Boston Baptist Social Union
Boston Baptist Social Union is a private foundation based in Medford, Massachusetts. Established in 1864, it describes itself as a Christian fellowship of men and supports Christian work and ministries in the Boston area.
Boston Baptist Social Union at a glance
In short: Boston Baptist Social Union gave $1.2M across 44 grants in 2026 (avg $27K), mostly in Massachusetts. 23% of 2026 grantees were new. Source: 2026 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2026)
- $1,166,596
- +8.6% vs 2025
- Grants made (2026)
- 44
- +2.3% vs 2025
- Average grant
- $26,514
- +6.2% vs 2025
- Median grant
- $15,500
- Total assets
- $27,399,893
- +10.1% vs 2025
- New grantees (estimate)
- 23% first-time grantees (10 of 44, 2026)
- Primary geography
- Massachusetts (98% of itemized 2026 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2026 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2026; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Boston Baptist Social Union
- How to Apply
-
Applicants may download an application from the Union’s website or request one in writing. Requests are for a single fiscal year, April 1 through March 31, and must be submitted annually. The application asks for information about the proposed or existing work, the organization and project budget, and the organization’s tax identification and 501(c) status; the website also advises applicants to provide recent audited financial statements. The application instructions request 16 copies with supporting papers. Regular reports are expected from recipients, and committee members may request to view the supported work or meet with the contact person. The Union states that grants are generally restricted to Baptist-related organizations and work in the Greater Boston Area.
- Review Cycle
- Requests are due by February 15 before the fiscal year for which the grant is requested.
- Deadline
- Requests are due by February 15 before the fiscal year for which the grant is requested.
- Next open deadline
- February 15, 2027 (Grants for Christian Work)
- Contact
Application contact: Fred Drauschke
Mailing address: 34 Oakland Street, Medford, MA 02155
Phone: (781) 662-6262
Website: https://bbsu.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Boston Baptist Social Union
Who Boston Baptist Social Union funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2026
The largest 2026 recipient was Mass Baptist Multicultural Ministires ($255K). Together the top 10 received $669K.
Grant Size Distribution
189 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 171 grants of 189 (90%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Union’s website says grants are generally restricted to work in the Greater Boston Area. In filing year 2026, 98% of grant dollars went to recipients in Massachusetts, with 1% each going to recipients in Florida and Maine.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2026 grant dollars across all 44 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Boston Baptist Social Union open to new grantees?
23%
first-time grantees, 2026
In 2026, 10 of 44 grantees (23%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $35K; repeat grants $24K. How we count
Medians: $6K first-time, $20K repeat.
- 77% of 2026 grantees were also funded in 2025. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2023 to 2026 (+6%). Method
- In 2026 it paid out 95% 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 (2020–2026). 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 2020 to 2026, annual grant giving ranged from $943K (2020) to $1.3M (2024). In 2026 it made 44 grants totaling $1.2M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Mass Baptist Multicultural Ministires Lowell, MA | Genral Support | $255,000 |
| Ruggles Baptist Church Boston, MA | General Support | $65,186 |
| Christian Youth Conference at Ocean Park Inc New Bedford, MA | General Support | $65,000 |
| Messiah Baptist Church Brockton, MA | General Purpose | $50,000 |
| First Baptist Church of Jamaica Plain Jamaica Plain, MA | General Support | $43,000 |
| First Nepali Baptist Church of Malden Malden, MA | Youth Support | $40,000 |
| First Baptist Church Lynn Lynn, MA | Karen Ministry | $40,000 |
| The Boston Project Ministries Dorchester, MA | General Support | $40,000 |
| Overseas Burmese Christion Fellowship Boston, MA | General Support | $35,500 |
| First Baptist Church of Medford Medford, MA | General Purpose | $35,460 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $27,399,893 | $4,480,500 | $1,773,802 | $1,166,596 | 44 | $1,217,255 | $4,292,831 | $1,279,131 |
| 2025 | $24,884,507 | $2,691,453 | $1,683,469 | $1,073,725 | 43 | $1,121,781 | $2,488,019 | $1,205,482 |
| 2024 | $24,158,277 | $1,560,823 | $1,984,784 | $1,349,925 | 35 | $1,393,327 | $1,545,758 | $1,071,833 |
| 2023 | $21,156,377 | $416,630 | $1,668,268 | $1,099,082 | 33 | $1,135,410 | $528,229 | $1,085,615 |
| 2022 | $25,997,897 | $10,483,181 | $1,639,106 | $1,177,643 | 34 | $1,205,950 | $10,472,498 | $1,157,782 |
| 2021 | $25,065,340 | $2,936,209 | $1,426,003 | $1,094,930 | 37 | — | $2,926,292 | $1,089,150 |
| 2020 | $19,211,067 | $2,900,862 | $1,408,537 | $942,920 | 32 | — | $2,886,799 | $1,025,714 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Boston Baptist Social Union reported a distributable amount of $1.3M for 2026 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Union’s stated mission is to support worthy ministries in the Boston area. Its goal is to encourage fellowship among Baptist laymen in the area.
