Boston Bullpen Project Inc
Boston Bullpen Project Inc is a private foundation based in West Roxbury, Massachusetts. Established in early 2017, it partners with social service organizations to identify urgent needs among people in crisis and provide financial support for basic essentials. Its approach includes a “pay it forward” element: recipients receive a gift card to share with someone else in need.
Boston Bullpen Project Inc at a glance
In short: Boston Bullpen Project Inc gave $389K across 52 grants in 2024 (avg $7K), mostly in Massachusetts. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $388,686
- +18.0% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 52
- +6.1% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $7,475
- +11.2% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $3,436
- Total assets
- $206,852
- -5.0% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Massachusetts (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026.
How to apply to Boston Bullpen Project Inc
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- Review Cycle
- Rolling submissions.
- Deadline
- Rolling submissions.
- Contact
Application contact: Steven Alperin
Mailing address: PO Box 920512, Needham, MA 02492
Phone: (617) 471-5700
Website: https://bostonbullpenproject.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Boston Bullpen Project Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Social Equity Access Fund ($97K). Together the top 10 received $256K.
Organizations only. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($750), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
207 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 206 grants of 207 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The project states that donated funds are distributed throughout Massachusetts. All reported 2024 grant dollars went to recipients in Massachusetts.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 52 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Boston Bullpen Project Inc gives
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2024). 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 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $135K (2020) to $389K (2024). In 2024 it made 52 grants totaling $389K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Social Equity Access Fund Boston, MA | Rent, Utilities, Funeral Costs | $97,479 |
| Open Sky Worcester, MA | Furniture and personal needs | $32,263 |
| Boston Health Care for the Homeless Boston, MA | Bills | $26,618 |
| Womenss Lunch Place Boston, MA | Rent, Utilities, Appliances | $19,258 |
| Foundation To Be Named Later Boston, MA | Computer, transportation, personal needs | $16,406 |
| One Family South Boston, MA | Personal Needs, utilites, rent | $14,497 |
| Boston Area Rape Crisis Center Cambridge, MA | Utilities and Personal Needs | $13,546 |
| BMC Immigrant and Refugee Health Center Boston, MA | Computers,Education, Utilities | $12,537 |
| Inner City Weightlifting Boston, MA | Utilities and transportation needs | $11,557 |
| Brookline Center for Comm Mental Health Brookline, MA | Rent, Utilities | $11,512 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
The 2024 grant total covered 52 grants; the 2023 total covered 49, and the 2022 total covered 36.
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $206,852 | $457,979 | $468,977 | $388,686 | 52 | $388,686 | $2,097 |
| 2023 | $217,850 | $364,287 | $339,543 | $329,437 | 49 | $329,437 | — |
| 2022 | $193,106 | $243,842 | $277,206 | $258,511 | 36 | $258,511 | — |
| 2021 | $226,470 | $286,142 | $249,493 | $227,596 | 39 | $227,596 | — |
| 2020 | $189,821 | $198,581 | $154,833 | $134,764 | 31 | — | — |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The project says it helps fill urgent needs that fall outside the scope of partner organizations’ missions, with the goal of improving the quality of life for struggling individuals and families. It lists support for rent, utilities, medical bills, transportation, furniture, appliances, clothing, and educational supplies and payments. The people it identifies as served include homeless people, veterans, at-risk youth, medically fragile people and their families, people seeking citizenship, victims of abuse, people affected by food insecurity, at-risk elders, and students in need.
Its 2024 grants included organizations whose stated missions address health care for people experiencing homelessness, preventing family homelessness, services for survivors of sexual violence, support for Latinx immigrants, financial literacy for low-income women, pediatric care, youth empowerment, and housing stability. For example, Boston Health Care for the Homeless describes its mission as providing or assuring access to health care for people and families experiencing homelessness; an individual recipient says it works to prevent family homelessness in Massachusetts; and Housing Families says it works to ensure housing stability.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the project reported 52 grants totaling $388,686. Grant amounts ranged from $468 to $97,479, with a median of $3,436. The largest awards included $97,479 to Social Equity Access Fund for rent, utilities, and funeral costs; $32,263 to an individual recipient for furniture and personal needs; $26,618 to Boston Health Care for the Homeless for bills; and $19,258 to an individual recipient for rent, utilities, and appliances. Other grants included $14,497 to an individual recipient for personal needs, utilities, and rent; $13,546 to Boston Area Rape Crisis Center for utilities and personal needs; and $9,803 to an individual recipient for a mattress and personal needs.
