Community Foundation of Western
The Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts is a 501(c)(3) public charity and community foundation established in 1991. Based in Springfield, Massachusetts, the organization administers a charitable endowment serving three counties in Western Massachusetts: Hampden, Hampshire, and Franklin counties, encompassing 69 cities and towns in the Connecticut River Valley region. The Foundation also administers charitable distributions from four large private foundations in the region.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$282.4M
+18.1% YoY
Annual Giving
$12.8M
-21.2% YoY
Grant Count
314
-5.1% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$41K
-17.0% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts seeks to enrich the quality of life of the people of Hampden, Hampshire, and Franklin counties by:
- Encouraging philanthropy
- Developing a permanent, flexible endowment
- Assessing and responding to emerging and changing needs
- Serving as a resource, catalyst, and coordinator for charitable activities
- Promoting efficiency in the management of charitable funds
Strategic Priority Areas:
The Foundation prioritizes support for:
- Effective nonprofits led by people of color
- Strong start for all children through high-quality early education and care
- More accessible and affordable post-secondary education or training that provide pathways to completion and employment
- A vibrant local arts and creativity ecosystem to support self-expression, economic vitality, and connection
Grantmaking
The Foundation administers approximately 550 separately identified funds totaling approximately $120 million in endowed assets, plus approximately $24.6 million in additional charitable assets from four large private foundations administered by Bank of America.
Grant Types
How to Apply
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation serves Franklin, Hampshire, and Hampden counties in Western Massachusetts. Organizations in strategic focus areas can serve all three counties. Organizations working in additional focus areas are limited to Springfield or Franklin County.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024 (Most Recent Tax Filing - March 2024):
- Total Assets: $282,374,225
- Total Revenue: $37,016,434
- Total Expenses: $20,102,825
- Total Liabilities: $27.7 million
- Number of Employees: 38
Endowment & Assets:
- Approximately 550 separately identified funds totaling approximately $120 million
- Approximately $24.6 million in additional charitable assets from four large private foundations
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $282,374,225 | $239,194,168 | $263,677,089 |
| Revenue | $37,016,434 | $15,810,875 | $50,890,910 |
| Expenses | $20,102,825 | $21,533,142 | $18,863,401 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $12,015,570 | $3,477,064 | $12,248,904 |
| 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 2024
Grant Size Distribution
250 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
96 open opportunities from Community Foundation of Western
African American Achievement Fund Grant
COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF WESTERN
Amount
Up to US $3,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Alan H. Rifkin Memorial Scholarship Fund Grant
COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF WESTERN
Amount
Up to US $3,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Anthony A. Renaud Memorial Scholarship Fund Grant
COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF WESTERN
Amount
Up to US $3,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Baystate Health Foundation Inc ($316,107), Abilities Dance Inc ($200,000), Castle of Our Skins Inc ($133,333).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 3RD EYE YOUTH EMPOWERMENT INC NEW BEDFORD, MA | ARTS & CULTURE | $50,000 |
| ABILITIES DANCE INC BROOKLINE, MA | ARTS & CULTURE | $200,000 |
| ABORTION RIGHTS FUND OF WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS INC AMHERST, MA | CIVIL RIGHTS (HUMSVCS) | $6,100 |
| ACADEMIC LEADERSHIP ASSOCIATION SRINGFIELD, MA | HUMAN SERVICES | $30,000 |
| AGAWAM HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION INC AGAWAM, MA | ARTS & CULTURE | $16,800 |
| ALIANZA DV SERVICES INC HOLYOKE, MA | HUMAN SERVICES | $51,550 |
| ALICE'S KIDS MOUNT VERNON, VA | CHILDREN & YOUTH DEVELOPMENT (HUMSVCS) | $10,000 |
| ALL FARMERS INC SPRINGFIELD, MA | FOOD & NUTRITION (HEALTH) | $33,000 |
| ALL OUT ADVENTURES INC NORTHAMPTON, MA | DISABILITY (HUMSVCS) | $10,700 |
| ALZHEIMER'S ASSOCIATION MASSACHUSETTSNEW HAMPSHIRE CHAPTER WALTHAM, MA | GENERAL HEALTH | $16,400 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Megan Burke: President and CEO
