The Boston Foundation is Greater Boston's community foundation and one of the oldest and largest community foundations in the nation. Established in 1915 as the Permanent Charity Fund for Boston, the organization operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Boston, Massachusetts. The Foundation functions as a hub for philanthropic partnerships and civic engagement, working to close gaps on the region's greatest disparities and build vital, prosperous, and equitable communities.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$1.9B
+8.5% YoY
Annual Giving
$169.9M
+3.6% YoY
Grant Count
2,046
+0.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$83K
+3.5% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: The Boston Foundation is committed to closing the gaps on the region's greatest disparities. Through its resources and relationships, the Foundation works to open pathways to opportunity and build and sustain vital, prosperous, and equitable communities.
Primary Focus Areas: The Foundation operates through four interconnected pathways to equity:
- Child Well-Being: Ensuring children are physically and emotionally healthy, developmentally on track, and well prepared to thrive in school and adulthood
- Economic Opportunity: Providing equitable access to high-quality career exploration and education opportunities, resources, tools, and supports
- Community Wealth: Building stability and individual and collective wealth through more equitable housing, business, and creative systems
- Community Leadership: Equipping movement leaders to provide crucial leadership and support for marginalized communities and nonprofit organizations
The Foundation also maintains special funding initiatives addressing critical community challenges, including recent work on immigrant support and family sustenance.
Grantmaking
Grant Range
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How to Apply
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Boston Foundation focuses on Greater Boston, specifically Essex, Middlesex, Norfolk, Plymouth, and Suffolk Counties in Massachusetts. The Foundation also makes grants in New York and the District of Columbia.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets: $1.85 billion (2024)
Annual Revenue: $210.4 million (2024)
Annual Expenses: $215.3 million (2024)
Total Liabilities: $17.5 million (2024)
Donor-Advised Funds: The Foundation operates a donor-advised fund through which donors can direct the distribution or investment of funds.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $1,853,183,611 | $1,708,597,273 | $1,673,670,064 |
| Revenue | $210,389,550 | $161,296,905 | $324,652,362 |
| Expenses | $215,292,419 | $209,895,497 | $228,370,471 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $26,690,960 | $17,752,422 | $16,997,910 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
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
250 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
10 open opportunities from Boston Foundation Inc
Asian Community Fund Grant
Boston Foundation Inc
Amount
US $5,000 - US $25,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Boston Foundation: Safety Net Grants
Boston Foundation Inc
Amount
US $50,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Brother Thomas Fellowship Program Grant
Boston Foundation Inc
Amount
US $20,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include African American Quilt Guild of Gaston County ($650,000), 826 Boston Inc ($634,000), Activate Global Inc ($500,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 1 for the Planet Inc Burlington, VT | Operating Support/Annual Fund | $20,000 |
| 261 Fearless Inc Flanders, NJ | Operating Support/Annual Fund | $5,423 |
| 350Org Brooklyn, NY | Operating Support/Annual Fund | $9,850 |
| 826 Boston Inc Roxbury, MA | Education | $13,000 |
| 826 Boston Inc Roxbury, MA | Operating Support/Annual Fund | $634,000 |
| A Better Chance Inc New York, NY | Operating Support/Annual Fund | $25,000 |
| A Better City Initiative Inc Boston, MA | Community Health | $40,000 |
| A Healthier Democracy Inc South Boston, MA | Civic Engagement | $10,000 |
| A Jewish Voice for Peace Inc Oakland, CA | Operating Support/Annual Fund | $6,450 |
| A Safe Place Inc Nantucket, MA | Operating Support/Annual Fund | $55,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
President & CEO: M. Lee Pelton (since 2021)
Under Lee Pelton's leadership, the Foundation has centered equity in its programs, grantmaking, and civic leadership, making closing the racial wealth gap a top strategic priority.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| M Lee Pelton | President & CEO | 50 | $806,009 |
| Kate Guedj | SVP and Chief Phil. Off. | 50 | $392,052 |
