Massachusetts Foundation for the
Massachusetts Foundation for the Humanities, known as Mass Humanities, is a public charity based in Northampton, Massachusetts. It supports humanities projects and organizations across Massachusetts through grantmaking and programs that bring people together to explore stories, history, and different perspectives.
Key facts about Massachusetts Foundation for the
In short: Massachusetts Foundation for the gave $963K across 52 grants in 2024 (avg $19K), mostly in Massachusetts. 75% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990 filing.
- EIN
- 22-2504778
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990 filing, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $963,214
- Grants made (2024)
- 52
- Average grant
- $18,523
- Median grant
- $20,000
- New grantees (estimate)
- 75% first-time grantees (39 of 52, 2024)
- Total assets
- $6,920,035
- Primary geography
- Massachusetts (98% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990 filing, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
Quick answers about Massachusetts Foundation for the
How much does Massachusetts Foundation for the give each year?
Massachusetts Foundation for the gave $963K across 52 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990 filing. In 2023 it gave $2.2M across 84 grants.
What is Massachusetts Foundation for the's typical grant size?
Massachusetts Foundation for the's median grant in 2024 was $20,000, and its average grant was $18,523, across 52 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990 filing. Organizations receiving their first grant from Massachusetts Foundation for the that year got $19K on average.
Where does Massachusetts Foundation for the give grants?
Massachusetts Foundation for the gives mostly in Massachusetts: 98% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 filing went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Boston, MA (12 grants), Roxbury, MA (3 grants), Springfield, MA (3 grants) and Newton, MA (2 grants).
Does Massachusetts Foundation for the give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 52 grants with a stated purpose on Massachusetts Foundation for the's 2024 IRS Form 990 filing were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Humanities" (52 grants).
Who are Massachusetts Foundation for the's largest grantees?
Massachusetts Foundation for the's largest 2024 grantees include Northeastern University ($20,000), Concord Museumconcord Antiquarian Society ($20,000) and New Bedford Whaling Museum (Old Dartmouth Historical Society DBA) ($20,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990 filing. Together they received 6% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Massachusetts Foundation for the?
Massachusetts Foundation for the reported $6.9M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990 filing. Its revenue that year was $4.1M.
Is Massachusetts Foundation for the open to new grantees?
75%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 39 of 52 grantees (75%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $19K; repeat grants $18K. How we count
Medians: $20K first-time, $20K repeat.
- 12% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
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.
Next steps with Massachusetts Foundation for the
- How to evaluate Massachusetts Foundation for the as a funder
Our grant prospecting guide: read the 990-PF, check fit, and decide whether to apply.
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Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990 filing · 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
The organization’s mission is to create opportunities for people in Massachusetts to transform their lives and build a more equitable Commonwealth through the humanities. Its grantmaking supports nonprofits, organizations, and communities enriching lives through humanities work.
Examples of 2024 grantees illustrate the range of organizations it supports. The Disability Policy Consortium describes its mission as redefining the role of government as it affects people with disabilities. 826 Boston says it helps students share their stories, amplify their voices, and develop as leaders through writing, tutoring, and publishing. PRX describes its mission as expanding public media as a trusted source of knowledge, information, and inspiration. Blues to Green says it uses music and the arts to strengthen community and culture and embrace environmental stewardship.
Grantmaking
In 2024, Mass Humanities reported 52 grants totaling $963,214. Awards ranged from $7,750 to $20,000, with a median grant of $20,000. The listed grants were primarily for humanities projects.
Ready to take the next step with Massachusetts Foundation for the?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The organization’s grantmaking supports work across Massachusetts. In 2024, 98% of grant dollars went to recipients in Massachusetts and 2% to recipients in Pennsylvania.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 52 itemized 2024 grant dollars.
