Massachusetts Bar Foundation Inc
The Massachusetts Bar Foundation Inc is a public charity based in Boston, Massachusetts. Founded in 1964, it funds programs across the Commonwealth that provide civil legal services to low-income people, advance law-related and judicial education, improve the administration of justice, and promote public awareness of the law.
Massachusetts Bar Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: Massachusetts Bar Foundation Inc gave $6.3M across 82 grants in 2024 (avg $77K), mostly in Massachusetts. 18% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $6,341,825
- +83.7% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 82
- +20.6% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $77,339
- +52.3% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $45,000
- Total assets
- $20,312,820
- +40.5% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 18% first-time grantees (15 of 82, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Massachusetts (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Massachusetts Bar Foundation Inc
- How to Apply
-
IOLTA applications and reports are completed through the Foundation’s online grant portal. For special-project funding, contact the Grants Office to discuss eligibility; eligible projects may be invited to submit a one-page letter of inquiry.
- Review Cycle
- The IOLTA grant cycle runs from September 1 through August 31. The application process for the 2027/2028 IOLTA cycle is scheduled to open January 15, 2027.
- Deadline
- The IOLTA grant cycle runs from September 1 through August 31.
- Next open deadline
- March 7, 2027 (Legal Intern Fellowship Program (LIFP))
- Contact
Mailing address: 20 West Street, Boston, MA 02111-1204
Phone: (617) 338-0500
Website: https://massbarfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
4 open opportunities from Massachusetts Bar Foundation Inc
Chief Justice Ralph D. Gants Judicial Scholarship Program
Massachusetts Bar Foundation Inc
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
IOLTA Grants Program
Massachusetts Bar Foundation Inc
Amount
Approximately $6 million - $6.7 million
Deadline
Deadline not published
Legal Intern Fellowship Program (LIFP)
Massachusetts Bar Foundation Inc
Amount
$8,000 per stipend (up to 15 stipends awarded)
Deadline
Expected ~March
Based on past cycles
Who Massachusetts Bar Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Flaschner Judicial Institute ($579K). Together the top 10 received $2.9M.
Grant Size Distribution
332 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 222 grants of 332 (67%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation’s grantmaking supports programs across Massachusetts. In 2024, all reported grant dollars went to Massachusetts recipients. Its website describes its work as reaching every region of the Commonwealth, from Cape Cod to the Berkshires.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 82 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Massachusetts Bar Foundation Inc open to new grantees?
18%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 15 of 82 grantees (18%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $51K; repeat grants $83K. How we count
Medians: $37K first-time, $50K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 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 $2.6M (2020) to $6.3M (2024). In 2024 it made 82 grants totaling $6.3M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Flaschner Judicial Institute Boston, MA | Education Programs and Publications for Judges | $578,900 |
| Greater Boston Legal Services Boston, MA | Various | $452,000 |
| Community Legal Aid Inc Worcester, MA | General Support Grant - Central & Western MA | $400,000 |
| South Coastal Counties Legal Services Fall River, MA | SCCLS General Support Grant | $275,000 |
| University of Massachusetts Dartmouth Dartmouth, MA | Justice Bridge Legal Center | $225,000 |
| Northeast Legal Aid Lawrence, MA | NLA General Support Grant | $214,000 |
| De Novo Center for Justice and Healing Cambridge, MA | General Support Grant | $203,000 |
| Political AsylumImmigration Representation Projec Boston, MA | Various | $191,000 |
| MetroWest Legal Services Framingham, MA | MWLS General Support Grant | $180,000 |
| Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Fall River M Fall River, MA | Immigration Law Programs | $136,764 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $20,312,820 | $10,660,538 | $7,306,050 | $6,341,825 | 82 | $478,402 |
| 2023 | $14,454,668 | $8,597,967 | $4,328,115 | $3,452,012 | 68 | $99,014 |
| 2022 | $9,089,779 | $4,148,301 | $3,188,298 | $2,615,000 | 64 | $111,191 |
| 2021 | $9,097,604 | $2,757,602 | $3,133,358 | $2,607,782 | 58 | $142,975 |
| 2020 | $8,973,230 | $3,507,832 | $2,937,959 | $2,587,554 | 60 | $108,621 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Foundation’s stated mission is to collect and distribute funds to programs throughout Massachusetts that enhance civil legal services for low-income individuals, advance law-related and judicial education, improve the administration of justice, and increase public awareness of the law. Its website also describes a broader commitment to equal access to the legal system and to improving understanding of the law.