| George C Wilson | Assistant Treasurer | 50 | $392,677 |
| Alfred F Van Ranst Jr | CFO & Treasurer (7/1/23-2/26/24) | 50 | $400,830 |
| Orlando Watkins | VP & Chief Prog. Officer | 50 | $335,194 |
| Keith Mahoney | VP, Comm. & Public Affairs | 50 | $310,047 |
| Imari Paris-Jefferies | Exec. Dir. Embrace Boston | 50 | $264,625 |
| Leigh Gasper | Asst.Sec.& VP | 40 | $250,841 |
| Leslie Pine | Mgr Partner, TPI | 50 | $246,761 |
| Jane Dixon | VP, HR & Culture and Talent | 50 | $251,727 |
| Jennifer Aronson | Deputy VP of Programs | 50 | $196,526 |
| Margaret Alexander | Partner, TPI | 50 | $191,824 |
| Pam Hurd | Sr. Dir. Philanthropy | 50 | $197,492 |
| Barbara Hindley | Frmr Asst. Secretary/AVP C | 40 | $193,440 |
| Rupal Dandia | VP Development/Deshpande | 40 | $190,358 |
| Makeeba McCreary | Exec. Dir. NCF | 50 | $174,210 |
| Kristen O'Connell | Secretary (1/3/24-present) | 40 | — |
| Brian Douglas | CFO & Treasurer (2/26/24-present) | 50 | — |
| Charles Anderson | Director | 1 | — |
| Zamawa Arenas | Director | 1 | — |
| Andrew Arnott | Director | 1 | — |
| Vanessa Calderon-Rosado | Director | 1 | — |
| Elyse Cherry | Director | 1 | — |
| Petrina Martin Cherry | Director | 1 | — |
| Brian Conway | Director | 1 | — |
| Pam Y Eddinger | Director | 1 | — |
| Betty Francisco | Director | 1 | — |
| Linda Mason | Chair | 1 | — |
| J Keith Motley | Director | 1 | — |
| Kendall Burlin O'Connell | Director | 1 | — |
| Ronald O'Hanley | Director | 1 | — |
| Tracy Palandjian | Director | 1 | — |
| Dwight M Poler | Director | 1 | — |
| Raj Sharma | Director | 1 | — |
| Scott E Squillace | Director | 1 | — |
| Jane Steinmetz | Director | 1 | — |
| Robert Waldron | Director | 1 | — |
| CA Webb | Director | 1 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
**Immigrant Support Initiative:** The Foundation launched "Meeting the Moment: Supporting Our Immigrant Neighbors," providing legal assistance, community support, and advocacy for truth and justice as immigrants and those who work with them face continuing threats. The Foundation partnered with the City of Boston to announce a public-private funding partnership to support immigrants.
The Boston Foundation announces $1 million in grants to 20 organizations,**2025 Annual Report:** The Foundation released "Forward Together," its 2025 Annual Report, reflecting the organization's commitment to bringing people and resources together to build a thriving and equitable future for the region.
**Safety Net Grants Program:** The Foundation continues to operate its Safety Net Grants program, which provides general operating grants to nonprofit organizations addressing critical community needs.
The Boston Foundation announces $1 million in grants to 20 organizations,**Contact Information:**
Address: 75 Arlington Street, 10th Floor, Boston, MA 02116
Phone: 617.338.1700
Email: grantsinfo@tbf.org
Website: www.tbf.org
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Boston Foundation Inc fund?
**Mission:** The Boston Foundation is committed to closing the gaps on the region's greatest disparities. Through its resources and relationships, the Foundation works to open pathways to opportunity and build and sustain vital, prosperous, and equitable communities. **Primary Focus Areas:** The Foundation operates through four interconnected pathways to equity: • **Child Well-Being:** Ensuring children are physically and emotionally healthy, developmentally on track, and well prepared to thriv…
How do I apply for a grant from Boston Foundation Inc?
**Grant Volume & Scale:** • Makes more than $80 million in grants annually • Distributed 2,058 grants in 2023 • Annual giving: $175.4 million (2023) **Grant Ranges:** • Typical awards: $50,000 to $15,000,000 • Competitive programs: $5,000 to $50,000 • Success rate: 14-20% (varies by program) **Active Grant Programs:** • Asian Community Fund • Safety Net Grants • Brother Thomas Fellowship Program • Free for All Endowment Fund Grant • Latino Equity Fund Grant • Live Arts Boston (LAB) Grants • Nex…
Where does Boston Foundation Inc make grants?
The Boston Foundation focuses on Greater Boston, specifically Essex, Middlesex, Norfolk, Plymouth, and Suffolk Counties in Massachusetts. The Foundation also makes grants in New York and the District of Columbia.
What size grants does Boston Foundation Inc award?
In 2024, Boston Foundation Inc awarded 2,046 grants totaling $169.9M — an average of about $83K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Boston Foundation Inc's EIN?
Boston Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 04-2104021. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Boston Foundation Inc'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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