Limestone Foundation

Private foundation · Grantmaker Boston, MA EIN: 47-7017224

Limestone Foundation is a private foundation based in Boston, Massachusetts. In 2024, it made grants to organizations working on public policy, economic security, civic engagement, and equity, among other areas described by those grantees.

Limestone Foundation at a glance

In short: Limestone Foundation gave $2.5M across 29 grants in 2024 (avg $85K), top state District of Columbia. 3% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.

Annual giving (2024)
$2,470,000
-24.5% vs 2023
Grants made (2024)
29
-29.3% vs 2023
Average grant
$85,172
+6.8% vs 2023
Median grant
$50,000
Total assets
$46,235,005
+12.5% vs 2023
New grantees (estimate)
3% first-time grantees (1 of 29, 2024)
Primary geography
District of Columbia (31% 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 Limestone Foundation

Accepts unsolicited proposals
No
How to Apply

The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.

Contact

Mailing address: Goulston Storrs 1 Post Office, Boston, MA 02109-2115
Phone: (617) 482-1776

Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.

Who Limestone Foundation funds

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2024

Center on Budget and Policy Priorities: $505KCenter on Budget and PolicyPriorities$505KNew Mexico Voices for Children: $300KNew Mexico Voices for Children$300KKentucky Center for Economic Policy Inc: $275KKentucky Center for EconomicPolicy Inc$275KKentucky Civic Engagement Table Inc: $150KKentucky Civic EngagementTable Inc$150KKentucky Coalition Inc: $150KKentucky Coalition Inc$150KState Power Fund: $150KState Power Fund$150KHopewell Fund: $75KHopewell Fund$75KMontana Budget and Policy Center: $75KMontana Budget and PolicyCenter$75KNational Association for the Advancement of Colored People: $75KNational Association for theAdvancement of Colored People$75KNeo Philanthropy Inc: $75KNeo Philanthropy Inc$75K

The largest 2024 recipient was Center on Budget and Policy Priorities ($505K). Together the top 10 received $1.8M.

Grant Size Distribution

171 grants across all recorded years

76<$50K54$50–100K28$100–250K11$250–500K2$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

The most common grant size was under $50K: 76 grants of 171 (44%).

Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

In 2024, the largest shares of grant dollars by recipient state went to organizations in DC (31%), Kentucky (24%), and New Mexico (12%). Other leading recipient states were Ohio (6%) and New York (4%).

Grant Distribution by State

23states

Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 29 itemized grants.

Cities

WashingtonNew YorkLouisvilleBostonBrooklineAtlantaBereaCharlestonHelenaNewtonPhoenixSasserRichmondSan FranciscoTulsaYoungstownAnchorageDorcesterTopekaAlbuquerque

Is Limestone Foundation open to new grantees?

3%

first-time grantees, 2024

In 2024, 1 of 29 grantees (3%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $275K; repeat grants $78K. How we count

Medians: $275K first-time, $50K repeat.

  • 90% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
  • Giving grew 26% from 2021 to 2024. Method
  • In 2024 it paid out 101% 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

$0$1M$2M$3M$4M38 grants2020 32 grants2021 31 grants2022 41 grants2023 29 grants2024

From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $2.0M (2021) to $3.6M (2020). In 2024 it made 29 grants totaling $2.5M.

Grants by year

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
Center on Budget and Policy Priorities Washington, DCGreenstein Fund for a Just Future$505,000
New Mexico Voices for Children Albuquerque, NMGeneral Operating Support$300,000
Kentucky Center for Economic Policy Inc Berea, KYGeneral Operations$275,000
Kentucky Civic Engagement Table Inc Louisville, KYGeneral Operating Support$150,000
Kentucky Coalition Inc Sasser, KYGeneral Operations$150,000
State Power Fund Youngstown, OHGeneral Operating Support$150,000
Hopewell Fund Washington, DCMovement Cooperation$75,000
Montana Budget and Policy Center Helena, MTGeneral Operating Support$75,000
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People Baltimore, MDGeneral Operating Support$75,000
Neo Philanthropy Inc New York, NYGeneral Operating Support$75,000
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Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Figures from IRS filings, by filing year
Filing yearTotal AssetsRevenueExpensesGrants paidGrantsQualifying DistributionsNet Investment IncomeDistributable Amount
2024$46,235,005$8,564,016$3,408,853$2,470,00029$2,834,337$7,972,219$2,794,930
2023$41,079,842$2,707,498$4,279,740$3,270,00041$3,626,710$2,121,245$2,732,378
2022$42,653,769$1,259,161$3,047,964$2,105,00031$2,425,058$746,787$2,899,014
2021$44,440,887$5,913,080$2,975,693$1,960,00032$2,203,530$5,224,605$2,992,597
2020$41,503,500$3,099,028$4,470,124$3,568,50038—$2,598,671$2,555,729

Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Limestone Foundation reported a distributable amount of $2.8M 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

No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants included support for organizations whose own stated missions include policy research and advocacy, grassroots organizing, civic engagement, and equity work. For example, the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities says it promotes public understanding and analyzes government programs and policies affecting low- and moderate-income people. New Mexico Voices for Children says it works to improve children’s and families’ well-being and racial and ethnic equity through research and policy advocacy.

Grantmaking

In 2024, the foundation made 29 grants totaling $2,470,000. Grant amounts ranged from $5,000 to $505,000, with a median grant of $50,000. Several of the largest grants were designated for general operating support or general operations.

Notable 2024 grants included $505,000 to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities; $300,000 to New Mexico Voices for Children; $275,000 to the Kentucky Center for Economic Policy; and $150,000 each to Kentucky Civic Engagement Table, Kentucky Coalition, and State Power Fund. The foundation also awarded $75,000 to the Alluvial Collective.

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

The 2024 filing lists Elizabeth Deknatel, Maria Deknatel, Gabriel Deknatel, Alan Rottenberg, and David Wood as trustees.

Limestone Foundation's 2024 filing lists 5 officers; none of the 5 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.

Officers on the 2024 filing

  • Alan Rottenberg

    Trustee

    On filings since 2020

    2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • David Wood

    Trustee

    On filings since 2020

    2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Elizabeth Deknatel

    Trustee

    On filings since 2020

    2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Gabriel Deknatel

    Trustee

    On filings since 2020

    2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Maria Deknatel

    Trustee

    On filings since 2020

    2 hrs/week

    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.

Frequently asked questions about Limestone Foundation

How much does Limestone Foundation give each year?

Limestone Foundation gave $2.5M across 29 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $3.3M across 41 grants.

What is Limestone Foundation's typical grant size?

Limestone Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $50,000, and its average grant was $85,172, across 29 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Limestone Foundation that year got $275K on average.

Where does Limestone Foundation give grants?

Limestone Foundation's top state is District of Columbia, with 31% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were Kentucky (24%) and New Mexico (12%). The most frequent recipient cities were Washington, DC (5 grants), Louisville, KY (3 grants), New York, NY (3 grants) and Brookline, MA (2 grants).

Does Limestone Foundation give general operating support?

Yes: 86% of Limestone Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (25 of 29) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.

Who are Limestone Foundation's largest grantees?

Limestone Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Center on Budget and Policy Priorities ($505,000), New Mexico Voices for Children ($300,000) and Kentucky Center for Economic Policy Inc ($275,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 44% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.

How large is Limestone Foundation?

Limestone Foundation reported $46.2M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $2.8M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $2.8M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).

What does Limestone Foundation fund?

No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants included support for organizations whose own stated missions include policy research and advocacy, grassroots organizing, civic engagement, and equity work. See mission & focus areas ↑

How do I apply for a grant from Limestone Foundation?

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 Limestone Foundation's EIN?

Limestone Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 47-7017224. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.

Does Limestone 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

(1)

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

  1. IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024

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Cite this profile

Grantable. (2026). Limestone Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 12, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/limestone-foundation-morg_c246e346d06e4dc5898ab017d9551f89

BibTeX
@misc{grantable_477017224_2026,
  author       = {{Grantable}},
  title        = {{Limestone Foundation funder profile}},
  howpublished = {GrantGraph},
  year         = {2026},
  url          = {https://grantable.co/funders/limestone-foundation-morg_c246e346d06e4dc5898ab017d9551f89},
  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 Limestone 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.

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