Albert O Wilson Foundation Inc logo

Albert O Wilson Foundation Inc

Private foundation · Grantmaker Wilmington, DE EIN: 04-6039669 Website

Albert O Wilson Foundation Inc is a private foundation based in Wilmington, Delaware, established by Albert O. Wilson, Sr. in 1952 to support charitable organizations in the greater Boston area, with special emphasis on Cambridge. Effective January 1, 2026, the foundation was dissolved and converted to a donor-advised fund managed through the Cambridge Community Foundation.

Albert O Wilson Foundation Inc at a glance

In short: Albert O Wilson Foundation Inc gave $234K across 29 grants in 2025 (avg $8K), mostly in Massachusetts. 28% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.

Annual giving (2025)
$234,000
+46.3% vs 2024
Grants made (2025)
29
+31.8% vs 2024
Average grant
$8,069
+10.9% vs 2024
Median grant
$7,000
Total assets
$3,654,238
-1.6% vs 2024
New grantees (estimate)
28% first-time grantees (8 of 29, 2025)
Primary geography
Massachusetts (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
Latest 990 filing
Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing

Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).

How to apply to Albert O Wilson Foundation Inc

How to Apply

The 2024 filing directs applicants to contact William Rice and consult the foundation website for the application form and materials, as well as restrictions on awards.

Review Cycle
January 31.
Deadline
January 31.
Contact

Application contact: William Rice
Mailing address: Two International Place Ste 2110, Boston, MA 02110
Phone: (617) 338-3800
Website: https://aowilsonfoundation.org

Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.

Who Albert O Wilson Foundation Inc funds

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2025

Cambridge School Volunteers Inc: $24KCambridge School VolunteersInc$24KCrossroads for Kids Inc: $15KCrossroads for Kids Inc$15KJust a Start Inc: $15KJust a Start Inc$15KCambridge Camping Association Inc: $12KCambridge Camping AssociationInc$12KAgassiz Baldwin Community a Cambridge Corporation: $10KAgassiz Baldwin Community aCambridge Corporation$10KCitysprouts Inc: $10KCitysprouts Inc$10KCommunity Art Center Inc: $10KCommunity Art Center Inc$10KRiverside Community Care Inc: $10KRiverside Community Care Inc$10KThe Salvation Army: $10KThe Salvation Army$10KBreakthrough Greater Boston Inc: $9KBreakthrough Greater BostonInc$9K

The largest 2025 recipient was Cambridge School Volunteers Inc ($24K). Together the top 10 received $125K.

Grant Size Distribution

122 grants across all recorded years

122<$50K$50–100K$100–250K$250–500K$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

The most common grant size was under $50K: 122 grants of 122 (100%).

Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

The foundation’s stated geographic emphasis is the greater Boston area, especially Cambridge. All grant dollars reported for 2025 went to recipients in Massachusetts.

Grant Distribution by State

2states

Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 29 itemized grants.

Cities

CambridgeBostonActonCharlestownDedhamDuxburyRoxburyBoylstonJamaica PlainWorcesterDorchesterLexingtonWalthamWashingtonWatertownWellesley

Is Albert O Wilson Foundation Inc open to new grantees?

28%

first-time grantees, 2025

In 2025, 8 of 29 grantees (28%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $6K; repeat grants $9K. How we count

Medians: $5K first-time, $9K repeat.

  • 72% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
  • Giving grew 41% from 2022 to 2025. Method
  • In 2025 it paid out 87% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method

Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.

Giving History

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$100K$200K$300K27 grants2020 26 grants2021 24 grants2022 21 grants2023 22 grants2024 29 grants2025

From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $160K (2023) to $234K (2025). In 2025 it made 29 grants totaling $234K.

