Boston Foundation Inc
Boston Foundation Inc is a public charity based in Boston, Massachusetts. Founded in 1915, it is Greater Boston’s community foundation and uses grantmaking, partnerships, research, convening and advocacy to address regional disparities and strengthen communities.
Boston Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: Boston Foundation Inc gave $228.4M across 2,375 grants in 2025 (avg $96K), mostly in Massachusetts. 25% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $228,371,395
- +34.4% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 2,375
- +16.1% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $96,156
- +15.8% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $25,000
- Total assets
- $2,145,008,944
- +15.7% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 25% first-time grantees (511 of 2,052, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Massachusetts (68% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Boston Foundation Inc
- Next open deadline
- October 30, 2026 (Boston Foundation: Safety Net Grants)
- Contact
Mailing address: 75 Arlington Street Fl 3, Boston, MA 02116-3936
Phone: (617) 338-1700
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
9 open opportunities from Boston Foundation Inc
Asian Community Fund Grant
Boston Foundation Inc
Amount
US $5,000 - US $25,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Boston Foundation: Safety Net Grants
Boston Foundation Inc
Amount
US $50,000
Deadline
October 30, 2026
Listed date — confirm with the funder
Brother Thomas Fellowship Program Grant
Boston Foundation Inc
Amount
US $20,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who Boston Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Partners Healthcare System Inc ($7.1M across 3 grants). Together the top 10 received $44.4M.
Organizations only. It also paid 12 individual scholarships ($686,500), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
11,138 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 7,729 grants of 11,138 (69%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Safety Net Grants program identifies eligible communities in Essex, Middlesex, Norfolk, Plymouth and Suffolk counties, with a focus on communities of greatest need, including specified areas of Boston, Chelsea, Everett, Revere, Lynn, Brockton and Lowell. In the Foundation’s 2025 grantmaking, 68% of grant dollars went to Massachusetts recipients, followed by New York at 8%, California at 4%, Ohio at 3% and the District of Columbia at 2%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 2,375 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Boston Foundation Inc open to new grantees?
25%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 511 of 2,052 grantees (25%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $63K; repeat grants $127K. How we count
Medians: $16K first-time, $29K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2025). 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 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $158.3M (2021) to $228.4M (2025). In 2025 it made 2,375 grants totaling $228.4M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Bank of America Charitable Gift Fund Boston, MA | Transfer to DAF | $6,645,940 |
| Partners Healthcare System Inc Boston, MA | Operating Support/Annual Fund | $5,603,180 |
| Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund Cincinnati, OH | Transfer to DAF | $5,376,841 |
| Trustees of Tufts College Medford, MA | Scholarship | $5,005,000 |
| McLean Hospital Belmont, MA | Capital Campaign | $4,250,000 |
| United Negro College Fund Inc Boston, MA | Education | $4,003,770 |
| The Barack Obama Foundation Chicago, IL | Operating Support/Annual Fund | $2,650,000 |
| New Profit Inc Boston, MA | Operating Support/Annual Fund | $2,601,500 |
| Embrace Boston Inc Boston, MA | Operating Support/Annual Fund | $2,543,023 |
| Carbon Mapper Inc Pasadena, CA | Operating Support/Annual Fund | $2,500,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Boston Foundation Inc?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $2,145,008,944 | $426,656,046 | $279,853,597 | $228,371,395 | 2,375 | $34,036,201 |
| 2024 | $1,853,183,611 | $210,389,550 | $215,292,419 | $169,909,859 | 2,046 | $26,690,960 |
| 2023 | $1,708,597,273 | $161,296,905 | $209,895,497 | $164,034,285 | 2,045 | $17,752,422 |
| 2022 | $1,673,670,064 | $324,652,362 | $228,370,471 | $185,812,086 | 2,413 | $16,997,910 |
| 2021 | $1,683,793,346 | $325,590,260 | $198,258,173 | $158,267,559 | 2,259 | $14,094,439 |
| 2020 | $1,201,631,617 | $182,767,888 | $240,461,702 | $204,777,920 | 2,579 | $12,160,640 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Foundation says it is committed to closing gaps in the region’s greatest disparities and, through its resources and relationships, opening pathways to opportunity and building vital, prosperous and equitable communities. Its four interconnected pathways are:
- Child Well-Being, including children’s health, early education and mental and behavioral health.
