Gilson Family Foundation Inc is a private 501(c)(3) family foundation based in Concord, Massachusetts. Established in 2011, the foundation operates as a grantmaking organization focused on charitable distributions across multiple sectors.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$29.7M
+27.4% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.5M
+17.1% YoY
Grant Count
63
+16.7% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$24K
+0.4% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Gilson Family Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $1.4M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's primary funding interests include:
- Education
- Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking
- Human Services
The foundation has demonstrated particular interest in impact investing and social ventures, with a focus on organizations working in health, education, and human services sectors.
Grantmaking
The foundation has engaged in impact investing activities, including administering a Philanthropic Opportunity Scan with grantees to identify potential program-related investment opportunities in areas such as capital improvements and equipment refinancing.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations in:
- Massachusetts
- Colorado
- District of Columbia
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2023:
- Total Assets: $23.3 million
- Total Revenue: $3.76 million
- Total Expenses: $1.44 million
- Total Liabilities: $0
As of 2024:
- Total Assets: $29.7 million
- Total Giving: $1.5 million
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $29,683,302 | $23,298,924 | $20,819,872 |
| Revenue | $7,442,581 | $3,761,772 | $2,822,933 |
| Expenses | $1,726,272 | $1,442,346 | $1,282,172 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $1,716,534 | $1,813,931 | $1,232,697 |
| Net Investment Income | $2,556,535 | $1,181,267 | $662,150 |
| Distributable Amount | $1,379,760 | $1,056,377 | $964,711 |
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
184 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Cradles to Crayons ($150,220), Open Table ($75,500), Essex County Community Foundation ($75,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ME INTERNATIONAL JOHNSTOWN, CO | CHARITABLE DONATION | $10,000 |
| ROPE PITTSFIELD, MA | CHARITABLE DONATION | $5,500 |
| THE BAKER CENTER BOSTON, MA | CHARITABLE DONATION | $10,110 |
| CONSTRUCT GREAT BARRINGTON, MA | CHARITABLE DONATION | $22,500 |
| LEVER NORTH ADAMS, MA | CHARITABLE DONATION | $50,110 |
| COMMUNITY INVOLVED IN SUSTAINING AG SOUTH DEERFIELD, MA | CHARITABLE DONATION | $15,000 |
| JEFF'S PLACE FRAMINGHAM, MA | CHARITABLE DONATION | $32,000 |
| CONCORD CARLISLE COMMUNITY CHEST CONCORD, MA | CHARITABLE DONATION | $10,000 |
| SOUTH METRO COMMUNITY FOUNDATION LITTLETON, CO | CHARITABLE DONATION | $10,000 |
| BIRTHDAY WISHES NATICK, MA | CHARITABLE DONATION | $30,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| MICHELLE SPINA SCHMIDT | President | 40 | $25,000 |
| PETER JOHN SPINA | Director | 40 | $25,000 |
| MARY GILSON SPINA | Director | 10 | $16,000 |
| MICHAEL J ESCHELBACHER | CLERK | 2 | — |
Recent Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation has engaged in impact investing strategy development, partnering with organizations to implement investment clubs and opportunity scans. Two of the foundation's three trustees completed a ten-session Impact Finance Fellowship and participated in impact investing education events. The foundation subsequently helped establish the Massachusetts Investor Club, an SEC-compliant platform for pitching social ventures focused on health, education, and human services.
[PDF] IMPACT REPORT | Cradles to CrayonsContact Information
- Address: 199 Independence Road, Concord, MA 01742-2654
- Telephone: 802-598-6508
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Gilson Family Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation's primary funding interests include: • Education • Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking • Human Services The foundation has demonstrated particular interest in impact investing and social ventures, with a focus on organizations working in health, education, and human services sectors.
How do I apply for a grant from Gilson Family Foundation Inc?
**Grant Activity:** • Made 20 grants in 2023 • Total giving: $1,547,221 (2024 fiscal year) • Typical award range: $1,500–$150,260 **Recent Grantees (2023):** • Jog Your Memory 5K: $60,000 • Gaining Ground: $50,500 • Essex County Community Foundation (ECCF): $50,000 • Pittsfield High School (among grantees) The foundation has engaged in impact investing activities, including administering a Philanthropic Opportunity Scan with grantees to identify potential program-related investment opportunitie…
Where does Gilson Family Foundation Inc make grants?
The foundation primarily funds organizations in: • Massachusetts • Colorado • District of Columbia
What size grants does Gilson Family Foundation Inc award?
In 2024, Gilson Family Foundation Inc awarded 63 grants totaling $1.5M — an average of about $24K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Gilson Family Foundation Inc required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Gilson Family Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $1.4M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Gilson Family Foundation Inc's EIN?
Gilson Family Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 27-4379483. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Gilson Family Foundation Inc'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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