Kelly Family Foundation Inc
Kelly Family Foundation Inc is a private foundation based in Needham, Massachusetts. Its stated primary mission is to support organizations fostering education, mentoring relationships, welfare, and the arts for young people in the Greater Boston community.
Kelly Family Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: Kelly Family Foundation Inc gave $1.4M across 36 grants in 2024 (avg $38K), mostly in Massachusetts. 11% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,371,250
- -25.3% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 36
- +5.9% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $38,090
- -29.4% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $15,000
- Total assets
- $22,046,705
- -1.2% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 11% first-time grantees (4 of 36, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Massachusetts (96% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Kelly Family Foundation Inc
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds; it states that it contributes only to preselected charitable organizations.
- Contact
Mailing address: 10 Kearney Road Suite 305, Needham, MA 02494-2544
Phone: (781) 444-8400
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Kelly Family Foundation Inc
Who Kelly Family Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Camp Harbor View ($530K). Together the top 10 received $1.0M.
Grant Size Distribution
184 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 142 grants of 184 (77%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, 96% of grant dollars went to recipients in Massachusetts and 4% to recipients in Florida. The foundation’s stated mission focuses on young people in Greater Boston, and its grant program description identifies Eastern and Central Massachusetts as eligible areas.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 36 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Kelly Family Foundation Inc open to new grantees?
11%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 4 of 36 grantees (11%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $11K; repeat grants $41K. How we count
Medians: $8K first-time, $18K repeat.
- 86% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+15%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 129% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). 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 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $835K (2022) to $1.8M (2023). In 2024 it made 36 grants totaling $1.4M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Camp Harbor View Boston, MA | Charitable Contribution Unrestricted | $530,000 |
| Boys & Girls Club Boston Boston, MA | Charitable Contribution Unrestricted | $100,000 |
| Mass General Hospital for Children Boston, MA | Charitable Contribution Unrestricted | $80,000 |
| Catholic Schools Foundation - Inner City Scholarship Fund Boston, MA | Charitable Contribution Unrestricted | $75,000 |
| Big Sister Association of Greater Boston Boston, MA | Charitable Contribution Unrestricted | $50,000 |
| Campaign for Catholic Schools Braintree, MA | Charitable Contribution Unrestricted | $50,000 |
| The Learning Alliance Vero Beach, FL | Charitable Contribution Unrestricted | $50,000 |
| Derby Academy Hingham, MA | Charitable Contribution Unrestricted | $46,250 |
| Mass Mentoring Partnership Boston, MA | Charitable Contribution Unrestricted | $40,000 |
| Cristo Rey Boston High School Boston, MA | Charitable Contribution Unrestricted | $25,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Kelly Family Foundation Inc?
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 | $22,046,705 | $1,388,540 | $1,646,824 | $1,371,250 | 36 | $1,499,275 | $1,275,713 | $1,164,689 |
| 2023 | $22,321,470 | $731,673 | $2,107,958 | $1,835,205 | 34 | $1,965,457 | $603,514 | $1,134,102 |
| 2022 | $23,710,306 | $420,553 | $1,211,117 | $835,185 | 34 | $993,678 | $501,272 | $1,199,491 |
| 2021 | $24,498,805 | $2,942,680 | $1,472,283 | $1,192,675 | 33 | $1,323,183 | $2,802,709 | $1,354,797 |
| 2020 | $23,058,015 | $883,062 | $1,653,588 | $1,355,000 | 47 | — | $744,018 | $1,228,487 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Kelly Family Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $1.2M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation describes its mission as supporting organizations that foster education, mentoring relationships, welfare, and the arts for young people in Greater Boston. Its 2024 grants included organizations whose own missions address student literacy, mentoring, and services for youth facing risks such as homelessness or foster care. For example, The Learning Alliance says it works to improve student literacy by equipping educators to teach children to read, while Mass Mentoring Partnership says it seeks quality mentoring relationships for every young person in Massachusetts.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 36 grants totaling $1,371,250. Grant amounts ranged from $5,000 to $530,000, with a median of $15,000. Its largest grants included $530,000 to Camp Harbor View, $100,000 to Boys & Girls Club Boston, $80,000 to Mass General Hospital for Children, and $75,000 to Catholic Schools Foundation - Inner City Scholarship Fund. Each was listed as an unrestricted charitable contribution.
