Michael & Karen Tichnor Family Foundation
MICHAEL & KAREN TICHNOR is a private foundation based in Wayland, Massachusetts. Its 2021 filing is marked as a final return: the foundation states that it terminated on December 29, 2021, donated its remaining $21,000 in cash to Combined Jewish Philanthropies of Greater Boston, and ceased to exist. It therefore appears to have wound down and stopped grantmaking.
Michael & Karen Tichnor Family Foundation at a glance
In short: Michael & Karen Tichnor Family Foundation gave $54K across 21 grants in 2021 (avg $3K), mostly in Massachusetts. Source: 2021 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2021)
- $53,693
- -52.0% vs 2020
- Grants made (2021)
- 21
- +16.7% vs 2020
- Average grant
- $2,557
- -58.9% vs 2020
- Median grant
- $100
- Primary geography
- Massachusetts (97% of itemized 2021 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2021 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2021; updated October 2026.
How to apply to Michael & Karen Tichnor Family Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation stated that it made contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests. This is not a current application process; the foundation’s 2021 filing states that it terminated and ceased to exist.
- Contact
Mailing address: 98 Sears Road, Wayland, MA 01778
Phone: (508) 398-5962
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Michael & Karen Tichnor Family Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2021
The largest 2021 recipient was CJP ($44K). Together the top 10 received $53K.
Grant Size Distribution
39 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 38 grants of 39 (97%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2021, 97% of grant dollars went to recipients in Massachusetts, 2% to New York, 1% to New Hampshire, and less than 1% to Washington, DC.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2021 grant dollars across all 21 itemized grants.
Cities
How Michael & Karen Tichnor Family Foundation gives
- 57% of 2021 grantees were also funded in 2020. Method
- In 2021 it paid out well above its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2021). 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 2021, annual grant giving ranged from $54K (2021) to $112K (2020). In 2021 it made 21 grants totaling $54K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| CJP Boston, MA | GIFT | $44,044 |
| JFS of Metrowest Framingham, MA | GIFT | $5,000 |
| Congregation or Atid Wayland, MA | GIFT | $1,612 |
| Fidf New York, NY | GIFT | $500 |
| Yad Chessed Waltham, MA | GIFT | $360 |
| Planned Parenthood Derry, NH | GIFT | $300 |
| WGBH Boston, MA | GIFT | $260 |
| Young Audiences of Massachusetts Boston, MA | GIFT | $250 |
| JNF New York, NY | GIFT | $250 |
| Greater Boston Food Bank Boston, MA | GIFT | $117 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | — | $11,475 | $57,013 | $53,693 | 21 | $56,693 | $9,220 | $2,166 |
| 2020 | $45,538 | $106,265 | $113,874 | $111,960 | 18 | — | $770 | $4,446 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Michael & Karen Tichnor Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $2K for 2021 — 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 mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2021 grants went to organizations including Jewish communal and social-service organizations, a food bank, a public media organization, and other charitable organizations. The Greater Boston Food Bank describes its work as acquiring, sorting, and distributing food through member agencies and direct distribution sites. West End House describes its mission as helping young people reach their potential as productive, responsible, and caring citizens. Sudbury Valley Trustees describes its work as protecting natural areas and farmland, and Boston Medical Center says its mission is to provide accessible health services regardless of a person’s status or ability to pay. These are the grantees’ descriptions of their own missions.
Grantmaking
In 2021, the foundation reported 21 grants totaling $53,693. Grant amounts ranged from $50 to $44,044, with a median of $100. Its largest listed grants were $44,044 to CJP, $5,000 to JFS of MetroWest, and $1,612 to Congregation Or Atid. Other listed recipients included FIDF ($500), Yad Chessed ($360), Planned Parenthood ($300), WGBH ($260), Young Audiences of Massachusetts ($250), JNF ($250), Greater Boston Food Bank ($117), Brady Campaign ($100), and HIAS ($100). The filing also lists grants of $100 to West End House and Sudbury Valley Trustees, and $50 to Boston Medical Center.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2021 filing lists Michael Tichnor and Karen Tichnor as co-trustees.
Michael & Karen Tichnor Family Foundation's 2021 filing lists 2 officers; none of the 2 officers listed in 2021 report compensation.
Officers on the 2021 filing
Karen Tichnor
Co-Trustee
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Michael Tichnor
Co-Trustee
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2021. "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 Michael & Karen Tichnor Family Foundation
How much does Michael & Karen Tichnor Family Foundation give each year?
Michael & Karen Tichnor Family Foundation gave $54K across 21 grants in 2021, according to its 2021 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2020 it gave $112K across 18 grants.
What is Michael & Karen Tichnor Family Foundation's typical grant size?
Michael & Karen Tichnor Family Foundation's median grant in 2021 was $100, and its average grant was $2,557, across 21 grants on its 2021 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Michael & Karen Tichnor Family Foundation give grants?
Michael & Karen Tichnor Family Foundation gives mostly in Massachusetts: 97% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2021 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Boston, MA (7 grants), New York, NY (5 grants), Wayland, MA (2 grants) and Washington, DC (2 grants).
Does Michael & Karen Tichnor Family Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2021: none of the 21 grants with a stated purpose on Michael & Karen Tichnor Family Foundation's 2021 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Gift" (21 grants).
Who are Michael & Karen Tichnor Family Foundation's largest grantees?
Michael & Karen Tichnor Family Foundation's largest 2021 grantees include CJP ($44,044), JFS of Metrowest ($5,000) and Congregation or Atid ($1,612), according to its 2021 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 94% of its itemized 2021 grant dollars.
What does Michael & Karen Tichnor Family Foundation fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2021 grants went to organizations including Jewish communal and social-service organizations, a food bank, a public media organization, and other charitable organizations. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Michael & Karen Tichnor Family Foundation?
The foundation stated that it made contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
How much is Michael & Karen Tichnor Family Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2021, Michael & Karen Tichnor Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $2K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Michael & Karen Tichnor Family Foundation's EIN?
Michael & Karen Tichnor Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 04-3573700. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2021.
Does Michael & Karen Tichnor Family Foundation 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 2020–2021
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