- Economic Opportunity, including education-to-career pathways, job training and job quality.
- Community Wealth, focused on stability and individual and collective wealth through more equitable housing, business and creative systems.
- Community Leadership, including support for movement leaders and nonprofit organizations serving marginalized communities.
The Foundation supports nonprofit organizations through grants and partnerships. Examples among its 2025 grantees include Embrace Boston, which describes its mission as strengthening communities through arts, culture, civic partnerships and policy solutions, and United Way of an individual recipient, which describes its mission as advancing an economically just region where prosperity is shared across race and ethnicity. The Foundation also made grants to organizations whose stated missions include social justice advocacy, education and research, and support for children and families.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the Foundation reported 2,375 grants totaling $228,371,395. Grant amounts ranged from $5,250 to $6,645,940, with a median of $25,000. Some large grants were donor-advised fund transfers, including $6,645,940 to Bank of America Charitable Gift Fund and $5,376,841 to Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund. Other notable grants included $5,603,180 to Partners Healthcare System Inc for operating support, $5,005,000 to Trustees of Tufts College for scholarships, $4,250,000 to McLean Hospital for a capital campaign, and $4,003,770 to United Negro College Fund Inc for education.
The Foundation’s website describes program-specific initiatives with varying criteria and application processes. The Safety Net Grants program provides $50,000 general operating support grants to organizations responding to essential needs in Greater Boston. For the FY27 Fall round, the stated deadline is October 30, 2026. Eligible applicants must, among other requirements, be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit or operate under a tax-exempt fiscal sponsor, have operated for at least three years, provide year-round programming, and serve communities primarily in the eligible Greater Boston area. The round is focused particularly on food security, health and behavioral health, direct cash assistance, and housing stabilization; organizations that received a Safety Net Grant in 2026 are not eligible for this round.
Other listed programs include the Latino Equity Fund’s FY27 grants of $50,000 to 20 Latinx-serving nonprofits, with an October 30, 2026 deadline; an individual recipient Boston grants of up to $15,000 for performing artists in Greater Boston; and the biennial Brother Thomas Fellowship, which offers $20,000 unrestricted awards to Greater Boston artists.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists M. Lee Pelton as President and CEO. Other listed officers and directors include Kate Guedj, SVP and Chief Philanthropy Officer; Brian Douglas, CFO and Treasurer; Orlando Watkins, VP and Chief Program Officer; and Keith Mahoney, VP of Communications and Public Affairs.
Boston Foundation Inc is led by M Lee Pelton, President & CEO on every filing since 2021; 15 of 36 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
M Lee Pelton
President & CEO
On filings since 2021
50 hrs/week
$420K (2022) → $844K (2025)
Dwight M Poler
Chair
Director → Chair, 2025
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Nalia Bolus
Vice President & Director of the Campaign for A Greater Boston
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$249K (2025)
Andrew Arnott
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Brian Conway
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
CA Webb
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Elyse Cherry
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
J Keith Motley
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Pam Y Eddinger
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Scott E Squillace
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Zamawa Arenas
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Betty Francisco
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tracy Palandjian
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jane Steinmetz
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Raj Sharma
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Charles Anderson
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kendall Burlin Oconnell
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Petrina Martin Cherry
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Elaine Zecher
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Raja Bobbili
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Rob Waldron
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Vanessa Calderon Rosado
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Alfred F Van Ranst Jr.
