Boston Fatherless & Widows Society

BOSTON, MA EIN: 04-6006506

Adults Older adults Women and girls Economically disadvantaged people Low-income people

The Boston Fatherless and Widows Society is a charitable organization based in Boston, Massachusetts. The organization supports nonprofit organizations and provides assistance aligned with its historical mission of supporting vulnerable populations in the Boston area.

Financial Overview

From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

$6.4M

+3.5% YoY

Annual Giving

$477K

-5.7% YoY

Grant Count

+4.8% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$22K

-10.0% YoY

Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Boston Fatherless & Widows Society reported a distributable amount of $498K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated April 2026.

Mission & Focus Areas

The Society's main mission is to support fatherless children and widows. Historically, the organization was established to provide relief to poor Protestant widows and single women, particularly those who had experienced better circumstances. The organization provides both project support and general operating assistance to eligible recipients.

Grantmaking

The Society offers project support and general operating assistance to nonprofit organizations in Boston, Massachusetts.

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Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

The Boston Fatherless and Widows Society focuses its grantmaking on nonprofit organizations in Boston, Massachusetts.

Grant Distribution by State

Massachusetts $2.5M (100%)

States

Massachusetts

Cities

BostonCantonDorchesterDorchester CenterDuxburyFraminghamLexingtonNeedhamNewtonNewtonvilleRoxburySharonWalthamWellesleyWellesley Hills

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Revenue

Expenses

Qualifying Distributions

Net Investment Income

Metric	2024	2023	2022
Total Assets	$6,359,985	$6,143,730	$6,167,454
Revenue	$758,108	$541,132	$511,734
Expenses	$541,853	$566,156	$625,308
Qualifying Distributions	$490,385	$519,388	$565,119
Net Investment Income	$676,236	$442,032	$446,542
Distributable Amount	$497,620	$464,957	$488,474

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

109 grants across all recorded years

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Various Individuals ($262,396), Wildflower for Kids ($20,000), Bridges to Moms ($20,000).

Recipient	Purpose	Amount
VARIOUS INDIVIDUALS BOSTON, MA	PROVIDE SUPPORT & CARE TO	$262,396
BROOKVIEW HOUSE DORCHESTER CENTER, MA	GENERAL PURPOSES	$10,000
HORIZONS FOR HOMELESS CHILDREN ROXBURY, MA	GENERAL PURPOSES	$10,000
ROSIE'S PLACE BOSTON, MA	GENERAL PURPOSES	$10,000
THE CARROLL CENTER FOR THE BLIND NEWTON, MA	GENERAL PURPOSES	$3,500
THE HOME FOR LITTLE WANDERERS BOSTON, MA	GENERAL PURPOSES	$10,000
THE SALVATION ARMY CAMP WONDERLAND SHARON, MA	CAMP WONDERLAND AND	$10,000
THE SECOND STEP NEWTONVILLE, MA	GENERAL PURPOSES	$10,000
WOMEN'S LUNCH PLACE BOSTON, MA	GENERAL PURPOSES	$10,000
WELLESLEY FRIENDLY AID CAMP FUND WELLESLEY HILLS, MA	GENERAL PURPOSES	$1,200

Leadership & Key People

Officers and directors from IRS filings

Compensation Overview

From 2024 IRS filing

From 2024 filing

Name	Title	Hours	Compensation
MRS ANDREA GORDON	TRUSTEE/PRESIDENT	2	—
WENDY SNICKENBERGER	TRUSTEE/ASSISTANT TREASURER	2	—
JUDITH EDINGTON	TREASURER	2	—
JODI GORTON	TRUSTEE/VICE PRESIDENT	2	—
JILL DOWNING	TRUSTEE	2	—
KATHLEEN ACUNA	TRUSTEE/SECRETARY	2	—
GAIL DEEGAN	TRUSTEE	2	—
ROBERTA GOLDSCHNEIDER	TRUSTEE	2	—
SUSANNE DOWDALL	TRUSTEE	2	—
SUSAN SULLIVAN	TRUSTEE	2	—
NANCY NAN M GORTON	TRUSTEE	2	—

Subject Areas

Focus areas based on grantmaking activity

Adults Older adults Women and girls Economically disadvantaged people Low-income people

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Boston Fatherless & Widows Society fund?

How do I apply for a grant from Boston Fatherless & Widows Society?

**Annual Giving & Assets:** • Total annual giving: $477,096 • Total assets: $6,359,985 **Types of Support:** The Society offers project support and general operating assistance to nonprofit organizations in Boston, Massachusetts.

Where does Boston Fatherless & Widows Society make grants?

The Boston Fatherless and Widows Society focuses its grantmaking on nonprofit organizations in Boston, Massachusetts.

What size grants does Boston Fatherless & Widows Society award?

In 2024, Boston Fatherless & Widows Society awarded 22 grants totaling $477K — an average of about $22K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.

How much is Boston Fatherless & Widows Society required to give away each year?

Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Boston Fatherless & Widows Society reported a distributable amount of $498K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

What is Boston Fatherless & Widows Society's EIN?

Boston Fatherless & Widows Society's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 04-6006506. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.