The Algar Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation based in Boston, Massachusetts, established in 2018. As a 501(c)(3) organization, it operates as a philanthropic entity dedicated to making grants to charitable organizations across the United States.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$12.2M
-2.5% YoY
Annual Giving
$858K
+84.9% YoY
Grant Count
42
-6.7% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$20K
+98.1% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Algar Foundation reported a distributable amount of $719K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Grantmaking
The foundation is an active grantmaker with a broad funding approach. In 2024, it made 41 grants totaling $857,750. Grant sizes range from $2,000 to $400,000, with a median grant amount of $5,000 and an average grant size of approximately $20,100.
Grant Range
s range from $2,000 to $400,000, with a median grant amount of $5,000 and an average grant size of approximately $20,100.
Average Grant
of approximately $20,100.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation funds projects across multiple U.S. cities and states, with a broad geographic reach including California, Florida, Texas, Massachusetts, New York, Vermont, Virginia, North Carolina, Hawaii, Illinois, and Washington, D.C., among others.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of Fiscal Year Ending December 2024:
- Total Assets: $12,158,866
- Total Revenue: $641,831
- Total Expenses: $955,116
- Net Income: -$313,285
- Total Liabilities: $0
Revenue Composition (2024):
- Investment income and dividends: $424,524
- Net gain from sale of non-inventory assets: $217,307
Year-over-Year Changes:
- Total revenue increased 35.2% from 2023 ($474,651)
- Investment income increased 9.4% from 2023 ($388,110)
- Net gain from asset sales increased 151.1% from 2023 ($86,541)
The foundation has no employees and operates with limited paid staffing.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $12,158,866 | $12,468,000 | $12,549,289 |
| Revenue | $641,831 | $474,651 | $767,737 |
| Expenses | $955,116 | $565,191 | $775,907 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $887,218 | $487,712 | $684,741 |
| Net Investment Income | $578,933 | $409,172 | $690,010 |
| Distributable Amount | $718,794 | $680,300 | $703,902 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
194 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Maine College of Art and Design ($400,000), Breakwater Learning ($52,750), Global Impact Fbo Fund for a Safer Future ($50,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION NEW YORK, NY | UNRESTRICTED | $2,000 |
| MAINE AUDOBON FALMOUTH, ME | GISLAND FARM | $2,000 |
| MAINE PUBLIC LEWISTON, ME | MAINE PUBLIC BROADCASTING NETWORK | $2,000 |
| NATIONAL AUDUBON SOCIETY NEW YORK, NY | UNRESTRICTED | $2,000 |
| TRUSTEES OF BOSTON UNIVERSITY BOSTON, MA | WBUR | $2,000 |
| WGBH EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION BOSTON, MA | WGBH TV | $2,000 |
| WGBH EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION BOSTON, MA | WGBH RADIO | $2,000 |
| MAINE NEEDS PORTLAND, ME | UNRESTRICTED | $2,500 |
| SKIDMORE COLLEGE SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY | UNRESTRICTED | $2,500 |
| ACHIEVEMENT CENTERS FOR CHILDREN & FAMILIES DELRAY BEACH, FL | UNRESTRICTED | $5,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The foundation operates with a volunteer leadership team:
- Diane Garthwaite — President
- A. Alexander Ridley — Treasurer
- Colin Brennan — Trustee
- Darcy Brennan Poor — Trustee
All leadership members serve without compensation, dedicating approximately 0.5 hours per week to their roles. The foundation is supported by the Ann Garthwaite Revocable Trust.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| DIANE GARTHWAITE | PRESIDENT | 0.5 | — |
| A ALEXANDER RIDLEY | TREASURER | 0.5 | — |
| COLIN BRENNAN | TRUSTEE | 0.5 | — |
| DARCY BRENNAN POOR | TRUSTEE | 0.5 | — |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply for a grant from Algar Foundation?
The foundation is an active grantmaker with a broad funding approach. In 2024, it made 41 grants totaling $857,750. Grant sizes range from $2,000 to $400,000, with a median grant amount of $5,000 and an average grant size of approximately $20,100. Recent notable grants include: • Maine College of Art and Design: $400,000 (2024 MECA Pledge Payment) • Breakwater Learning: $52,750 (Unrestricted) • Utec Hub: $40,000 (Unrestricted) • Cambridge School of Weston: (grant amount not specified) The found…
Where does Algar Foundation make grants?
The foundation funds projects across multiple U.S. cities and states, with a broad geographic reach including California, Florida, Texas, Massachusetts, New York, Vermont, Virginia, North Carolina, Hawaii, Illinois, and Washington, D.C., among others.
What size grants does Algar Foundation award?
In 2024, Algar Foundation awarded 42 grants totaling $858K — an average of about $20K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Algar Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Algar Foundation reported a distributable amount of $719K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Algar Foundation's EIN?
Algar Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 82-3859833. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Algar Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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