Boston Fatherless & Widows Society
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
22
+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.
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.
Ready to take the next step with Boston Fatherless & Widows Society?
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
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| 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
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Boston Fatherless & Widows Society fund?
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.
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.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Boston Fatherless & Widows Society's focus areas in our free grants database
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
Conservation Food and Health Foundation
BOSTON, MA
Assets
$14.6M
Grants
49
Total Given
$2.2M
Charles J Tasker Memorial Scholarship Fund
HANOVER, MA
Assets
$98K
Grants
1
Total Given
$8K
The Bulens Family Foundation
WELLESLEY, MA
Assets
$3.0M
Grants
68
Total Given
$956K
Marshall M & Barbara J Sloane Pvt Found
CHESTNUT HILL, MA
Assets
$1.2M
Grants
11
Total Given
$75K
John J Mcardle Iii & Joan C Mcardle
ANDOVER, MA
Assets
$1.8M
Grants
13
Total Given
$205K
Massachusetts Association of Realtors
FOXBOROUGH, MA
Assets
$18.1M
Grants
2
Total Given
$71K
Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with Boston Fatherless & Widows Society on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
- Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
- Find open RFPs from this funder
- Monitor for new funding opportunities
Go from researching Boston Fatherless & Widows Society to a real strategy.