Jane's Trust Foundation is a family foundation based in Boston, Massachusetts, dedicated to creating a more socially just and environmentally sustainable world in which all people thrive through education and deep connections with family, community, and the natural world. Established in 2011, the foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) private grantmaking foundation.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$66.1M
-0.4% YoY
Annual Giving
$3.3M
-7.3% YoY
Grant Count
41
-12.8% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$81K
+6.3% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Jane's Trust Foundation reported a distributable amount of $3.7M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation focuses its grantmaking on:
- Climate change mitigation and adaptation
- Social justice
- Special projects of interest to the Trustees
Grantmaking
Applications to Jane's Trust Foundation are by invitation only and are considered twice annually. The foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals and does not have published guidelines. Organizations interested in potential funding should contact the Philanthropic Advisor.
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations in northern New England (New Hampshire, Vermont, and Maine), with additional support for organizations in Massachusetts and Florida. Funding has also extended to organizations in New York, Ohio, and Virginia.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2023:
- Total Assets: $66.3 million
- Total Revenue: $2.7 million
- Total Expenses: $4.66 million
- Total Liabilities: $0
As of 2024:
- Total Assets: $66,088,327
- Total Giving: $3,318,880
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $66,088,327 | $66,333,263 | $67,428,443 |
| Revenue | $4,247,606 | $2,696,621 | $6,862,784 |
| Expenses | $4,550,429 | $4,657,048 | $5,230,866 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $3,464,686 | $3,685,647 | $3,907,663 |
| Net Investment Income | $3,171,018 | $1,722,049 | $3,478,893 |
| Distributable Amount | $3,743,845 | $3,591,712 | $3,672,534 |
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
191 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences ($200,000), Resist Inc ($200,000), Island Institute ($150,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| BIGELOW LABORATORY FOR OCEAN SCIENCES EAST BOOTHBAY, ME | CLIMATE CHANGE-RELATED OCEANOGRAPHIC RESEARCH | $200,000 |
| BLACK HERITAGE TRAIL OF NEW HAMPSHIRE PORTSMOUTH, NH | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $50,000 |
| CONSERVATION LAW FOUNDATION INC BOSTON, MA | CLEAN WATER AND CLIMATE RESILIENCE ADVOCACY IN NORTHERN NEW ENGLAND | $100,000 |
| GRANITE STATE ORGANIZING PROJECT MANCHESTER, NH | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $50,000 |
| GULF OF MAINE RESEARCH INSTITUTE PORTLAND, ME | CONNECTING GULF OF MAINE COMMUNITIES TO THE SCIENCE OF COASTAL HAZARDS | $85,000 |
| INSTITUTE FOR NONPROFIT PRACTICE BOSTON, MA | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $75,000 |
| INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE OF NEW ENGLAND INC BOSTON, MA | WELCOME, INTEGRATION, AND NATURALIZATION FOR NEW HAMPSHIRE REFUGEES | $25,000 |
| ISLAND INSTITUTE ROCKLAND, ME | CLIMATE SOLUTIONS FOR OUR BLUE FUTURE | $150,000 |
| MAINE ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION ASSOCIATION BRUNSWICK, ME | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $50,000 |
| MAINE INITIATIVES INC PORTLAND, ME | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $50,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Key Personnel:
- Nancy B. Gardiner (Trustee) - compensation: $73,285
- Kurt F. Somerville (Trustee) - compensation: $73,285
- Jessica Griffiths (Trustee) - no compensation listed
- Jean B. Stevenson (Trustee) - no compensation listed
- Elizabeth Steele (Trustee) - no compensation listed
- Jessica Coakley (Philanthropic Advisor) - contact: jcoakley@hembar.com, (617) 557-9774
Administrative Support: The foundation is administered through Hemenway & Barnes LLP, located at 75 State Street, Boston, MA 02109.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| NANCY B GARDINER | TRUSTEE | 1.25 | $118,912 |
| KURT F SOMERVILLE | TRUSTEE | 1.25 | $118,911 |
| JESSICA GRIFFITHS | TRUSTEE | 1.25 | — |
| JEAN B STEVENSON | TRUSTEE | 1.25 | — |
| ELIZABETH STEELE | TRUSTEE | 1.25 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation has made recent grants to organizations including:
OUT Maine (grant recipient announced)
Eastern Sierra Land Trust (2025 grant awarded)
OUT Maine Receives Grant from Jane's Trust Foundation - OUT MaineThe Piedmont Environmental Council ($11,000 grant)
The Piedmont Environmental Council Awarded $11000 Grant to ...Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Jane's Trust Foundation fund?
The foundation focuses its grantmaking on: • Climate change mitigation and adaptation • Social justice • Special projects of interest to the Trustees
How do I apply for a grant from Jane's Trust Foundation?
**Grant Activity:** • Between 2011 and 2025, Jane's Trust Foundation awarded grants totaling more than $31 million to 100 organizations • More than 80% of funding has supported organizations working in northern New England, with the remainder supporting organizations in Massachusetts and Florida • Typical grant awards range from $750 to $1,111,914 • In 2023, the foundation made 25 grants • In 2024, the foundation awarded 47 grants totaling $3.6 million **Recent Grants (2023):** • Shelburne Farm…
Where does Jane's Trust Foundation make grants?
The foundation primarily funds organizations in northern New England (New Hampshire, Vermont, and Maine), with additional support for organizations in Massachusetts and Florida. Funding has also extended to organizations in New York, Ohio, and Virginia.
What size grants does Jane's Trust Foundation award?
In 2024, Jane's Trust Foundation awarded 41 grants totaling $3.3M — an average of about $81K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Jane's Trust Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Jane's Trust Foundation reported a distributable amount of $3.7M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Jane's Trust Foundation's EIN?
Jane's Trust Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 27-3422536. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Jane's Trust Foundation'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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