Boston Bar Foundation
THE MISSION OF THE BOSTON BAR FOUNDATION (BBF) IS TO PROMOTE JUSTICE BY FUNDING AND PROMOTING INNOVATION IN LEGAL SERVICES, ENHANCING ACCESS TO JUSTICE FOR THE UNDERSERVED, AND SUPPORTING THE PUBLIC INTEREST ACTIVITIES OF THE BAR. AS THE INDEPENDENT, CHARITABLE ARM OF THE BOSTON BAR ASSOCIATION, THE BBF'S MISSION IS INSPIRED BY THE VALUES OF PROFESSIONALISM, SERVICE, COMPASSION, AND RESPONSIBILITY, VALUES THAT ALL ATTORNEYS OWE TO THEMSELVES, TO THEIR PEERS, AND TO THEIR COMMUNITY.
Key facts about Boston Bar Foundation
- EIN
- 04-6111344
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,769,847
- Grants made (2024)
- 34
- Average grant
- $52,054
- Median grant
- $20,500
- New grantees (estimate)
- 15% first-time grantees (5 of 34, 2024)
- Total assets
- $15,510,433
- Primary geography
- Massachusetts (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Next open deadline
- February 28, 2027 (Boston Bar Foundation IOLTA Grants)
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
Who Boston Bar Foundation funds
By grant dollars, the top recipient states for Boston Bar Foundation's 34 itemized 2024 grants were Massachusetts (100%). The most frequent recipient cities were Boston, MA (23 grants) and Lynn, MA (2 grants). None of its 34 grants with a stated purpose were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Support Legal Aid" (31 grants).
Is Boston Bar Foundation open to new grantees?
15%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 5 of 34 grantees (15%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $20K; repeat grants $58K. How we count
Medians: $15K first-time, $25K repeat.
Estimate from itemized IRS Form 990-PF grant lists (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Next steps with Boston Bar Foundation
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Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$15.5M
+23.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.8M
+22.3% YoY
Grant Count
34
+25.9% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$52K
-2.8% YoY
About Boston Bar Foundation
Based on IRS filings
Boston Bar Foundation is a nonprofit organization focused on Crime & Legal Related, based in Boston, MA. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $15.5M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 34 grants totaling $1.8M. Net investment income was $74K.
Focus Areas
Ready to take the next step with Boston Bar Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 34 itemized 2024 grant dollars.
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $15,510,433 | $12,609,247 | $10,948,237 |
| Revenue | $3,381,995 | $2,806,999 | $1,799,920 |
| Expenses | $2,266,803 | $2,043,099 | $1,942,300 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $74,334 | $50,378 | $132,346 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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
133 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Boston Bar Foundation
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest recipients include Greater Boston Legal Services ($450,000), Boston Bar Association ($264,000), Volunteer Lawyers Project ($175,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| GREATER BOSTON LEGAL SERVICES Boston, MA | SUPPORT LEGAL AID | $450,000 |
| BOSTON BAR ASSOCIATION Boston, MA | SUPPORT PRO BONO AND PUBLIC SERVICE PROJECTS THAT ENGAGE LAWYERS IN OUR COMMUNITY | $264,000 |
| VOLUNTEER LAWYERS PROJECT Boston, MA | SUPPORT LEGAL AID | $175,000 |
| PAIR PROJECT Boston, MA | SUPPORT LEGAL AID | $90,000 |
| METROWEST LEGAL SERVICES Framingham, MA | SUPPORT LEGAL AID | $85,000 |
| DE NOVO Cambridge, MA | SUPPORT LEGAL AID | $70,000 |
| PRISONERS LEGAL SERVICES Boston, MA | SUPPORT LEGAL AID | $70,000 |
| RIAN IMMIGRATION CENTER Boston, MA | SUPPORT LEGAL AID | $55,000 |
| BOSTON FOUNDATION INC FOR ASIAN COMMUNITY FUND Boston, MA | SUPPORT LEGAL AID | $50,000 |
| MASSACHUSETTS LAW REFORM INSTITUTE Boston, MA | INCREASING ACCESS TO JUSTICE | $45,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
No officer or director reported compensation in the available filings.
From 2024 IRS filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Megan Gates | President Elect | 1 | — |
| Stephen P Hall | President | 2 | — |
| John Affuso | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Krietta Bowens Jones | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Esme Caramello | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Mark R Fitzgerald | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Scott a Faust | Trustee | 1 | — |
| David L Ferrera | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Martha J Nahill Frahm | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Hannah L Kilson | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Kathleen C Henry | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Shiva Kavimi | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Joseph L Bierwirth Jr | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Martin F Murphy | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Nigel Long | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Edward H Seksay | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Christopher G Clark | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Melissa McMorrow | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Angela Gomes | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Rene Inomata | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Chinh H Pham | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Manleen Singh | Secretary | 2 | — |
| Matthew V P McTygue | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Marc a Rubenstein | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Nancy R Wilsker | Treasurer | 2 | — |
| Richard M Page Jr | Asst. Secretary | 1 | — |
| James Parker | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Raquel Webster | Trustee | 1 | — |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Boston Bar Foundation?
Boston Bar Foundation is a nonprofit organization focused on Crime & Legal Related, based in Boston, MA. It holds $15.5M in total assets as of 2024.
How large is Boston Bar Foundation?
As of 2024, Boston Bar Foundation holds $15.5M in total assets with $3.4M in annual revenue. It awarded 34 grants totaling $1.8M in 2024.
Where does Boston Bar Foundation operate?
Boston Bar Foundation has awarded grants in Massachusetts.
What size grants does Boston Bar Foundation award?
In 2024, Boston Bar Foundation awarded 34 grants totaling $1.8M — an average of about $52K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Boston Bar Foundation's EIN?
Boston Bar Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 04-6111344. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Boston Bar Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.