Cummings Foundation Inc
Cummings Foundation Inc is a private grantmaking foundation based in Woburn, Massachusetts. Established in 1986 by Joyce and Bill Cummings, the Foundation operates on a distinctive model where nearly all of its assets consist of commercial real estate properties donated by its founders. These properties are managed by Cummings Properties on a pro bono basis, with all rental income directed to nonprofit support. The Foundation is classified as a 501(c)(3) organization and has been tax-exempt since April 1990.
Key facts about Cummings Foundation Inc
- EIN
- 04-3073023
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $32,722,022
- Grants made (2024)
- 6
- Average grant
- $5,453,670
- Median grant
- $1,000
- Total assets
- $2,242,808,626
- Primary geography
- Massachusetts (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who Cummings Foundation Inc funds
By grant dollars, the top recipient states for Cummings Foundation Inc's 6 itemized 2024 grants were Massachusetts (100%). The most frequent recipient cities were Woburn, MA (2 grants) and Marlborough, MA (2 grants). None of its 6 grants with a stated purpose were described as general or operating support.
How Cummings Foundation Inc gives
- Giving grew 370772% from 2021 to 2024. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Next steps with Cummings Foundation Inc
- How to evaluate Cummings Foundation Inc as a funder
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Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$2.2B
+7.9% YoY
Annual Giving
$32.7M
+78.2% YoY
Grant Count
6
-14.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$5.5M
+107.9% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The Foundation's mission centers on giving back to the communities where its funds were derived and where staff and clients of the Cummings organization live and work. The Foundation supports a broad range of causes including human services, education, healthcare, and social justice.
The Foundation maintains several specialized commitments:
- Higher Education: Long-term partnerships with Tufts University, including a commitment of at least $50 million to support the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine (formalized through a 2004 agreement)
- Senior Services: Operation of two New Horizons retirement communities offering independent and assisted living facilities, plus home health care services
- Workforce Development: Focus on training and sustaining the educator workforce
- Global Health: A $50 million commitment to facilitate a global health alliance
- Scholarships: The McKeown Scholars Program, which offers scholarships to qualifying high school seniors who are legal residents of Woburn and Winchester, Massachusetts
Grantmaking
The Foundation distributes substantial annual grants to nonprofits. In 2025, the Foundation announced 150 recipients of its $30 million grant program. Recent grant awards have included $2.5 million distributed to 11 MetroWest nonprofits, with individual grants ranging from $100,000 to $750,000 based on available examples.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation concentrates its giving in Massachusetts' Middlesex, Essex, and Suffolk counties, plus select Norfolk County communities including Brookline, Dedham, Milton, Needham, Quincy, and Wellesley. The Foundation has awarded $600 million in grants to greater Boston nonprofits alone.
The Foundation also maintains a special interest in Rwanda, where it collaborates with Partners In Health and a limited number of other organizations.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 6 itemized 2024 grant dollars.