Grants by year

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
Cambridge School Volunteers Inc Cambridge, MAGeneral & Unrestricted$24,000
Crossroads for Kids Inc Duxbury, MAGeneral & Unrestricted$15,000
Just a Start Inc Cambridge, MAGeneral & Unrestricted$15,000
Cambridge Camping Association Inc Cambridge, MAGeneral & Unrestricted$12,000
Agassiz Baldwin Community a Cambridge Corporation Cambridge, MAOutback Scholarships Scholarship Fund$10,000
Citysprouts Inc Cambridge, MAGeneral & Unrestricted$10,000
Community Art Center Inc Cambridge, MAGeneral & Unrestricted$10,000
Riverside Community Care Inc Dedham, MAGeneral & Unrestricted$10,000
The Salvation Army Cambridge, MAGeneral & Unrestricted$10,000
Breakthrough Greater Boston Inc Cambridge, MAGeneral & Unrestricted$9,000
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Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Figures from IRS filings, by filing year
Filing yearTotal AssetsRevenueExpensesGrants paidGrantsQualifying DistributionsNet Investment IncomeDistributable Amount
2025$3,654,238$252,444$311,221$234,00029$264,769$215,640$303,223
2024$3,713,015$376,833$226,257$160,00022$186,139$357,531$263,110
2023$3,560,439$122,684$225,288$160,00021$186,459$89,274$247,590
2022$3,663,043$207,549$236,197$166,50024$195,821$167,382$277,313
2021$3,691,691$70,593$227,634$168,23526—$64,466$237,009
2020$3,848,732$-35,458$263,551$200,00027—$78,605$234,186

Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Albert O Wilson Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $303K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.

Mission & Focus Areas

The fund’s stated mission is to support carefully screened nonprofits that assist people facing poverty, homelessness, deprivation, or natural disaster; advance education, youth programs, health care, medical research, and environmental awareness; support educational institutions through endowments, scholarships, and financial aid; nurture the arts and cultural institutions; and promote historic and community preservation and education. Its stated goal also includes identifying charities that direct gifts efficiently toward their intended purposes.

Recent grantees illustrate several of these areas. Cambridge School Volunteers describes its work as supporting Cambridge public school students’ academic and personal success by matching students with caring adults. Crossroads for Kids says it serves youth from low-income communities through year-round outdoor learning, social-emotional development, college and career exploration, and relationship-building. Community Art Center describes its work as cultivating young people’s artistic voices, while Riverside Community Care describes providing behavioral health care and human services.

Grantmaking

In 2025, the foundation reported 29 grants totaling $234,000. Individual grants ranged from $2,500 to $24,000, with a median of $7,000. The largest awards included $24,000 to Cambridge School Volunteers; $15,000 each to Crossroads for Kids and Just a Start; and $12,000 to Cambridge Camping Association. Other 2025 awards included $10,000 each to Agassiz Baldwin Community, CitySprouts, Community Art Center, Riverside Community Care, and The Salvation Army.

The 2024 filing states that giving is not restricted to preselected organizations. It directs applicants to contact William Rice and consult the foundation website for application materials and award restrictions.

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

The 2025 filing lists Alexandra M. Dohan as Clerk/Trustee; Sarah B. Dohan as Trustee; Hannah N. McClennan as Trustee and Vice President; William P. Rice as President and Trustee; William P. Rice Jr. as Trustee and Treasurer; and Raymond T. Wilson as Trustee.

Albert O Wilson Foundation Inc is led by William P Rice, President & Trustee on every filing since 2020; none of the 6 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.

Officers on the 2025 filing

  • William P Rice

    President & Trustee

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Alexandra M Dohan

    Clerk & Trustee

    Trustee → Clerk & Trustee, 2025

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Hannah N McClennan

    Trustee & Vice President

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Raymond T Wilson

    Trustee

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • William P Rice Jr.

    Trustee & Treasurer

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Sarah B Dohan

    Trustee

    On filings since 2021

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

Former officers (1)
  • Former: Robert S Hurlbut (2020–2022) — Trustee

Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.

Frequently asked questions about Albert O Wilson Foundation Inc

How much does Albert O Wilson Foundation Inc give each year?

Albert O Wilson Foundation Inc gave $234K across 29 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $160K across 22 grants.

What is Albert O Wilson Foundation Inc's typical grant size?

Albert O Wilson Foundation Inc's median grant in 2025 was $7,000, and its average grant was $8,069, across 29 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Albert O Wilson Foundation Inc that year got $6K on average.

Where does Albert O Wilson Foundation Inc give grants?

Albert O Wilson Foundation Inc gives mostly in Massachusetts: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Cambridge, MA (13 grants) and Boston, MA (8 grants).

Does Albert O Wilson Foundation Inc give general operating support?

Yes: 90% of Albert O Wilson Foundation Inc's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (26 of 29) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.

Who are Albert O Wilson Foundation Inc's largest grantees?