Recent grantees illustrate the range of work supported. UniteBoston says its mission is to nurture Christian unity through relationships. Boston Missionary Baptist Community Center describes its work as helping low-income and underserved people and their children pursue education and economic self-sufficiency. Boston Trinity Academy says it educates students from diverse backgrounds in a Christ-centered community.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2026, the Union reported 44 grants totaling $1,166,596. Grant amounts ranged from $3,800 to $255,000, with a median of $15,500. Its website says grants are typically under $10,000, while larger amounts may be considered.
Among the largest 2026 grants were $255,000 to Mass Baptist Multicultural Ministries for general support; $65,186 to Ruggles Baptist Church for general support; $65,000 to Christian Youth Conference at Ocean Park for general support; and $50,000 to Messiah Baptist Church for general purposes. Other grants included $40,000 to First Nepali Baptist Church of Malden for youth support and $40,000 to First Baptist Church Lynn for its Karen ministry.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2026 filing lists James Thomas as Executive Secretary, effective 2026; Wesley Babbit as President; Robert Rowe as Vice President; and Thomas Couillard, John Burke, John Perkins, Patrick Lyons, and Se Myung Chang as directors. The filing also lists Edwin T. Hobart as Executive Secretary through 2025 and Robert Howard as Vice President.
Boston Baptist Social Union is led by Wesley Babbit, President since 2026 (on filings since 2024); 2 of 13 officers listed in 2026 are compensated.
Officers on the 2026 filing
Wesley Babbit
President
Director → Vice President, 2025
Vice President → President, 2026
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Patrick Lyons
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Se Myung Chang
Director
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Douglas Tibbets
Director
On filings since 2025
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
John Perkins
Director
On filings since 2025
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Rops Previl
Director
On filings since 2025
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Thomas Couillard
Director
On filings since 2025
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Elijah Jope
Director
New on the 2026 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
John Burke
Director
New on the 2026 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Edwin T. Hobart
Executive Secretary
On filings since 2020
30 hrs/week
$27K (2020) → $34K (2026)
James Thomas
Executive Secretary
Treasurer → Executive Secretary, 2026
On filings since 2020
30 hrs/week
$12K (2020) → $32K (2026)
Robert Rowe
Vice President
Director → Vice President, 2025
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Robert Howard
Vice President
Director → Vice President, 2026
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (10)
- Former: Christopher Gianacoplis (2020–2025) — President
- Former: Arthur Almeda (2020–2024) — Vice President
- Former: David Essensa (2020–2024) — Director
- Former: Douglas Rogers (2020–2024) — Director
- Former: Jimmy Thomas (2020–2024) — President
- Former: Phillip Anderson (2024) — Director
- Former: David Collins (2020–2023) — President
- Former: Christopher Duncombe (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: James Steeves (2020–2021) — President
- Former: Tony Patterson (2020–2021) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2026. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2026 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2026 filing was $34K, to Edwin T Hobart (Executive Secretary Thru 2025). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Boston Baptist Social Union
How much does Boston Baptist Social Union give each year?
Boston Baptist Social Union gave $1.2M across 44 grants in 2026, according to its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2025 it gave $1.1M across 43 grants.
What is Boston Baptist Social Union's typical grant size?
Boston Baptist Social Union's median grant in 2026 was $15,500, and its average grant was $26,514, across 44 grants on its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Boston Baptist Social Union that year got $35K on average.
Where does Boston Baptist Social Union give grants?
Boston Baptist Social Union gives mostly in Massachusetts: 98% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Boston, MA (8 grants), Lowell, MA (3 grants), Dorchester, MA (3 grants) and Jamaica Plain, MA (2 grants).
Does Boston Baptist Social Union give general operating support?
Yes: 86% of Boston Baptist Social Union's 2026 grants with a stated purpose (38 of 44) were for general or operating support, per its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Boston Baptist Social Union's largest grantees?
Boston Baptist Social Union's largest 2026 grantees include Mass Baptist Multicultural Ministires ($255,000), Ruggles Baptist Church ($65,186) and Christian Youth Conference at Ocean Park Inc ($65,000), according to its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 33% of its itemized 2026 grant dollars.
How large is Boston Baptist Social Union?
Boston Baptist Social Union reported $27.4M in total assets on its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $1.2M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $1.3M (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 Boston Baptist Social Union fund?
The Union’s stated mission is to support worthy ministries in the Boston area. Its goal is to encourage fellowship among Baptist laymen in the area. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Boston Baptist Social Union?
Applicants may download an application from the Union’s website or request one in writing. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Boston Baptist Social Union's EIN?
Boston Baptist Social Union's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 04-6034977. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2026.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(8)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2026 (received by the IRS July 13, 2026)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS February 12, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS February 9, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS February 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS February 14, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS February 15, 2025)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS February 13, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025
Live grants for the work Boston Baptist Social Union funds
Religion Related Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Boston Baptist Social Union's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Boston Baptist Social Union funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 22, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/boston-baptist-social-union-morg_194999d1e5eb4df18497667a61acd3ce
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_046034977_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Boston Baptist Social Union funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/boston-baptist-social-union-morg_194999d1e5eb4df18497667a61acd3ce},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-22. 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 Boston Baptist Social Union'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.
Boston Baptist Social Union down — hundreds of funders to go?