High Meadows Foundation
High Meadows Foundation is a private foundation based in Boston, Massachusetts. It describes itself as a private philanthropy that backs organizations and people addressing environmental and societal challenges, and identifies Business + Society and Climate + Energy as its two programmatic areas.
High Meadows Foundation at a glance
In short: High Meadows Foundation gave $4.9M across 12 grants in 2025 (avg $404K), top state New Jersey. 0% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $4,850,760
- -37.0% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 12
- -14.3% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $404,230
- -26.5% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $350,000
- Total assets
- $3,539,735
- +298.8% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 0% first-time grantees (0 of 10, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- New Jersey (46% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to High Meadows Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests. It makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations, but says it welcomes inquiries from organizations wishing to collaborate and is happy to answer questions related to work in progress.
- Contact
Mailing address: 160 Commonwealth Ave L5, Boston, MA 02116
Phone: (617) 536-1910
Website: https://highmeadowsfoundation.com
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who High Meadows Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Trustees of Princeton University ($1.5M across 3 grants). Together the top 10 received $4.9M.
Grant Size Distribution
97 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $100–250K range: 29 grants of 97 (30%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2025, the largest shares of grant dollars went to recipients in New Jersey (46%), Virginia (15%), New York (12%), Massachusetts (12%), and Vermont (6%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 12 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is High Meadows Foundation open to new grantees?
0%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 0 of 10 grantees (0%) were first-time recipients. With only 10 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 10 points. How we count
- 100% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving fell 53% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out well above 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 $4.9M (2025) to $19.0M (2021). In 2025 it made 12 grants totaling $4.9M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Trustees of Princeton University Princeton, NJ | Payment for support of pace center for community service | $998,260 |
| CAF America Alexandria, VA | Payment to Carry on Charitable Activities | $750,000 |
| Climate Central Inc Princeton, NJ | Payment to Carry on Charitable Acitities | $750,000 |
| Environmental Defense Fund New York, NY | Environmental Research | $500,000 |
| Harvard Business School Cambridge, MA | Payment for Continuing Support of the Baker Library | $500,000 |
| Trustees of Princeton University Princeton, NJ | Payment for support of the center for policy research on energy and the environment | $400,000 |
| Let's Grow Kids Middlebury, VT | Payment to Carry on Charitable Activities | $300,000 |
| The Wilderness Society Washington, DC | Payment to Carry on Charitable Activities | $250,000 |
| West Harlem Environmental Action New York, NY | Payment to Carry on Charitable Activities | $102,500 |
| Evergreen Climate Innovations Chicago, IL | Payment to Carry on Charitable Activities | $100,000 |
Ready to take the next step with High Meadows Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $3,539,735 | $10,603,919 | $4,947,403 | $4,850,760 | 12 | $4,851,260 | $3,162,606 | $173,983 |
| 2024 | $887,625 | $6,478,259 | $7,729,849 | $7,696,887 | 14 | $7,697,387 | $407,980 | $75,167 |
| 2023 | $2,466,263 | $12,035,020 | $8,548,726 | $8,422,500 | 15 | $8,473,200 | $3,537,866 | $148,568 |
| 2022 | $2,257,912 | $5,743,779 | $10,501,313 | $10,275,323 | 19 | $10,401,019 | $3,124,605 | $214,780 |
| 2021 | $7,499,132 | $11,021,494 | $19,156,669 | $18,979,000 | 37 | $19,090,178 | $2,082,594 | $543,124 |
| 2020 | $15,634,307 | $8,334,204 | $10,160,050 | $9,925,000 | 27 | — | $4,743,562 | $940,494 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, High Meadows Foundation reported a distributable amount of $174K 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 describes its focus as investing in and promoting practical yet ambitious ideas to address complex environmental and societal issues. Its two stated programmatic areas are Business + Society and Climate + Energy.
Its 2025 grantees illustrate some of the work it supports. Climate Central describes its work as researching and reporting on climate change and its impacts and solutions. Environmental Defense Fund describes its mission as preserving natural systems and finding practical, lasting solutions to serious environmental problems. Other grantees include organizations whose stated missions concern access to child care in Vermont, wilderness and public-land conservation, environmental health policy participation by people of color and low-income residents, advancing climate solutions, and bringing climate technologies to market.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation reported 12 grants totaling $4,850,760. Grants ranged from $100,000 to $998,260, with a median grant of $350,000.