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of Fiscal Year 2024:
- Total Assets: $2,242,808,626
- Total Revenue: $395,460,398
- Total Expenses: $229,740,809
- Net Income: $165,719,589
- Total Liabilities: $33,800,000
- Number of Employees: 125
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $2,242,808,626 | $2,078,986,279 | $1,970,466,803 |
| Revenue | $395,460,398 | $297,491,556 | $310,806,993 |
| Expenses | $229,740,809 | $190,093,618 | $187,319,160 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $145,534,757 | $133,123,445 | $118,274,920 |
| Net Investment Income | $194,744,105 | $119,733,625 | $157,011,634 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 6 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
44 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
2 open opportunities from Cummings Foundation Inc
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest recipients include Cummings Foundation Grants Inc ($32,713,666), Alzheimer's Association ($5,156), Medford Jingle Bell Festival ($1,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| CUMMINGS FOUNDATION GRANTS INC Woburn, MA | TRANSFER WAS MADE FOR ENDOWMENT PURPOSES | $32,713,666 |
| ALZHEIMER'S ASSOCIATION Chicago, IL | HEALTHCARE | $5,156 |
| MEDFORD JINGLE BELL FESTIVAL Medford, MA | MISCELLANEOUS COMMUNITY SUPPORT | $1,000 |
| VNA HOSPICE CARE INC Woburn, MA | HEALTHCARE | $1,000 |
| FRIENDS OF THE MARLBOROUGH SENIORS Marlborough, MA | HUMAN SERVICES | $1,000 |
| MARLBOROUGH FIRE DEPARTMENT RELIEF Marlborough, MA | MISCELLANEOUS COMMUNITY SUPPORT | $200 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Executive Director and Trustee: Joyce Vyriotes
- Deputy Director: Andrew Bishop
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 IRS filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Joyce M Cummings | Trustee & Treasurer | 25 | — |
| Patricia A Cummings PSY D | TRUSTEE & Vice President | 1 | — |
| William S Cummings | Trustee & President | 50 | — |
| Steven Disalvo | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Margot Botsford | Trustee (THRU 9/24) | 1 | — |
| Marilyn Cummings Morris MD MPH | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Arlan F Fuller MD | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Thomas Pappas | Trustee | 1 | — |
| David Harris PHD | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Eric S Anderson | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Dennis a Clarke | Trustee | 1 | — |
| William F Grant | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Christine Coakley | Exec Director, NHC | 50 | $151,148 |
| Marie Connolly | Exec Director, NHM | 50 | $179,234 |
| Andrew Bishop | Deputy Director | 50 | $185,984 |
| Aisha Francis PHD | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Robert Keefe Esq | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Jack Connors Jr | Trustee (THRU 7/24) | 1 | — |
| Agnes Binagwaho M D PhD | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Ioannis Miaoulis PHD | Trustee | 1 | — |
| John Keenan J D | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Michael Kennealy | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Jim Yong Kim MD PHD | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Sunil Kumar PHD | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Carol Fulp | Trustee (As of 1/24) | 1 | — |
| Joyce Vyriotes | Exec Dir, Clerk & Trustee | 30 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
In 2025, Cummings Foundation announced its annual grant program results, awarding $30 million to 150 nonprofit recipients across its service region. Recent MetroWest grants totaled $2.5 million distributed to 11 organizations. The Foundation continues to expand its commitments to health access and educator workforce development initiatives.
Cummings announces 150 recipients of its 2025 $30 Million Grant Program -Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Cummings Foundation Inc fund?
The Foundation's mission centers on giving back to the communities where its funds were derived and where staff and clients of the Cummings organization live and work. The Foundation supports a broad range of causes including human services, education, healthcare, and social justice. The Foundation maintains several specialized commitments: • **Higher Education**: Long-term partnerships with Tufts University, including a commitment of at least $50 million to support the Cummings School of Veter…
How do I apply for a grant from Cummings Foundation Inc?
The Foundation distributes substantial annual grants to nonprofits. In 2025, the Foundation announced 150 recipients of its $30 million grant program. Recent grant awards have included $2.5 million distributed to 11 MetroWest nonprofits, with individual grants ranging from $100,000 to $750,000 based on available examples. The Foundation emphasizes volunteer involvement in its grantmaking process, leveraging expertise from greater Boston's professional community to evaluate nonprofits and unders…
Where does Cummings Foundation Inc make grants?
The Foundation concentrates its giving in Massachusetts' Middlesex, Essex, and Suffolk counties, plus select Norfolk County communities including Brookline, Dedham, Milton, Needham, Quincy, and Wellesley. The Foundation has awarded $600 million in grants to greater Boston nonprofits alone. The Foundation also maintains a special interest in Rwanda, where it collaborates with Partners In Health and a limited number of other organizations.
What size grants does Cummings Foundation Inc award?
In 2024, Cummings Foundation Inc awarded 6 grants totaling $32.7M — an average of about $5.5M per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Cummings Foundation Inc's EIN?
Cummings Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 04-3073023. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Cummings Foundation Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.