The foundation’s grant program description says grants support operations for organizations providing direct services close to the need, and identifies Eastern and Central Massachusetts as eligible areas. It gives an award range of $15,000–$15,000 and says no annual grant should exceed 5% of an organization’s total budget. The program description encourages multi-year plans. The description identifies the program as active and was last updated December 26, 2025.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Sonja Kelly as president, Deborah M. Kelly as treasurer and director, and Edmund F. Kelly as clerk and director.
Kelly Family Foundation Inc is led by Sonja Kelly, President on every filing since 2020; none of the 3 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Sonja Kelly
President
On filings since 2020
25 hrs/week
$86K (2020) → $0 (2024)
Deborah M. Kelly
Treasurer & Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Edmund F. Kelly
Clerk & Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
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.
Compensation Overview
From 2023 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2023 filing was $95K, to Sonja Kelly (President).
Frequently asked questions about Kelly Family Foundation Inc
How much does Kelly Family Foundation Inc give each year?
Kelly Family Foundation Inc gave $1.4M across 36 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $1.8M across 34 grants.
What is Kelly Family Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
Kelly Family Foundation Inc's median grant in 2024 was $15,000, and its average grant was $38,090, across 36 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Kelly Family Foundation Inc that year got $11K on average.
Where does Kelly Family Foundation Inc give grants?
Kelly Family Foundation Inc gives mostly in Massachusetts: 96% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Boston, MA (14 grants), Jamaica Plain, MA (4 grants), Braintree, MA (3 grants) and Roxbury, MA (2 grants).
Does Kelly Family Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Kelly Family Foundation Inc's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (36 of 36) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Kelly Family Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
Kelly Family Foundation Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Camp Harbor View ($530,000), Boys & Girls Club Boston ($100,000) and Mass General Hospital for Children ($80,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 52% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Kelly Family Foundation Inc?
Kelly Family Foundation Inc reported $22.0M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $1.5M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $1.2M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Kelly Family Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation describes its mission as supporting organizations that foster education, mentoring relationships, welfare, and the arts for young people in Greater Boston. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Kelly Family Foundation Inc?
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds; it states that it contributes only to preselected charitable organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Kelly Family Foundation Inc's EIN?
Kelly Family Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 27-1510984. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Kelly Family Foundation Inc 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 October 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Kelly Family Foundation Inc'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 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
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
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
Highland Street Connection
Newton, MA
Highland Street Foundation funds programs supporting children and families, including education, youth mentoring, housing, health care, the environment, and the arts, primarily in Massachusetts, with some support in California and elsewhere. Its 2024 grants ranged from $400 to $100,000, with a median of $5,000. It does not accept unsolicited requests; eligible organizations may submit a letter of inquiry after completing its online eligibility quiz.
Assets
$60.4M
Grants
410
Total Given
$4.4M
Yawkey Foundation II
Westwood, MA
Yawkey Foundation II funds youth enrichment, housing and homelessness services, education and skills building, hunger relief, and baseball education and outreach, primarily in Massachusetts, with some giving in New York. Its 2024 grants ranged from $2,250 to $2.5 million, with a median of $35,000. It directs applicants to review its online grant guidelines, but whether it accepts unsolicited requests is not stated.
Assets
$467.4M
Grants
166
Total Given
$19.1M
Amelia Peabody Charitable Fund Trust
Boston, MA
This fund supports Massachusetts nonprofits in medicine, social welfare, visual arts, historic preservation, and land conservation, but only for capital projects and purchases. In 2024, grants ranged from $15,000 to $4 million, with a median of $90,000. It invites applications from eligible organizations through its application process.
Assets
$121.5M
Grants
54
Total Given
$15.2M
More similar funders
More Funders in Massachusetts
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Kelly Family Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 5, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/kelly-family-foundation-inc-morg_2ff3aeff96024403ab407808caa0578b
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_271510984_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Kelly Family Foundation Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/kelly-family-foundation-inc-morg_2ff3aeff96024403ab407808caa0578b},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-05. 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 Kelly Family Foundation Inc'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.
Kelly Family Foundation Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?