Black Mountain Foundation
Black Mountain Foundation is a private foundation, based in Chestnut Hill, MA. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $765K in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 5 grants totaling $32K. Net investment income was $65K.
Black Mountain Foundation at a glance
In short: Black Mountain Foundation gave $32K across 5 grants in 2024 (avg $6K), mostly in Massachusetts. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $32,000
- -68.0% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 5
- +150.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $6,400
- -87.2% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $3,500
- Total assets
- $765,115
- +4.7% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Massachusetts (84% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who Black Mountain Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 5 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Cotting School ($20K). Together the top 5 received $32K.
Grant Size Distribution
14 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 9 grants of 14 (64%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 5 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Black Mountain Foundation gives
- Giving fell 36% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 39% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $32K (2024) to $100K (2023). In 2024 it made 5 grants totaling $32K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Cotting School Lexington, MA | Unrestricted | $20,000 |
| Putney Mountain Association Putney, VT | Unrestricted | $5,000 |
| Epiphany School Inc Dorchester, MA | Unrestricted | $3,500 |
| Friends of the Lobkowicz Collection Dover, MA | Unrestricted | $2,500 |
| Emerald Necklace Conservancy Boston, MA | Unrestricted | $1,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $765,115 | $72,559 | $38,482 | $32,000 | 5 | $32,967 | $65,110 | $84,196 |
| 2023 | $731,038 | $83,856 | $105,946 | $100,000 | 2 | $100,887 | $75,308 | $73,713 |
| 2022 | $753,128 | $28,378 | $86,890 | $81,600 | 5 | $82,405 | $48,960 | $74,311 |
| 2021 | $811,640 | $60,408 | $56,975 | $50,000 | 1 | $50,767 | $50,449 | $85,301 |
| 2020 | $808,207 | $13,772 | $106,665 | $100,000 | 1 | — | $16,862 | $74,472 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Black Mountain Foundation reported a distributable amount of $84K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Black Mountain Foundation's 2024 filing lists 3 officers; none of the 3 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Alexander L. Thorndike
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Joan I. Thorndike
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
William N. Thorndike Jr.
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: W. Nicholas Thorndike (2020–2021) — Trustee
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.
Frequently asked questions about Black Mountain Foundation
How much does Black Mountain Foundation give each year?
Black Mountain Foundation gave $32K across 5 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $100K across 2 grants.
What is Black Mountain Foundation's typical grant size?
Black Mountain Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $3,500, and its average grant was $6,400, across 5 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Black Mountain Foundation give grants?
Black Mountain Foundation gives mostly in Massachusetts: 84% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Vermont (16%).
Does Black Mountain Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Black Mountain Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (5 of 5) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Black Mountain Foundation's largest grantees?
Black Mountain Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Cotting School ($20,000), Putney Mountain Association ($5,000) and Epiphany School Inc ($3,500), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 89% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Black Mountain Foundation?
Black Mountain Foundation reported $765K in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $33K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $84K (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 is Black Mountain Foundation's EIN?
Black Mountain Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 04-6825487. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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