Frances R Dewing Foundation 7600-XXXXXX15480
The Frances R. Dewing Foundation is a private foundation based in Boston, Massachusetts. Created in 1963 by Frances Hall Rousmaniere Dewing, it supports innovative approaches to early childhood education in the United States, with an emphasis on seed funding for projects that may benefit children and the wider educational or local community.
Frances R Dewing Foundation 7600-XXXXXX15480 at a glance
In short: Frances R Dewing Foundation 7600-XXXXXX15480 gave $189K across 19 grants in 2025 (avg $10K), top state Massachusetts. 89% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $189,440
- -15.5% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 19
- +18.8% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $9,971
- -28.9% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $8,200
- Total assets
- $1,702,685
- -4.8% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 89% first-time grantees (17 of 19, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Massachusetts (13% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Frances R Dewing Foundation 7600-XXXXXX15480
- How to Apply
-
Applications are submitted through the foundation’s online application. Applicants must provide a cover letter summarizing the request, an IRS 501(c)(3) determination letter or proof of government-entity status, a project budget, and an organizational budget. Requests should identify and describe a specific need. Grantees must submit a final report one year after the award.
- Review Cycle
- Applications are accepted throughout the year and reviewed in two cycles. The stated deadlines are April 1 and October 1. Applications submitted after a deadline may be considered in the next cycle.
- Deadline
- Applications are accepted throughout the year and reviewed in two cycles.
- Contact
Application contact: Frances R Dewing Foundation
Mailing address: PO Box 298, Alexandria, VA 22313
Phone: (401) 749-8550
Email: manager@dewingfoundation.org
Website: https://dewingfoundation.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 Frances R Dewing Foundation 7600-XXXXXX15480
Who Frances R Dewing Foundation 7600-XXXXXX15480 funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Boys & Girls Club of Fitchburg ($25K). Together the top 10 received $149K.
Organizations only. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($5,938), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
94 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 93 grants of 94 (99%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation accepts applications from organizations operating in the United States for projects located in the United States. Its 2025 grants were distributed across multiple states; the largest reported recipient-state shares were Massachusetts and North Carolina, at 13% each, followed by Oregon at 12%, and Minnesota and Arkansas at 8% each.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 19 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Frances R Dewing Foundation 7600-XXXXXX15480 open to new grantees?
89%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 17 of 19 grantees (89%) were first-time recipients. With only 19 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 5 points. First grants averaged $11K; repeat grants $5K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $5K repeat.
- 5% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+12%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 111% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2025). 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 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $121K (2020) to $224K (2024). In 2025 it made 19 grants totaling $189K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Boys & Girls Club of Fitchburg Leominster, MA | Stewards of Nature STEAM | $25,000 |
| Music Workshop Portland, OR | Four K-2 Culture Series | $20,000 |
| Climate Generation Minneapolis, MN | Revise Minnesotas Changing | $16,000 |
| Arkansas Learning Through the Arts Hot Springs Village, AR | Artist Residencies IN | $15,000 |
| Giraffe Laugh Garden City, ID | Materials for Outdoor | $15,000 |
| Princeton Area Library Supporters Princeton, NC | Spanish/Bilingual Books & | $15,000 |
| Nooksack Indian Tribe Deming, WA | Outdoor Learning Spaces | $15,000 |
| Prism Design Lab Chapel Hill, NC | Poetry Workshop/Anthology 5 | $10,000 |
| Raising Hands Literacy Project Hackettstown, NJ | Laundromat Literacy Circles | $10,000 |
| Positive Energy Arts York, PA | 2ND Grade Hip Hop Dance | $8,200 |
Ready to take the next step with Frances R Dewing Foundation 7600-XXXXXX15480?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
The filing reports grantmaking totals of $189,440 in 2025, $224,269 in 2024, and $180,611 in 2023, as shown above.
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $1,702,685 | $147,555 | $233,744 | $189,440 | 19 | $191,725 | $107,865 | $172,261 |
| 2024 | $1,788,874 | $145,197 | $266,522 | $224,269 | 16 | $226,554 | $105,952 | $170,200 |
| 2023 | $1,910,199 | $81,617 | $220,638 | $180,611 | 18 | $182,896 | $44,544 | $154,410 |
| 2022 | $2,049,220 | $47,048 | $199,081 | $169,228 | 19 | $170,163 | $36,875 | $153,000 |
| 2021 | $2,201,253 | $45,636 | $260,439 | $212,775 | 22 | $215,150 | $25,773 | $165,063 |
| 2020 | $2,416,056 | $343,012 | $151,265 | $121,243 | 27 | — | $314,551 | $136,487 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Frances R Dewing Foundation 7600-XXXXXX15480 reported a distributable amount of $172K for 2025 — 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 supports innovation in early childhood education. It emphasizes projects that develop or test new educational methods and tools and that could have a broader effect if successful. Its website describes eligible projects as concerning children up to sixth grade; its filing states a focus on early childhood education for ages 2–12.
