Massachusetts Society for Aiding Discharged Prisoners
MASSACHUSETTS SOCIETY FOR AIDING is a private foundation based in Bedford, Massachusetts. It supports organizations working in areas that include reentry after incarceration, recovery, housing, community support, and religious activities.
Massachusetts Society for Aiding Discharged Prisoners at a glance
In short: Massachusetts Society for Aiding Discharged Prisoners gave $143K across 13 grants in 2026 (avg $11K), mostly in Massachusetts. 15% of 2026 grantees were new. Source: 2026 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2026)
- $142,500
- +42.5% vs 2025
- Grants made (2026)
- 13
- +0.0% vs 2025
- Average grant
- $10,962
- +42.5% vs 2025
- Median grant
- $7,000
- Total assets
- $332,258
- -8.2% vs 2025
- New grantees (estimate)
- 15% first-time grantees (2 of 13, 2026; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Massachusetts (100% of itemized 2026 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2026 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2026; updated November 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Massachusetts Society for Aiding Discharged Prisoners
- How to Apply
-
The 2024 filing names Peter D. Holt as the contact. It lists no application form or materials and no deadline. The filing states that the foundation does not restrict giving to preselected organizations and restricts awards to organizations that try to help discharged prisoners avoid returning to their former practices.
- Contact
Application contact: Peter D Holt
Mailing address: 284 Bunker Hill Street, Charlestown, MA 02129
Phone: (617) 913-9721
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Massachusetts Society for Aiding Discharged Prisoners funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2026
The largest 2026 recipient was Straight Ahead Ministries ($43K). Together the top 10 received $128K.
Grant Size Distribution
53 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 53 grants of 53 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
All grant dollars in 2025 went to recipients in Massachusetts.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2026 grant dollars across all 13 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Massachusetts Society for Aiding Discharged Prisoners open to new grantees?
15%
first-time grantees, 2026
In 2026, 2 of 13 grantees (15%) were first-time recipients. With only 13 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 8 points. First grants averaged $6K; repeat grants $12K. How we count
Medians: $6K first-time, $7K repeat.
- 85% of 2026 grantees were also funded in 2025. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2023 to 2026 (+17%). Method
- In 2026 it paid out 127% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2021–2026). 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 2021 to 2026, annual grant giving ranged from $85K (2024) to $143K (2026). In 2026 it made 13 grants totaling $143K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Straight Ahead Ministries Lynn, MA | Faith-Based Community Support | $42,500 |
| Future Hope Apprenticeship Dorchester, MA | Recovery Program and Support | $20,000 |
| Place of Promise Lowell, MA | Support | $15,000 |
| Boston Rescue Mission Boston, MA | Support for Homeless and Other Peiople in Need | $10,000 |
| Thrive Communities Lowell, MA | Empower communities to welcome and support individueals transitioning from incarceration | $7,500 |
| NEIGHBOR2NEIGHBOR Ministres Inc Arlington, MA | Suport to Under-Resourced Neighbors | $7,500 |
| United Baptist Church Boston, MA | Religious | $7,000 |
| New England Aftercare Ministries Framingham, MA | Faith-Based Recovery Support | $6,500 |
| Partakers Inc Auburndale, MA | Support | $6,500 |
| Fathers' Uplift Inc Dorchester, MA | Mental Health Support and Counseling | $5,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Massachusetts Society for Aiding Discharged Prisoners?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $332,258 | $116,571 | $146,218 | $142,500 | 13 | $145,015 | $108,018 | $113,864 |
| 2025 | $361,905 | $98,819 | $109,527 | $100,000 | 13 | $108,237 | $91,729 | $103,508 |
| 2024 | $372,613 | $103,396 | $88,447 | $85,300 | 9 | $87,222 | $93,171 | $87,118 |
| 2023 | $357,664 | $50,381 | $125,018 | $121,925 | 11 | $123,793 | $40,624 | $85,313 |
| 2022 | $432,301 | $145,413 | $119,551 | $116,000 | 7 | $117,110 | $138,288 | $91,753 |
| 2021 | $406,439 | $101,172 | $102,912 | $98,700 | 8 | — | $94,602 | $79,426 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Massachusetts Society for Aiding Discharged Prisoners reported a distributable amount of $114K for 2026 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No separate mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 filing describes a grant restriction focused on organizations trying to help discharged prisoners avoid returning to their former practices.
