Bresky Foundation
Bresky Foundation was a private foundation based in Boston, Massachusetts. Its 2022 filing reports grants to charitable organizations, but the foundation’s own filing states that it transferred all its assets to two transferee foundations in December 2022 and dissolved effective December 30, 2022.
Bresky Foundation at a glance
In short: Bresky Foundation gave $690K across 48 grants in 2022 (avg $14K), top state Illinois. 58% of 2022 grantees were new. Source: 2022 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2022)
- $690,000
- +11.1% vs 2021
- Grants made (2022)
- 48
- +152.6% vs 2021
- Average grant
- $14,375
- -56.0% vs 2021
- Median grant
- $2,500
- New grantees (estimate)
- 58% first-time grantees (28 of 48, 2022)
- Primary geography
- Illinois (43% of itemized 2022 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2022 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2022; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Bresky Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation stated that it made contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
- Contact
Mailing address: 6 Liberty Sq 354, Boston, MA 02109
Phone: (617) 928-6040
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Bresky Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2022
The largest 2022 recipient was Schwab Charitable Fund Sponsoring Organization of Patricia a Bresky Fund ($295K). Together the top 10 received $555K.
Grant Size Distribution
106 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 98 grants of 106 (92%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s 2022 grant dollars were reported as 43% to Illinois, 22% to Missouri, 14% to an unspecified state entry, 7% to Kansas, and 7% to New York. Individual listed recipients were also located in Minnesota and elsewhere.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2022 grant dollars across all 48 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Bresky Foundation open to new grantees?
58%
first-time grantees, 2022
In 2022, 28 of 48 grantees (58%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $3K; repeat grants $30K. How we count
Medians: $1K first-time, $10K repeat.
- 38% of 2022 grantees were also funded in 2021. Method
- In 2022 it paid out 102% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2022). 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 2022, annual grant giving ranged from $621K (2021) to $850K (2020). In 2022 it made 48 grants totaling $690K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Schwab Charitable Fund Sponsoring Organization of Patricia a Bresky Fund Chicago, IL | Unrestricted | $295,000 |
| Corporate Commitment for Local Development | Unrestricted | $100,000 |
| Harvesters Kansas City, MO | Unrestricted | $30,000 |
| Global Goods Partners New York, NY | Unrestricted | $25,000 |
| Mayo Clinic Rochester, MN | Unrestricted | $20,000 |
| Operation Breakthrough Inc Kansas City, MO | Unrestricted | $20,000 |
| Planned Parenthood KS Overland Park, KS | Unrestricted | $20,000 |
| Childrens Mercy Hospitals Kansas City, MO | Unrestricted | $15,000 |
| Jewish Family Services Kansas City, MO | Unrestricted | $15,000 |
| Jewish Vocational Services Kansas City, MO | Unrestricted | $15,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Bresky Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
The foundation stated that it completed a transfer of all its assets in equal shares to The Wally Foundation and the Patricia A. Bresky Family Foundation between December 19 and 22, 2022. It reported that its dissolution became effective on December 30, 2022.
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | — | $32,896 | $724,926 | $690,000 | 48 | $690,000 | $32,896 | $674,851 |
| 2021 | $59,913 | $627,918 | $644,065 | $621,000 | 19 | $621,000 | $627,918 | $687,919 |
| 2020 | $77,310 | $907,016 | $886,270 | $850,000 | 39 | — | $907,016 | $621,843 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Bresky Foundation reported a distributable amount of $675K for 2022 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Among its 2022 grantees, Operation Breakthrough described its mission as providing a safe, loving, and educational environment for children in poverty and empowering their families. Veterans Community Project said it provides wrap-around services and transitional housing to veterans in need. Water.org described its goal as expanding access to safe water and sanitation through small, affordable loans. These are the grantees’ stated missions, not the foundation’s.
Grantmaking
In 2022, the foundation reported 48 grants totaling $690,000. Grant amounts ranged from $250 to $295,000, with a median of $2,500. The largest listed grants included $295,000 to Schwab Charitable Fund Sponsoring Organization of Patricia A Bresky Fund, $100,000 to Corporate Commitment for Local Development, $30,000 to Harvesters, and $25,000 to Global Goods Partners. The listed grant purposes were unrestricted.
Other 2022 grants included $20,000 each to Mayo Clinic and Operation Breakthrough; $15,000 each to Jewish Family Services and Jewish Vocational Services; and $10,000 each to Veterans Community Project, Kansas City Girls Preparatory Academy, Water.org, Care Beyond the Boulevard, and World Central Kitchen.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2022 filing lists Ellen S Bresky as director, president, and treasurer; Patricia A Bresky as director and vice president; and Paul Squires as director and secretary.
Bresky Foundation is led by Ellen S. Bresky, Director, President & Treasurer on every filing since 2020; none of the 3 officers listed in 2022 report compensation.
Officers on the 2022 filing
Ellen S. Bresky
Director, President & Treasurer
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Patricia A. Bresky
Director & Vice President
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Paul Squires
Director & Secretary
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Steven J. Bresky (2020) — President & Treasurer · Filing note: Until 072020
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2022. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about Bresky Foundation
How much does Bresky Foundation give each year?
Bresky Foundation gave $690K across 48 grants in 2022, according to its 2022 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2021 it gave $621K across 19 grants.
What is Bresky Foundation's typical grant size?
Bresky Foundation's median grant in 2022 was $2,500, and its average grant was $14,375, across 48 grants on its 2022 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Bresky Foundation that year got $3K on average.
Where does Bresky Foundation give grants?
Bresky Foundation's top state is Illinois, with 43% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2022 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were Missouri (22%) and Kansas (7%). The most frequent recipient cities were Kansas City, MO (21 grants), New York, NY (5 grants), Overland Park, KS (2 grants) and Montgomery, AL (2 grants).
Does Bresky Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Bresky Foundation's 2022 grants with a stated purpose (48 of 48) were for general or operating support, per its 2022 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Bresky Foundation's largest grantees?
Bresky Foundation's largest 2022 grantees include Schwab Charitable Fund Sponsoring Organization of Patricia a Bresky Fund ($295,000), Corporate Commitment for Local Development ($100,000) and Harvesters ($30,000), according to its 2022 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 62% of its itemized 2022 grant dollars.
What does Bresky Foundation fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Among its 2022 grantees, Operation Breakthrough described its mission as providing a safe, loving, and educational environment for children in poverty and empowering their families. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Bresky Foundation?
The foundation stated that it made contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
How much is Bresky Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2022, Bresky Foundation reported a distributable amount of $675K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Bresky Foundation's EIN?
Bresky Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 26-4784817. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2022.
Does Bresky Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2022
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Bresky Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders with grantees in common, and similar funders in Massachusetts
The Wally Foundation Inc
Prairie Village, KS
The Wally Foundation funds organizations in areas including education, health care, food assistance, human services, reproductive health, and crisis response, with 2024 grants ranging from $500 to $45,000 and a median of $2,500. Its 2024 giving went mainly to Missouri, with additional support in New York, Kansas, Minnesota, and Washington, DC. It gives only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$81.4M
Grants
53
Total Given
$529K
Greater Horizons
Kansas City, MO
Greater Horizons distributes donor-advised fund grants to eligible U.S. charities and institutions across a wide range of causes; international organizations may also be supported after additional due diligence. In 2024, its grants had a median of $15,000, though amounts varied widely. Grants are requested by fund holders, and no general application process for organizations seeking funding is described.
Assets
$2.8B
Grants
3,282
Total Given
$212.2M
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
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
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 Bresky Foundation'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.
Bresky Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?