Allison Family Charitable Foundation
The ALLISON FAMILY CHARITABLE FOUNDATION is a Form 990-PF private foundation based in Belmont, Massachusetts. In 2024, it reported 11 grants totaling $72,000 to charitable organizations, including organizations in Massachusetts, New York, North Carolina, and Colorado.
Key facts about Allison Family Charitable Foundation
In short: Allison Family Charitable Foundation gave $72K across 11 grants in 2024 (avg $7K), mostly in Massachusetts. 18% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- EIN
- 20-3848260
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $72,000
- Grants made (2024)
- 11
- Average grant
- $6,545
- Median grant
- $1,000
- New grantees (estimate)
- 18% first-time grantees (2 of 11, 2024)
- Total assets
- $2,819,504
- Primary geography
- Massachusetts (94% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to apply
- The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Full details ↓
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology). Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$2.8M
+0.5% YoY
Annual Giving
$72K
-57.7% YoY
Grant Count
11
-45.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$7K
-23.0% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Allison Family Charitable Foundation reported a distributable amount of $137K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Is Allison Family Charitable Foundation open to new grantees?
18%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 2 of 11 grantees (18%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $750; repeat grants $8K. How we count
Medians: $750 first-time, $1K repeat.
- 73% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (−12%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 53% 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 (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grantees included organizations with varied missions. The Council on Foreign Relations describes itself as an independent, nonpartisan membership organization, think tank, and publisher serving, among others, its members, government officials, business executives, journalists, and educators. Belmont Day School describes its mission as “to inspire and challenge.”
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation gave 11 grants totaling $72,000. Grants ranged from $500 to $37,000, with a median grant of $1,000. The largest grants were $37,000 to New England Wildlife Center, $23,500 to MA Fiscal Alliance Fund, and $5,000 to Handel & Hayden Society. Each was listed for general purposes. Other listed recipients included the Marshall Fund, Council on Foreign Relations, Davidson College, Trilateral Commission, New Skete Monasteries, Aspen Animal Shelter, Belmont Day School, and Casey to the Rescue.
Ready to take the next step with Allison Family Charitable Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, 94% of grant dollars went to recipients in Massachusetts, 3% to New York, 1% to North Carolina, and 1% to Colorado.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 11 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $72K (2024) to $213K (2020). In 2024 it made 11 grants totaling $72K.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was New England Wildlife Ctr ($37K). Together the top 10 received $72K.
Grant Size Distribution
83 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 79 grants of 83 (95%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| New England Wildlife Ctr S Weymouth, MA | General | $37,000 |
| Ma Fiscal Alliance Fund Boston, MA | General | $23,500 |
| Handel & Hayden Society Boston, MA | General | $5,000 |
| Marshall Fund Cambridge, MA | General | $1,000 |
| Council on Foreign Relations New York, NY | General | $1,000 |
| Davidson College Davidson, NC | General | $1,000 |
| Trilateral Commission Cambridge, MA | General | $1,000 |
| New Skete Monasteries Cambridge, NY | General | $1,000 |
| Aspen Animal Shelter Aspen, CO | General | $500 |
| Belmont Day School Belmont, MA | General | $500 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants | Grant count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $2,819,504 | $86,394 | $73,600 | $72,000 | 11 |
| 2023 | $2,806,710 | $85,458 | $170,975 | $170,025 | 20 |
| 2022 | $2,892,227 | $3,505 | $126,935 | $126,000 | 18 |
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $2,819,504 | $2,806,710 | $2,892,227 |
| Revenue | $86,394 | $85,458 | $3,505 |
| Expenses | $73,600 | $170,975 | $126,935 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $72,000 | $170,500 | $126,468 |
| Net Investment Income | $86,394 | $55,315 | $3,038 |
| Distributable Amount | $136,652 | $138,400 | $144,717 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Graham Allison Jr and Elisabeth Allison as co-trustees.
Allison Family Charitable Foundation's 2024 filing lists 2 officers; none of the 2 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Elisabeth Allison
Co-Trustee
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Graham Allison Jr.
Co-Trustee
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Contact
Mailing address: 69 Pinehurst Road, Belmont, MA 02478
Phone: (617) 489-3327
Frequently asked questions about Allison Family Charitable Foundation
How much does Allison Family Charitable Foundation give each year?
Allison Family Charitable Foundation gave $72K across 11 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $170K across 20 grants.
What is Allison Family Charitable Foundation's typical grant size?
Allison Family Charitable Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $1,000, and its average grant was $6,545, across 11 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Allison Family Charitable Foundation that year got $750 on average.
Where does Allison Family Charitable Foundation give grants?
Allison Family Charitable Foundation gives mostly in Massachusetts: 94% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Boston, MA (2 grants) and Cambridge, MA (2 grants).
Does Allison Family Charitable Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Allison Family Charitable Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (11 of 11) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Allison Family Charitable Foundation's largest grantees?
Allison Family Charitable Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include New England Wildlife Ctr ($37,000), Ma Fiscal Alliance Fund ($23,500) and Handel & Hayden Society ($5,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 91% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Allison Family Charitable Foundation?
