Lincoln & Therese Filene Foundation Inc
The Lincoln & Therese Filene Foundation is a private family foundation established in 1937 in Boston, Massachusetts. Founded by Lincoln and Therese Filene, innovators in Boston's early philanthropic community, the foundation has maintained a tradition of family philanthropy spanning five generations. The foundation makes grants to tax-exempt organizations and institutions that provide services to individuals and localities, with a primary focus on the Greater Boston region and some consideration given to other New England-based programs.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$16.9M
+12.7% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.5M
+3.3% YoY
Grant Count
47
+4.4% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$32K
-1.1% YoY
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.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Foundation's major goals are:
- To enable those who are disadvantaged to help themselves and others
- To reduce social conflicts and create harmonious communities
- To encourage informed civic participation on local, state, and regional levels
- To promote participation in the performing arts
The foundation focuses on four specific program areas:
- Civic Education — Supporting informed civic participation and community engagement
- Human Development and Self-Sufficiency — Programs enabling disadvantaged individuals to help themselves and others
- Music and Performing Arts Education — Supporting participation in the performing arts
- Citizenship and Public Education — Promoting engaged and educated citizens
Grantmaking
The foundation accepts grant applications through an online application portal. Current grantees should note that the application system has transitioned to a new site, requiring returning organizations to create new accounts for 2025 applications. Historical files remain accessible via the previous site through December 31, 2025.
How to Apply
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily supports nonprofit organizations in Massachusetts, with a focus on the Greater Boston region. Some consideration is given to other New England-based programs.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
2023 Financial Data:
- Total Assets: $15,009,172
- Total Revenue: $2,680,000
- Total Expenses: $1,860,000
- Total Liabilities: $0
- Total Giving: $1,447,800
Tax-Exempt Status: Tax-exempt since May 1940 (IRS ruling year: 1940) EIN: 23-7423946
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $16,916,082 | $15,009,172 | $14,182,622 |
| Revenue | $3,727,475 | $2,681,164 | $1,770,847 |
| Expenses | $1,820,565 | $1,864,582 | $2,515,684 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $1,634,632 | $1,612,030 | $2,295,561 |
| Net Investment Income | $3,607,082 | $2,501,257 | $1,557,268 |
| Distributable Amount | $1,421,823 | $1,334,978 | $1,399,921 |
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
241 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Lincoln & Therese Filene Foundation Inc
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts ($550,000), Skidmore College ($175,000), Student Clinic for Immigrant Justice ($40,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 826 BOSTON INC ROXBURY, MA | AMPLIFYING YOUTH VOCIE THROUGH AFTER SCHOOL WRITING AND TUTORING | $12,000 |
| ACHIEVE WASHINGTON, DC | COMMUNITY BUILDING EVENTS SUMMER 2023 | $8,000 |
| ALL NEWTON MUSIC SCHOOL WEST NEWTON, MA | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION TO ALL NEW MUSIC SHCOOL | $6,000 |
| BARD COLLEGE ANNANDALEONHUDSON, NY | CONTRIBUTION FOR LONGY SCHOOL OF MUSIC AT BARD | $10,000 |
| BETH ISRAEL DEACONESS MEDICAL CENTER BOSTON, MA | GENERAL FUND | $5,000 |
| BILL OF RIGHTS INSTITUTE ARLINGTON, VA | PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR BOSTON AREA TEACHERS | $25,000 |
| BOSTON CASA BOSTON, MA | INCREASING BOSTON CASA'S IMPACT ON TRADITIONAL AGED YOUTH | $20,000 |
| BOSTON COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOL BOSTON, MA | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION ENGAGING DIVERSE HS YOUTH AS VOLUNTEERS IN ENGLISH AND CITIZENSHIP CLASSES FOR ADULT IMMIGRANTS | $20,000 |
| BOSTON DAY AND EVENING ACADEMY ROXBURY, MA | TO SUPPORT BOSTON DAY AND EVENING ACADEMY | $15,000 |
| BOSTON LYRIC OPERA BOSTON, MA | CREATE YOUR OWN OPERA | $10,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| GILLIAN LAUTENBACH | PRESIDENT | — | — |
| HEATHER C SEARS | VICE PRESIDENT | — | — |
| DEBORAH MANUS | TREASURER/SECRETARY | — | — |
| J SCOTT LADD | ASSISTANT TREASURER | — | — |
Contact Information
- Website: www.filenefoundation.org
- Phone: 617-439-2498
- Address: PO Box 514, Boston, MA 02205
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Lincoln & Therese Filene Foundation Inc fund?
The Foundation's major goals are: • To enable those who are disadvantaged to help themselves and others • To reduce social conflicts and create harmonious communities • To encourage informed civic participation on local, state, and regional levels • To promote participation in the performing arts The foundation focuses on four specific program areas: 1. **Civic Education** — Supporting informed civic participation and community engagement 2. **Human Development and Self-Sufficiency** — Programs…
How do I apply for a grant from Lincoln & Therese Filene Foundation Inc?
**Grant Activity:** • Total assets: $15,009,172 • Total giving: $1,447,800 (based on most recent IRS 990 filing for 2023) • Funds are largely committed to long-term support of existing projects **Application Process:** The foundation accepts grant applications through an online application portal. Current grantees should note that the application system has transitioned to a new site, requiring returning organizations to create new accounts for 2025 applications. Historical files remain accessi…
Where does Lincoln & Therese Filene Foundation Inc make grants?
The foundation primarily supports nonprofit organizations in Massachusetts, with a focus on the Greater Boston region. Some consideration is given to other New England-based programs.
What size grants does Lincoln & Therese Filene Foundation Inc award?
In 2024, Lincoln & Therese Filene Foundation Inc awarded 47 grants totaling $1.5M — an average of about $32K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Lincoln & Therese Filene Foundation Inc required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Lincoln & Therese Filene Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $1.4M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
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.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Lincoln & Therese Filene Foundation Inc'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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