Arts & Business Council of Greater Boston Inc
Based in Boston, Massachusetts, Arts & Business Council of Greater is a Form 990-filing public charity that supports artists and arts and cultural organizations through legal and business services, education, affordable arts spaces, and other capacity-building work. The organization says it has a 35-year history and describes its role as strengthening Greater Boston’s creative ecosystem.
Arts & Business Council of Greater Boston Inc at a glance
In short: Arts & Business Council of Greater Boston Inc gave $291K across 11 grants in 2025 (avg $26K), mostly in Massachusetts. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $290,949
- -40.2% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 11
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $26,450
- -40.2% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $14,036
- Total assets
- $7,549,206
- +251.6% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Massachusetts (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026.
How to apply to Arts & Business Council of Greater Boston Inc
- Contact
Mailing address: 15 Channel Center Street 103, Boston, MA 02210
Phone: (617) 350-7600
Website: https://artsandbusinesscouncil.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Arts & Business Council of Greater Boston Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Stiggity Stackz Worldwide Inc ($110K). Together the top 10 received $283K.
Grant Size Distribution
46 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 33 grants of 46 (72%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
All grant dollars reported for filing year 2025 went to recipients in Massachusetts. The listed recipients are located in Massachusetts communities including Boston, Roxbury, Dorchester, Lowell, Worcester, Brookline, and Middleton.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 11 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Arts & Business Council of Greater Boston Inc gives
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (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
From 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $90K (2020) to $2.6M (2022). In 2025 it made 11 grants totaling $291K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Stiggity Stackz Worldwide Inc Boston, MA | Fiscal Sponsorship | $109,850 |
| Masary Studios Boston, MA | Fiscal Sponsorship | $60,008 |
| Roxbury District Increment Financing Project Roxbury, MA | Fiscal Sponsorship | $21,850 |
| Guy Mendilow Ensemble Roxbury, MA | Fiscal Sponsorship | $17,759 |
| Refuge Lowell Lowell, MA | Fiscal Sponsorship | $16,846 |
| Humphrey Street Studios Dorchester, MA | Fiscal Sponsorship | $14,036 |
| Art in the Park Worcester, MA | Fiscal Sponsorship | $13,066 |
| Arteverywhere Brookline, MA | Fiscal Sponsorship | $10,989 |
| Western Avenue Community for the Arts Inc Boston, MA | Grant to Related Organization for Program Assistance | $10,000 |
| #Artstayshere Coalition Dorchester, MA | Fiscal Sponsorship | $8,593 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $7,549,206 | $6,375,957 | $1,068,373 | $290,949 | 11 | $3,839 |
| 2024 | $2,146,977 | $1,013,057 | $1,236,698 | $486,871 | 11 | $3,964 |
| 2023 | $2,249,876 | $1,470,654 | $1,401,092 | $689,116 | 8 | $3,747 |
| 2022 | $4,508,406 | $3,340,452 | $3,190,594 | $2,624,688 | 10 | $4,549 |
| 2021 | $4,352,780 | $1,647,322 | $986,916 | $467,042 | 6 | $4,374 |
| 2020 | $3,632,855 | $893,440 | $569,489 | $90,293 | 4 | $8,937 |
| 2019 | $3,085,494 | $805,255 | $669,206 | $188,121 | 2 | $14,827 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The mission stated in the organization’s filing is to provide direct legal and business services, educational programs, and affordable arts spaces for artists and arts and cultural organizations. Its website describes work that includes affordable legal support, workshops, technical assistance, fellowships, coaching, creative-space preservation, and support for organizations developing space and capital plans. The filing says more than 500 artists benefited from its programs in FY 2025.
Its fiscal sponsorship program serves start-up and small arts groups that seek grant and donor support but are not yet incorporated as 501(c)(3) organizations. The organization’s fiscal sponsorship materials say projects must align with its mission. In its Model C arrangement, the sponsored project remains a separate legal entity; the Council receives donations and grants and re-grants funds for the project, retaining discretion and control to ensure charitable use.
One supported organization, Western Avenue Community for the Arts, describes its own mission as creating thriving arts, culture, and community ecosystems, with a focus on affordable artist work, live/work, community, and maker spaces.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the Council reported 11 grants totaling $290,949. Grants ranged from $7,952 to $109,850, with a median of $14,036. Ten listed payments were identified as fiscal sponsorship; one was described as a grant to a related organization for program assistance.
The largest reported grants included $109,850 to Stiggity Stackz Worldwide Inc. and $60,008 to Masary Studios, both for fiscal sponsorship. Other notable fiscal sponsorship payments were $21,850 to Roxbury District Increment Financing Project, $17,759 to Guy Mendilow Ensemble, and $16,846 to Refuge Lowell. Western Avenue Community for the Arts received $10,000 for program assistance.
