Champions of Love Foundation Inc
Champions of Love Foundation Inc is a private foundation based in Boston, Massachusetts. It supports charitable organizations led by people working closely with communities experiencing suffering, with an emphasis on local leadership and community impact.
Champions of Love Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: Champions of Love Foundation Inc gave $22.4M across 188 grants in 2024 (avg $119K), top state Massachusetts. 40% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $22,386,377
- +0.5% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 188
- -2.6% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $119,076
- +3.2% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $30,000
- Total assets
- $57,949,914
- -25.4% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 40% first-time grantees (75 of 186, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Massachusetts (37% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Champions of Love Foundation Inc
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests. Its 2024 filing says it contributes only to preselected charitable organizations.
- Contact
Mailing address: 21 Chestnut Street, Boston, MA 02108
Phone: (617) 470-6932
Website: https://championsoflove.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Champions of Love Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Epiphany School Inc ($2.1M across 3 grants). Together the top 10 received $14.1M.
Grant Size Distribution
538 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 364 grants of 538 (68%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2024 grant dollars were distributed among recipients in multiple states. Massachusetts received 37% of grant dollars, California 24%, Tennessee 13%, Alabama 9%, and New York 3%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 188 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Champions of Love Foundation Inc open to new grantees?
40%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 75 of 186 grantees (40%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $63K; repeat grants $159K. How we count
Medians: $30K first-time, $30K repeat.
- 58% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 744% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2022–2024). 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 2022 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $14.2M (2022) to $22.4M (2024). In 2024 it made 188 grants totaling $22.4M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Epiphany School Inc Dorchester, MA | General | $2,050,000 |
| Thistle Farms Inc Nashville Tennessee, TN | General | $2,021,694 |
| Love Does Parade San Diego, CA | General | $2,009,345 |
| Equal Justice Initiative Montgomery, AL | General | $2,000,000 |
| Homeboy Industries Los Angeles, CA | General | $2,000,000 |
| Roxbury Presbyterian Church Social Impact Center Boston, MA | General | $1,100,000 |
| Healthcare for the Homeless Program Boston, MA | General | $1,000,000 |
| Saint Cecilias Parish School Boston, MA | General | $700,000 |
| Center for Contemplative Justice Nashville, TN | General | $675,486 |
| Health Equity International Newton, MA | General | $500,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $57,949,914 | $3,291,348 | $23,163,255 | $22,386,377 | 188 | $22,917,604 | $2,886,022 | $3,081,021 |
| 2023 | $77,650,672 | $49,058,977 | $22,942,954 | $22,265,090 | 193 | $22,737,423 | $3,122,086 | $3,449,342 |
| 2022 | $51,757,419 | $43,678,647 | $14,848,530 | $14,246,200 | 157 | $14,418,854 | $145,906 | $1,593,779 |
| 2021 | $22,934,446 | $22,939,465 | $5,020 | — | — | — | $22,934,271 | — |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Champions of Love Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $3.1M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation says it supports “extraordinary leaders who are working in proximity to people experiencing suffering.” It describes these leaders as having insight into their communities and the organizations working for change there. Its website also says it believes trust-based relationships and unrestricted funds help organizations deploy resources quickly.
Examples of grantees illustrate a range of community work. Thistle Farms says it helps women survivors recover from prostitution, trafficking, and addiction through housing, jobs, and ongoing support. Love Does Parade says it works against injustice and human rights violations affecting unrepresented children. Homeboy Industries says it supports formerly incarcerated and formerly gang-involved people through hope, training, and support. Other 2024 grantees include Proyecto Pastoral, whose stated mission is to empower Boyle Heights through grassroots education, leadership, and service projects, and an individual recipient, which says it provides hope and healing to veterans facing addiction and homelessness.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation made 188 grants totaling $22,386,377. Grant amounts ranged from $1,668 to $2,050,000, with a median of $30,000. In 2023, it reported 193 grants totaling $22,265,090; in 2022, it reported 157 grants totaling $14,246,200.
Among its largest 2024 grants were $2,050,000 to Epiphany School, $2,021,694 to Thistle Farms, $2,009,345 to Love Does Parade, $2,000,000 each to Equal Justice Initiative and Homeboy Industries, and $1,100,000 to Roxbury Presbyterian Church Social Impact Center. These grants were listed with a general purpose.
The foundation’s website says Champion organizations receive at least three years of unrestricted support, with funding anticipated to increase as partnerships develop. It also describes separate annual funding that Champions advise on allocating to other organizations. The website says Champions are given privacy to help them focus on their work.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Brenda Bancel as president, Stéphane Bancel as co-chair, Marine Brotons as treasurer, Chloe Bancel as clerk, and Olivia Bancel as director.
Champions of Love Foundation Inc is led by Brenda Bancel, President on every filing since 2021; none of the 5 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Brenda Bancel
President
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Olivia Bancel
Director
On filings since 2023
No compensation reported
Chloe Bancel
Clerk
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Marine Brotons
Treasurer
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Stephane Bancel
Co-Chair
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2024. "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 Champions of Love Foundation Inc
How much does Champions of Love Foundation Inc give each year?
Champions of Love Foundation Inc gave $22.4M across 188 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $22.3M across 193 grants.
What is Champions of Love Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
Champions of Love Foundation Inc's median grant in 2024 was $30,000, and its average grant was $119,076, across 188 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Champions of Love Foundation Inc that year got $63K on average.
Where does Champions of Love Foundation Inc give grants?
Champions of Love Foundation Inc's top state is Massachusetts, with 37% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were California (24%) and Tennessee (13%). The most frequent recipient cities were Boston, MA (37 grants), Dorchester, MA (13 grants), Nashville, TN (6 grants) and Los Angeles, CA (5 grants).
Does Champions of Love Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Champions of Love Foundation Inc's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (188 of 188) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Champions of Love Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
Champions of Love Foundation Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Epiphany School Inc ($2,120,000 across 3 grants), Thistle Farms Inc ($2,021,694) and Love Does Parade ($2,009,345), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 27% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Champions of Love Foundation Inc?
Champions of Love Foundation Inc reported $57.9M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $22.9M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $3.1M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Champions of Love Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation says it supports “extraordinary leaders who are working in proximity to people experiencing suffering.” It describes these leaders as having insight into their communities and the organizations working for change there. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Champions of Love Foundation Inc?
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Champions of Love Foundation Inc's EIN?
Champions of Love Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 86-1229287. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2024.
Does Champions of Love Foundation Inc 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 2021–2024
Live grants for the work Champions of Love Foundation Inc funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
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Browse active grant opportunities in Champions of Love Foundation Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Champions of Love Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 22, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/champions-of-love-foundation-inc-morg_5afe036d5b1047af935ea9fcd9a88782
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_861229287_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Champions of Love Foundation Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/champions-of-love-foundation-inc-morg_5afe036d5b1047af935ea9fcd9a88782},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-22. 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 Champions of Love 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.
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