Van Essen Family Foundation
Preselected recipients only
Van Essen Family Foundation is a private foundation in Pennington, New Jersey. In tax year 2025 it gave $121,000 in 23 grants; the typical grant was $5,000 and the largest $18,000. It only gives to organizations it selects itself and does not accept unsolicited applications.
From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2025.
- Grants paid, 2025$121,000
- Number of grants23
- Typical grant$5,000
- Largest grant$18,000
- Assets$3.3 million
- New grantees26%
Giving in 2025 was up from $99,000 the year before.
26% of its 2025 grantees had not received a grant from it the year before, a mix of repeat and new grantees.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Number of grants | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $116,500 | 24 | $2.3 million |
| 2024 | $99,000 | 22 | $2.5 million |
| 2025 | $121,000 | 23 | $3.3 million |
How to apply
Van Essen Family Foundation says in its IRS filing that it only makes contributions to preselected organizations, so unsolicited applications are unlikely to be considered. Organizations it funds are usually invited.
What Van Essen Family Foundation funds
Where it gives
Its grants went to recipients in 8 states, the most to New Mexico.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| New Mexico | 15 | $85,000 |
| Arizona | 2 | $10,000 |
| California | 1 | $5,000 |
| North Carolina | 1 | $5,000 |
| Tennessee | 1 | $5,000 |
| Texas | 1 | $5,000 |
| Virginia | 1 | $5,000 |
| Michigan | 1 | $1,000 |
Grants paid in 2025
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| First Presbyterian Church | Unrestricted general | $18,000 |
| Santa Fe Preparatory School | Unrestricted general | $15,000 |
| American Cancer Association | Unrestricted general | $5,000 |
| Arizona Foundation for Cancer | Unrestricted general | $5,000 |
| Think New Mexico | Unrestricted general | $5,000 |
| International Folk Art Alliance | Unrestricted general | $5,000 |
| The Nature Conservancy | Unrestricted general | $5,000 |
| Duke Fuqua Business School | Unrestricted general | $5,000 |
| St Jude Children's Research Hospital | Unrestricted general | $5,000 |
| Trinity University | Unrestricted general | $5,000 |
| Santa Fe Children's Museum Inc | Unrestricted general | $5,000 |
| St Michael's High School Foundation | Unrestricted general | $5,000 |
| Espanola Humane | Unrestricted general | $5,000 |
| Santa Fe Conservation Trust | Unrestricted general | $5,000 |
| Lap Dog Rescue of NM Inc | Unrestricted general | $5,000 |
| Santa Fe Animal Shelter & Humane Society | Unrestricted general | $5,000 |
| University of Arizona Foundation | Unrestricted general | $5,000 |
| The University of Redlands | Unrestricted general | $5,000 |
| Northern New Mexico Soccer Association | Unrestricted general | $3,000 |
| Breakthrough Santa Fe - Santa Fe Prep | Unrestricted general | $2,000 |
| Michigan State University | Unrestricted general | $1,000 |
| Museum of New Mexico Foundation | Unrestricted general | $1,000 |
| Ndi New Mexico | Unrestricted general | $1,000 |
Officers and trustees
- Owen van Essen
- Katherine van Essen
- Daniel R van Essen
- Joel B van Essen
- Trevor T van Essen
Questions people ask
Does Van Essen Family Foundation accept grant applications?
No. Its IRS filing says it only makes contributions to preselected organizations.
How much does Van Essen Family Foundation give?
$121,000 in tax year 2025, across 23 grants, with a typical grant of $5,000.
Who runs Van Essen Family Foundation?
Its 2025 filing lists Owen van Essen (President), Katherine van Essen (Secretary/Treasurer), Daniel R van Essen (Director) and Joel B van Essen (Director) among 5 officers and trustees.
What does Van Essen Family Foundation fund?
Based on its grants, mainly education, animals and health.