Frmr CFO & Treasurer
CFO & Treasurer → Frmr CFO & Treasurer, 2025
On filings since 2020
$380K (2020) → $443K (2025)
George C Wilson
Assistant Treasurer
On filings since 2020
50 hrs/week
$362K (2020) → $409K (2025)
Jane Dixon
Vice President, Hr, Culture & Talent
Assistant Vice President & Human Resources → Vice President of Human Resources, 2021
Vice President of Human Resources → Vice President, Hr, Culture & Talent, 2023
On filings since 2020
50 hrs/week
$169K (2020) → $258K (2025)
Kate Guedj
Senior Vice President & Chief Phil. Officer
Vice President & Chief Phil. Officer → Senior Vice President & Chief Phil. Officer, 2023
On filings since 2020
50 hrs/week
$320K (2020) → $401K (2025)
Keith Mahoney
Vice President, Committee & Public Affairs
Vice President Communications → Vice President, Committee & Public Affairs, 2023
On filings since 2020
50 hrs/week
$227K (2020) → $308K (2025)
Leslie Pine
Manager Partner & Tpi
On filings since 2020
50 hrs/week
$208K (2020) → $257K (2025)
Margaret Alexander
Partner & Tpi
On filings since 2020
50 hrs/week
$162K (2020) → $197K (2025)
Orlando Watkins
Vice President & Chief Program Officer
Vice President of Program → Vice President & Chief Program Officer, 2023
On filings since 2020
50 hrs/week
$247K (2020) → $341K (2025)
Leigh Gasper
Asst.sec. & Vice President
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$241K (2023) → $255K (2025)
Brian Douglas
CFO & Treasurer
On filings since 2024
50 hrs/week
$395K (2025)
Kristen O'Connell
Secretary
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$111K (2025)
Rupal Dandia
Vice President Development & Deshpande
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$190K (2024) → $201K (2025)
Soni Gupta
Associate Vice President Programs
New on the 2025 filing
50 hrs/week
$196K (2025)
Kendall Stanley
Secretary
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (25)
- Former: Barbara Hindley (2020–2024) — Frmr Assistant Secretary & Assistant Vice President C
- Former: Linda Mason (2020–2024) — Chair
- Former: Pam Hurd (2020–2024) — Senior Director Philanthropy
- Former: Ronald O'Hanley (2020–2024) — Director
- Former: Vanessa Calderon-Rosado (2020–2024) — Director
- Former: Imari Paris-Jefferies (2022–2024) — Executive Director Embrace Boston
- Former: Jennifer Aronson (2023–2024) — Deputy Vice President of Programs
- Former: Makeeba McCreary (2023–2024) — Executive Director Ncf
- Former: Robert Waldron (2024) — Director
- Former: John Ho (2020–2023) — Secretary
- Former: Michael R Eisenson (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Myechia Minter-Jordan (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Paul Lee (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Rosalyn Bonaventure (2020–2023) — Controller
- Former: Kate Walsh (2022–2023) — Director
- Former: Kristin McSwain (2020–2022) — Executive Director Bos. Opportunit
- Former: Paul Gannon (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Paul S Grogan (2020–2022) — Former President & CEO
- Former: Peter Nessen (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Stephan Chan (2020–2022) — Frmr Secretary
- Former: TJ Rose (2020–2022) — Vice Chair
- Former: Gregory Groover Sr. (2020) — Director
- Former: Kimberly Flores (2020) — Assistant Secretary
- Former: Sandra M Edgerley (2020) — Chair
- Former: Timothy Gassert (2020) — Frmr Secretary & Communications
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $844K, to M Lee Pelton (President & CEO). 15 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Boston Foundation Inc
How much does Boston Foundation Inc give each year?
Boston Foundation Inc gave $228.4M across 2,375 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $169.9M across 2,046 grants.
What is Boston Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
Boston Foundation Inc's median grant in 2025 was $25,000, and its average grant was $96,156, across 2,375 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Boston Foundation Inc that year got $63K on average.
Where does Boston Foundation Inc give grants?
Boston Foundation Inc gives mostly in Massachusetts: 68% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest state was New York (8%). The most frequent recipient cities were Boston, MA (510 grants), New York, NY (127 grants), Washington, DC (98 grants) and Cambridge, MA (85 grants).
Does Boston Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Yes: 74% of Boston Foundation Inc's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (1,755 of 2,375) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990. Recurring purposes include "Capital Campaign" (116 grants), "Human Services" (67 grants) and "Education" (59 grants).