Grantee missions illustrate the range of work supported. Straight Ahead Ministries describes its work as reducing recidivism among young offenders through faith-based programs and re-integration support involving peer and adult mentoring. Place of Promise says it provides a residence and integrated community support services. New England Aftercare Ministries describes supporting people with substance-abuse problems and helping them reenter society. Boston Rescue Mission says it serves people at risk of homelessness and substance-use disorders. These are the grantees’ descriptions of their own work.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation awarded 13 grants totaling $100,000. Grants ranged from $2,500 to $30,000, with a median grant of $5,000. Among the listed awards were $30,000 to Straight Ahead Ministries, $15,000 to Future Hope Apprenticeship, $15,000 to Place of Promise, $8,000 to New England Aftercare Ministries, and $7,000 to United Baptist Church. Other listed recipients included Boston Collaborative and Boston Rescue Mission, each awarded $5,000, and Fathers’ Uplift, People Affecting Community Change, Thrive Communities, Highrock Church, and Life After Prison, each awarded $2,500. Its 2026 filing, the latest on this page, reports 13 grants totaling $142,500.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Joel Collins as president; Ed Gaskin as vice president; Peter D. Holt as treasurer; and Andy Halvorson, Shari Johnson, Jua Robinson, Lewis Valenti, Tytus Moen, Carolyn Van Oloo, and Jane Chun as councilors.
Massachusetts Society for Aiding Discharged Prisoners is led by Joel Collins, President on every filing since 2021; none of the 11 officers listed in 2026 report compensation.
Officers on the 2026 filing
Joel Collins
President
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ed Gaskin
Vice President
Councilor → Vice President, 2022
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Peter D. Holt
Assistant Treasurer
Councilor → Treasurer, 2022
Treasurer → Assistant Treasurer, 2026
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Andy Halvorson
Councilor
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jua Robinson
Councilor
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lewis Valenti
Councilor
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Carolyn Van Oloo
Councilor
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tytus Moen
Secretary
Councilor → Secretary, 2026
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Byron Summer
Councilor
On filings since 2025
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jane Chun
Councilor
On filings since 2025
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Chuks Ezedi
Treasurer
New on the 2026 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (5)
- Former: Shari Johnson (2022–2025) — Councilor
- Former: David Saff (2021–2024) — Secretary
- Former: Caleb Loring III (2021–2023) — Assistant Treasurer
- Former: Brian E. Lacey (2021) — Assistant Treasurer
- Former: Wesley Roberts (2021) — Councilor
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2026. "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 Massachusetts Society for Aiding Discharged Prisoners
How much does Massachusetts Society for Aiding Discharged Prisoners give each year?
Massachusetts Society for Aiding Discharged Prisoners gave $143K across 13 grants in 2026, according to its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2025 it gave $100K across 13 grants.
What is Massachusetts Society for Aiding Discharged Prisoners's typical grant size?
Massachusetts Society for Aiding Discharged Prisoners's median grant in 2026 was $7,000, and its average grant was $10,962, across 13 grants on its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Massachusetts Society for Aiding Discharged Prisoners that year got $6K on average.
Where does Massachusetts Society for Aiding Discharged Prisoners give grants?
Massachusetts Society for Aiding Discharged Prisoners gives mostly in Massachusetts: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Dorchester, MA (3 grants), Lowell, MA (2 grants) and Boston, MA (2 grants).
Does Massachusetts Society for Aiding Discharged Prisoners give general operating support?
Not in 2026: none of the 13 grants with a stated purpose on Massachusetts Society for Aiding Discharged Prisoners's 2026 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Support" (3 grants).
Who are Massachusetts Society for Aiding Discharged Prisoners's largest grantees?
Massachusetts Society for Aiding Discharged Prisoners's largest 2026 grantees include Straight Ahead Ministries ($42,500), Future Hope Apprenticeship ($20,000) and Place of Promise ($15,000), according to its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 54% of its itemized 2026 grant dollars.
