Fieldstone Foundation Inc
Fieldstone Foundation Inc is a private foundation based in Stow, Massachusetts. It says it strengthens and unites communities by helping people feel fulfillment and belonging, supporting bold, sustainable solutions to improve community life.
Fieldstone Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: Fieldstone Foundation Inc gave $131K across 58 grants in 2024 (avg $2K), mostly in Massachusetts. 28% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $131,142
- -1.6% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 58
- -14.7% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $2,261
- +15.3% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $400
- Total assets
- $2,811,125
- +0.3% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 28% first-time grantees (16 of 58, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Massachusetts (69% 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 Fieldstone Foundation Inc
- 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. The filing lists Nate Shepherd as the contact and says to submit a letter describing the purpose of the requested grant and the organization’s IRS exemption. No deadline or award restrictions are listed.
- Contact
Application contact: Nate Shepherd
Mailing address: 172 Harvard Road, Stow, MA 01775
Phone: (978) 835-0258
Email: tns@tsgequity.com
Website: https://fieldstonefoundation.net
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Fieldstone Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Trinity Chapel ($27K). Together the top 10 received $77K.
Grant Size Distribution
331 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 331 grants of 331 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation says its work supports communities served by Citizen Advocates and affiliates. In its 2024 grantmaking, 69% of grant dollars went to recipients in Massachusetts, 18% to Vermont, 5% to Rhode Island, 4% to the District of Columbia, and 2% to Virginia.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 58 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Fieldstone Foundation Inc open to new grantees?
28%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 16 of 58 grantees (28%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $2K; repeat grants $2K. How we count
Medians: $2K first-time, $225 repeat.
- 64% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (−9%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 77% 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 $131K (2024) to $170K (2020). In 2024 it made 58 grants totaling $131K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Trinity Chapel Shirley, MA | Community Development, Education | $26,992 |
| Stow Conservation Trust Stow, MA | Community Development, Education | $6,800 |
| The Nature Connection Concord, MA | Community Development, Education | $6,400 |
| Boston Area Gleaners Acton, MA | Community Development, Education | $6,000 |
| Creature Conserve Inc Barrington, RI | Community Development, Education | $6,000 |
| Lionheart Foundation Inc Dedham, MA | Community Development, Education | $5,100 |
| City Blossoms Washington, DC | Community Development, Education | $5,000 |
| Epiphany School Dorchester, MA | Community Development, Education | $5,000 |
| Governor's Institutes of Vermont Winooski, VT | Community Development, Education | $5,000 |
| Kestral Land Trust Inc Amherst, MA | Community Development, Education | $5,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Fieldstone Foundation Inc?
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 | $2,811,125 | $199,403 | $190,072 | $131,142 | 58 | $136,482 | $145,813 | $177,865 |
| 2023 | $2,802,213 | $239,122 | $194,434 | $133,300 | 68 | $159,994 | $204,682 | $162,933 |
| 2022 | $2,746,499 | $110,394 | $173,648 | $139,656 | 65 | $145,732 | $82,478 | $166,438 |
| 2021 | $2,809,753 | $339,897 | $193,895 | $143,850 | 71 | $164,003 | $316,585 | $181,670 |
| 2020 | $2,663,751 | $228,137 | $228,197 | $169,820 | 69 | — | $202,632 | $157,643 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Fieldstone Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $178K 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 describes its mission as “building good, together” and advancing wellness by fundraising to support network affiliates and investing in communities served. Its stated grant priorities address social determinants of health and include safe and affordable housing, access to healthy food, community engagement, economic stability, quality healthcare, and mental health and addiction care. It also says its grants support social justice.
Examples of organizations it supported in 2024 illustrate a range of work. Stow Conservation Trust says its mission is to preserve open space in Stow, Massachusetts. The Nature Connection says it provides nature-based programs to people with limited access to the natural world, supporting education, connection, and healing. Boston Area Gleaners says it works to increase access to fresh fruits and vegetables, support regional farms, and reduce food waste. Governor’s Institutes of Vermont says it offers young people intensive, hands-on learning experiences that build academic and creative interests, confidence, and leadership.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 58 grants totaling $131,142. Grants ranged from $50 to $26,992, with a median grant of $400.
The largest reported grant was $26,992 to Trinity Chapel in Shirley, Massachusetts, for community development and education. Other notable grants included $6,800 to Stow Conservation Trust; $6,400 to The Nature Connection; $6,000 to Boston Area Gleaners; and $5,100 to Lionheart Foundation. The foundation also gave $5,000 each to City Blossoms, Epiphany School, Governor’s Institutes of Vermont, Kestral Land Trust, KidsGardening.org, and Longfellow Nonprofit Housing.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Ruth H. Shepherd as president, Nancy Shepherd as vice president, Katharine S. Furney as secretary, T. Nathanael Shepherd as treasurer, and Elizabeth R. Beneche as a director. The foundation’s leadership page lists James Button as chief executive officer and a member of its board of directors.
