Gordon Foundation
Gordon Foundation is a private foundation based in Danvers, Massachusetts. Its 2024 filing records eight grants totaling $6,665,500, all described as unrestricted grants, to organizations including universities, a science museum, a hospital, and local education and conservation organizations.
Gordon Foundation at a glance
In short: Gordon Foundation gave $6.7M across 8 grants in 2024 (avg $833K), mostly in Massachusetts. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $6,665,500
- -4.8% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 8
- -11.1% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $833,188
- +7.1% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $302,500
- Total assets
- $1,829,350
- +45.4% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Massachusetts (91% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026.
How to apply to Gordon Foundation
- How to Apply
-
The foundation’s filing says to contact Bernard M. Gordon in writing, indicating the purpose of the request. Applications are accepted at any time. The filing states there are no restrictions on awards.
- Contact
Application contact: Bernard M Gordon
Mailing address: 16B Electronics Avenue, Danvers, MA 01923
Phone: (978) 750-6100
Website: https://gordonfoundation.ca
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Gordon Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 8 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Northeastern University ($4.2M). Together the top 8 received $6.7M.
Grant Size Distribution
44 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 11 grants of 44 (25%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, 91% of grant dollars went to recipients in Massachusetts, 8% to New York, and 1% to Texas.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 8 itemized grants.
Cities
How Gordon Foundation gives
- Giving grew 41% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out well above its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $2.4M (2022) to $7.0M (2023). In 2024 it made 8 grants totaling $6.7M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Northeastern University Boston, MA | Unrestricted Grant | $4,200,500 |
| Salem State University Salem, MA | Unrestricted Grant | $1,000,000 |
| Museum of Science Boston, MA | Unrestricted Grant | $750,000 |
| American Society for Technion New York, NY | Unrestricted Grant | $530,000 |
| Lahey Hospital & Medical Center Burlington, MA | Unrestricted Grant | $75,000 |
| Eye Corps Inc Dallas, TX | Unrestricted Grant | $50,000 |
| Gloucester Education Foundation Gloucester, MA | Unrestricted Grant | $35,000 |
| Manchester Essex Conservation Trust Manchester, MA | Unrestricted Grant | $25,000 |
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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 | $1,829,350 | $7,209,369 | $6,697,990 | $6,665,500 | 8 | $6,665,500 | $13,377 | $81,568 |
| 2023 | $1,257,806 | $7,047,706 | $7,042,689 | $6,998,500 | 9 | $6,999,000 | — | $69,967 |
| 2022 | $1,292,875 | $2,986,688 | $2,440,263 | $2,420,000 | 9 | $2,420,500 | $534,998 | $49,531 |
| 2021 | $737,651 | $4,676,274 | $4,752,377 | $4,744,045 | 9 | $4,744,545 | $20,067 | $42,864 |
| 2020 | $805,393 | $3,427,884 | $2,864,155 | $2,858,155 | 9 | — | — | $26,192 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Gordon Foundation reported a distributable amount of $82K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation made eight grants totaling $6,665,500. Grants ranged from $25,000 to $4,200,500, with a median of $302,500. The largest awards were $4,200,500 to Northeastern University, $1,000,000 to Salem State University, $750,000 to the Museum of Science, and $530,000 to the American Society for Technion. Each was listed as an unrestricted grant.
Other 2024 recipients were Lahey Hospital & Medical Center ($75,000), Eye Corps Inc ($50,000), Gloucester Education Foundation ($35,000), and Manchester Essex Conservation Trust ($25,000). The Museum of Science describes its mission as inspiring a lifelong love of science and making science accessible and relevant. Eye Corps says it works to eliminate blindness due to cataracts, including by supporting cataract surgeries for local, indigent populations outside the United States. Gloucester Education Foundation says it supports new and innovative programs for Gloucester public schools. Manchester Essex Conservation Trust says it preserves natural beauty, wildlife habitat, and open space in its area.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Bernard M. Gordon, Daniel Lewis Gordon, Sophia Gordon, Frank Coppolino, Frederick Lane, Alex A. Van Adzin, and Stephanie Galicki as trustees.
Gordon Foundation's 2024 filing lists 7 officers; none of the 7 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Bernard M. Gordon
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Daniel Lewis Gordon
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Frank Coppolino
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sophia Gordon
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Alex A. Van Adzin
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Frederick Lane
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Stephanie Galicki
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Robert Stewart (2020–2023) — Trustee
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.
Frequently asked questions about Gordon Foundation
How much does Gordon Foundation give each year?
Gordon Foundation gave $6.7M across 8 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $7.0M across 9 grants.
What is Gordon Foundation's typical grant size?
Gordon Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $302,500, and its average grant was $833,188, across 8 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Gordon Foundation give grants?
Gordon Foundation gives mostly in Massachusetts: 91% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was New York (8%). The most frequent recipient cities were Boston, MA (2 grants).
Does Gordon Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Gordon Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (8 of 8) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Gordon Foundation's largest grantees?
Gordon Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Northeastern University ($4,200,500), Salem State University ($1,000,000) and Museum of Science ($750,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 89% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Gordon Foundation?
Gordon Foundation reported $1.8M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $6.7M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $82K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
How do I apply for a grant from Gordon Foundation?
The foundation’s filing says to contact Bernard M. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Gordon Foundation's EIN?
Gordon Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 04-2794647. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Gordon Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 15, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/gordon-foundation-morg_0a9d18de9b7b42a1932d7b711b6ff200
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_042794647_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Gordon Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/gordon-foundation-morg_0a9d18de9b7b42a1932d7b711b6ff200},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-15. 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 Gordon Foundation'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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