How large is Massachusetts Society for Aiding Discharged Prisoners?
Massachusetts Society for Aiding Discharged Prisoners reported $332K in total assets on its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $145K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $114K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Massachusetts Society for Aiding Discharged Prisoners fund?
No separate mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 filing describes a grant restriction focused on organizations trying to help discharged prisoners avoid returning to their former practices. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Massachusetts Society for Aiding Discharged Prisoners?
The 2024 filing names Peter D. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Massachusetts Society for Aiding Discharged Prisoners's EIN?
Massachusetts Society for Aiding Discharged Prisoners's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 04-2138900. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2026.
Data last updated November 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2026 (received by the IRS September 2, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2025
Other open foundation grants in Massachusetts
Massachusetts Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Massachusetts Society for Aiding Discharged Prisoners's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Gardiner Howland Shaw Foundation
Boston, MA
The Gardiner Howland Shaw Foundation funds criminal and juvenile justice work, especially research, offender reentry, crime prevention, and advocacy, with a focus on improving justice in Massachusetts. Its 2025 grants ranged from $1,500 to $70,000, with a median of $10,000; applicants are asked to call before submitting written materials.
Assets
$13.6M
Grants
73
Total Given
$972K
Boston Foundation Inc
Boston, MA
The Boston Foundation funds nonprofits and community initiatives focused on equity and opportunity, including child well-being, economic opportunity, community wealth, and community leadership, primarily in Greater Boston. Its 2025 grants had a median of $25,000, while specific programs offer amounts such as $50,000; whether it accepts unsolicited requests is not stated.
Assets
$2.1B
Grants
2,375
Total Given
$228.4M
Liberty Mutual Foundation Inc
Boston, MA
Liberty Mutual Foundation funds basic needs such as food and shelter, education and workforce development, and climate and community infrastructure, including homelessness and community preparedness programs. Its 2024 grants had a median of $35,000, and most funding supports organizations or programs serving the Boston area, though it also gives elsewhere. It accepts unsolicited online requests on a rolling basis, with no submission deadlines.
Assets
$46.1M
Grants
706
Total Given
$50.6M
Eastern Bank Foundation
Wakefield, MA
Eastern Bank Foundation supports economic inclusion and mobility, including small businesses, early childhood development, affordable housing, and workforce development. Its 2025 grants ranged from $50 to $2,002,500, with a median of $2,500, primarily in Massachusetts and also in New Hampshire and Rhode Island. It accepts online applications and does not limit giving to preselected organizations.
Assets
$266.7M
Grants
1,786
Total Given
$19.0M
The New England Patriots Charitable Foundation Inc
Foxboro, MA
The New England Patriots Charitable supports New England nonprofits working in education, youth and family services, health, athletics, arts, and related community needs, including disaster-related field improvements. Its 2024 grants ranged from $500 to $261,000, with a median of $10,000; most funding went to Massachusetts. It accepts unsolicited online requests from registered 501(c)(3) organizations based in New England, submitted at least six weeks before an event.
Assets
$5.5M
Grants
218
Total Given
$4.4M
Barr Foundation
Boston, MA
The Barr Foundation funds arts and creativity, climate, education, and New England’s social sector, primarily through long-term support for organizations in New England. Its 2024 grants ranged from $100 to $3.275 million, with a median of $80,000. Its filing says it accepts only requests from preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests, though its website describes program-page inquiries and occasional open calls.
Assets
$1.9B
Grants
903
Total Given
$123.2M
More similar funders
More Funders in Massachusetts
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Massachusetts Society for Aiding Discharged Prisoners funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/massachusetts-society-for-aiding-discharged-prisoners-morg_6697e5f95fad4b8b8166ae42aa499af0
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_042138900_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Massachusetts Society for Aiding Discharged Prisoners funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/massachusetts-society-for-aiding-discharged-prisoners-morg_6697e5f95fad4b8b8166ae42aa499af0},
note = {Accessed 2026-11-02. 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 Society for Aiding Discharged Prisoners'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 Society for Aiding Discharged Prisoners down — hundreds of funders to go?