Boston Public Library Fund Inc
The Boston Public Library Fund provides financial support to the boston public library (BPL), ensuring that it remains viable, engaging, accessible, and free to all. The library fund fulfills this mission by working in partnership with donors and other funders.
Boston Public Library Fund Inc at a glance
In short: Boston Public Library Fund Inc gave $3.6M across 1 grant in 2025 (avg $3.6M), mostly in Massachusetts. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $3,646,334
- +13.2% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 1
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $3,646,334
- +13.2% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $3,646,334
- Total assets
- $14,036,529
- +12.8% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Massachusetts (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who Boston Public Library Fund Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top recipient in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Boston Public Library ($3.6M).
Grant Size Distribution
5 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $1–5M range: 5 grants of 5 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of the 2025 grant dollars on its one itemized grant.
States
Cities
How Boston Public Library Fund Inc gives
- Giving grew 84% from 2022 to 2025. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990 filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $1.2M (2020) to $3.6M (2025). In 2025 it made 1 grant totaling $3.6M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Boston Public Library Boston, MA | Support BPL Programs | $3,646,334 |
Ready to take the next step with Boston Public Library Fund Inc?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $14,036,529 | $7,541,977 | $5,757,405 | $3,646,334 | 1 | $656,835 |
| 2024 | $12,446,713 | $5,623,283 | $4,997,008 | $3,222,326 | 1 | $304,707 |
| 2023 | $10,156,533 | $8,176,290 | $4,184,300 | $2,558,416 | 1 | $109,005 |
| 2022 | $5,785,151 | $3,398,649 | $3,446,044 | $1,983,743 | 1 | $162,330 |
| 2021 | $8,276,346 | $4,464,171 | $4,112,233 | $2,949,906 | 1 | $248,588 |
| 2020 | $6,800,909 | $1,749,534 | $2,268,493 | $1,229,699 | 1 | $102,114 |
About Boston Public Library Fund Inc
Based on IRS filings
Boston Public Library Fund Inc is a public charity focused on Education, based in Boston, MA. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $14.0M in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 1 grant totaling $3.6M. Net investment income was $657K.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Boston Public Library Fund Inc is led by Paula Sakey, Executive Director on every filing since 2021; 3 of 21 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Paula Sakey
Executive Director
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$129K (2021) → $284K (2025)
Taylor Brennan
President & Emerging Leaders
On filings since 2024
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jeffrey B. Hawkins
Chair
Chairman → Chair, 2022
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Carol Estes-Schwartz
Director of Philanthropy & Legacy Giving
Deputy Executive Director → Director of Philanthropy & Legacy Giving, 2025
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$141K (2023) → $151K (2025)
Sarah Dow
Director of Advancement Services
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$113K (2025)
David Leonard
Director
Board Member → Director, 2023
On filings since 2020
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Michael Keating
Director
Board Member → Director, 2023
On filings since 2020
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Barry Canton
Director
Board Member → Director, 2023
On filings since 2021
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Douglas Carney
Director
Board Member → Director, 2023
On filings since 2021
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Adrienne Zak Hunt
Director
Board Member → Director, 2023
On filings since 2022
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Cynthia Clark
Director
On filings since 2023
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Leo Liu
Director
On filings since 2023
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Amelia McCarthy
Director
On filings since 2024
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Cliff Cammock
Director
On filings since 2024
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Derrick Johns
Director
New on the 2025 filing
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Merranda Logan
Director
New on the 2025 filing
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Raymond Liu
Director
New on the 2025 filing
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Grace Fey
Founding Director Emeritus
Treasurer → Founding Director Emeritus, 2025
On filings since 2020
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Hannah Grove
Vice Chair
Board Member → Vice Chair, 2023
On filings since 2020
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lewis Burleigh
Founding Director Emeritus
Clerk → Founding Director Emeritus, 2024
On filings since 2020
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Louis Maiuri
Treasurer
Board Member → Director, 2023
Director → Treasurer, 2025
On filings since 2021
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (11)
- Former: Greg Shell (2021–2024) — Director
- Former: Priscilla H. Douglas (2021–2024) — Director
- Former: Donna Harris Lewis (2024) — Director
- Former: Kerry H. Sullivan (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Robert Gallery (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Linda Cummings (2022–2023) — Director
- Former: Donna Harris-Lewis (2023) — Director
- Former: Beth Barclay (2022) — Senior Major Gifts Officer
- Former: Theresa Meckel (2022) — Director of Finance & Operations
- Former: James F. McHugh (2020–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Mary Flynn Myers (2020–2021) — Executive Director · Filing note: Thru 63020
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 $284K, to Paula Sakey (Executive Director). 3 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Boston Public Library Fund Inc
How much does Boston Public Library Fund Inc give each year?
Boston Public Library Fund Inc gave $3.6M across 1 grant in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $3.2M across 1 grant.
How large is Boston Public Library Fund Inc?
Boston Public Library Fund Inc reported $14.0M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $7.5M.
What is Boston Public Library Fund Inc?
Boston Public Library Fund Inc is a public charity focused on Education, based in Boston, MA. It holds $14.0M in total assets as of 2025.
Where does Boston Public Library Fund Inc operate?
Boston Public Library Fund Inc has awarded grants in Massachusetts.
What is Boston Public Library Fund Inc's EIN?
Boston Public Library Fund Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 04-3150560. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
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 13, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 16, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS December 6, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 3, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS October 23, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS October 14, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025
Live grants for the work Boston Public Library Fund Inc funds
Education Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
- Creative Impact Grants $500 - $2,500 · 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 Public Library Fund Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Similar funders in Massachusetts
Boston Foundation Inc
Boston, MA
The Boston Foundation funds nonprofits and community initiatives focused on equity and opportunity, including child well-being, economic opportunity, community wealth, and community leadership, primarily in Greater Boston. Its 2025 grants had a median of $25,000, while specific programs offer amounts such as $50,000; whether it accepts unsolicited requests is not stated.
Assets
$2.1B
Grants
2,375
Total Given
$228.4M
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
American Tower Corporation Foundation
Boston, MA
Assets
$15.4M
Grants
632
Total Given
$1.7M
More similar funders
More Funders in Massachusetts
The filing figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0. About GrantGraph Open
Figures come from Boston Public Library Fund 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 Public Library Fund Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?