The Edith H Overly Foundation is a family foundation established in 1990 and based in Boston, Massachusetts. The foundation operates as a private grantmaking organization focused on supporting charitable causes through direct grants to nonprofit organizations.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$41.2M
+8.5% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.7M
-11.0% YoY
Grant Count
33
+3.1% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$52K
-13.7% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Edith H Overly Foundation reported a distributable amount of $2.0M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Grantmaking
The foundation distributes approximately $1.9 million annually through grants to selected organizations. Based on recent grantmaking activity:
Grant Range
** $20,000 to $230,000
Ready to take the next step with Edith H Overly Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation is based in Boston, Massachusetts and has demonstrated funding activity in Massachusetts and beyond, including grants to organizations in North Carolina.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
- Total Assets: $38,018,116 (2023)
- EIN: 22-3043340
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $41,235,290 | $38,018,116 | $35,084,986 |
| Revenue | $3,059,300 | $721,910 | $-1,701,291 |
| Expenses | $2,002,841 | $2,190,977 | $1,735,774 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $1,758,962 | $1,966,875 | $1,392,943 |
| Net Investment Income | $2,831,355 | $594,929 | $313,459 |
| Distributable Amount | $1,960,560 | $1,792,489 | $1,903,809 |
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
154 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Trustees of Tufts College ($180,000), Museum of Science ($125,000), Old Sturbridge Village ($105,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| American Alpine Club Golden, CO | General Support | $80,000 |
| American Cancer Society Atlanta, GA | General Support | $70,000 |
| Appalachian Mountain Club Boston, MA | General Support | $20,000 |
| Boston Athenaeum Boston, MA | General Support | $40,000 |
| Boston Symphony Orchestra Boston, MA | General Support | $40,000 |
| Caritas Communities Braintree, MA | General Support | $20,000 |
| Carolina Horse Park Foundation Raeford, NC | General Support | $20,000 |
| Dana-Farber Cancer Center Boston, MA | General Support | $50,000 |
| Mass Eye & Ear Infirmary Boston, MA | General Support | $60,000 |
| Mass General Hospital (MGH Cancer) Boston, MA | General Support | $20,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| William A Lowell | Trustee | 1 | $40,287 |
| Charles A Cheever | Trustee | 1 | — |
Contact Information
Mailing Address:
PO Box 961019
Boston, MA 02196-1019
United States
Telephone: 617-248-4760
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply for a grant from Edith H Overly Foundation?
The foundation distributes approximately $1.9 million annually through grants to selected organizations. Based on recent grantmaking activity: • **Annual Giving:** $1,927,920 (2023) • **Number of Grants:** 32 grants annually • **Grant Range:** $20,000 to $230,000 • **Median Grant Size:** $50,000 • **Giving Rate:** 5.1% of assets **Application Policy:** The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications and operates on an invite-only basis.
Where does Edith H Overly Foundation make grants?
The foundation is based in Boston, Massachusetts and has demonstrated funding activity in Massachusetts and beyond, including grants to organizations in North Carolina.
What size grants does Edith H Overly Foundation award?
In 2024, Edith H Overly Foundation awarded 33 grants totaling $1.7M — an average of about $52K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Edith H Overly Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Edith H Overly Foundation reported a distributable amount of $2.0M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Edith H Overly Foundation's EIN?
Edith H Overly Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 22-3043340. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Edith H Overly Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
Conservation Food and Health Foundation
BOSTON, MA
Assets
$14.6M
Grants
49
Total Given
$2.2M
Charles J Tasker Memorial Scholarship Fund
HANOVER, MA
Assets
$98K
Grants
1
Total Given
$8K
The Bulens Family Foundation
WELLESLEY, MA
Assets
$3.0M
Grants
68
Total Given
$956K
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
Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with Edith H Overly Foundation 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
Go from researching Edith H Overly Foundation to a real strategy.