Who are Boston Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
Boston Foundation Inc's largest 2025 grantees include Partners Healthcare System Inc ($7,119,180 across 3 grants), Bank of America Charitable Gift Fund ($6,645,940) and Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund ($5,383,841 across 2 grants), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. It also paid 12 individual scholarships ($686,500), which are not listed by name. Together they received 8% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Boston Foundation Inc?
Boston Foundation Inc reported $2.1B in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $426.7M.
What does Boston Foundation Inc fund?
The Foundation says it is committed to closing gaps in the region’s greatest disparities and, through its resources and relationships, opening pathways to opportunity and building vital, prosperous and equitable communities. Its four interconnected pathways are: See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Boston Foundation Inc?
Boston Foundation Inc has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
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 2020–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 11, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 10, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 11, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 10, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 12, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 6, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Boston Foundation Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders with grantees in common, and similar funders in Massachusetts
The Chicago Community Trust
Chicago, IL
The Chicago Community Trust funds eligible nonprofits working to narrow the wealth gap and meet urgent needs, with priorities including economic mobility, education, jobs, homeownership, and community development in metropolitan Chicago and Cook County. Its 2025 grants had a median of $26,500, though amounts varied widely; the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$7.1B
Grants
4,316
Total Given
$1.2B
Silicon Valley Community Foundation
Mountain View, CA
Silicon Valley Community Foundation funds work in areas such as housing, economic security, education, health, the environment, arts and culture, and civic engagement, with Community Action Grants supporting local, community-led organizations in San Mateo and Santa Clara counties. Its 2024 grants had a median of $51,716, though amounts varied widely; applications depend on the program, and SVCF states that it does not accept unsolicited proposals for advised funds.
Assets
$12.3B
Grants
3,576
Total Given
$3.2B
Eastern Bank Foundation
Wakefield, MA
Eastern Bank Foundation supports economic inclusion and mobility, including small businesses, early childhood development, affordable housing, and workforce development. Its 2025 grants ranged from $50 to $2,002,500, with a median of $2,500, primarily in Massachusetts and also in New Hampshire and Rhode Island. It accepts online applications and does not limit giving to preselected organizations.
Assets
$266.7M
Grants
1,786
Total Given
$19.0M
Barr Foundation
Boston, MA
The Barr Foundation funds arts and creativity, climate, education, and New England’s social sector, primarily through long-term support for organizations in New England. Its 2024 grants ranged from $100 to $3.275 million, with a median of $80,000. Its filing says it accepts only requests from preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests, though its website describes program-page inquiries and occasional open calls.
Assets
$1.9B
Grants
903
Total Given
$123.2M
Liberty Mutual Foundation Inc
Boston, MA
Liberty Mutual Foundation funds basic needs such as food and shelter, education and workforce development, and climate and community infrastructure, including homelessness and community preparedness programs. Its 2024 grants had a median of $35,000, and most funding supports organizations or programs serving the Boston area, though it also gives elsewhere. It accepts unsolicited online requests on a rolling basis, with no submission deadlines.
Assets
$46.1M
Grants
706
Total Given
$50.6M
Cummings Foundation Grants Inc (FKA Oneworld Boston Inc)
Woburn, MA
Cummings Foundation Grants Inc. funds nonprofits working in human services, education, healthcare, fairness and justice, and the environment, primarily in greater Boston and eastern Massachusetts. Its 2024 grants ranged from $1,000 to $3.5 million, with a median of $35,000; it accepts letters of inquiry through an online portal during its application cycle, which was not open at the time described.
Assets
$258.2M
Grants
658
Total Given
$38.2M
More similar funders
More Funders in Massachusetts
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Boston Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 8, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/boston-foundation-inc-morg_89a07d3912f2404ab8cbd5524fa4a131
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_042104021_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Boston Foundation Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/boston-foundation-inc-morg_89a07d3912f2404ab8cbd5524fa4a131},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-08. 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 Foundation 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 Foundation Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?