Curiosity Foundation Inc
Curiosity Foundation Inc is a private foundation based in Newton, Massachusetts. It supports efforts related to climate change and the arts, and its website also describes an Ambassador of Peace program promoting dialogue and cooperation.
Curiosity Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: Curiosity Foundation Inc gave $32K across 18 grants in 2025 (avg $2K), mostly in Massachusetts. 22% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $32,245
- +9.2% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 18
- -14.3% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $1,791
- +27.4% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $100
- Total assets
- $651,126
- +15.2% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 22% first-time grantees (4 of 18, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Massachusetts (95% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Curiosity Foundation Inc
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation’s website says it has no formal application process and invites proposals describing a project and its goals; it says applicants need to be nonprofits or part of a nonprofit, such as a university. However, the foundation’s statement on its 2024 filing says it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and **does not accept unsolicited requests**.
- Contact
Mailing address: 62 Pine Crest Rd, Newton, MA 02459
Phone: (617) 849-4242
Website: https://curiosityfoundation.com
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Curiosity Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Greentown Labs ($30K). Together the top 10 received $32K.
Grant Size Distribution
71 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 71 grants of 71 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2025, 95% of grant dollars went to recipients in Massachusetts. The remaining reported shares were California 2%, and Colorado, the District of Columbia, and New Jersey 1% each.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 18 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Curiosity Foundation Inc open to new grantees?
22%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 4 of 18 grantees (22%) were first-time recipients. With only 18 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 6 points. First grants averaged $125; repeat grants $2K. How we count
Medians: $100 first-time, $125 repeat.
- 78% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 51% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2023–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2023 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $27K (2023) to $32K (2025). In 2025 it made 18 grants totaling $32K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Greentown Labs Somerville, MA | Environmental | $30,000 |
| Sabal Foundation Oakland, CA | Education | $300 |
| Fertile Edge Land Trust Panonia, CO | Environmental | $250 |
| ME Childrens Alliance Berkeley, CA | Peace | $250 |
| Heet Boston, MA | Geothermal energy | $250 |
| Carbon 180 Newark, NJ | Climate change | $200 |
| Arbor Day Foundation Lincoln, NE | Environmental | $200 |
| Boston Symphony Orchestra Boston, MA | Artistic | $150 |
| Museum of Science Boston, MA | Educational | $100 |
| Green Energy Consumers Alliance Boston, MA | Renewable energy | $100 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $651,126 | $35,851 | $33,671 | $32,245 | 18 | $66,090 | — | — |
| 2024 | $565,104 | $36,238 | $29,530 | $29,530 | 21 | $29,530 | — | $57,656 |
| 2023 | $559,410 | — | $26,950 | $26,950 | 32 | $53,300 | — | $2,125 |
| 2022 | $468,434 | $28,169 | — | — | — | $26,670 | $28,169 | $22,738 |
| 2021 | $655,942 | $417,749 | $442 | — | — | $7,808 | $3,287 | $32,254 |
| 2020 | $101,202 | $1,827 | $347 | — | — | — | $14,294 | $4,366 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s website says it aims to take positive action against climate change and support the arts. It highlights greenhouse gas removal research—including removing carbon dioxide and methane from the air—as well as forestation, infrastructure, and scientific approaches. The website also describes the Ambassador of Peace program as promoting dialogue and cooperation.
Examples of supported organizations reflect varied activities. The Boston Symphony Orchestra describes its mission as presenting music and providing educational and training programs. Green Energy Consumers Alliance says it works to speed a just transition to a zero-carbon world through education, programming, and advocacy. The Museum of Science describes its mission as making science and scientific thinking accessible and engaging. Other 2025 recipients include environmental, sustainability research, and bicycle-advocacy organizations.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation gave $32,245 through 18 grants. Grant amounts ranged from $20 to $30,000, with a median of $100. Its largest 2025 grant was $30,000 to Greentown Labs for environmental purposes. Other notable grants included $300 to Sabal Foundation for education, $250 to Fertile Edge Land Trust for environmental purposes, and $250 to ME Childrens Alliance for peace. The 2024 filing describes direct charitable activity as awards to two Greentown Labs startups working on carbon dioxide removal.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Kameel Nasr as Director, Sammy Nasr as Board Member, and Leslie Zebrowitz as Board Member.
Curiosity Foundation Inc's 2025 filing lists 3 officers; none of the 3 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Kameel Nasr
Director
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sammy Nasr
Board Memeber
Board Member → Board Memeber, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Leslie Zebrowitz
Board Member
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Lisi Nasr (2020) — Board Member
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about Curiosity Foundation Inc
How much does Curiosity Foundation Inc give each year?
Curiosity Foundation Inc gave $32K across 18 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $30K across 21 grants.
What is Curiosity Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
Curiosity Foundation Inc's median grant in 2025 was $100, and its average grant was $1,791, across 18 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Curiosity Foundation Inc that year got $125 on average.
Where does Curiosity Foundation Inc give grants?
Curiosity Foundation Inc gives mostly in Massachusetts: 95% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Boston, MA (4 grants), Washington, DC (3 grants) and Cambridge, MA (2 grants).
Does Curiosity Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Yes: 17% of Curiosity Foundation Inc's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (3 of 18) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Environmental" (3 grants).
Who are Curiosity Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
Curiosity Foundation Inc's largest 2025 grantees include Greentown Labs ($30,000), Sabal Foundation ($300) and Fertile Edge Land Trust ($250), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 95% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Curiosity Foundation Inc?
Curiosity Foundation Inc reported $651K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Its revenue that year was $36K.
What does Curiosity Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation’s website says it aims to take positive action against climate change and support the arts. It highlights greenhouse gas removal research—including removing carbon dioxide and methane from the air—as well as forestation, infrastructure, and scientific approaches. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Curiosity Foundation Inc?
The foundation’s website says it has no formal application process and invites proposals describing a project and its goals; it says applicants need to be nonprofits or part of a nonprofit, such as a university. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Curiosity Foundation Inc's EIN?
Curiosity Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 47-3405081. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Does Curiosity Foundation Inc accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS March 5, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS April 13, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS April 21, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS April 3, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS April 12, 2025)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS March 31, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025
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