Eligible applicants include U.S.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofits and government entities such as schools and school districts. Projects must directly benefit children. The foundation does not fund individuals, general program funds, operating expenses, capital campaigns, camperships, or scholarships. Day care proposals must be specific and innovative. The foundation generally does not fund charter schools, faith-based or religious organizations, or organizations that make grants to others.
Examples of 2025 recipients span several kinds of organizations. Music Workshop, which received $20,000, describes its mission as providing free K–12 curriculum and professional development resources that promote creativity, cultural understanding, and well-being. Climate Generation, which received $16,000, says its mission is to enable educators, youth, and communities to act on systems perpetuating the climate crisis. Arkansas Learning Through the Arts, which received $15,000, says its mission is to improve student achievement by igniting interest in learning. These are the grantees’ own descriptions of their missions.
Grantmaking
The foundation provides seed grants generally ranging from $1,000 to $25,000 and prefers to provide a significant portion of a project’s funding. Trustees rarely fund a project for more than three years. The foundation reports making approximately 20 to 30 grants per year.
In 2025, it made 19 grants totaling $189,440. Grants ranged from $3,202 to $25,000, with a median of $8,200. Recent annual giving was:
Among the largest 2025 awards were $25,000 to Boys & Girls Club of Fitchburg for “Stewards of Nature STEAM”; $20,000 to Music Workshop for “Four K-2 Culture Series”; $16,000 to Climate Generation for “Revise Minnesotas Changing”; and $15,000 each to Arkansas Learning Through the Arts, Giraffe Laugh, Princeton Area Library Supporters, and Nooksack Indian Tribe for the projects described in the filing.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Roger C Avery as trustee and treasurer; Marilyn London-Ewing, Ann Z Avery, Margaret Corley, and Heather Swift as trustees; and Nicole Rousmaniere as foundation manager.
Frances R Dewing Foundation 7600-XXXXXX15480's 2025 filing lists 6 officers; 1 of 6 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Ann Z. Avery
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Margaret Corley
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Marilyn London-Ewing
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Roger C. Avery
Trustee & Treasurer
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Heather Swift
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Nicole Rousmaniere
Foundation Manager
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
$6K (2020) → $15K (2025)
Former officers (1)
- Former: Heather Swift Appointed (2020) — Trustee
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $15K, to Nicole Rousmaniere (Foundation Manager).
Frequently asked questions about Frances R Dewing Foundation 7600-XXXXXX15480
How much does Frances R Dewing Foundation 7600-XXXXXX15480 give each year?
Frances R Dewing Foundation 7600-XXXXXX15480 gave $189K across 19 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $224K across 16 grants.
What is Frances R Dewing Foundation 7600-XXXXXX15480's typical grant size?
Frances R Dewing Foundation 7600-XXXXXX15480's median grant in 2025 was $8,200, and its average grant was $9,971, across 19 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Frances R Dewing Foundation 7600-XXXXXX15480 that year got $11K on average.
Where does Frances R Dewing Foundation 7600-XXXXXX15480 give grants?
Frances R Dewing Foundation 7600-XXXXXX15480's top state is Massachusetts, with 13% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were North Carolina (13%) and Oregon (12%).
Does Frances R Dewing Foundation 7600-XXXXXX15480 give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 19 grants with a stated purpose on Frances R Dewing Foundation 7600-XXXXXX15480's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support.
Who are Frances R Dewing Foundation 7600-XXXXXX15480's largest grantees?
Frances R Dewing Foundation 7600-XXXXXX15480's largest 2025 grantees include Boys & Girls Club of Fitchburg ($25,000), Music Workshop ($20,000) and Climate Generation ($16,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($5,938), which are not listed by name. Together they received 32% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Frances R Dewing Foundation 7600-XXXXXX15480?
Frances R Dewing Foundation 7600-XXXXXX15480 reported $1.7M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $192K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $172K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Frances R Dewing Foundation 7600-XXXXXX15480 fund?
The foundation supports innovation in early childhood education. It emphasizes projects that develop or test new educational methods and tools and that could have a broader effect if successful. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Frances R Dewing Foundation 7600-XXXXXX15480?
Applications are submitted through the foundation’s online application. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Frances R Dewing Foundation 7600-XXXXXX15480's EIN?
Frances R Dewing Foundation 7600-XXXXXX15480's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 04-6114839. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS July 14, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 9, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 11, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 6, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 2, 2025)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 4, 2026)
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Frances R Dewing Foundation 7600-XXXXXX15480 funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 7, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/frances-r-dewing-foundation-7600-xxxxxx15480-morg_462a3a353c8f42b69adc032450ff3410
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_046114839_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Frances R Dewing Foundation 7600-XXXXXX15480 funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/frances-r-dewing-foundation-7600-xxxxxx15480-morg_462a3a353c8f42b69adc032450ff3410},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-07. 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 Frances R Dewing Foundation 7600-XXXXXX15480'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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