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.
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.
Ready to take the next step with Cummings Foundation Inc?
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
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 | — | — | — |
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
No grants recorded for .
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 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
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
Charles J Tasker Memorial Scholarship Fund
HANOVER, MA
Assets
$98K
Grants
1
Total Given
$8K
Marshall M & Barbara J Sloane Pvt Found
CHESTNUT HILL, MA
Assets
$1.2M
Grants
11
Total Given
$75K
John J Mcardle Iii & Joan C Mcardle
ANDOVER, MA
Assets
$1.8M
Grants
13
Total Given
$205K
Massachusetts Association of Realtors
FOXBOROUGH, MA
Assets
$18.1M
Grants
2
Total Given
$71K
Communities for Restorative Justice
BOSTON, MA
Assets
$524K
Grants
1
Total Given
$61K
Hingham Historical Society Inc
HINGHAM, MA
Assets
$7.4M
Grants
1
Total Given
$10K
Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with Cummings Foundation Inc on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
- Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
- Find open RFPs from this funder
- Monitor for new funding opportunities