Allison Family Charitable Foundation reported $2.8M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $72K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $137K (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 Allison Family Charitable Foundation fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grantees included organizations with varied missions. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Allison Family Charitable Foundation?
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Allison Family Charitable Foundation's EIN?
Allison Family Charitable Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-3848260. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Allison Family Charitable Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Here's the math on researching Allison Family Charitable Foundation by hand.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Allison Family Charitable Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Silicon Valley Community Foundation
Mountain View, CA
Silicon Valley Community Foundation funds work in areas such as housing, economic security, education, health, the environment, arts and culture, and civic engagement, with Community Action Grants supporting local, community-led organizations in San Mateo and Santa Clara counties. Its 2024 grants had a median of $51,716, though amounts varied widely; applications depend on the program, and SVCF states that it does not accept unsolicited proposals for advised funds.
Assets
$12.3B
Grants
3,576
Total Given
$3.2B
Boston Foundation Inc
Boston, MA
The Boston Foundation funds equity-focused work in 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 awards from up to $15,000 to $50,000; it accepts applications through some competitive initiatives, but whether it accepts unsolicited requests generally is not stated.
Assets
$2.1B
Grants
2,375
Total Given
$228.4M
Eastern Bank Foundation
Wakefield, MA
Eastern Bank Foundation funds systemic efforts to advance economic inclusion and mobility, including small-business equity, early childhood development, affordable housing, and workforce development. Its programs range from $1,000–$10,000 for Community Donations, up to $15,000 for CITC Grants, and $50,000–$150,000 for Impact Grants; it supports organizations primarily in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island. The foundation accepts online applications, with no specific submission deadlines stated.
Assets
$266.7M
Grants
1,786
Total Given
$19.0M
Barr Foundation
Boston, MA
Barr Foundation funds arts and creativity, climate, education, and related initiatives, primarily supporting organizations and leaders in New England. Its 2024 grants ranged from $100 to $3.275 million, with a median of $80,000. It welcomes inquiries through program pages and occasionally issues open requests for proposals; most grants go to returning partners.
Assets
$1.9B
Grants
903
Total Given
$123.2M
Liberty Mutual Foundation Inc
Boston, MA
Liberty Mutual Foundation funds nonprofits working on basic needs such as food and shelter, education and workforce development, and climate and community infrastructure, primarily in the Boston area, with grants also made in other states. Its 2024 grants had a median of $35,000 and ranged from $2,500 to $11 million; it accepts online applications on a rolling basis, with no stated deadlines.
Assets
$46.1M
Grants
706
Total Given
$50.6M
Cummings Foundation Grants Inc (FKA Oneworld Boston Inc)
Woburn, MA
The foundation supports nonprofits focused on human services, education, healthcare, fairness and justice, and environmental causes, primarily in greater Boston and eastern Massachusetts, with limited support for Rwanda’s recovery. 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 for its local grant program.
Assets
$258.2M
Grants
658
Total Given
$38.2M
American Tower Corporation Foundation
Boston, MA
Assets
$15.4M
Grants
632
Total Given
$1.7M
Good Sports Inc
Braintree, MA
Good Sports provides free sports equipment, footwear, and apparel to established schools and community organizations running ongoing youth sports and physical-activity programs in high-need communities; it serves all 50 states and Puerto Rico. In 2025, grants ranged from $5,004 to $229,133, with a median of $12,781. Youth programs and schools can apply through its community-organization application process.
Assets
$13.8M
Grants
619
Total Given
$11.2M
The Stephen Phillips Memorial
Boston, MA
The Stephen Phillips Memorial funds need- and merit-based scholarships for bachelor’s students, generally awarding $3,000–$17,000 (with typical annual awards of $6,000–$10,000). Applicants must be permanent residents of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, or Vermont, but may attend college anywhere in the United States. Students apply through the online portal; the profile does not state whether unsolicited requests are accepted.
Assets
$41.6M
Grants
520
Total Given
$5.1M
Berkshire Bank Foundation Inc
Pittsfield, MA
Berkshire Bank Foundation supports nonprofits working on small-business growth, financial inclusion, affordable housing, and additional needs including health, food access, youth, and the arts. Recent grants ranged from $50 to $33,333, with a median of $2,500; it serves communities in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont, though all 2024 grant dollars went to Massachusetts. It accepts written applications from eligible 501(c)(3) public charities, with quarterly deadlines on December 15, March 15, June 15, and September 15.
Assets
$17.1M
Grants
478
Total Given
$2.0M
Givinga Foundation Inc
Wellesley, MA
GIVINGA Foundation supports donor-directed giving through donor-advised funds, charitable campaigns, and approved fiscal-sponsorship projects, with past recipients spanning causes such as children’s health, global development, racial equity, animal welfare, and food access. Reported 2020 awards ranged from about $37,000 to $179,000, but filings list no grants for 2022–2024; it has no stated geographic focus. The profile does not say whether it accepts unsolicited grant requests.
Assets
$2.9M
Grants
424
Total Given
$8.5M
More Funders in Massachusetts
Allison Family Charitable Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?