Community Foundation of North Central MA
The Community Foundation of North Central Massachusetts is a public charity based in Fitchburg, Massachusetts. Founded in 2001, it manages charitable funds established by individuals, families, businesses, and nonprofit organizations, and awards grants for programs, projects, and initiatives serving its 33-community region.
Key facts about Community Foundation of North Central MA
In short: Community Foundation of North Central MA gave $4.7M across 115 grants in 2025 (avg $41K), mostly in Massachusetts. 36% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- EIN
- 04-3537449
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025
- Annual giving (2025)
- $4,713,751
- Grants made (2025)
- 115
- Average grant
- $40,989
- Median grant
- $15,000
- New grantees (estimate)
- 36% first-time grantees (41 of 114, 2025)
- Total assets
- $95,321,703
- Primary geography
- Massachusetts (88% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Deadline
- The 2026–2027 schedule lists Community Enrichment applications due September 11, 2026; Nashoba Valley Community Health…
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology). Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990 · 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
Is Community Foundation of North Central MA open to new grantees?
36%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 41 of 114 grantees (36%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $25K; repeat grants $50K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $19K repeat.
- 45% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+10%). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2021–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Foundation’s stated mission is to provide donors with flexible giving options and guidance, and to strengthen communities through philanthropy, collaboration, and grantmaking. Its grantmaking priorities include environmental preservation and animal welfare, education and career readiness, community enrichment, organizational development, community health, and racial equity.
Its grant recipients include organizations working in areas such as family services, education, environmental protection, and community support. For example, North Star Family Services describes its mission as providing stable housing, services, and advocacy for families needing support. Growing Places Garden Project says it works to expand equitable access to healthy food and environmental sustainability in North Central Massachusetts. Fitchburg State University Foundation describes its purpose as supporting the university’s educational endeavor.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the Foundation reported 115 grants totaling $4,713,751. Grant amounts ranged from $5,229 to $897,348, with a median of $15,000. Its website says competitive awards generally range from $2,000 to $10,000; for FY2024–2025, the average grant size was approximately $8,000.
Grant Range
was approximately $8,000.
Average Grant
was approximately $8,000.
Review Cycle
The 2026–2027 schedule lists Community Enrichment applications due September 11, 2026; Nashoba Valley Community Health due November 20, 2026; Environmental Preservation and Animal Welfare due March 12, 2027; and Organizational Development due May 4, 2027. Career Readiness and Educational Access Community Momentum Micro Grants are listed as rolling beginning July 1, 2026.
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
Ready to take the next step with Community Foundation of North Central MA?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation serves 33 communities in North Central Massachusetts, including Fitchburg, Gardner, Leominster, and Clinton. Grant-funded activities must benefit residents in the region. Organizations based outside the service area may apply if the proposed work will be carried out in one or more of the Foundation’s communities. The Nashoba Valley community health program covers Ashby, Ayer, Bolton, Devens, Groton, Harvard, Lancaster, Littleton, Lunenburg, Pepperell, Shirley, and Townsend.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 115 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $4.1M (2021) to $6.1M (2023). In 2025 it made 115 grants totaling $4.7M.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Boys & Girls Club of Fitchburg Leominster and Gardner ($897K). Together the top 10 received $2.6M.
Organizations only. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($5,320), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
524 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 442 grants of 524 (84%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Boys & Girls Club of Fitchburg Leominster and Gardner Leominster, MA | Youth Development | $897,348 |
| Mount Wachusett Community College Foundation Inc Gardner, MA | Education | $303,354 |
| North Star Family Services Inc Leominster, MA | Social Services | $254,748 |
| The Frank Healey Jr Scholarship Foundation Jacksonville, FL | Education | $227,424 |
| Protect Our Winters Boulder, CO | Environmental | $200,000 |
| United Way of North Central Massachusetts Fitchburg, MA | Social Services | $193,902 |
| St Bernard's High School Fitchburg, MA | Education | $164,000 |
| Growing Places Garden Project Inc Leominster, MA | Pandemic Related | $122,257 |
| Doyle Field Donation Account Leominster, MA | Youth Development | $113,090 |
| Fitchburg State University Foundation Fitchburg, MA | Education | $109,869 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $95,321,703 | $14,947,483 | $6,291,044 | $4,713,751 |
| 2024 | $79,629,282 | $9,751,867 | $6,083,844 | $4,283,450 |
| 2023 | $72,231,436 | $8,936,344 | $8,035,240 | $6,109,119 |
The 2025 itemized grants were directed primarily to Massachusetts recipients, which accounted for 88% of grant dollars. Other reported recipient-state shares were Florida 5%, Colorado 4%, New Hampshire 1%, and Virginia 1%.