Among its largest 2025 grants were $998,260 to the Trustees of Princeton University for support of the Pace Center for Community Service; $750,000 to CAF America to carry on charitable activities; $750,000 to Climate Central to carry on charitable activities; $500,000 to Environmental Defense Fund for environmental research; and $500,000 to Harvard Business School for continuing support of the Baker Library. Other grants included $400,000 to the Trustees of Princeton University for its Center for Policy Research on Energy and the Environment, $300,000 to Let’s Grow Kids, and $250,000 to The Wilderness Society.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The foundation’s website lists Carl Ferenbach as Chairman and Lynne Ball as Chief Operating Officer. Its board of trustees includes Elizabeth Bankowski, Jeffrey L. Berenson, Jane Brock-Wilson, and Daniel P. Carbonneau. The 2025 filing also lists Lynne Ball as Secretary/Treasurer and Carl Ferenbach, Jeffrey Berenson, Daniel P. Carbonneau, Jane Brock-Wilson, and Elizabeth Bankowski as trustees.
High Meadows Foundation's 2025 filing lists 6 officers; none of the 6 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Carl Ferenbach
Trustee
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Daniel P. Carbonneau
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Elizabeth Bankowski
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jane Brock-Wilson
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jeffrey Berenson
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lynne Ball
Secretary & Treasurer
On filings since 2020
25 hrs/week
No compensation reported
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.
Frequently asked questions about High Meadows Foundation
How much does High Meadows Foundation give each year?
High Meadows Foundation gave $4.9M across 12 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $7.7M across 14 grants.
What is High Meadows Foundation's typical grant size?
High Meadows Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $350,000, and its average grant was $404,230, across 12 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does High Meadows Foundation give grants?
High Meadows Foundation's top state is New Jersey, with 46% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were Virginia (15%) and New York (12%). The most frequent recipient cities were Princeton, NJ (4 grants), New York, NY (2 grants) and Cambridge, MA (2 grants).
Does High Meadows Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 12 grants with a stated purpose on High Meadows Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Payment to Carry on Charitable Activities" (6 grants).
Who are High Meadows Foundation's largest grantees?
High Meadows Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Trustees of Princeton University ($1,498,260 across 3 grants), CAF America ($750,000) and Climate Central Inc ($750,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 62% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is High Meadows Foundation?
High Meadows Foundation reported $3.5M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $4.9M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $174K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does High Meadows Foundation fund?
The foundation describes its focus as investing in and promoting practical yet ambitious ideas to address complex environmental and societal issues. Its two stated programmatic areas are Business + Society and Climate + Energy. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from High Meadows Foundation?
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is High Meadows Foundation's EIN?
High Meadows Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-8521462. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Does High Meadows Foundation 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
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 15, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in High Meadows Foundation'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
Silicon Valley Community Foundation
Mountain View, CA
Silicon Valley Community Foundation funds work in areas such as housing, economic security, education, health, the environment, arts and culture, and civic engagement, with Community Action Grants supporting local, community-led organizations in San Mateo and Santa Clara counties. Its 2024 grants had a median of $51,716, though amounts varied widely; applications depend on the program, and SVCF states that it does not accept unsolicited proposals for advised funds.
Assets
$12.3B
Grants
3,576
Total Given
$3.2B
The Chicago Community Trust
Chicago, IL
The Chicago Community Trust funds eligible nonprofits working to narrow the wealth gap and meet urgent needs, with priorities including economic mobility, education, jobs, homeownership, and community development in metropolitan Chicago and Cook County. Its 2025 grants had a median of $26,500, though amounts varied widely; the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$7.1B
Grants
4,316
Total Given
$1.2B
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
More similar funders
More Funders in Massachusetts
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). High Meadows Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 12, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/high-meadows-foundation-morg_83640b03caf143cb9fc0c694761dd865
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_208521462_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{High Meadows Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/high-meadows-foundation-morg_83640b03caf143cb9fc0c694761dd865},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-12. 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 High Meadows 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.
High Meadows Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?