Albert O Wilson Foundation Inc's largest 2025 grantees include Cambridge School Volunteers Inc ($24,000), Crossroads for Kids Inc ($15,000) and Just a Start Inc ($15,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 23% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.

How large is Albert O Wilson Foundation Inc?

Albert O Wilson Foundation Inc reported $3.7M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $265K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $303K (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.

What does Albert O Wilson Foundation Inc fund?

The fund’s stated mission is to support carefully screened nonprofits that assist people facing poverty, homelessness, deprivation, or natural disaster; advance education, youth programs, health care, medical research, and environmental awareness; support educational institutions through endowments, scholarships, and financial aid; nurture the arts and cultural institutions; and promote historic and community preservation and education. See mission & focus areas ↑

How do I apply for a grant from Albert O Wilson Foundation Inc?

The 2024 filing directs applicants to contact William Rice and consult the foundation website for the application form and materials, as well as restrictions on awards. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑

What is Albert O Wilson Foundation Inc's EIN?

Albert O Wilson Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 04-6039669. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.

Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.

Data update history

(1)

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

  1. IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025

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Browse active grant opportunities in Albert O Wilson Foundation Inc's focus areas in our free grants database

Similar Funders

Funders that support many of the same organizations

Boston Foundation Inc

Boston, MA

The Boston Foundation funds nonprofits and community initiatives focused on equity and opportunity, including child well-being, economic opportunity, community wealth, and community leadership, primarily in Greater Boston. Its 2025 grants had a median of $25,000, while specific programs offer amounts such as $50,000; whether it accepts unsolicited requests is not stated.

Assets

$2.1B

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Total Given

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Cambridge Savings Charitable

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Cambridge Savings Charitable funds affordable housing, shelters, transitional housing, food insecurity, and financial education for underserved residents in Middlesex, Suffolk, Essex, and Norfolk counties, Massachusetts. Its website lists grants up to $5,000 and sponsorships up to $2,500 per organization per year; 2025 grants ranged from $21 to $100,000, with a median of $4,000. It states that it contributes only to preselected charities and does not accept unsolicited requests.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

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Total Given

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Eastern Bank Foundation

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Eastern Bank Foundation supports economic inclusion and mobility, including small businesses, early childhood development, affordable housing, and workforce development. Its 2025 grants ranged from $50 to $2,002,500, with a median of $2,500, primarily in Massachusetts and also in New Hampshire and Rhode Island. It accepts online applications and does not limit giving to preselected organizations.

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Cummings Foundation Grants Inc (FKA Oneworld Boston Inc)

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Cummings Foundation Grants Inc. funds nonprofits working in human services, education, healthcare, fairness and justice, and the environment, primarily in greater Boston and eastern Massachusetts. Its 2024 grants ranged from $1,000 to $3.5 million, with a median of $35,000; it accepts letters of inquiry through an online portal during its application cycle, which was not open at the time described.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

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Total Given

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Liberty Mutual Foundation Inc

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Liberty Mutual Foundation funds basic needs such as food and shelter, education and workforce development, and climate and community infrastructure, including homelessness and community preparedness programs. Its 2024 grants had a median of $35,000, and most funding supports organizations or programs serving the Boston area, though it also gives elsewhere. It accepts unsolicited online requests on a rolling basis, with no submission deadlines.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$46.1M

Grants

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Total Given

$50.6M

Eastern Cambridge Foundation

Wakefield, MA

Eastern Cambridge Foundation has historically made grants in Massachusetts, but it is dissolving and transferring its assets to Eastern Bank Foundation; its 2025 filing reports a one-time $5.5 million transfer, not a typical ongoing grant size. The filing says to contact the foundation for application materials and does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$15K

Grants

1

Total Given

$5.5M

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Cite this profile

Grantable. (2026). Albert O Wilson Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 15, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/albert-o-wilson-foundation-inc-morg_c626dd360a764db193de2b1793f80882

BibTeX
@misc{grantable_046039669_2026,
  author       = {{Grantable}},
  title        = {{Albert O Wilson Foundation Inc funder profile}},
  howpublished = {GrantGraph},
  year         = {2026},
  url          = {https://grantable.co/funders/albert-o-wilson-foundation-inc-morg_c626dd360a764db193de2b1793f80882},
  note         = {Accessed 2026-10-15. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}

The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.

Figures come from Albert O Wilson Foundation Inc's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.

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