Fields Pond Foundation Inc
Fields Pond Foundation Inc is a private foundation based in Auburndale, Massachusetts. It provides financial assistance to community-based nature and land conservation organizations that involve local residents in conservation issues and environmental awareness.
Fields Pond Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: Fields Pond Foundation Inc gave $528K across 43 grants in 2024 (avg $12K), top state Massachusetts. 33% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $528,000
- +6.7% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 43
- +13.2% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $12,279
- -5.7% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $10,085,309
- -3.1% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 33% first-time grantees (13 of 39, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Massachusetts (46% 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 Fields Pond Foundation Inc
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- Yes
- How to Apply
-
The foundation accepts unsolicited requests; proposals and concept papers may be submitted at any time. Applicants are encouraged to contact the foundation informally before preparing a formal application. Organizations with unique or complex projects may begin with a one-page proposal outline; if the directors or staff wish to consider the concept further, they will request a full proposal. Full proposals may use the Philanthropy Massachusetts Common Grant Application format or another format, and need not exceed three or four pages plus attachments. Requested materials include a project description and objectives, anticipated benefits, explanation of alignment with the foundation’s objectives, evidence of an unmet need, a project budget, other firm or likely funding sources, and plans for ongoing funding when relevant. The website also requests organizational history, mission, accomplishments, geographic scope and populations served; board and staff rosters; budgets and recent financial information; and other supporting materials. The foundation normally does not fund deficits, routine operating budgets or general appeals; efforts usually supported by public subscription or national appeals; purposes generally understood to be government’s responsibility; sectarian religious activities; or individuals.
- Review Cycle
- Proposals and concept papers may be submitted at any time.
- Deadline
- Proposals and concept papers may be submitted at any time.
- Contact
Application contact: Ms Laurel Callahan Fields Pond Foun
Mailing address: PO Box 540667, Waltham, MA 02454-0667
Phone: (781) 899-9990
Website: https://fieldspond.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Fields Pond Foundation Inc
Who Fields Pond Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Harwich Conservation Trust ($40K across 2 grants). Together the top 10 received $238K.
Grant Size Distribution
208 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 208 grants of 208 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s regular grantmaking program is limited to organizations in New England and upper New York State. In 2024, grant dollars went to recipients in Massachusetts (46%), Vermont (18%), Maine (16%), New Hampshire (8%), and Connecticut (6%). The 2024 filing also lists a $20,000 grant to Westerly Land Trust in Rhode Island.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 43 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Fields Pond Foundation Inc open to new grantees?
33%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 13 of 39 grantees (33%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $10K; repeat grants $15K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $15K repeat.
- 28% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+4%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 95% 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 $456K (2022) to $528K (2024). In 2024 it made 43 grants totaling $528K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Bull Creek Common Lands Inc Athens, VT | Toward acquisition of 110 acres within the bull creek headwaters in order to provide public acce... | $25,000 |
| Harwich Conservation Trust South Harwich, MA | Toward permanent protection and restoration of the thacher bog property with approximately 21 ac... | $25,000 |
| Mount Grace Land Conservation Trust Athol, MA | Toward permanent protection of four parcels of the hawes hill conservation corridor partnership,... | $25,000 |
| Trustees of Reservations Boston, MA | Toward the permanent protection of 160 acres expanding bartholomew's cobble, a national natural... | $25,000 |
| Green Mountain Conservancy Inc West Dummerston, VT | Toward permanent protection of the 197-acre old oaks headwaters preserve, an important forested... | $20,000 |
| Putney Mountain Association Inc Putney, VT | Toward acquisition of 159 acres with public access to a vast trail network on designated highes... | $20,000 |
| Scarborough Land Conservation Trust Scarborough, ME | Toward protection of priority habit with the expansion of silver brook preserve adding 130 acres... | $20,000 |
| Westerly Land Trust Westerly, RI | Toward the acquisition of champlin farm, 90.57 acres of farmland and wooded wetlands along the n... | $20,000 |
| Essex County Greenbelt Association Inc Essex, MA | Toward permanent protection of evergreen farm, 32 acres with rare species habitat, working agric... | $15,000 |
| Harvard Conservation Trust Harvard, MA | Toward construction of the coke-newsham nature trail, connecting the heart of town to conservati... | $15,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Fields Pond Foundation Inc?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
The 2024 filing reports 43 grants; the 2023 filing reports 38, and the 2022 filing reports 41.
