Lawrence & Lillian Solomon
The Lawrence and Lillian Solomon Foundation is a private foundation based in Wellesley, Massachusetts. Founded in 2005, it supports projects that enhance public parks and greenways, with an emphasis on connecting people to open spaces and helping promising projects move toward implementation.
Lawrence & Lillian Solomon at a glance
In short: Lawrence & Lillian Solomon gave $522K across 46 grants in 2024 (avg $11K), mostly in Massachusetts. 45% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $521,641
- -11.1% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 46
- -54.5% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $11,340
- +95.2% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $1,000
- Total assets
- $6,851,188
- -3.5% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 45% first-time grantees (18 of 40, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Massachusetts (97% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Lawrence & Lillian Solomon
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Its stated process centers on collaboration: partners develop a shared vision, test feasibility through analysis and early design studies, and work to identify and address barriers. The foundation describes support for planning, design, technical assistance, and public engagement; it does not list application materials or a deadline.
- Contact
Mailing address: 10 Laurel Avenue, Wellesley, MA 02481
Phone: (781) 431-1440
Website: https://www.solomonfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Lawrence & Lillian Solomon funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Barr Foundation ($309K). Together the top 10 received $493K.
Grant Size Distribution
304 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 299 grants of 304 (98%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation states that its technical assistance and grantmaking generally focus on the Greater Boston region within Interstate 128, and that it works on public green-space projects in dense urban communities in Massachusetts. In 2024, 97% of grant dollars went to recipients in Massachusetts and 2% to recipients in North Carolina.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 46 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Lawrence & Lillian Solomon open to new grantees?
45%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 18 of 40 grantees (45%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $22K; repeat grants $5K. How we count
Medians: $1K first-time, $1K repeat.
- 50% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 55% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 215% 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 $337K (2021) to $587K (2023). In 2024 it made 46 grants totaling $522K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Barr Foundation Boston, MA | Fulfill Charitable Purposes | $308,958 |
| Esplande Association Boston, MA | Fulfill Charitable Purpose | $50,000 |
| Mass Parks for All Jamaica Plain, MA | Fulfill Charitable Purpose | $25,000 |
| Mass Parks for All Jamaica Plain, MA | Fulfill Charitable Purpose | $25,000 |
| Mystic River Watershed Association Arlington, MA | Fulfill Charitable Purpose | $25,000 |
| Center for Independent Documentary Newton, MA | Fulfill Charitable Purpose | $10,000 |
| Henry Lee Fund for Boston Parks Boston, MA | Fulfill Charitable Purpose | $10,000 |
| Community Foundation of Western NC Asheville, NC | Fulfill Charitable Purpose | $10,000 |
| Esplande Association Boston, MA | Fulfill Charitable Purpose | $6,400 |
| Friends of Herter Park Boston, MA | Fulfill Charitable Purpose | $5,000 |
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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 | $6,851,188 | $675,060 | $914,343 | $521,641 | 46 | $699,620 | $227,288 | $324,751 |
| 2023 | $7,097,554 | $670,667 | $1,067,648 | $586,770 | 101 | $821,250 | $272,308 | $320,804 |
| 2022 | $7,494,535 | $1,429,138 | $1,012,332 | $357,741 | 53 | $645,269 | $902,258 | $335,057 |
| 2021 | $7,077,729 | $706,688 | $1,392,397 | $336,945 | 43 | $675,229 | $280,909 | $407,412 |
| 2020 | $7,666,927 | $1,210,914 | $1,285,152 | $451,690 | 61 | — | $142,531 | $399,803 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Lawrence & Lillian Solomon reported a distributable amount of $325K for 2024 — 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’s mission is to provide a complete and connected network of beautiful parks and greenways connecting people to open spaces. It focuses its technical assistance and grantmaking within the Greater Boston region, generally bounded by Interstate 128, and describes three funding areas: preliminary design studies for specific projects; general operating support for a limited number of organizations providing regional leadership in greenway planning and design; and public engagement strategies such as pilots, surveys, and civic gatherings.
The foundation seeks partnerships with grassroots community groups, neighborhood associations, municipalities, regional and state agencies, and local and regional nonprofits. Its stated project criteria include contributing to a network of paths and parks, serving diverse users and dense neighborhoods in need of open space, fitting a broader regional plan, and being able to obtain necessary permits.
Its grantees include organizations whose own missions focus on parks, trails, and public access. For example, Friends of Herter Park says it works to enhance community spaces in Herter Park as cultural and recreational resources; the Emerald Necklace Conservancy says it works to restore and improve the Emerald Necklace for all; and the Weston Forest and Trail Association says it maintains public hiking trails and land for conservation, scientific, and educational purposes.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 46 grants totaling $521,641. The median grant was $1,000, and individual grants ranged from $31 to $308,958. The largest grants included $308,958 to the Barr Foundation, $50,000 to the Esplanade Association, two grants of $25,000 each to Mass Parks for All, and $25,000 to the Mystic River Watershed Association. The reported purpose for these grants was “fulfill charitable purposes.”
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists David Solomon as director and Herbert Nolan as executive director. The foundation’s website identifies David Solomon as president and says he and Herb Nolan launched the foundation in 2005.
Lawrence & Lillian Solomon is led by Herbert Nolan, Executive Director on every filing since 2020; all 2 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Herbert Nolan
Executive Director
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$160K (2020) → $186K (2024)
David Solomon
Director
On filings since 2020
20 hrs/week
$15K (2020) → $16K (2024)
Former officers (1)
- Former: Betty Jane Krintzman (2020–2022) — Assistant Director
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 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $186K, to Herbert Nolan (Executive Director). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Lawrence & Lillian Solomon
How much does Lawrence & Lillian Solomon give each year?
Lawrence & Lillian Solomon gave $522K across 46 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $587K across 101 grants.
What is Lawrence & Lillian Solomon's typical grant size?
Lawrence & Lillian Solomon's median grant in 2024 was $1,000, and its average grant was $11,340, across 46 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Lawrence & Lillian Solomon that year got $22K on average.
Where does Lawrence & Lillian Solomon give grants?
Lawrence & Lillian Solomon gives mostly in Massachusetts: 97% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Boston, MA (13 grants), Jamaica Plain, MA (4 grants), Brookline, MA (3 grants) and New York, NY (3 grants).
Who are Lawrence & Lillian Solomon's largest grantees?
Lawrence & Lillian Solomon's largest 2024 grantees include Barr Foundation ($308,958), Esplande Association ($56,400 across 2 grants) and Mass Parks for All ($52,000 across 3 grants), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 80% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Lawrence & Lillian Solomon?
Lawrence & Lillian Solomon reported $6.9M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $700K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $325K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Lawrence & Lillian Solomon fund?
The foundation’s mission is to provide a complete and connected network of beautiful parks and greenways connecting people to open spaces. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Lawrence & Lillian Solomon?
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Lawrence & Lillian Solomon's EIN?
Lawrence & Lillian Solomon's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-2631943. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Lawrence & Lillian Solomon accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS September 14, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 11, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 11, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 14, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS February 20, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Lawrence & Lillian Solomon funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 16, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/lawrence-and-lillian-solomon-morg_264849f9f62747dab145b288ad81a6c7
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_202631943_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Lawrence \& Lillian Solomon funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/lawrence-and-lillian-solomon-morg_264849f9f62747dab145b288ad81a6c7},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-16. 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 Lawrence & Lillian Solomon'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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