Boston Baptist Social Union is an independent foundation located in Medford, Massachusetts. The organization operates as a grantmaking foundation with a focus on supporting Christian ministries and fostering community engagement among Baptist laypeople in the Boston area.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$24.2M
+14.2% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.3M
+22.8% YoY
Grant Count
35
+6.1% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$39K
+15.8% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Boston Baptist Social Union reported a distributable amount of $1.1M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's mission is to support worthy Christian ministries in the Boston, MA area. A secondary goal is to encourage worthwhile fellowship among Baptist laymen in the Boston area.
The foundation considers support for both new and continuing programs aligned with Christian work.
Grantmaking
The foundation actively awards grants for Christian work. Specific details regarding average grant amounts, grant ranges, and median grant sizes are not publicly disclosed in available sources.
Grant Range
s, and median grant sizes are not publicly disclosed in available sources.
Average Grant
amounts, grant ranges, and median grant sizes are not publicly disclosed in available sources.
How to Apply
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation's grantmaking is geographically focused on the Boston, Massachusetts area.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
- Total Assets: $24,158,277
- Total Annual Giving: $1,349,925
- Year Established: 1864 (founded by 19th century publisher Daniel Sharp Ford)
- Tax Status: 501(c)(3) independent foundation
- EIN: 04-6034977
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $24,158,277 | $21,156,377 | $25,997,897 |
| Revenue | $1,560,823 | $416,630 | $10,483,181 |
| Expenses | $1,984,784 | $1,668,268 | $1,639,106 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $1,393,327 | $1,135,410 | $1,205,950 |
| Net Investment Income | $1,545,758 | $528,229 | $10,472,498 |
| Distributable Amount | $1,071,833 | $1,085,615 | $1,157,782 |
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
171 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Boston Baptist Social Union
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include The American Baptist Churches of Massachusetts ($376,125), Massachusetts Baptist Multi-cultural Ministries ($250,000), Ruggles Baptist Church ($60,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| THE AMERICAN BAPTIST CHURCHES OF MASSACHUSETTS GROTON, MA | TO PROVIDE SUMMER & WINTER CANOEING EXPERIENCES TO INDIVIDUALS WHO WOULD OTHERWISE BE UNABLE TO PARTICIPATE, AND SUPPORT TO MULTI CULTURAL MINISTRIES. VETERANS SUPPORT MINISTRIES. | $376,125 |
| BOSTON MISSIONARY BAPTIST COMMUNITY CENTER ROXBURY, MA | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $26,250 |
| CALVARY BAPTIST CHURCH OF LOWELL LOWELL, MA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $35,000 |
| FIRST NEPALI BAPTIST CHURCH OF SOMERVILLE SOMERVILLE, MA | YOUTH SUPPORT | $40,000 |
| FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF JAMAICA PLAIN JAMAICA PLAIN, MA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $35,000 |
| FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH - LYNN LYNN, MA | KAREN MINISTRY | $40,000 |
| EMMANUEL GOSPEL CENTER BOSTON, MA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $15,000 |
| LOWELL INTERNATIONAL CHURCH LOWELL, MA | FOOD PANTRY AND SOUP KITCHEN | $25,000 |
| UNITED BAPTIST CHURCH OF JAMAICA PLAIN JAMAICA PLAIN, MA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $16,000 |
| MASSACHUSETTS BAPTIST MULTI-CULTURAL MINISTRIES Lexington, MA | GENERAL MINISTRY SUPPORT | $250,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JAMES THOMAS | TREASURER | 6 | $12,000 |
| JIMMY THOMAS | PRESIDENT | 2 | — |
| WESLEY BABBIT | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| ARTHUR ALMEDA | VICE PRESIDENT | 2 | — |
| DAVID ESSENSA | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| CHRISTOPHER GIANACOPLIS | VICE PRESIDENT | 2 | — |
| DOUGLAS ROGERS | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| ROBERT ROWE | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| PATRICK LYONS | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| SE MYUNG CHANG | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| EDWIN T HOBART | EXECUTIVE SECRETARY | 30 | $27,000 |
| ROBERT HOWARD | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| PHILLIP ANDERSON | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
Contact Information
- Address: 34 Oakland St, Medford, MA 02155-3233
- Telephone: 781-662-6262
- Website: BBSU.ORG
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Boston Baptist Social Union fund?
The foundation's mission is to support worthy Christian ministries in the Boston, MA area. A secondary goal is to encourage worthwhile fellowship among Baptist laymen in the Boston area. The foundation considers support for both new and continuing programs aligned with Christian work.
How do I apply for a grant from Boston Baptist Social Union?
**Financial Capacity:** • Total annual giving: $1,349,925 • Total assets: $24,158,277 **Grant Activity:** The foundation actively awards grants for Christian work. Specific details regarding average grant amounts, grant ranges, and median grant sizes are not publicly disclosed in available sources. **Application Process:** Detailed application procedures are not specified in available sources. Interested organizations should contact the foundation directly for application guidelines.
Where does Boston Baptist Social Union make grants?
The foundation's grantmaking is geographically focused on the Boston, Massachusetts area.
What size grants does Boston Baptist Social Union award?
In 2024, Boston Baptist Social Union awarded 35 grants totaling $1.3M — an average of about $39K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Boston Baptist Social Union required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Boston Baptist Social Union reported a distributable amount of $1.1M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
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 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Boston Baptist Social Union's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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