Edwards Scholarship Fund
The Edwards Scholarship Fund is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Boston, Massachusetts, established in 1939. The organization operates as a scholarship fund dedicated to supporting higher education through direct financial assistance to students.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$10.8M
+1.7% YoY
Annual Giving
$413K
-1.2% YoY
Grant Count
121
-2.4% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$3K
+1.3% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Edwards Scholarship Fund reported a distributable amount of $588K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Edwards Scholarship Fund was established by Grace M. Edwards, a lifelong resident of Boston. The organization's mission is to further the development of good citizenship through education by offering college scholarships to men and women of good character and ability who are in need of financial assistance.
The Fund's primary focus area is scholarships and student financial aid. The organization offers scholarships to qualified applicants who meet specific criteria: applicants must have their family home in Boston and be enrolled in a program that leads to an associate's, bachelor's, or higher degree. Undergraduates receive preference in the selection process.
Grantmaking
The Edwards Scholarship Fund has demonstrated significant grantmaking activity, awarding over $40.5 million in grants according to recent announcements. The organization has helped thousands of students over the years through its scholarship program.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Edwards Scholarship Fund focuses its grantmaking on the Boston, Massachusetts area. Scholarship recipients must have their family home in Boston.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Organization Details:
- EIN: 04-6002496
- Year Formed: 1940 (established 1939)
- Tax-Exempt Status: February 1940
- IRS Filing Requirement: Form 990-PF
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $10,753,268 | $10,571,573 | $10,679,045 |
| Revenue | $1,751,443 | $453,574 | $286,973 |
| Expenses | $602,431 | $556,458 | $544,169 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $501,662 | $473,228 | $457,234 |
| Net Investment Income | $1,641,678 | $362,694 | $182,623 |
| Distributable Amount | $587,860 | $560,238 | $530,136 |
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 2025
Grant Size Distribution
250 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2025 grants, the largest include Aiyanna Canty ($3,500), Aidalitzy Henriquez ($3,500), Alexa Manning ($3,500).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| AIYANNA CANTY BOSTON, MA | SCHOLARSHIP | $3,500 |
| AIDALITZY HENRIQUEZ BOSTON, MA | SCHOLARSHIP | $3,500 |
| ALEXA MANNING BOSTON, MA | SCHOLARSHIP | $3,500 |
| ALEXANDER MITCHELL BOSTON, MA | SCHOLARSHIP | $3,500 |
| ALISON RIMAS BOSTON, MA | SCHOLARSHIP | $3,500 |
| ALIYAH HAMILTON BOSTON, MA | SCHOLARSHIP | $3,500 |
| ANIYA GARDNER BOSTON, MA | SCHOLARSHIP | $3,500 |
| ANIYAH PIERCE BOSTON, MA | SCHOLARSHIP | $3,500 |
| ARIANNA ANTIGUA MARTINEZ BOSTON, MA | SCHOLARSHIP | $3,500 |
| BERLEY CAMELIEN BOSTON, MA | SCHOLARSHIP | $3,500 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
From 2025 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| BERNARD BONN III | TRUSTEE | 5 | — |
| MARGARET FLANAGAN | TRUSTEE | 5 | — |
| TIMOTHY BLANK | TRUSTEE | 5 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The Edwards Scholarship Fund announced awarding over $40.5 million in grants, reflecting the organization's substantial and ongoing commitment to supporting students in the Boston area.
EDWARDS FUND AWARDS OVER $40.5 MILLION IN GRANTSFrequently Asked Questions
What does Edwards Scholarship Fund fund?
The Edwards Scholarship Fund was established by Grace M. Edwards, a lifelong resident of Boston. The organization's mission is to further the development of good citizenship through education by offering college scholarships to men and women of good character and ability who are in need of financial assistance. The Fund's primary focus area is scholarships and student financial aid. The organization offers scholarships to qualified applicants who meet specific criteria: applicants must have the…
How do I apply for a grant from Edwards Scholarship Fund?
The Edwards Scholarship Fund has demonstrated significant grantmaking activity, awarding over $40.5 million in grants according to recent announcements. The organization has helped thousands of students over the years through its scholarship program. Recipients of Edwards Scholarship Fund awards are encouraged to contribute to the Fund when their incomes allow, creating a mechanism to extend the legacy of Grace Edwards through ongoing support from past beneficiaries.
Where does Edwards Scholarship Fund make grants?
The Edwards Scholarship Fund focuses its grantmaking on the Boston, Massachusetts area. Scholarship recipients must have their family home in Boston.
What size grants does Edwards Scholarship Fund award?
In 2025, Edwards Scholarship Fund awarded 121 grants totaling $413K — an average of about $3K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Edwards Scholarship Fund required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2025, Edwards Scholarship Fund reported a distributable amount of $588K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Edwards Scholarship Fund's EIN?
Edwards Scholarship Fund's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 04-6002496. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Edwards Scholarship Fund's focus areas in our free grants database
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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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