Deborah and Robert First
The Deborah and Robert First Family Foundation is a private foundation based in Weston, Massachusetts, established in 1987. As a 501(c)(3) organization, it operates as a grantmaking foundation with no employees.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$1.9M
-0.4% YoY
Annual Giving
$269K
-12.8% YoY
Grant Count
54
-14.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$5K
+1.8% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Deborah and Robert First reported a distributable amount of $114K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation primarily funds:
- Cancer research
- Music education
- Museum support
- Emergency alleviation
- Youth training
- World healthcare
- Women's advocacy
- Shelter support
- Service members support
Grantmaking
The foundation made 61 grants in 2023, with total giving of $268,574 in their most recent filing period.
Grant Range
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Massachusetts, Vermont, and New York.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of December 31, 2023:
- Total assets: $1,887,748
- Total revenues: $239,096
- Total expenses: $326,876
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $1,879,398 | $1,887,748 | $1,970,878 |
| Revenue | $288,226 | $239,096 | $130,841 |
| Expenses | $291,926 | $326,876 | $147,752 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $268,574 | $307,837 | $119,841 |
| Net Investment Income | $274,809 | $225,742 | $116,280 |
| Distributable Amount | $114,399 | $109,974 | $123,812 |
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 Dana Farber- Jimmy Fund ($130,739), Dana Farber Cancer Institute-boston Childrens Hospital ($51,750), Handel and Haydn Society ($36,350).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| BABSON COLLEGE WELLESLEY, MA | ANNUAL FUND | $1,000 |
| BOSTON BALLET BOSTON, MA | DANCE EDUCATION | $2,500 |
| BOSTON CHILDRENS HOSPITAL BOSTON, MA | MEDICAL RESEARCH | $1,000 |
| BOSTON FOODBANK BOSTON, MA | FOOD PANTRY | $250 |
| COMBINED JEWISH PHILANTHROPIES BOSTON, MA | JEWISH EDUCATION | $10,000 |
| COMMITTEE ON TEMPORARY SHELTER BURLINGTON, VT | SHELTER SUPPORT | $250 |
| DANA FARBER CANCER INSTITUTE-BOSTON CHILDRENS HOSPITAL BOSTON, MA | CANCER RESEARCH | $51,750 |
| DANA FARBER- JIMMY FUND BROOKLINE, MA | THE PURPOSE OF THIS CONTRIBUTION IS TO SUPPORT CANCER PATIENTS AND RESEARCH INITIATIVES AIMED AT ADVANCING TREATMENTS AND IMPROVING PATIENT CARE. | $130,739 |
| FACING HISTORY & OURSELVES BOSTON, MA | HISTORY EDUCATION | $100 |
| FRIENDS OF WARREN LIBRARY WARREN, VT | EDUCATIONAL LIBRARY | $300 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ROBERT FIRST | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| DEBORAH FIRST | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| ELIZABETH RADDOCK | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| RICHARD FIRST | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| PAMELA MARTIN | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Deborah and Robert First fund?
The foundation primarily funds: • Cancer research • Music education • Museum support • Emergency alleviation • Youth training • World healthcare • Women's advocacy • Shelter support • Service members support
How do I apply for a grant from Deborah and Robert First?
**Grant Activity:** The foundation made 61 grants in 2023, with total giving of $268,574 in their most recent filing period. **Grant Sizes:** Typical awards range from $50,000 to $150,000. **Recent Grants (2023):** • Handel and Haydn Society: $75,000 (Support Boston Orchestra and Chorus) • Combined Jewish Philanthropies of Greater Boston: $10,000 (Jewish Education) • Temple Beth Elohim: $5,992 (Religious Center)
Where does Deborah and Robert First make grants?
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Massachusetts, Vermont, and New York.
What size grants does Deborah and Robert First award?
In 2024, Deborah and Robert First awarded 54 grants totaling $269K — an average of about $5K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Deborah and Robert First required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Deborah and Robert First reported a distributable amount of $114K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Deborah and Robert First's EIN?
Deborah and Robert First's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 22-2776314. 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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