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| AARON VEGA | FOUNDATION TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| ANNE PARADIS | OUTGOING-TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| BECKY WAI-LING PACKARD | FOUNDATION TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| CHARLES D'AMOUR | FOUNDATION TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| CHRISTINA ROYAL | OUTGOING-TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| DOUG A THEOBALD | FOUNDATION TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| GILLIAN HINKSON | FOUNDATION TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| GREGORY THOMAS | FOUNDATION TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| JOHN DAVIS | FOUNDATION TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| KARIN GEORGE | VICE CHAIR | 1 | — |
| LINDA DUNLAVY | FOUNDATION TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| MAGDALENA GOMEZ | FOUNDATION TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| MARK KEROACK | FOUNDATION TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| MARY-BETH COOPER | OUTGOING-TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| MAURICIA GEISSLER | FOUNDATION TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| MICHELLE SCHUTT | FOUNDATION TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| NIKKI BURNETT | FOUNDATION TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| PAUL MURPHY | CHAIR | 5 | — |
| PAYTON SHUBRICK | FOUNDATION TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| TARA BREWSTER | FOUNDATION TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| MEGAN BURKE | PRESIDENT & CEO | 40 | $192,104 |
| SHANNON GUREK | VP FINANCE & OPERATIONS | 40 | $193,691 |
| JOANNA BALLANTINE | VP PHILANTHROPIC SERVICES | 40 | $173,821 |
| BRIANA WALES-THAXTON | VP PEOPLE AND CULTURE | 40 | $142,886 |
| DENISE HURST | VP OF COMMUNITY IMPACT | 40 | $140,505 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
**January 2026:**
Distributed $3,347,000 in unrestricted grant funding through Flexible Funding cycle to 123 nonprofit organizations
Flexible Funding 2026MassMutual Foundation committed $1,000,000 towards 2027 Flexible Funding grants to address barriers to financial well-being in Springfield and expand total funding available
Flexible Funding 2026**2024:**
Partnership announced with MassMutual Foundation for expanded Flexible Funding grants specifically for Springfield-serving organizations
Flexible Funding 2026First 109 grants awarded under expanded funding
Additional funding made available and expanded in Franklin County
**Operational Context:**
The majority of nonprofit applicants in recent funding cycles reported federal funding losses, with Flexible Funding serving as critical support for nonprofit sector stability and responsiveness.
Flexible Funding 2026Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Community Foundation of Western fund?
The Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts seeks to enrich the quality of life of the people of Hampden, Hampshire, and Franklin counties by: • Encouraging philanthropy • Developing a permanent, flexible endowment • Assessing and responding to emerging and changing needs • Serving as a resource, catalyst, and coordinator for charitable activities • Promoting efficiency in the management of charitable funds **Strategic Priority Areas:** The Foundation prioritizes support for: • Effective …
How do I apply for a grant from Community Foundation of Western?
**Grant Portfolio:** The Foundation administers approximately 550 separately identified funds totaling approximately $120 million in endowed assets, plus approximately $24.6 million in additional charitable assets from four large private foundations administered by Bank of America. **Grant Activity:** • Approximately 445 projects funded through competitive grant programs and designated grants • Approximately 1,741 grants made through donor-advised funds • Recent distribution: $3,347,000 in unre…
Where does Community Foundation of Western make grants?
The Foundation serves Franklin, Hampshire, and Hampden counties in Western Massachusetts. Organizations in strategic focus areas can serve all three counties. Organizations working in additional focus areas are limited to Springfield or Franklin County.
What size grants does Community Foundation of Western award?
In 2024, Community Foundation of Western awarded 314 grants totaling $12.8M — an average of about $41K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Community Foundation of Western's EIN?
Community Foundation of Western's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 22-3089640. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Community Foundation of Western'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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