Howell Family Charitable Foundation

Private foundation · Grantmaker Boston, MA EIN: 04-3425079

Howell Family Charitable Foundation is a private foundation, based in Boston, MA. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $993K in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 3 grants totaling $370K. Net investment income was $11K.

Key facts about Howell Family Charitable Foundation

In short: Howell Family Charitable Foundation gave $370K across 3 grants in 2025 (avg $123K), mostly in Massachusetts. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.

EIN
04-3425079
Latest 990 filing
Form 990-PF, 2025
Annual giving (2025)
$370,000
Grants made (2025)
3
Average grant
$123,333
Median grant
$10,000
Total assets
$992,813
Primary geography
Massachusetts (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)

Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026.

Financial Overview

From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

$993K

-26.5% YoY

Annual Giving

$370K

+7300.0% YoY

Grant Count

3

+50.0% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$123K

+4833.3% YoY

Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Howell Family Charitable Foundation reported a distributable amount of $74K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

How Howell Family Charitable Foundation gives

  • Giving grew 153% from 2022 to 2025. Method
  • In 2025 it paid out 503% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method

From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.

Your AI grants department

Ready to take the next step with Howell Family Charitable Foundation?

Fully replaces Grant database subscriptions Instrumentl · Foundation Directory · GrantStation & similar

Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

Grant Distribution by State

8states

Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 3 itemized grants.

Cities

MiddletownBostonVineyard HavenJamaica PlainNew YorkWashingtonWest TisburyDullesPhiladelphiaPortsmouthArlingtonBrooklynChicagoCrystal LakeHardwickLeesburgLincolnMontereyNewportPetersburg

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$100K$200K$300K$400K26 grants2020 18 grants2021 15 grants2022 2 grants2023 2 grants2024 3 grants2025

From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $5K (2024) to $370K (2025). In 2025 it made 3 grants totaling $370K.

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 3 recipients in 2025

Marthas Vineyard Community: $350KMarthas Vineyard Community$350KGreater Boston Food Bank: $10KGreater Boston Food Bank$10KIsland Grown Initiative: $10KIsland Grown Initiative$10K

The largest 2025 recipient was Marthas Vineyard Community ($350K). Together the top 3 received $370K.

Grant Size Distribution

40 grants across all recorded years

38<$50K$50–100K1$100–250K1$250–500K$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

The most common grant size was under $50K: 38 grants of 40 (95%).

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
Marthas Vineyard Community Vineyard Haven, MACapital Campaign$350,000
Greater Boston Food Bank Boston, MAGeneral Charitable Purposes$10,000
Island Grown Initiative Vineyard Haven, MAGeneral Charitable Purposes$10,000

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Revenue
Expenses
Qualifying Distributions
Net Investment Income
$0$200K$400K$600K$800K2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
Metric202520242023
Total Assets$992,813$1,351,334$1,354,408
Revenue$32,686$33,352$702,167
Expenses$391,207$36,421$180,857
Qualifying Distributions$370,035$5,035$160,285
Net Investment Income$11,050$12,059$681,824
Distributable Amount$73,572$76,423$62,217

Data update history

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

  1. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 9, 2021)
  2. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 2, 2022)
  3. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 10, 2023)
  4. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 9, 2024)
  5. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 12, 2025)
  6. Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 4, 2026)

Leadership & Key People

Officers and directors from IRS filings

Howell Family Charitable Foundation's 2025 filing lists 4 officers; none of the 4 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.

Officers on the 2025 filing

  • John A. Howell

    Trustee

    On filings since 2020

    2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Peter L. Howell

    Trustee

    On filings since 2020

    No compensation reported

  • Priscilla W. Howell

    Trustee

    On filings since 2020

    No compensation reported

  • Samuel H. Howell

    Trustee

    On filings since 2020

    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 Howell Family Charitable Foundation

How much does Howell Family Charitable Foundation give each year?

Howell Family Charitable Foundation gave $370K across 3 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $5K across 2 grants.

What is Howell Family Charitable Foundation's typical grant size?

Howell Family Charitable Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $10,000, and its average grant was $123,333, across 3 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.

Where does Howell Family Charitable Foundation give grants?