| 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 |
| Net Investment Income | $3,661,200 | $4,289,347 | $2,819,574 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS October 11, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 14, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 9, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 14, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS October 29, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2025
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists William Aubuchon IV as chair, Leslie Garrison as vice-chair, Steven Stone as treasurer, and Miggie Velez, Kimberly Ansin, Attorney John Barrett, Jay Drake, Achla Bahl Madan, David McKeehan, and Allen Rome as trustees.
Community Foundation of North Central MA is led by Stephen J. Adams, President on every filing since 2021; 2 of 19 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Stephen J. Adams
President
On filings since 2021
37.5 hrs/week
$148K (2021) → $189K (2025)
William Aubuchon IV
Chair
Clerk → Vice Chair, 2022
Vice Chair → Chair, 2025
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Erin Thomason
Director of Philanthropy
On filings since 2024
37.5 hrs/week
$107K (2024) → $107K (2025)
Achla Bahl Madan
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Allen Rome
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Attorney John Barrett
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
David McKeehan
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Georgana Cochran
Trustee
Chairman → Trustee, 2024
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jay Drake
Trustee
Vice Chair → Chair, 2022
Chair → Trustee, 2025
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kimberly Ansin
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Miggie Velez
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Thomas Bagley III
Trustee
Trustee → Vice President, 2024
Vice President → Trustee, 2025
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Alice Von Loescke
Trustee
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Janet Chambers
Trustee
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mary Dean
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Philip Richards
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ben Urquhart
Clerk
Trustee → Clerk, 2025
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Leslie Garrison
Vice Chair
Trustee → Clerk, 2022
Clerk → Vice Chair, 2025
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Steven Stone
Treasurer
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (10)
- Former: Attorney Henri Sans (2021–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Gary Shepherd (2021–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Lucy Crocker Abisalih (2021–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Achlabahl Madan (2022–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Albert Stone (2021–2023) — Trustee
- Former: David Huhtala (2021–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Ronald Ansin (2021–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Tina Griffin (2021–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Ted Lapres (2021–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Attorney Richard Cella (2021) — Trustee
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "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 $189K, to Stephen J Adams (President). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Contact
Mailing address: 649 John Fitch Highway, Fitchburg, MA 01420
Phone: (978) 345-8383
Website: https://cfncm.org
Frequently asked questions about Community Foundation of North Central MA
How much does Community Foundation of North Central MA give each year?
Community Foundation of North Central MA gave $4.7M across 115 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $4.3M across 123 grants.
What is Community Foundation of North Central MA's typical grant size?
Community Foundation of North Central MA's median grant in 2025 was $15,000, and its average grant was $40,989, across 115 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Community Foundation of North Central MA that year got $25K on average.
Where does Community Foundation of North Central MA give grants?
Community Foundation of North Central MA gives mostly in Massachusetts: 88% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Fitchburg, MA (16 grants), Gardner, MA (10 grants), Leominster, MA (9 grants) and Worcester, MA (9 grants).
Does Community Foundation of North Central MA give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 115 grants with a stated purpose on Community Foundation of North Central MA's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Social Services" (21 grants), "Arts & Culture" (18 grants) and "Education" (17 grants).
Who are Community Foundation of North Central MA's largest grantees?
Community Foundation of North Central MA's largest 2025 grantees include Boys & Girls Club of Fitchburg Leominster and Gardner ($897,348), Mount Wachusett Community College Foundation Inc ($303,354) and North Star Family Services Inc ($254,748), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($5,320), which are not listed by name. Together they received 31% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Community Foundation of North Central MA?
Community Foundation of North Central MA reported $95.3M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $14.9M.
What does Community Foundation of North Central MA fund?
The Foundation’s stated mission is to provide donors with flexible giving options and guidance, and to strengthen communities through philanthropy, collaboration, and grantmaking. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Community Foundation of North Central MA?
Community Foundation of North Central MA has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check cfncm.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
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.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Here's the math on researching Community Foundation of North Central MA by hand.
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