IOLTA grants go to Massachusetts nonprofits whose programs provide civil legal services to low-income clients or improve the administration of justice. The 2024 grants included support for organizations providing free civil legal assistance, immigration legal services, and judicial education. For example, Greater Boston Legal Services describes its mission as providing free civil legal assistance to low-income people in metropolitan Boston, while the Flaschner Judicial Institute says it meets the educational needs of new and experienced judges. Community Legal Aid describes its work as providing legal assistance to low-income and elderly people to protect fundamental rights and secure access to basic needs.
The Foundation also describes a Legal Intern Fellowship Program that provides stipends to law students working at qualified nonprofit legal aid organizations, and the Chief Justice Ralph D. Gants Judicial Scholarship Program for Massachusetts law students. Special project funding may support work outside IOLTA eligibility or the traditional grant cycle when it aligns with the Foundation’s mission.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the Foundation reported 82 grants totaling $6,341,825. Grant amounts ranged from $7,500 to $578,900, with a median of $45,000. All reported grant dollars went to recipients in Massachusetts.
Among the largest 2024 grants were $578,900 to the Flaschner Judicial Institute for education programs and publications for judges; $452,000 to Greater Boston Legal Services; $400,000 to Community Legal Aid for general support in Central and Western Massachusetts; $275,000 to South Coastal Counties Legal Services for general support; and $225,000 to the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth for the Justice Bridge Legal Center. Other substantial grants included $214,000 to Northeast Legal Aid, $203,000 to De Novo Center for Justice and Healing, and $191,000 to the Political Asylum/Immigration Representation Project.
The Foundation’s special-project process begins with contacting its Grants Office to discuss a project and determine eligibility. If funding is available and the project is eligible, the applicant may be asked to submit a one-page letter of inquiry for review by the Board of Trustees’ Executive Committee; the committee decides whether to invite a full proposal. The Foundation also welcomes concept papers for innovative or experimental models to deliver civil legal services to underserved communities and improve access to justice.
The Legal Intern Fellowship Program is for law students, not outside organizations seeking grants. It provides stipends of up to $8,000 for volunteer internships of at least 10 continuous full-time weeks between May 1 and September 30 at qualified nonprofit legal aid organizations in Massachusetts. The program offers up to 15 stipends annually. Its listed deadline of March 7, 2027 is in the future.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Susannah Thomas as Executive Director. It lists G Perry Wu as President, Melissa Langa as Vice President, Edward F Dombroski Jr as Treasurer, and Paul J Klehm as Secretary. Trustees listed include Hon Megan H Christopher, Kimberly E Winter, Hon Marguerite T Grant, James F Martin, and Magaret J Hurley.
Massachusetts Bar Foundation Inc is led by Susannah Thomas, Executive Director on every filing since 2020; none of the 20 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Susannah Thomas
Executive Director
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$120K (2020) → $0 (2024)
G. Perry Wu Esq.
President
Treasurer → Vice President, 2022
Vice President → President, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Christopher P. Sullivan Esq.
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Frank J. Ciano Esq.
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
James F. Martin Esq.
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kimberly E. Winter Esq.
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Magaret J. Hurley Esq.
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Marguerite T. Grant
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Megan H. Christopher
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mary Jeanne Stone Esq.
