Cummings Foundation Grants Inc (fka Oneworld Boston Inc)
Cummings Foundation Grants Inc., formerly known as OneWorld Boston Inc., is a private operating foundation based in Woburn, Massachusetts. Established in 1986 by Joyce and Bill Cummings, it has grown to become one of the three largest private foundations in New England. The foundation is structured as a grantmaking entity that distributes funds derived from commercial real estate holdings managed by Cummings Properties. A substantial portion of the foundation's assets consists of commercial real estate donated by the founders, with all profits from these properties dedicated to philanthropic purposes.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$258.2M
+10.8% YoY
Annual Giving
$38.2M
+46.4% YoY
Grant Count
658
+16.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$58K
+26.1% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Cummings Foundation Grants Inc (fka Oneworld Boston Inc) reported a distributable amount of $40.1M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation aims to give back primarily in the communities where its funds were derived and where staff and leasing clients of the Cummings organizations live. The foundation supports nonprofits working in the following areas:
- Community development
- Education
- Healthcare
- Homelessness
- Services for the elderly
- Human services
- Social justice
- Animal welfare
The foundation maintains long-term commitments to several higher education institutions, with a focus on workforce development and health sciences. The foundation also operates two New Horizons retirement communities in Woburn and Marlborough.
Grantmaking
The foundation awards multi-year grants paid over either three or ten years. This approach is designed to support long-term organizational growth and sustainability.
Grant Range
** $30,000 to $750,000 (over 3 or 10 years)
Review Cycle
**Grant Median:** $33,000
How to Apply
The application process begins with a letter of inquiry submitted through an online portal only. The timeline from letter of inquiry submission to award announcement is approximately 8-9 months.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation focuses primarily on greater Boston and Eastern Massachusetts, specifically:
- Middlesex County
- Essex County
- Suffolk County
- Select Norfolk County communities: Brookline, Dedham, Milton, Needham, Quincy, and Wellesley
The foundation has awarded more than $600 million to date in greater Boston, with the northern suburbs heavily favored alongside Boston-based nonprofits.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets (2024): $258,214,575
Assets (2023): $233,134,310
Total Revenues (2024): $64,386,930
Total Revenues (2023): $35,218,088
Total Expenses (2024): $39,346,860
Total Expenses (2023): $26,393,843
EIN: 80-0681389 (Cummings Foundation Grants Inc.) / 04-3073023 (Cummings Foundation, Inc.)
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $258,214,575 | $233,134,310 | $224,314,265 |
| Revenue | $64,386,930 | $35,218,088 | $50,607,215 |
| Expenses | $39,346,860 | $26,393,843 | $45,766,326 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $38,239,437 | $26,135,562 | $45,441,126 |
| Net Investment Income | $31,062,095 | $16,719,321 | $13,604,955 |
| Distributable Amount | $40,133,800 | $31,943,631 | $29,438,664 |
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
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Roger Williams University ($1,100,000), Archdiocese of Boston ($100,000), Boys & Girls Club of Stoneham Inc ($100,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ARCHDIOCESE OF BOSTON Canton, MA | Misc Community Support | $100,000 |
| ROGER WILLIAMS UNIVERSITY BRISTOL, RI | Education | $1,100,000 |
| ROXBURY WESTON PROGRAMS INC WESTON, MA | Education | $25,000 |
| WALKER INC NEEDHAM, MA | Healthcare | $75,000 |
| THE CHILDRENS ROOM ARLINGTON, MA | Education | $30,000 |
| PARENTS HELPING PARENTS - THE WATERTOWN, MA | Human Services | $55,000 |
| ARMENIAN MUSEUM OF AMERICA INC WATERTOWN, MA | Education | $25,000 |
| ONE CAN HELP INC WABAN, MA | Human Services | $50,000 |
| LEAS LAB Inc Auburndale, MA | Education | $10,000 |
| SECOND STEP INC NEWTONVILLE, MA | Human Services | $20,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Joyce Vyriotes — Executive Director and Clerk
- Phone: 781-932-7072
- Email: jkv@cummings.com
Andrew Bishop — Deputy Director
- Phone: 781-569-2337
- Email: aeb@cummings.com
Joyce M. Cummings — Treasurer and Trustee
William S. Cummings — President and Trustee
Additional Trustees: Dennis A. Clarke, Eric S. Anderson, Marilyn C. Morris, Patricia A. Cummings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
No officer/director data available.
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
In 2025, the foundation announced 150 recipients of its $30 Million Grant Program. The foundation has demonstrated a commitment to improving its grantmaking practices by surveying grantees to better understand how to enhance its funding approach, which has led to important changes in its grantmaking procedures.
Cummings announces 150 recipients of its 2025 $30 Million Grant Program -The foundation has made strategic commitments beyond its annual grant program, including a $50 million commitment to facilitate a global health alliance focused on advancing health access, and a $10 million investment in training and sustaining the educator workforce.
Cummings announces 150 recipients of its 2025 $30 Million Grant Program -Contact Information
Address: 200 West Cummings Park, Woburn, MA 01801
Phone: 781-932-7072
Website: www.cummingsfoundation.org
Application Portal: Online letter of inquiry submission (opens in July)
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Cummings Foundation Grants Inc (fka Oneworld Boston Inc) fund?
The foundation aims to give back primarily in the communities where its funds were derived and where staff and leasing clients of the Cummings organizations live. The foundation supports nonprofits working in the following areas: • Community development • Education • Healthcare • Homelessness • Services for the elderly • Human services • Social justice • Animal welfare The foundation maintains long-term commitments to several higher education institutions, with a focus on workforce development …
How do I apply for a grant from Cummings Foundation Grants Inc (fka Oneworld Boston Inc)?
The foundation awards multi-year grants paid over either three or ten years. This approach is designed to support long-term organizational growth and sustainability. **Grant Range:** $30,000 to $750,000 (over 3 or 10 years) **Annual Distribution:** At least $50 million per year, with $30 million allocated for the 2026 grant cycle **Grant Median:** $33,000 **Grant Maximum:** $1 million The application process begins with a letter of inquiry submitted through an online portal only. The timeline f…
Where does Cummings Foundation Grants Inc (fka Oneworld Boston Inc) make grants?
The foundation focuses primarily on greater Boston and Eastern Massachusetts, specifically: • Middlesex County • Essex County • Suffolk County • Select Norfolk County communities: Brookline, Dedham, Milton, Needham, Quincy, and Wellesley The foundation has awarded more than $600 million to date in greater Boston, with the northern suburbs heavily favored alongside Boston-based nonprofits.
What size grants does Cummings Foundation Grants Inc (fka Oneworld Boston Inc) award?
In 2024, Cummings Foundation Grants Inc (fka Oneworld Boston Inc) awarded 658 grants totaling $38.2M — an average of about $58K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Cummings Foundation Grants Inc (fka Oneworld Boston Inc) required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Cummings Foundation Grants Inc (fka Oneworld Boston Inc) reported a distributable amount of $40.1M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Cummings Foundation Grants Inc (fka Oneworld Boston Inc)'s EIN?
Cummings Foundation Grants Inc (fka Oneworld Boston Inc)'s EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 80-0681389. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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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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