Requests originate through partner organizations, which identify individuals in crisis. The project says most requests are approved and fulfilled within 24–48 hours. Its filing states that contributions are made only to preselected charitable organizations and that it does not accept unsolicited requests. Applicants are directed to contact Steven Alperin; the filing lists a website, letter, or request from groups and individuals affiliated with or referred by certified organizations as materials or routes for requests. It also states a restriction of charitable purposes in return for a promise of public service.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Steven Alperin as president, Micahel Connelly as treasurer, Alan Stern as secretary, and Benjamin Levin as clerk. The project says it was established in early 2017 by childhood friends Steve Alperin, Alan Stern, Ben Levin, and Michael Connelly.
Boston Bullpen Project Inc is led by Steven Alperin, President on every filing since 2020; none of the 4 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Steven Alperin
President
On filings since 2020
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Alan Stern
Secretary
On filings since 2020
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Benjamin Levin
Clerk
On filings since 2020
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Micahel Connelly
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
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 Boston Bullpen Project Inc
How much does Boston Bullpen Project Inc give each year?
Boston Bullpen Project Inc gave $389K across 52 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $329K across 49 grants.
What is Boston Bullpen Project Inc's typical grant size?
Boston Bullpen Project Inc's median grant in 2024 was $3,436, and its average grant was $7,475, across 52 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Boston Bullpen Project Inc give grants?
Boston Bullpen Project Inc gives mostly in Massachusetts: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Boston, MA (30 grants), Worcester, MA (3 grants) and Dorchester, MA (2 grants).
Does Boston Bullpen Project Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 52 grants with a stated purpose on Boston Bullpen Project Inc's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Personal needs" (11 grants) and "Rent" (5 grants).
Who are Boston Bullpen Project Inc's largest grantees?
Boston Bullpen Project Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Social Equity Access Fund ($97,479), Open Sky ($32,263) and Boston Health Care for the Homeless ($26,618), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($750), which are not listed by name. Together they received 40% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Boston Bullpen Project Inc?
Boston Bullpen Project Inc reported $207K in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Its revenue that year was $458K.
What does Boston Bullpen Project Inc fund?
The project says it helps fill urgent needs that fall outside the scope of partner organizations’ missions, with the goal of improving the quality of life for struggling individuals and families. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Boston Bullpen Project Inc?
Boston Bullpen Project Inc does not accept unsolicited proposals, according to Grantable's research on its published guidelines. Check bostonbullpenproject.org for any change to that policy.
What is Boston Bullpen Project Inc's EIN?
Boston Bullpen Project Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 81-5329905. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Boston Bullpen Project Inc accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(5)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS January 12, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS July 19, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 4, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Boston Bullpen Project Inc funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
- Nixa Affiliate Grantmaking Program Up to US $10,000 · Due October 19, 2026
- Community and School Grants $28,000 total pool; 10-15 grants expected · Due October 19, 2026
- Mary Pinola/Crescenta Valley Chamber Education Fund $500 - $5,000 for ongoing programs; up to $15,000 for Strategic Initiative Grants · Due October 19, 2026
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Boston Bullpen Project Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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Funders that support many of the same organizations
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Total Given
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Boston Bullpen Project Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 18, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/boston-bullpen-project-inc-morg_d2153aa3335d48b0b7f62af5a16ae61d
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_815329905_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Boston Bullpen Project Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/boston-bullpen-project-inc-morg_d2153aa3335d48b0b7f62af5a16ae61d},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-18. 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 Bullpen Project 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.
Boston Bullpen Project Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?