Lincoln & Therese Filene Foundation Inc
The Lincoln & Therese Filene Foundation is a private foundation based in Boston, Massachusetts, established in 1937. It makes grants to tax-exempt organizations serving individuals and localities, with a stated focus on civic education, community education, human development and self-sufficiency, and music education and performance.
Lincoln & Therese Filene Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: Lincoln & Therese Filene Foundation Inc gave $1.5M across 47 grants in 2024 (avg $32K), top state Massachusetts. 23% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,495,570
- +3.3% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 47
- +4.4% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $31,821
- -1.1% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $15,000
- Total assets
- $16,916,082
- +12.7% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 23% first-time grantees (11 of 47, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Massachusetts (43% 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 Lincoln & Therese Filene Foundation Inc
- How to Apply
-
The foundation’s website directs applicants to apply and says applications are reviewed by a program committee, which makes recommendations to the Board of Directors. The 2024 filing says guidelines are available by request. The website states that applications must be from eligible 501(c)(3) organizations and lists the restrictions described above.
- Review Cycle
- The stated deadlines are March 1 and September 1. Both 2026 dates have passed. The website says the Board usually meets in May and November, and reports are due March 1 and September 1.
- Deadline
- The stated deadlines are March 1 and September 1.
- Contact
Application contact: Dana Karlsson
Mailing address: C/O Nutter Mcclennen Fish Llp 155, Seaport Blvd, Boston, MA 02110
Phone: (617) 439-2995
Website: https://filenefoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Lincoln & Therese Filene Foundation Inc
Who Lincoln & Therese Filene Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts ($550K). Together the top 10 received $975K.
Grant Size Distribution
247 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 235 grants of 247 (95%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s website says grants are made primarily to organizations and institutions in the Greater Boston area. Its 2024 filing states that grants are limited to New England in civic education, human development, broadcasting, and performing arts. In 2024, reported grant dollars went to recipients in Massachusetts (43%), Virginia (38%), New York (14%), California (1%), and Connecticut (1%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 47 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Lincoln & Therese Filene Foundation Inc open to new grantees?
23%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 11 of 47 grantees (23%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $16K; repeat grants $37K. How we count
Medians: $15K first-time, $18K repeat.
- 68% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 41% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 115% 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 $1.1M (2021) to $2.1M (2022). In 2024 it made 47 grants totaling $1.5M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts Vienna, VA | Building project; wolf trap opera, filene artist residence, wto career grants, institute for early learning through the arts, Virginia expansion:teaching artist training and recruitment | $550,000 |
| Skidmore College Saratoga Springs, NY | Filene Music Program | $175,000 |
| Student Clinic for Immigrant Justice Boston, MA | Expanding Access to Justice in Boston | $40,000 |
| The Neighborhood Developers Inc Chelsea, MA | Connect One-on-One Financial and Employment Coaching Program | $40,000 |
| Jewish Vocational Services Boston, MA | Nurses Aid and Pharmacy Technician Training Programs | $35,000 |
| Found in Translation Boston, MA | Language Access Fellowship | $30,000 |
| Meryl's Safe Haven Inc Worcester, MA | To Support Meryl's Safe Haven Inc. | $30,000 |
| Bill of Rights Institute Arlington, VA | Professional Development for Boston Area Teachers | $25,000 |
| Friends of the Children-Boston Boston, MA | Professional Mentoring for High-Risk Youth | $25,000 |
| Ria House Inc Framingham, MA | Clinical Therapy Services for Human Trafficking Survivors | $25,000 |
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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 | $16,916,082 | $3,727,475 | $1,820,565 | $1,495,570 | 47 | $1,634,632 | $3,607,082 | $1,421,823 |
| 2023 | $15,009,172 | $2,681,164 | $1,864,582 | $1,447,800 | 45 | $1,612,030 | $2,501,257 | $1,334,978 |
| 2022 | $14,182,622 | $1,770,847 | $2,515,684 | $2,114,500 | 51 | $2,295,561 | $1,557,268 | $1,399,921 |
| 2021 | $14,927,459 | $1,376,248 | $1,301,007 | $1,059,500 | 49 | $1,134,551 | $1,185,834 | $1,509,405 |
| 2020 | $14,852,218 | $1,961,776 | $1,396,222 | $1,175,100 | 55 | — | $2,041,439 | $1,242,890 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Lincoln & Therese Filene Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $1.4M 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’s stated focus areas include civic education, community education, human development and self-sufficiency, and music education and performance. Its website’s Civic Education Committee considers programs that reinforce the values, responsibilities, privileges, and opportunities of American citizenship for natural-born and immigrant populations, including teacher and student-leader education. The website describes Human Development and Self Sufficiency grants as supporting pathways for disadvantaged people to become self-sufficient and productive community members; examples include services for survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking, homelessness prevention, job training, and programs for youth.