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $6,920,035 | $4,058,392 | $3,421,703 | $963,214 |
| 2023 | $6,755,618 | $4,346,368 | $4,244,888 | $2,181,633 |
| 2022 | $5,466,465 | $3,451,533 | $2,377,075 | $801,021 |
| 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 | — | — | — |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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
239 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
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY Boston, MA | HUMANITIES | $20,000 |
| CONCORD MUSEUMCONCORD ANTIQUARIAN SOCIETY Concord, MA | HUMANITIES | $20,000 |
| NEW BEDFORD WHALING MUSEUM (OLD DARTMOUTH HISTORICAL SOCIETY DBA) New Bedford, MA | HUMANITIES | $20,000 |
| UU URBAN MINISTRY Roxbury, MA | HUMANITIES | $20,000 |
| LYNN MUSEUMLYNNARTS Lynn, MA | HUMANITIES | $20,000 |
| HISTORIC NEWTON Newton, MA | HUMANITIES | $20,000 |
| POLUS CENTER FOR SOCIAL & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INC Athol, MA | HUMANITIES | $20,000 |
| CHINESE CONSOLIDATED BENEVOLENT ASSOCIATION OF NEW ENGLAND Boston, MA | HUMANITIES | $20,000 |
| SAVE THE HARBORSAVE THE BAY Boston, MA | HUMANITIES | $20,000 |
| MULTICULTURAL AIDS COALITION Boston, MA | HUMANITIES | $20,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Michelle Toni McComb as chair and Steve Immerman as vice chair. Listed directors are Marita Rivero, Erin Williams, Larry Hott, Aaron Vega, Kristin McGurn, Gage McWeeny, and Michael Meltsner. Deborah Hall is listed as secretary.
Massachusetts Foundation for the is led by Michelle Toni McComb, Chair since 2024 (on filings since 2023); 1 of 23 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Michelle Toni McComb
Chair
Director → Chair, 2024
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jill Brevik
Director of Development
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$111K (2024)
Dave Slatery
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Erin I. Williams
Director
Director → Secretary, 2023
Secretary → Director, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Gage McWeeny
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Marita Rivero
Director
Director → Vice Chair, 2023
Vice Chair → Director, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michael Meltsner
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Aaron Vega
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jacob Miller
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kristin McGurn
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kyera Singleton
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Larry Hott
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Brittney Walley
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Chris Goode
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Cj Crowder
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Deena Caswell
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Leo Hwang
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michael Chambers II
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Muhammad Burhan
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Scott Casper
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Imari Paris Jefferies
Treasurer
Director → Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Deborah Hall
Secretary
Director → Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Steve Immerman
Vice Chair
Director → Vice Chair, 2024
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (22)
- Former: Candace Lee Heald (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Lennie Alickman (2020–2023) — Treasurer
- Former: Rajini Srikanth (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Yves Salomon-Fernandez (2020–2023) — Chair
- Former: Paul D. Bosco (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Amy Macdonald (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Bruce Grinnell (2020–2022) — Treasurer
- Former: Denise Kaigler (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Elizabeth Duclos-Orsello (2020–2022) — Chair
- Former: Gail Reimer (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Jackie Jenkins-Scott (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Lawrence Hott (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Lyell Franke (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Peggy Kemp (2020–2022) — Vice Chair
- Former: Phitsamay Uy (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Stephen D. Immerman (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Whitney Battle-Baptiste (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: William M. Fowler Jr. (2020–2022) — Secretary
- Former: Willis G. Wang (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Brian Boyles (2020–2021) — Executive Director
- Former: Hilda Ramirez (2020) — Director
- Former: Ramon Borges-Mendez (2020) — Director
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 2024 IRS filing
Contact
Mailing address: 66 Bridge Street, Northampton, MA 01060
Phone: (413) 584-8440
Website: https://masshumanities.org
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Massachusetts Foundation for the fund?
The organization’s mission is to create opportunities for people in Massachusetts to transform their lives and build a more equitable Commonwealth through the humanities. Its grantmaking supports nonprofits, organizations, and communities enriching lives through humanities work. Examples of 2024 grantees illustrate the range of organizations it supports. The Disability Policy Consortium describes its mission as redefining the role of government as it affects people with disabilities. 826 Boston…
How do I apply for a grant from Massachusetts Foundation for the?
In 2024, Mass Humanities reported 52 grants totaling $963,214. Awards ranged from $7,750 to $20,000, with a median grant of $20,000. The listed grants were primarily for humanities projects. Among the 2024 recipients were Northeastern University, Concord Museum/Concord Antiquarian Society, New Bedford Whaling Museum/Old Dartmouth Historical Society, UU Urban Ministry, and Lynn Museum/LynnArts, each receiving $20,000 for humanities. Other $20,000 recipients included the Multicultural AIDS Coalit…
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.
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Browse active grant opportunities in Massachusetts Foundation for the's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.