The Council’s website directs groups seeking fiscal sponsorship to contact the organization or download its application. Its filing says applicants must submit a project budget; funds are disbursed in response to grantee or vendor invoices and checked against the approved budget. Its fiscal sponsorship materials state that the project’s mission must align with the Council’s mission, and that the Council maintains oversight to ensure funds are used for charitable purposes.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Bithyah Israel as president and Jim Buza as treasurer. Board members listed are Awilda Irizarry, Joanne Kaliontzis, Ruxandra Tentis, Minerva Pinto, Marisa Murtagh Esq, Lisa Nickerson, Kathleen Gondek PhD, and Stacy Reed.
Arts & Business Council of Greater Boston Inc is led by James Grace Esq., Executive Director on every filing since 2019; 2 of 21 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
James Grace Esq.
Executive Director
On filings since 2019
37 hrs/week
$125K (2019) → $149K (2025)
Bithyah Israel
President
Board Member → President, 2024
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lucas Blackadar
Deputy Director
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$101K (2024) → $102K (2025)
Alex Gavis
Board Member
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Amanda Eckhoff
Board Member
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Awilda Irizarry
Board Member
Board Member → Clerk, 2022
Clerk → Board Member, 2025
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Cheryl Tougias
Board Member
Board Member → President, 2022
President → Board Member, 2024
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Dayla Arabella Santurri
Board Member
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Glenn G. Pudelka
Board Member
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jim Buza
Treasurer
On filings since 2019
1.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Joanne Kaliontzis
Board Member
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kathleen Gondek PhD
Board Member
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Marisa Murtagh Esq.
Board Member
Clerk → Board Member, 2022
On filings since 2019
1.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ruxandra Tentis
Board Member
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sean Newth
Former Board Member
President → Board Member, 2022
Board Member → Former Board Member, 2025
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
David Guerra
Clerk
Board Member → Clerk, 2025
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lisa Nickerson
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Stacy Reed
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ayana Mack
Board Member
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Minerva Pinto
Board Member
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Anastasia Daou
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (6)
- Former: Kristin D'ambrosio (2019–2024) — Board Member
- Former: Allison O'Neil (2019–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Michele Barnett Berg (2019–2023) — Former Board Member
- Former: Saira Taneja (2020–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Pamela Jones (2019–2022) — Former Board Member
- Former: Arghavan Khosravi (2021–2022) — Former Board Member
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $149K, to James Grace ESQ (Executive Director). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Arts & Business Council of Greater Boston Inc
How much does Arts & Business Council of Greater Boston Inc give each year?
Arts & Business Council of Greater Boston Inc gave $291K across 11 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $487K across 11 grants.
What is Arts & Business Council of Greater Boston Inc's typical grant size?
Arts & Business Council of Greater Boston Inc's median grant in 2025 was $14,036, and its average grant was $26,450, across 11 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Where does Arts & Business Council of Greater Boston Inc give grants?
Arts & Business Council of Greater Boston Inc gives mostly in Massachusetts: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Boston, MA (3 grants), Roxbury, MA (2 grants) and Dorchester, MA (2 grants).
Does Arts & Business Council of Greater Boston Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 11 grants with a stated purpose on Arts & Business Council of Greater Boston Inc's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Fiscal Sponsorship" (10 grants).
Who are Arts & Business Council of Greater Boston Inc's largest grantees?
Arts & Business Council of Greater Boston Inc's largest 2025 grantees include Stiggity Stackz Worldwide Inc ($109,850), Masary Studios ($60,008) and Roxbury District Increment Financing Project ($21,850), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 66% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Arts & Business Council of Greater Boston Inc?
Arts & Business Council of Greater Boston Inc reported $7.5M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $6.4M.
What does Arts & Business Council of Greater Boston Inc fund?
The mission stated in the organization’s filing is to provide direct legal and business services, educational programs, and affordable arts spaces for artists and arts and cultural organizations. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Arts & Business Council of Greater Boston Inc?
Arts & Business Council of Greater Boston Inc has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check artsandbusinesscouncil.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Arts & Business Council of Greater Boston Inc's EIN?
Arts & Business Council of Greater Boston Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 22-3217131. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS January 27, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS February 9, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 9, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS February 19, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS January 24, 2025)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS December 16, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Arts & Business Council of Greater Boston Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 5, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/arts-and-business-council-of-greater-boston-inc-morg_b6cdc22b975f41bd817a63b0451ea7d1
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_223217131_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Arts \& Business Council of Greater Boston Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/arts-and-business-council-of-greater-boston-inc-morg_b6cdc22b975f41bd817a63b0451ea7d1},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-05. 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 Arts & Business Council of Greater Boston 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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