Fieldstone Foundation Inc is led by Ruth H Shepherd, President on every filing since 2020; none of the 5 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Ruth H Shepherd
President
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Elizabeth R Beneche
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
T Nathanael Shepherd
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
8 hrs/week
$30K (2020) → $0 (2024)
Katharine S Furney
Secretary
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Nancy Shepherd
Vice President
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
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 $5K, to T Nathanael Shepherd (Treasurer).
Frequently asked questions about Fieldstone Foundation Inc
How much does Fieldstone Foundation Inc give each year?
Fieldstone Foundation Inc gave $131K across 58 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $133K across 68 grants.
What is Fieldstone Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
Fieldstone Foundation Inc's median grant in 2024 was $400, and its average grant was $2,261, across 58 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Fieldstone Foundation Inc that year got $2K on average.
Where does Fieldstone Foundation Inc give grants?
Fieldstone Foundation Inc gives mostly in Massachusetts: 69% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Vermont (18%). The most frequent recipient cities were Washington, DC (6 grants), Boston, MA (5 grants), Stow, MA (4 grants) and Lincoln, VT (3 grants).
Does Fieldstone Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 58 grants with a stated purpose on Fieldstone Foundation Inc's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Community Development, Education" (58 grants).
Who are Fieldstone Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
Fieldstone Foundation Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Trinity Chapel ($26,992), Stow Conservation Trust ($6,800) and The Nature Connection ($6,400), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 31% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Fieldstone Foundation Inc?
Fieldstone Foundation Inc reported $2.8M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $136K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $178K (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 Fieldstone Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation describes its mission as “building good, together” and advancing wellness by fundraising to support network affiliates and investing in communities served. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Fieldstone Foundation Inc?
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 Fieldstone Foundation Inc's EIN?
Fieldstone Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 22-3111728. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Fieldstone Foundation Inc 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
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Fieldstone Foundation Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders with grantees in common, and similar funders in Massachusetts
Boston Foundation Inc
Boston, MA
The Boston Foundation funds nonprofits and community initiatives focused on equity and opportunity, including child well-being, economic opportunity, community wealth, and community leadership, primarily in Greater Boston. Its 2025 grants had a median of $25,000, while specific programs offer amounts such as $50,000; whether it accepts unsolicited requests is not stated.
Assets
$2.1B
Grants
2,375
Total Given
$228.4M
Eastern Bank Foundation
Wakefield, MA
Eastern Bank Foundation supports economic inclusion and mobility, including small businesses, early childhood development, affordable housing, and workforce development. Its 2025 grants ranged from $50 to $2,002,500, with a median of $2,500, primarily in Massachusetts and also in New Hampshire and Rhode Island. It accepts online applications and does not limit giving to preselected organizations.
Assets
$266.7M
Grants
1,786
Total Given
$19.0M
Barr Foundation
Boston, MA
The Barr Foundation funds arts and creativity, climate, education, and New England’s social sector, primarily through long-term support for organizations in New England. Its 2024 grants ranged from $100 to $3.275 million, with a median of $80,000. Its filing says it accepts only requests from preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests, though its website describes program-page inquiries and occasional open calls.
Assets
$1.9B
Grants
903
Total Given
$123.2M
Liberty Mutual Foundation Inc
Boston, MA
Liberty Mutual Foundation funds basic needs such as food and shelter, education and workforce development, and climate and community infrastructure, including homelessness and community preparedness programs. Its 2024 grants had a median of $35,000, and most funding supports organizations or programs serving the Boston area, though it also gives elsewhere. It accepts unsolicited online requests on a rolling basis, with no submission deadlines.
Assets
$46.1M
Grants
706
Total Given
$50.6M
Cummings Foundation Grants Inc (FKA Oneworld Boston Inc)
Woburn, MA
Cummings Foundation Grants Inc. funds nonprofits working in human services, education, healthcare, fairness and justice, and the environment, primarily in greater Boston and eastern Massachusetts. Its 2024 grants ranged from $1,000 to $3.5 million, with a median of $35,000; it accepts letters of inquiry through an online portal during its application cycle, which was not open at the time described.
Assets
$258.2M
Grants
658
Total Given
$38.2M
American Tower Corporation Foundation
Boston, MA
Assets
$15.4M
Grants
632
Total Given
$1.7M
More similar funders
More Funders in Massachusetts
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Fieldstone Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 13, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/fieldstone-foundation-inc-morg_384f0b87cba54a34a64f641d3ed034a6
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_223111728_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Fieldstone Foundation Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/fieldstone-foundation-inc-morg_384f0b87cba54a34a64f641d3ed034a6},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-13. 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 Fieldstone 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.
Fieldstone Foundation Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?