Make Waves Family Foundation Inc
Make Waves Family Foundation Inc is a private foundation based in Boston, Massachusetts. Its stated mission is to empower individuals to live healthy, safe and supported lives in thriving communities, with primary initiatives focused on the Autism community, women’s health and humanitarian aid.
Make Waves Family Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: Make Waves Family Foundation Inc gave $751K across 18 grants in 2024 (avg $42K), top state Florida. 6% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $751,429
- +10.8% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 18
- -18.2% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $41,746
- +35.4% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $4,321,880
- +12.8% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 6% first-time grantees (1 of 18, 2024; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Florida (38% 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 Make Waves Family Foundation Inc
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations.
- Contact
Mailing address: PO Box 962049, Boston, MA 02196
Phone: (617) 765-2100
Website: https://makewaves.blue
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Make Waves Family Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Els for Autism Foundation ($280K). Together the top 10 received $713K.
Grant Size Distribution
89 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 78 grants of 89 (88%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation is based in Boston and its 2024 grants went to organizations in multiple states. By grant dollars, the largest recipient-state shares were Florida (38%), Arizona (27%), Maryland (10%), Oregon (9%) and California (6%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 18 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Make Waves Family Foundation Inc open to new grantees?
6%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 1 of 18 grantees (6%) were first-time recipients. With only 18 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 6 points. First grants averaged $12K; repeat grants $43K. How we count
Medians: $12K first-time, $10K repeat.
- 89% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 55% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 98% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. 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 $347K (2020) to $751K (2024). In 2024 it made 18 grants totaling $751K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Els for Autism Foundation Jupiter, FL | General Support | $280,300 |
| First Place Arizona Phoenix, AZ | General Support | $200,000 |
| Autism Society of America Rockville, MD | General Support | $75,300 |
| La Paz Global Beaverton, OR | General Support | $60,000 |
| Autism Society Inland Empire Inc Corona, CA | General Support | $45,000 |
| The Iris Fund New York, NY | General Support | $12,000 |
| Massachusetts General Hospital Boston, MA | General Support | $10,000 |
| Feeding America Chicago, IL | General Support | $10,000 |
| Postpartum Support International Portland, OR | General Support | $10,000 |
| Michael J Fox Foundation for Parkinsons Research New York, NY | General Support | $10,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Make Waves 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 | $4,321,880 | $1,376,577 | $879,087 | $751,429 | 18 | $802,366 | $1,263,751 | $819,944 |
| 2023 | $3,832,632 | $375,730 | $796,205 | $678,230 | 22 | $730,983 | $286,411 | $715,378 |
| 2022 | $4,254,380 | $578,086 | $778,807 | $652,490 | 18 | $706,196 | $339,756 | $692,961 |
| 2021 | $4,555,299 | $947,970 | $606,167 | $485,598 | 8 | $539,230 | $347,256 | $729,708 |
| 2020 | $4,606,026 | $684,820 | $448,098 | $347,130 | 23 | — | $128,792 | $515,483 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Make Waves Family Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $820K 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 says it supports organizations working to expand resources and opportunities for the Autism community, advance women’s healthcare, and respond to global disasters, famine and conflict. It also describes work in education, including scholarships and efforts to strengthen therapeutic staff and inclusive classrooms.
Grantees’ stated missions illustrate the range of organizations receiving support. Els for Autism Foundation says its mission is to transform the lives of people with autism and those who care for them through lifetime services and collaborative partnerships. The Autism Society of America says it seeks to help individuals and families living with autism maximize quality of life, receive dignity and have their talents valued. La Paz Global says it supports learning communities that promote shared humanity and a more connected, compassionate world. Autism Society Inland Empire says it raises awareness, advocates for services and provides information on treatment, education, research, support and advocacy.
Other supported organizations include The Iris Fund, whose stated focus includes research into the triggers of labor in full-term pregnancies and preventing preterm birth, and Postpartum Support International, which promotes awareness, prevention and treatment of mental health issues related to childbearing. Feeding America says it works to ensure equitable access to nutritious food, while Amigos of Costa Rica says it connects global resources to Costa Rican organizations.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the foundation reported 18 grants totaling $751,429. Grant amounts ranged from $2,000 to $280,300, with a median grant of $10,000. The largest grants included:
The foundation’s website describes a five-year, $1 million commitment to the First Place Global Leadership Institute to create the Make Waves Center for Community Development, intended to support replicable, sustainable housing and community options. It also describes support for Els for Autism’s U Can Employ initiative and sponsorship of law-enforcement training led by Autism Society of Inland Empire.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Kristyn J. Roth as president; Henry M. Roth as treasurer, clerk and director; and Donna J. Roth as director. The foundation’s website identifies Donna Roth as its founder and director, and describes Kristyn Roth as a nonprofit leader and advocate whose work includes autism advocacy and women’s health.
Make Waves Family Foundation Inc is led by Kristyn J. Roth, President on every filing since 2020; none of the 3 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Kristyn J. Roth
President
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Donna J. Roth
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Henry M. Roth
Treasurer, Clerk & Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/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 Make Waves Family Foundation Inc
How much does Make Waves Family Foundation Inc give each year?
Make Waves Family Foundation Inc gave $751K across 18 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $678K across 22 grants.
What is Make Waves Family Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
Make Waves Family Foundation Inc's median grant in 2024 was $10,000, and its average grant was $41,746, across 18 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Make Waves Family Foundation Inc that year got $12K on average.
Where does Make Waves Family Foundation Inc give grants?
Make Waves Family Foundation Inc's top state is Florida, with 38% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were Arizona (27%) and Maryland (10%). The most frequent recipient cities were New York, NY (3 grants).
Does Make Waves Family Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Make Waves Family Foundation Inc's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (18 of 18) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Make Waves Family Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
Make Waves Family Foundation Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Els for Autism Foundation ($280,300), First Place Arizona ($200,000) and Autism Society of America ($75,300), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 74% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Make Waves Family Foundation Inc?
Make Waves Family Foundation Inc reported $4.3M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $802K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $820K (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does Make Waves Family Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation says it supports organizations working to expand resources and opportunities for the Autism community, advance women’s healthcare, and respond to global disasters, famine and conflict. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Make Waves Family Foundation Inc?
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Make Waves Family Foundation Inc's EIN?
Make Waves Family Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 26-0379241. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Make Waves 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 September 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). Make Waves Family Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 17, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/make-waves-family-foundation-inc-morg_fcef481a247842c6b8b474c3b64e7224
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_260379241_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Make Waves Family Foundation Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/make-waves-family-foundation-inc-morg_fcef481a247842c6b8b474c3b64e7224},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-17. 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 Make Waves 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.
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