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mark D. Mason
Trustee
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michael J Leard Esq.
Trustee
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Patrick Francomano Esq.
Trustee
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Akosua A Agyepong Esq.
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jonathan J Kane
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Patrice C Dixon Esq.
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tara Dunn Jackson Esq.
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Edward F. Dombroski Jr. Esq.
Treasurer
Trustee → Secretary, 2022
Secretary → Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Melissa Langa Esq.
Vice President
Secretary → Treasurer, 2022
Treasurer → Vice President, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Paul J. Klehm Esq.
Secretary
Trustee → Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (17)
- Former: Corey M. Carvalho Esq. (2020–2023) — Trustee
- Former: David C. Henderson Esq. (2020–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Maynard M. Kirpalani (2020–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Valerie C. Caldwell Esq. (2020–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Tara D Dunn Esq. (2021–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Angela C. McConney Esq. (2022–2023) — President
- Former: Allison Ford (2023) — Development Director
- Former: Elspeth B Cypher (2023) — Trustee
- Former: Iris Taymore Schnitzer Esq. (2020–2022) — Trustee
- Former: John T. Lynch Esq. (2020–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Richard J. Grahn Esq. (2020–2022) — Past President
- Former: Scott D. Peterson (2020–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Angela McConney Scheepers Esq. (2020–2021) — Vice President
- Former: Robert G. Fields (2020–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Robert J. Ambrogi Esq. (2020–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Dennis M. Lindgren Esq. (2020) — Trustee
- Former: Harvey Weiner Esq. (2020) — Trustee
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 2020 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2020 filing was $120K, to Susannah Thomas (Executive Director).
Frequently asked questions about Massachusetts Bar Foundation Inc
How much does Massachusetts Bar Foundation Inc give each year?
Massachusetts Bar Foundation Inc gave $6.3M across 82 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $3.5M across 68 grants.
What is Massachusetts Bar Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
Massachusetts Bar Foundation Inc's median grant in 2024 was $45,000, and its average grant was $77,339, across 82 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Massachusetts Bar Foundation Inc that year got $51K on average.
Where does Massachusetts Bar Foundation Inc give grants?
Massachusetts Bar Foundation Inc gives mostly in Massachusetts: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Boston, MA (28 grants), Worcester, MA (5 grants), Fall River, MA (3 grants) and Northampton, MA (3 grants).
Does Massachusetts Bar Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Occasionally: 6% of Massachusetts Bar Foundation Inc's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (5 of 82) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990. Recurring purposes include "Various" (18 grants) and "Legal Advocacy Program" (3 grants).
Who are Massachusetts Bar Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
Massachusetts Bar Foundation Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Flaschner Judicial Institute ($578,900), Greater Boston Legal Services ($452,000) and Community Legal Aid Inc ($400,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 23% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Massachusetts Bar Foundation Inc?
Massachusetts Bar Foundation Inc reported $20.3M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $10.7M.
What does Massachusetts Bar Foundation Inc fund?
The Foundation’s stated mission is to collect and distribute funds to programs throughout Massachusetts that enhance civil legal services for low-income individuals, advance law-related and judicial education, improve the administration of justice, and increase public awareness of the law. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Massachusetts Bar Foundation Inc?
IOLTA applications and reports are completed through the Foundation’s online grant portal. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Massachusetts Bar Foundation Inc's EIN?
Massachusetts Bar Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 04-6130261. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 12, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS June 24, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS August 25, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS August 29, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS September 30, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Massachusetts Bar Foundation Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Massachusetts Bar Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 15, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/massachusetts-bar-foundation-inc-morg_974b525dfad1406580edf45b111c490d
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_046130261_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Massachusetts Bar Foundation Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/massachusetts-bar-foundation-inc-morg_974b525dfad1406580edf45b111c490d},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-15. 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 Massachusetts Bar 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.
Massachusetts Bar Foundation Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?