The 2024 filing identifies New England grantmaking in civic education, human development, broadcasting, and performing arts. The foundation’s website says it funds nonprofits with 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status and does not support individuals, organizations without that status, lobbying, religious or political groups, capital campaigns, or general operating costs.
Examples of supported organizations illustrate the range of work represented among grantees. The Student Clinic for Immigrant Justice describes its mission as providing legal representation for asylum seekers while training college students as immigration advocates. Found in Translation says it helps homeless and low-income multilingual women achieve economic security through their language skills and works to reduce disparities in health care. Friends of the Children–Boston describes its work as supporting youth facing significant obstacles through long-term professional mentoring.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 47 grants totaling $1,495,570. Grant amounts ranged from $5,000 to $550,000, with a median of $15,000. The website says awards are generally in the $10,000–$20,000 range.
The largest 2024 grants included $550,000 to Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts for a building project and several performing arts and training initiatives, and $175,000 to Skidmore College for its Filene Music Program. Other grants included $40,000 each to Student Clinic for Immigrant Justice for expanding access to justice in Boston and The Neighborhood Developers for its one-on-one financial and employment coaching program; $35,000 to Jewish Vocational Services for nurse’s aide and pharmacy technician training; and $30,000 to Found in Translation for a language access fellowship.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Officers and directors listed on the 2024 filing are Gillian Lautenbach, president; Heather C. Sears, vice president; Deborah Manus, treasurer/secretary; and J. Scott Ladd, assistant treasurer.
Lincoln & Therese Filene Foundation Inc is led by Gillian Lautenbach, President since 2023 (on filings since 2020); none of the 4 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Gillian Lautenbach
President
Vice President → President, 2023
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
J. Scott Ladd
Assistant Treasurer
Assistant Secretary → Assistant Treasurer, 2021
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Deborah Manus
Treasurer & Secretary
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Heather C. Sears
Vice President
On filings since 2023
No compensation reported
Former officers (2)
- Former: Jason D. Hill (2020–2022) — President
- Former: Peter R. Brown (2020) — Treasurer & Secretary
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 Lincoln & Therese Filene Foundation Inc
How much does Lincoln & Therese Filene Foundation Inc give each year?
Lincoln & Therese Filene Foundation Inc gave $1.5M across 47 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $1.4M across 45 grants.
What is Lincoln & Therese Filene Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
Lincoln & Therese Filene Foundation Inc's median grant in 2024 was $15,000, and its average grant was $31,821, across 47 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Lincoln & Therese Filene Foundation Inc that year got $16K on average.
Where does Lincoln & Therese Filene Foundation Inc give grants?
Lincoln & Therese Filene Foundation Inc's top state is Massachusetts, with 43% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were Virginia (38%) and New York (14%). The most frequent recipient cities were Boston, MA (18 grants), Lawrence, MA (3 grants) and Roxbury, MA (2 grants).
Does Lincoln & Therese Filene Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Occasionally: 2% of Lincoln & Therese Filene Foundation Inc's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (1 of 47) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Lincoln & Therese Filene Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
Lincoln & Therese Filene Foundation Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts ($550,000), Skidmore College ($175,000) and Student Clinic for Immigrant Justice ($40,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 51% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Lincoln & Therese Filene Foundation Inc?
Lincoln & Therese Filene Foundation Inc reported $16.9M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $1.6M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $1.4M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Lincoln & Therese Filene Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation’s stated focus areas include civic education, community education, human development and self-sufficiency, and music education and performance. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Lincoln & Therese Filene Foundation Inc?
The foundation’s website directs applicants to apply and says applications are reviewed by a program committee, which makes recommendations to the Board of Directors. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Lincoln & Therese Filene Foundation Inc's EIN?
Lincoln & Therese Filene Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 23-7423946. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Lincoln & Therese Filene Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 26, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/lincoln-and-therese-filene-foundation-inc-morg_a0019c3d4b3e48e9b656692c18439275
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_237423946_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Lincoln \& Therese Filene Foundation Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/lincoln-and-therese-filene-foundation-inc-morg_a0019c3d4b3e48e9b656692c18439275},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-26. 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 Lincoln & Therese Filene 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.
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