Digs Foundation
Digs Foundation is a private foundation based in Chatham, Massachusetts. Its 2024 filing reports grants to charitable organizations, including schools, colleges, and other nonprofits.
Digs Foundation at a glance
In short: Digs Foundation gave $80K across 22 grants in 2024 (avg $4K), mostly in Massachusetts. 10% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $79,877
- +13.5% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 22
- +4.8% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $3,631
- +8.3% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $2,500
- Total assets
- $993,507
- -3.9% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 10% first-time grantees (2 of 20, 2024; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Massachusetts (75% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Digs Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations.
- Contact
Mailing address: 49 Echo Lane, Chatham, MA 02633
Phone: (617) 827-0203
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Digs Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Campaign for Catholic Schools ($14K). Together the top 10 received $50K.
Organizations only. It also paid 3 grants to individuals ($20,500), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
116 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 116 grants of 116 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, 75% of grant dollars went to recipients in Massachusetts, 12% to Louisiana, 9% to New York, and 1% each to Georgia and a state listed as “?”. Named recipients included organizations in Massachusetts, Louisiana, New York, and Illinois.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 22 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Digs Foundation open to new grantees?
10%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 2 of 20 grantees (10%) were first-time recipients. With only 20 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 5 points. First grants averaged $1K; repeat grants $4K. How we count
Medians: $1K first-time, $3K repeat.
- 90% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+9%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 91% 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 (2020–2024). 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 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $70K (2023) to $82K (2020). In 2024 it made 22 grants totaling $80K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 3 grants to individuals Recipients not named | — | $20,500 |
| Campaign for Catholic Schools Braintree, MA | To Provide Financial Assistance to Charitable Organization | $14,000 |
| Landmark School Beverly, MA | To Provide Financial Assistance to Charitable Organization | $6,000 |
| Catholic Charities Archdiocese Boston Boston, MA | To Provide Financial Assistance to Charitable Organization | $5,000 |
| College of the Holy Cross Worcester, MA | To Provide Financial Assistance to Charitable Organization | $5,000 |
| Hobart and William Smith Colleges Geneva, NY | To Provide Financial Assistance to Charitable Organization | $5,000 |
| Tulane University New Orleans, LA | To Provide Financial Assistance to Charitable Organization | $5,000 |
| Boston College Chestnut Hill, MA | To Provide Financial Assistance to Charitable Organization | $2,500 |
| Dominican Sisters of Peace New Orleans, LA | To Provide Financial Assistance to Charitable Organization | $2,500 |
| Habitat for Humanity - Cape Cod Yarmouthport, MA | To Provide Financial Assistance to Charitable Organization | $2,500 |
Ready to take the next step with Digs Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $993,507 | $68,073 | $83,556 | $79,877 | 22 | $81,673 | $66,190 | $89,624 |
| 2023 | $1,033,797 | $36,283 | $70,381 | $70,377 | 21 | $70,377 | $36,283 | $76,164 |
| 2022 | $1,041,229 | $52,483 | $115,216 | $77,205 | 20 | $77,205 | $52,483 | $76,296 |
| 2021 | $1,103,962 | $176,953 | $74,241 | $73,500 | 21 | $73,500 | $176,948 | $81,634 |
| 2020 | $1,001,250 | $52,078 | $109,881 | $82,200 | 32 | — | $52,078 | $67,413 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Digs Foundation reported a distributable amount of $90K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s mission is not stated in the available information. Its 2024 grants included support for organizations with varied missions. For example, Landmark School says it works to enable students with language-based learning disabilities to realize their educational and social potential; Hobart and William Smith Colleges says it prepares students to lead lives of consequence. The Greater Boston Food Bank describes distributing food through member agencies and direct distribution sites, while Hingham Historical Society says it collects, preserves, exhibits, and interprets the history of Hingham, Massachusetts.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, Digs Foundation gave $79,877 through 22 grants. Grants ranged from $500 to $15,000, with a median grant of $2,500. Larger awards included $15,000 to Cathedral High School Boston, $14,000 to Campaign for Catholic Schools, $6,000 to Landmark School, and $5,000 each to Catholic Charities Archdiocese Boston, College of the Holy Cross, Hobart and William Smith Colleges, and Tulane University. Other reported grants included $3,000 to Nativity Preparatory School of Boston and $2,500 each to Boston College, Cardinal Cushing Center School, Dominican Sisters of Peace, and Habitat for Humanity - Cape Cod.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Maryann Shafter as Treasurer/Trustee and Andy Shafter as President/Clerk/Trustee.
Digs Foundation is led by Andy Shafter, President, Clerk & Trustee on every filing since 2020; none of the 2 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Andy Shafter
President, Clerk & Trustee
On filings since 2020
10 hrs/week
$13K (2020) → $0 (2024)
Maryann Shafter
Treasurer & Trustee
On filings since 2020
10 hrs/week
$13K (2020) → $0 (2024)
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2022 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2022 filing was $19K, to Andy Shafter (President/Clerk/Trustee). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Digs Foundation
How much does Digs Foundation give each year?
Digs Foundation gave $80K across 22 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $70K across 21 grants.
What is Digs Foundation's typical grant size?
Digs Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $2,500, and its average grant was $3,631, across 22 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Digs Foundation that year got $1K on average.
Where does Digs Foundation give grants?
Digs Foundation gives mostly in Massachusetts: 75% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were Louisiana (12%) and New York (9%). The most frequent recipient cities were New Orleans, LA (4 grants), Braintree, MA (2 grants) and Boston, MA (2 grants).
Does Digs Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 22 grants with a stated purpose on Digs Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "To Provide Financial Assistance to Charitable Organization" (22 grants).
Who are Digs Foundation's largest grantees?
Digs Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Campaign for Catholic Schools ($14,000), Landmark School ($6,000) and Catholic Charities Archdiocese Boston ($5,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 3 grants to individuals ($20,500), which are not listed by name. Together they received 31% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Digs Foundation?
Digs Foundation reported $994K in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $82K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $90K (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does Digs Foundation fund?
The foundation’s mission is not stated in the available information. Its 2024 grants included support for organizations with varied missions. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Digs Foundation?
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Digs Foundation's EIN?
Digs Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 47-6774819. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Digs Foundation 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
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Digs Foundation funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
- Nixa Affiliate Grantmaking Program Up to US $10,000 · Due October 19, 2026
- Community and School Grants $28,000 total pool; 10-15 grants expected · Due October 19, 2026
- Mary Pinola/Crescenta Valley Chamber Education Fund $500 - $5,000 for ongoing programs; up to $15,000 for Strategic Initiative Grants · Due October 19, 2026
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Digs Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Digs Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 19, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/digs-foundation-morg_cd4f046842e34b82a9f4315b628153e4
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_476774819_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Digs Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/digs-foundation-morg_cd4f046842e34b82a9f4315b628153e4},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-19. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Digs Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
Digs Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?