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $10,085,309 | $512,955 | $848,919 | $528,000 | 43 | $690,430 | $375,008 | $724,152 |
| 2023 | $10,402,707 | $425,175 | $802,371 | $494,775 | 38 | $659,802 | $308,070 | $673,379 |
| 2022 | $10,768,764 | $1,389,858 | $722,778 | $456,000 | 41 | $605,822 | $1,296,273 | $655,127 |
| 2021 | $10,101,684 | $860,802 | $821,146 | $506,800 | 43 | $730,358 | $802,506 | $715,154 |
| 2020 | $10,075,999 | $342,715 | $839,784 | $501,500 | 43 | — | $217,995 | $621,122 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Fields Pond Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $724K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s mission is to support community-based nature and land conservation organizations that increase environmental awareness by involving local residents in conservation issues. Its priorities include trailmaking and other improvements to public access to conservation lands and natural resources; land acquisition for conservation; stewardship as part of land-protection projects; and related education programs and publications.
The foundation looks for projects where a modest grant can improve public access to and enjoyment of natural areas while maintaining environmental health and integrity. Projects with a significant volunteer component are more likely to be funded.
Examples of supported organizations include Bull Creek Common Lands, whose stated mission includes conserving land, providing public access, and supporting forest resilience and biodiversity; Mount Grace Land Conservation Trust, which states that it works to protect significant natural, agricultural, and scenic areas in northern and central Massachusetts; and Harwich Conservation Trust, which states that it works to preserve and conserve open space in Harwich, Massachusetts.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 43 grants totaling $528,000. Grants ranged from $2,000 to $25,000, with a median of $10,000. The filing lists an expected award range of $500 to $25,000, with most grants falling between $5,000 and $15,000, and says the foundation is willing to consider multiyear grants.
Among the largest 2024 awards were $25,000 to Bull Creek Common Lands for acquisition of 110 acres within the Bull Creek Headwaters; $25,000 to Harwich Conservation Trust toward protection and restoration of the Thacher Bog property; $25,000 to Mount Grace Land Conservation Trust toward protection of parcels in the Hawes Hill Conservation Corridor Partnership; and $25,000 to the Trustees of Reservations toward protecting 160 acres expanding Bartholomew’s Cobble. Other awards included $20,000 to Green Mountain Conservancy and $20,000 to Putney Mountain Association.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Rhoda R. Cohen as president and director; Walter Angoff as secretary, assistant treasurer, vice president, and director; and Russell A. Cohen as director. Jeanette Fritz and Laurel Callahan are listed as vice presidents.
Fields Pond Foundation Inc is led by Rhoda R. Cohen, President & Director on every filing since 2020; 3 of 5 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Rhoda R. Cohen
President & Director
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Russell A. Cohen
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jeanette Fritz
Vice President
On filings since 2020
10 hrs/week
$25K (2020) → $59K (2024)
Walter Angoff
Secretary, Assistant Treasurer & Vice President
On filings since 2020
15 hrs/week
$30K (2024)
Laurel Callahan
Vice President
On filings since 2022
15 hrs/week
$31K (2022) → $38K (2024)
Former officers (1)
- Former: Brian H. Rehrig (2020–2021) — Treasurer, V.p, Assistant Secretary & Director
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 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $59K, to Jeanette Fritz (Vice President). 3 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Fields Pond Foundation Inc
How much does Fields Pond Foundation Inc give each year?
Fields Pond Foundation Inc gave $528K across 43 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $495K across 38 grants.
What is Fields Pond Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
Fields Pond Foundation Inc's median grant in 2024 was $10,000, and its average grant was $12,279, across 43 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Fields Pond Foundation Inc that year got $10K on average.
Where does Fields Pond Foundation Inc give grants?
Fields Pond Foundation Inc's top state is Massachusetts, with 46% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were Vermont (18%) and Maine (16%). The most frequent recipient cities were Boston, MA (3 grants), South Harwich, MA (2 grants), Essex, MA (2 grants) and Suite Boston, MA (2 grants).
Does Fields Pond Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 43 grants with a stated purpose on Fields Pond Foundation Inc's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support.
Who are Fields Pond Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
Fields Pond Foundation Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Harwich Conservation Trust ($40,000 across 2 grants), Bull Creek Common Lands Inc ($25,000) and Essex County Greenbelt Association Inc ($25,000 across 2 grants), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 17% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Fields Pond Foundation Inc?
Fields Pond Foundation Inc reported $10.1M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $690K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $724K (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 Fields Pond Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation’s mission is to support community-based nature and land conservation organizations that increase environmental awareness by involving local residents in conservation issues. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Fields Pond Foundation Inc?
The foundation accepts unsolicited requests; proposals and concept papers may be submitted at any time. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Fields Pond Foundation Inc's EIN?
Fields Pond Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 04-3196041. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Fields Pond Foundation Inc accept unsolicited proposals?
Yes, 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 October 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Fields Pond Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 18, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/fields-pond-foundation-inc-morg_731111e496b5477ab3568748b5836926
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_043196041_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Fields Pond Foundation Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/fields-pond-foundation-inc-morg_731111e496b5477ab3568748b5836926},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-18. 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 Fields Pond Foundation Inc'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.
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