasticRockville, MD$2,000112020
St Ignatious Catholic ChurchBaltimore, MD$2,000112023
St Joseph ParishCockeysville, MD$2,000222023
St Lukes Church of the AvenueBaltimore, MD$2,000222023
Aviation Without BordersBethesda, MD$1,500112021
Baltimore SquashwiseBaltimore, MD$1,500112023
Boy Scouts of AmericaIrving, TX$1,500112022
Building Skills PartnershipLos Angeles, CA$1,500112021
Catholic Men's Fellowship of MarylandBaltimore, MD$1,500112022
Climate RideMissoula, MT$1,500112022
Gentle Giants Draft Horse RescueMt Airy, MD$1,500222023
Hereford Zone Parks and RecsMonkton, MD$1,500112023
Alex's Lemonade StandBala Cynward, PA$1,000112020
Arden Center for EnvironmentalAspen, CO$1,000112020
Baltimore Symphony OrchestraBaltimore, MD$1,000112021
Carmelite Monastery BaltimoreTowson, MD$1,000112023
Ccbc FoundationBaltimore, MD$1,000112020
Cockesyville Volunteer Fire CompanyCockeysville, MD$1,000112020
Conserving CarolinaHendersonville, NC$1,000112022
Fara FoundationAustin, TX$1,000112021
Father's Heart FoundationDry Ridge, KY$1,000112020
Fordham UniversityNew York, NY$1,000112020
Friedreich's Ataxia Research AllianceDowningtown, PA$1,000112023
German American Cultural CenterGretna, LA$1,000112023
German Society of MarylandBaltimore, MD$1,000112023
Hampton National Historic SiteTowson, MD$1,000112021
Marfan FoundationPort Washington, NY$1,000112020
Mercy Health FoundationBaltimore, MD$1,000112023
Parkinson's Educational ExpoMilford, DE$1,000112023
Paul's PlaceBaltimore, MD$1,000112023
School of the CathedralBaltimore, MD$1,000112023
St JudeMemphis, TN$1,000112022
Swim Across AmericaCharlotte, NC$1,000112022
The Cathedral of Mary Our QueenBaltimore, MD$1,000112022
Voom FoundationCollege Station, TX$1,000112023
Wilmer Eye InstituteOdenton, MD$1,000112021
Baltimore Cam-Am CupBaltimore, MD$700112023
Alley Cat RescueMount Rainier, MD$500112022
Cedar Lane Sports FoundationBel Air, MD$500112023
Cockeysville Fire DepartmentCockeysville, MD$500112023
Historic Hampton IncTowson, MD$500112023
Little Longears Miniature Donkey RescueNew Oxford, PA$500112023
Maryland Ducks UnlimitedEaston, MD$500112023
Noah's Lost ArkBerlin, OH$500112023
Oriole Advocate IncLusby, MD$500112023
Tiger HavenKingston, TN$500112023

84 of 176 (48%) received money in more than one year over the 4 years we hold.

Measured the way we measure every foundation -- what share of one year's grantees are funded again the next -- this one retains 62%, across 3 year-to-year transitions. The median foundation retains about 67%, so this one is about typical. A high number means its list is close to settled and a newcomer has to displace someone; a low one means it is still moving money around, which is where an opening is.

What the money was for

Taken verbatim from the purpose field of its filings. This is the closest thing to a statement of what this foundation cares about, in its own words.

What kind of organizations it funds

By the recipient's own IRS classification, for the 144 grants where we could identify the organization. These are assigned categories, not our guesses.

Education
34 grants
Animal Welfare
24 grants
Environment
21 grants
Arts & Culture
20 grants
Health Care
10 grants
Community Improvement
5 grants
Human Services
5 grants
Recreation & Sports
4 grants

Giving by year

Tax yearGrantsTotalMedian grant
202064$546,500$3,000
202189$547,564$3,500
202279$377,700$2,000
2023101$333,710$1,500

Tax years, not calendar years, and the most recent year is usually incomplete -- filings arrive about a year late, so a low final year means late paperwork rather than a foundation winding down.

Where its money goes

Foundations concentrate geographically far more than their mission statements suggest. 87% of this one's giving went to organizations in Maryland. If you are outside its footprint, that matters more than how well your programme fits.

Maryland
$1.6M
Colorado
$46K
Virginia
$46K
Alabama
$29K
Tennessee
$26K
New York
$17K
Florida
$15K
Pennsylvania
$14K

Find more foundations like Mary Jean and Oliver Travers Foundation

We email you newly filed foundations whose giving matches your state and cause, as the IRS publishes them. Free.

No spam, unsubscribe in one click. We never sell or share your address.

Funders that support the same organizations

These funders gave to organizations this one also funded -- some private foundations, some community foundations and other grantmaking charities. Shared grantees are the strongest available signal that two funders have overlapping priorities, and a funder already backing your peers is a far warmer prospect than one that merely lists your cause.

Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund67 shared recipientsDonor Advised Charitable Giving Inc59 shared recipientsAmerican Online Giving Foundation Inc50 shared recipientsAmerican Endowment Foundation47 shared recipientsT Rowe Price Program for Charitable46 shared recipientsThe Bank of America Charitable Foundation Inc43 shared recipients

How to approach this foundation

  1. Check you are its size. The median grant is $2,500. Asking for ten times that is the most common way small organizations waste a submission.
  2. Check you are in its geography. Its giving is concentrated in Maryland.
  3. Read the recipient list above for organizations like yours. If nothing on it resembles your work, that is a real answer, and a cheap one to get.
  4. Look up the current filing before writing. The 990-PF names the foundation's officers and, where one exists, its application procedure. We link it below.

Where these numbers come from

Everything above is taken from Mary Jean and Oliver Travers Foundation's own Form 990-PF filings, which the IRS publishes in bulk. We used 4 returns (tax years 2020-2023). Nothing here is scraped, inferred, or estimated.

Address of record on the latest return: 8 Hunt Club Court, Phoenix, MD, 21131. This is the address the foundation gave the IRS; many small foundations file through an accountant or a bank trust department, so it may not be where post to a programme officer should go.

EIN 52-6056360 · See the original filings on ProPublica · How we build this

This is history, not an open call. Foundation returns are published about a year after the tax year ends. Nothing on this page is a deadline. It is a record of who this foundation has actually funded, which is the best available predictor of who it will fund next -- and a much better basis for deciding whether to write to them than a mission statement.

Is something here wrong about your foundation? Email hello@funderscope.com and we will correct it.