Community Foundation of North Central Ma
The Community Foundation of North Central Massachusetts is a tax-exempt public charity founded in 2001, serving as a trusted steward of charitable giving in the North Central Massachusetts region. Based in Fitchburg, the foundation manages charitable funds established by individuals, families, businesses, and nonprofit organizations. The organization operates with a staff of 6 employees and provides flexible giving options to help donors achieve their philanthropic goals while strengthening the communities they serve.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$95.3M
+19.7% YoY
Annual Giving
$4.7M
+10.0% YoY
Grant Count
115
-6.5% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$41K
+17.7% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: To promote philanthropy in the region and support philanthropists to invest in the communities and causes they care passionately about. The foundation also makes annual grants to local nonprofits focused on improving quality of life in North Central Massachusetts.
Primary Funding Areas:
- Environment and animal welfare
- Education and career readiness
- Community enrichment
- Organizational development
- Critical community needs
- Community health
- Racial equity initiatives
Grantmaking
The foundation manages multiple fund types including scholarship funds, designated funds, donor-advised funds, fiscal sponsor funds, and agency funds. In the most recent fiscal year, donors established 16 new charitable funds.
Grant Range
$2,000–$20,000
Average Grant
$8,000
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation serves 33 communities in North Central Massachusetts along the New Hampshire border in Central Massachusetts, including the city of Fitchburg.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Most Recent Financial Data (Fiscal Year 2025):
- Total assets: $95,321,703
- Total revenues: $14,947,483
- Total expenses: $6,291,044
Prior Year Data (Fiscal Year 2024):
- Total assets: $79,629,282
- Total revenues: $9,751,867
- Total expenses: $6,083,844
Historical Giving:
- 2023 total grants distributed: $7,162,320 across 98 awards
Rating: The foundation holds a 4-star rating (100% score) from independent charity evaluators, reflecting strong financial health and governance practices.
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $95,321,703 | $79,629,282 | $72,231,436 |
| Revenue | $14,947,483 | $9,751,867 | $8,936,344 |
| Expenses | $6,291,044 | $6,083,844 | $8,035,240 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $3,661,200 | $4,289,347 | $2,819,574 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
Grant Size Distribution
250 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
12 open opportunities from Community Foundation of North Central Ma
Captain Christopher Sullivan Scholarship Fund Grant
COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF NORTH CENTRAL MA
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Community Enrichment Grant
COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF NORTH CENTRAL MA
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Community Health Grant (Nashoba Valley)
COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF NORTH CENTRAL MA
Amount
US $5,000 - US $20,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2025 grants, the largest include Boys & Girls Club of Fitchburg Leominster and Gardner ($897,348), Mount Wachusett Community College Foundation Inc ($303,354), North Star Family Services Inc ($254,748).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ACTION FOR THE CLIMATE EMERGENCY CHARLESTOWN, MA | ENVIRONMENTAL | $30,000 |
| ADVOCATES INC FRAMINGHAM, MA | HEALTH | $10,000 |
| APPALACHIAN MOUNTAIN CLUB BOSTON, MA | ENVIRONMENTAL | $15,000 |
| APPLEWILD SCHOOL FITCHBURG, MA | EDUCATION | $91,000 |
| AYER FIRE DEPARTMENT AYER, MA | HEALTH | $20,000 |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF FITCHBURG LEOMINSTER AND GARDNER LEOMINSTER, MA | YOUTH DEVELOPMENT | $897,348 |
| CITY OF FITCHBURG FITCHBURG, MA | ARTS & CULTURE | $20,000 |
| CLINTON HIGH SCHOOL CLINTON, MA | EDUCATION | $8,500 |
| COLLEGE OF THE HOLY CROSS WORCESTER, MA | EDUCATION | $7,500 |
| COMMUNITY LEGAL AID INC WORCESTER, MA | SOCIAL SERVICES | $8,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Stephen Adams — President & CEO
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
From 2025 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| STEVEN STONE | TREASURER | 2 | — |
| MIGGIE VELEZ | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| KIMBERLY ANSIN | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| WILLIAM AUBUCHON IV | CHAIR | 2 | — |
| ATTORNEY JOHN BARRETT | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| LESLIE GARRISON | VICE-CHAIR | 1 | — |
| JAY DRAKE | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| ACHLA BAHL MADAN | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| DAVID MCKEEHAN | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| ALLEN ROME | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| THOMAS BAGLEY III | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| JANET CHAMBERS | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| GEORGANA COCHRAN | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| BEN URQUHART | CLERK | 1 | — |
| ALICE VON LOESCKE | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| MARY DEAN | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| PHILIP RICHARDS | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| STEPHEN J ADAMS | PRESIDENT | 37.5 | $189,012 |
| ERIN THOMASON | DIRECTOR OF PHILANTHROPY | 37.5 | $106,711 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation has continued to expand its grantmaking and fund development activities. Recent grant awards have supported regional health projects, organizational development initiatives to strengthen nonprofit effectiveness, and homelessness prevention efforts in North Central Massachusetts. The foundation also awarded $140,000 to support regional health projects and educational institutions.
Community Foundation of North Central Massachusetts Awards $140,000 to support\The foundation partnered with 15 other community foundations and Massachusetts state funding sources to distribute over $500,000 in emergency assistance during the COVID-19 crisis.
Community Foundation of North Central Massachusetts Awards $140,000 to support\Contact Information
Address: 649 John Fitch Highway, Fitchburg, MA 01420
Phone: 978-345-8383
Website: https://cfncm.org
Email: info@cfncm.org
EIN: 04-3537449
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Community Foundation of North Central Ma fund?
**Mission:** To promote philanthropy in the region and support philanthropists to invest in the communities and causes they care passionately about. The foundation also makes annual grants to local nonprofits focused on improving quality of life in North Central Massachusetts. **Primary Funding Areas:** • Environment and animal welfare • Education and career readiness • Community enrichment • Organizational development • Critical community needs • Community health • Racial equity initiatives
How do I apply for a grant from Community Foundation of North Central Ma?
**Grant Characteristics:** • Typical grant range: $2,000–$20,000 • Average grant size: $8,000 • Decision timeline: 4-8 weeks (varies by program) • Success rate: 39% (58 of 150 applications approved in FY2024-2025) • Annual competitive grants: approximately $515,000 (FY2024-2025) **Fund Types:** The foundation manages multiple fund types including scholarship funds, designated funds, donor-advised funds, fiscal sponsor funds, and agency funds. In the most recent fiscal year, donors established 1…
Where does Community Foundation of North Central Ma make grants?
The foundation serves 33 communities in North Central Massachusetts along the New Hampshire border in Central Massachusetts, including the city of Fitchburg.
What size grants does Community Foundation of North Central Ma award?
In 2025, Community Foundation of North Central Ma awarded 115 grants totaling $4.7M — an average of about $41K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Community Foundation of North Central Ma's EIN?
Community Foundation of North Central Ma's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 04-3537449. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Community Foundation of North Central Ma's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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