Algar Foundation

BOSTON, MA EIN: 82-3859833

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

-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.

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

Grantmaking

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

Massachusetts $1.4M (40%)

Maine $910K (26%)

District of Columbia $645K (18%)

Florida $233K (7%)

California $132K (4%)

New York $61K (2%)

Virginia $60K (2%)

Vermont $40K (1%)

+3 more states

States

California District of Columbia Florida Hawaii Massachusetts Maine North Carolina New York Texas Virginia Vermont

Cities

AlexandriaArlingtonBerkeleyBoca RatonBostonBoynton BeachBrooklineBrunswickClaremontColchesterConcordDelray BeachFalmouthHoustonHuntingtonKailuaLewistonLos AngelesLowellMarina Del Rey

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.

Revenue

Expenses

Qualifying Distributions

Net Investment Income

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

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

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?

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.