Howell Family Charitable Foundation gives mostly in Massachusetts: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Vineyard Haven, MA (2 grants).

Does Howell Family Charitable Foundation give general operating support?

Yes: 67% of Howell Family Charitable Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (2 of 3) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.

How large is Howell Family Charitable Foundation?

Howell Family Charitable Foundation reported $993K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $370K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $74K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).

What is Howell Family Charitable Foundation's EIN?

Howell Family Charitable Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 04-3425079. 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.

Your AI grants department

Here's the math on researching Howell Family Charitable Foundation by hand.

Explore Open Grants

Browse active grant opportunities in Howell Family Charitable Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database

Similar Funders

Funders that support many of the same organizations

Boston Foundation Inc

Boston, MA

The Boston Foundation funds equity-focused work in 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 awards from up to $15,000 to $50,000; it accepts applications through some competitive initiatives, but whether it accepts unsolicited requests generally 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.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$12.3B

Grants

3,576

Total Given

$3.2B

The Rhode Island Community Foundation

Providence, RI

The Rhode Island Community Foundation funds Rhode Island nonprofits working in areas including civic and cultural life, climate, education, community health, housing, and economic mobility; some grants also support specific topics or places. Its 2024 grants had a median of about $24,000, though amounts varied widely. Applications are accepted through specific grant programs when open; the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests generally.

Assets

$1.3B

Grants

977

Total Given

$72.0M

Eastern Bank Foundation

Wakefield, MA

Eastern Bank Foundation funds systemic efforts to advance economic inclusion and mobility, including small-business equity, early childhood development, affordable housing, and workforce development. Its programs range from $1,000–$10,000 for Community Donations, up to $15,000 for CITC Grants, and $50,000–$150,000 for Impact Grants; it supports organizations primarily in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island. The foundation accepts online applications, with no specific submission deadlines stated.

Assets

$266.7M

Grants

1,786

Total Given

$19.0M

Barr Foundation

Boston, MA

Barr Foundation funds arts and creativity, climate, education, and related initiatives, primarily supporting organizations and leaders in New England. Its 2024 grants ranged from $100 to $3.275 million, with a median of $80,000. It welcomes inquiries through program pages and occasionally issues open requests for proposals; most grants go to returning partners.

Assets

$1.9B

Grants

903

Total Given

$123.2M

Liberty Mutual Foundation Inc

Boston, MA

Liberty Mutual Foundation funds nonprofits working on basic needs such as food and shelter, education and workforce development, and climate and community infrastructure, primarily in the Boston area, with grants also made in other states. Its 2024 grants had a median of $35,000 and ranged from $2,500 to $11 million; it accepts online applications on a rolling basis, with no stated deadlines.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$46.1M

Grants

706

Total Given

$50.6M

Cummings Foundation Grants Inc (FKA Oneworld Boston Inc)

Woburn, MA

The foundation supports nonprofits focused on human services, education, healthcare, fairness and justice, and environmental causes, primarily in greater Boston and eastern Massachusetts, with limited support for Rwanda’s recovery. 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 for its local grant program.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$258.2M

Grants

658

Total Given

$38.2M

American Tower Corporation Foundation

Boston, MA

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$15.4M

Grants

632

Total Given

$1.7M

Good Sports Inc

Braintree, MA

Good Sports provides free sports equipment, footwear, and apparel to established schools and community organizations running ongoing youth sports and physical-activity programs in high-need communities; it serves all 50 states and Puerto Rico. In 2025, grants ranged from $5,004 to $229,133, with a median of $12,781. Youth programs and schools can apply through its community-organization application process.

Assets

$13.8M

Grants

619

Total Given

$11.2M

The Stephen Phillips Memorial

Boston, MA

The Stephen Phillips Memorial funds need- and merit-based scholarships for bachelor’s students, generally awarding $3,000–$17,000 (with typical annual awards of $6,000–$10,000). Applicants must be permanent residents of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, or Vermont, but may attend college anywhere in the United States. Students apply through the online portal; the profile does not state whether unsolicited requests are accepted.

Education

Assets

$41.6M

Grants

520

Total Given

$5.1M

More Funders in Massachusetts

Howell Family Charitable Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?

Want AI to do this for you?