The Massachusetts Foundation for the Humanities (also known as Mass Humanities) is a public charity and statewide affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities. Based in Northampton, Massachusetts, the organization uses history, literature, philosophy, and other humanities disciplines to enhance and improve civic life throughout the Commonwealth. The foundation creates opportunities for Massachusetts residents to transform their lives and build a more equitable commonwealth through humanities-focused programming and grantmaking.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$6.9M
+2.4% YoY
Annual Giving
$963K
-55.8% YoY
Grant Count
52
-38.1% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$19K
-28.7% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: "We create opportunities for the people of Massachusetts to transform their lives and build a more equitable commonwealth through the humanities."
The organization's core philosophy emphasizes promoting an equitable and inclusive society that recognizes all people's perspectives, especially those who have been historically excluded. The foundation believes the humanities must be part of decision-making from community level to state government.
Primary Focus Areas:
- Humanities projects and programming
- Education
- Philanthropy and grantmaking
- Human services
Grantmaking
Mass Humanities operates a regrants program that allocates funding for the advancement of humanities projects throughout Massachusetts and Pennsylvania.
Ready to take the next step with Massachusetts Foundation for the?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds projects in Massachusetts, with some activity in Pennsylvania.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of Fiscal Year 2024:
- Total assets: $6,920,035
- Total revenues: $4,058,392
- Total expenses: $3,421,703
- Total giving: $1,230,839
- Staff: 13 employees
Tax Status: 501(c)(3) organization, tax-exempt since March 1984 (EIN: 22-2504778)
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $6,920,035 | $6,755,618 | $5,466,465 |
| Revenue | $4,058,392 | $4,346,368 | $3,451,533 |
| Expenses | $3,421,703 | $4,244,888 | $2,377,075 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $91,207 | $92,245 | $99,454 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
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
196 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
10 open opportunities from Massachusetts Foundation for the
Clemente Course in the Humanities
MASSACHUSETTS FOUNDATION FOR THE
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Expand Massachusetts Stories
MASSACHUSETTS FOUNDATION FOR THE
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Expand Massachusetts Stories- Open Track Grant
MASSACHUSETTS FOUNDATION FOR THE
Amount
Up to US $20,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Northeastern University ($20,000), Concord Museumconcord Antiquarian Society ($20,000), New Bedford Whaling Museum (old Dartmouth Historical Society Dba) ($20,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY BOSTON, MA | HUMANITIES | $20,000 |
| BRANDEIS UNIVERSITY WALTHAM, MA | HUMANITIES | $19,800 |
| CONCORD MUSEUMCONCORD ANTIQUARIAN SOCIETY CONCORD, MA | HUMANITIES | $20,000 |
| SPRINGFIELD COLLEGE SPRINGFIELD, MA | HUMANITIES | $7,777 |
| NEW BEDFORD WHALING MUSEUM (OLD DARTMOUTH HISTORICAL SOCIETY DBA) NEW BEDFORD, MA | HUMANITIES | $20,000 |
| UU URBAN MINISTRY ROXBURY, MA | HUMANITIES | $20,000 |
| PLIMOTH PATUXET MUSEUMS PLYMOUTH, MA | HUMANITIES | $8,050 |
| FREEDOM HOUSE INC DORCHESTER, MA | HUMANITIES | $18,995 |
| LYNN MUSEUMLYNNARTS LYNN, MA | HUMANITIES | $20,000 |
| HITCHCOCK CENTER FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AMHERST, MA | HUMANITIES | $17,798 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| MARITA RIVERO | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| ERIN WILLIAMS | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| DEBORAH HALL | SECRETARY | 1 | — |
| LARRY HOTT | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| STEVE IMMERMAN | VICE CHAIR | 1 | — |
| AARON VEGA | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| MICHELLE TONI MCCOMB | CHAIR | 1 | — |
| KRISTIN MCGURN | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| GAGE MCWEENY | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| MICHAEL MELTSNER | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| JACOB MILLER | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| KYERA SINGLETON | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| SCOTT CASPER | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| DAVE SLATERY | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| MUHAMMAD BURHAN | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| DEENA CASWELL | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| MICHAEL CHAMBERS II | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| CJ CROWDER | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| CHRIS GOODE | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| LEO HWANG | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| IMARI PARIS JEFFERIES | TREASURER | 1 | — |
| BRITTNEY WALLEY | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| JILL BREVIK | DIR OF DEVELOPMENT | 40 | $110,985 |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Massachusetts Foundation for the fund?
**Mission:** "We create opportunities for the people of Massachusetts to transform their lives and build a more equitable commonwealth through the humanities." The organization's core philosophy emphasizes promoting an equitable and inclusive society that recognizes all people's perspectives, especially those who have been historically excluded. The foundation believes the humanities must be part of decision-making from community level to state government. **Primary Focus Areas:** • Humanities …
How do I apply for a grant from Massachusetts Foundation for the?
Mass Humanities operates a regrants program that allocates funding for the advancement of humanities projects throughout Massachusetts and Pennsylvania. **Grant Characteristics:** • Typical award range: $7,750–$40,000 • Recent grant examples include awards to Northeastern University ($20,000), Save the Harborsave the Bay ($20,000), and Boston Dance Alliance ($20,000) • Total grants awarded in 2024: $963,214 across 52+ grants **Active Grant Opportunities:** • Reading Frederick Douglass Together …
Where does Massachusetts Foundation for the make grants?
The foundation primarily funds projects in Massachusetts, with some activity in Pennsylvania.
What size grants does Massachusetts Foundation for the award?
In 2024, Massachusetts Foundation for the awarded 52 grants totaling $963K — an average of about $19K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Massachusetts Foundation for the's EIN?
Massachusetts Foundation for the's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 22-2504778. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Massachusetts Foundation for the's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Boston Foundation Inc
BOSTON, MA
Assets
$1.9B
Grants
2,046
Total Given
$169.9M
Vanguard Charitable Endowment Program
SOUTHEASTERN, PA
Assets
$22.2B
Grants
24,269
Total Given
$3.0B
National Philanthropic Trust
JENKINTOWN, PA
Assets
$42.2B
Grants
18,583
Total Given
$5.1B
Eastern Bank Foundation
LYNN, MA
Assets
$249.7M
Grants
1
Total Given
$14.7M
Cummings Foundation Grants Inc (fka Oneworld Boston Inc)
WOBURN, MA
Assets
$258.2M
Grants
658
Total Given
$38.2M
Community Foundation of Western
SPRINGFIELD, MA
Assets
$282.4M
Grants
314
Total Given
$12.8M
New England Foundation for the Arts
BOSTON, MA
Assets
$42.4M
Grants
196
Total Given
$3.7M
The Pfizer Foundation Inc
NEW YORK, NY
Assets
$255.3M
Grants
9,306
Total Given
$23.2M
Berkshire Bank Foundation Inc
PITTSFIELD, MA
Assets
$17.1M
Grants
478
Total Given
$2.0M
Morgan Stanley Global Impact Funding Trust Inc
INDIANAPOLIS, IN
Assets
$9.1B
Grants
19,253
Total Given
$1.2B
Highland Street Connection
NEWTON, MA
Assets
$60.4M
Grants
410
Total Given
$4.4M
Liberty Mutual Foundation Inc
BOSTON, MA
Assets
$46.1M
Grants
706
Total Given
$50.6M
Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with Massachusetts Foundation for the on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
- Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
- Find open RFPs from this funder
- Monitor for new funding opportunities