Clipper Ship Foundation Inc

MILTON VILLAGE, MA EIN: 04-2687384 Website

Clipper Ship Foundation Inc is a private foundation based in Milton Village, Massachusetts. Founded in 1979 by David Parmely Weatherhead, the foundation makes grants to federally tax-qualified nonprofit organizations offering critical services to vulnerable populations in the Greater Boston area and surrounding communities.

Financial Overview

From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

$5.0M

+16.4% YoY

Annual Giving

$161K

-96.6% YoY

Grant Count

-85.7% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$80K

-76.4% YoY

Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Clipper Ship Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $226K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated April 2026.

Mission & Focus Areas

The foundation focuses its grantmaking on the following populations:

Opportunity Youth (ages 16-24):

Out of school and unemployed or underemployed
Enrolled in school but not progressing academically and at risk of dropping out
Enrolled in post-secondary education part-time and either unemployed or underemployed
Working part-time without benefits

Additional Priority Populations:

Foster youth and young adults who have aged out of the foster care system
Youth and young adults experiencing homelessness or in unstable housing
Youth impacted by sex trafficking or exploitation
Families impacted by domestic violence
Youth impacted by the criminal justice system
Youth with disabilities

Grantmaking

As of 2025, the foundation has transitioned from an open application process to an invitation-only model. The foundation received nearly 200 concept paper submissions in 2024 and aims to provide funding to 12-20 applicants annually.

Grant Range

$11,000 to $150,000

Average Grant

approximately $340,400

Review Cycle

Timeline:**

How to Apply

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Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

The foundation funds organizations serving:

Greater Boston (cities and towns on or within Route 128)
Lawrence, Massachusetts
Brockton, Massachusetts

Grant Distribution by State

Rhode Island $15.9M (71%)

Massachusetts $6.6M (29%)

States

Massachusetts Rhode Island

Cities

AllstonBostonBrocktonCambridgeChelseaDedhamFraminghamLawrenceLexingtonLowellLynnMaldenNeedhamNewtonNorthbridgeQuincySalemSomervilleWalthamWarwick

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Assets & Revenue (Fiscal Year Ending October 2024):

Total assets: $5,008,415
Total revenues: $908,424
Total expenses: $211,335
Total grants awarded: $160,800

Revenue Breakdown (FYE 10/2024):

Grants and contributions: $150,000
Investment income and dividends: $154,547
Miscellaneous revenues: $603,877

Staffing: The foundation operates with limited staffing and relies on volunteer board members. No paid staff hours are reported.

Revenue

Expenses

Qualifying Distributions

Net Investment Income

Metric	2024	2023	2022
Total Assets	$5,008,415	$4,302,017	$8,783,949
Revenue	$908,424	$353,184	$-274,466
Expenses	$211,335	$4,835,116	$18,627,436
Qualifying Distributions	$160,800	$4,765,000	$14,522,640
Net Investment Income	$154,547	$147,725	—
Distributable Amount	$226,031	$320,189	$891,525

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 2 recipients in 2024

Grant Size Distribution

79 grants across all recorded years

Open Grants

1 open opportunity from Clipper Ship Foundation Inc

Foundation

Clipper Ship Foundation Grant

CLIPPER SHIP FOUNDATION INC

Amount

US $50,000 - US $150,000

Deadline

Rolling / Open

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Jewish Vocational Services ($150,000), Philanthropy Massachusetts ($10,800).

Recipient	Purpose	Amount
JEWISH VOCATIONAL SERVICES BOSTON, MA	PROGRAM SUPPORT	$150,000
PHILANTHROPY MASSACHUSETTS BOSTON, MA	PROGRAM SUPPORT	$10,800

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

Donald Greene – President
Gene Allen Miller – Treasurer
Daniel J Hueslman – Clerk/Director
Katharine Lacy – Director

Compensation Overview

From 2024 IRS filing

From 2024 filing

Name	Title	Hours	Compensation
DONALD GREENE	PRESIDENT /	—	—
GENE ALLEN MILLER	TREAUSRER /	—	—
DANIEL J HUESLMAN	CLERK/DIRECT	—	—
KATHARINE LACY	DIRECTORY	—	—

Contact Information

Mailing Address: P.O. Box 870138 Milton Village, MA 02187

Email: info@clippershipfoundation.org

Website: http://clippershipfoundation.org

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Clipper Ship Foundation Inc fund?

The foundation supports nonprofits making a difference in the lives of people living in Greater Boston (defined as cities and towns on or within Route 128), as well as the cities of Lawrence and Brockton. The foundation focuses its grantmaking on the following populations: **Opportunity Youth (ages 16-24):** • Out of school and unemployed or underemployed • Enrolled in school but not progressing academically and at risk of dropping out • Enrolled in post-secondary education part-time and either…

How do I apply for a grant from Clipper Ship Foundation Inc?

**Grant Activity:** • Made 21 grants in the most recent fiscal year • Recent grants include $150,000 to Jewish Vocational Service Boston and $10,800 to Philanthropy Massachusetts • Grant range: $11,000 to $150,000 • Median grant size: $125,000 • Average grant size: approximately $340,400 **Application Process:** As of 2025, the foundation has transitioned from an open application process to an invitation-only model. The foundation received nearly 200 concept paper submissions in 2024 and aims t…

Where does Clipper Ship Foundation Inc make grants?

The foundation funds organizations serving: • Greater Boston (cities and towns on or within Route 128) • Lawrence, Massachusetts • Brockton, Massachusetts

What size grants does Clipper Ship Foundation Inc award?

In 2024, Clipper Ship Foundation Inc awarded 2 grants totaling $161K — an average of about $80K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.

How much is Clipper Ship Foundation Inc required to give away each year?

Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Clipper Ship Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $226K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.