New England Biolabs Foundation
The New England Biolabs Foundation (NEBF) is a private foundation established in 1982 by Donald Comb, founder of New England Biolabs, Inc., a leading supplier of reagents for the life sciences industry. Headquartered in Ipswich, Massachusetts, the foundation operates as a company-sponsored foundation with a small staff of 2 employees. The organization is classified as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, with tax-exempt status granted in June 1984.
Key facts about New England Biolabs Foundation
- EIN
- 04-2776213
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,060,635
- Grants made (2024)
- 117
- Average grant
- $9,065
- Median grant
- $3,000
- Primary geography
- Massachusetts (53% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- How to apply
- Letters of Intent (LOIs) are reviewed twice yearly. Decisions are conveyed approximately 2.5 months after LOI submission.
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated June 2026. Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who New England Biolabs Foundation funds
By grant dollars, the top recipient states for New England Biolabs Foundation's 117 itemized 2024 grants were Massachusetts (53%). The most frequent recipient cities were Boston, MA (5 grants), Ipswich, MA (4 grants), Gloucester, MA (4 grants) and Salem, MA (3 grants). 3% of grants with a stated purpose were for general or operating support.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
-100.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.1M
-27.6% YoY
Grant Count
117
-20.4% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$9K
-9.0% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, New England Biolabs Foundation reported a distributable amount of $274K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's mission is to foster community-based conservation of landscapes and seascapes and the biocultural diversity found in these places. The foundation recognizes that natural and cultural values are inextricably linked and that Indigenous Peoples and local communities play a fundamental role in environmental stewardship.
NEBF supports programs designed to:
- Promote conservation of biological diversity, including terrestrial and marine ecosystems
- Sustain cultural diversity, including linguistic diversity and traditional knowledge systems and practices
- Maintain ecosystem services with emphasis on water, soil, and carbon sequestration
- Promote food security and economic vitality of local communities
- Sustain healthy reefs and fisheries
- Support community-based conservation and arts and cultural projects
The foundation's work is guided by the premise that investing in people living and working in areas of high biodiversity can make meaningful contributions to conservation at both local and global scales.
Grantmaking
NEBF provides financial support primarily through small project grants to grassroots organizations and NGOs in selected countries and targeted geographies.
Grant Range
$3,000–$8,000
How to Apply
**
Ready to take the next step with New England Biolabs Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
NEBF provides grants in the following regions:
- Central America
- Andean South America
- West Africa
- North Shore Massachusetts (for community-based conservation and arts and cultural projects in coastal communities)
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 117 itemized 2024 grant dollars.
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2023:
- Total Assets: $6,674,504
- Annual Giving: $1,464,221
- Revenue: $520,942
- Expenses: $2,160,000 (approximate)
- Total Liabilities: $296,000
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | — | $6,674,504 | $7,476,120 |
| Revenue | $4,148,279 | $520,942 | $1,785,749 |
| Expenses | $1,584,096 | $2,155,496 | $1,602,010 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $1,603,459 | $2,030,356 | $1,614,617 |
| Net Investment Income | $271,571 | $49,374 | $202,848 |
| Distributable Amount | $273,695 | $331,239 | $411,924 |
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
735 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from New England Biolabs Foundation
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest recipients include Creative Action Institute ($234,500), Cultural Survival ($100,000), American Bird Conservancy ($25,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| CREATIVE ACTION INSTITUTE IPSWICH, MA | CORE OPERATING SUPPORT AND CAPACITY BUILDING | $234,500 |
| CULTURAL SURVIVAL CAMBRIDGE, MA | SUPPORTING INDIGENOUS-LED GRANTMAKING | $100,000 |
| AMERICAN BIRD CONSERVANCY THE PLAINS, VA | CONSERVING LA MOSKITIA'S WILDLIFE AND IMPROVING LIVELIHOODS THROUGH AGROFORESTRY CACAO SYSTEMS AND CAPACITY-BUILDING IN HONDURAS | $25,000 |
| GLOBAL GREENGRANTS FUND BOULDER, CO | THE AGROECOLOGY FUND | $25,000 |
| GRASSROOTS INTERNATIONAL BOSTON, MA | TERRITORIAL DEFENSE, FOOD SOVEREIGNTY, AND PEASANT FEMINISMS IN HONDURAS | $25,000 |
| AMAZON WATCH OAKLAND, CA | WOMEN DEFENDERS OF THE AMAZON | $20,000 |
| ECOLOGIC DEVELOPMENT FUND WATERTOWN, MA | COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS IN NORTHERN HONDURAS LEAD FOREST CONSERVATION AND IMPROVE THEIR LIVELIHOODS | $20,000 |
| ESSEX COUNTY GREENBELT ASSOCIATION ESSEX, MA | LAND CONSERVATION TECHNOLOGY AND PLANNING PROJECT | $20,000 |
| FAUNA & FLORA INTERNATIONAL | STRENGTHENING THE SUSTAINABILITY AND RESILIENCE OF LIVELIHOODS IN AGRICULTURAL LANDSCAPES AND THE BIODIVERSITY OF THE OMETEPE ISLAND BIOSPHERE RESERVE, NICARAGUA | $20,000 |
| GROUNDSWELL INTERNATIONAL WASHINGTON, DC | YOUTH STORYTELLERS IN GUATEMALA: ENABLING PARTICIPATION THROUGH LOCAL MEDIA IN FAVOR OF AGROECOLOGY | $20,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Jessica Brown serves as Executive Director of the foundation.
The foundation was established by Donald Comb, founder of New England Biolabs, Inc., a molecular biologist inspired by the diversity of life on Earth and the power of local communities.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JESSICA L BROWN | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 35 | $140,167 |
| HENRY P PAULUS | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| HEIDI ELLARD | CHAIR/TRUSTEE | 5 | — |
| DYLAN COMB | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| JOVIAL KING | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| BARBARA VALLARINO | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| BRIAN TINGER | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
Contact Information
Address: New England Biolabs Foundation, Inc. 240 County Road Ipswich, Massachusetts 01938 USA
Phone: 978-998-7990
Email: info@nebf.org
Website: www.nebf.org
Frequently Asked Questions
What does New England Biolabs Foundation fund?
The foundation's mission is to foster community-based conservation of landscapes and seascapes and the biocultural diversity found in these places. The foundation recognizes that natural and cultural values are inextricably linked and that Indigenous Peoples and local communities play a fundamental role in environmental stewardship. NEBF supports programs designed to: • Promote conservation of biological diversity, including terrestrial and marine ecosystems • Sustain cultural diversity, includ…
How do I apply for a grant from New England Biolabs Foundation?
NEBF provides financial support primarily through small project grants to grassroots organizations and NGOs in selected countries and targeted geographies. **Grant Characteristics:** • Typical grant range: $3,000–$8,000 • International grants: $5,000–$15,000 • Local grants: $4,000–$10,000 • Number of grants awarded: 147 awards in 2023 • Annual giving: $1,464,221 (2023) **Application Process:** • Letters of Intent (LOIs) are reviewed twice yearly • Decisions are conveyed approximately 2.5 months…
Where does New England Biolabs Foundation make grants?
NEBF provides grants in the following regions: • Central America • Andean South America • West Africa • North Shore Massachusetts (for community-based conservation and arts and cultural projects in coastal communities)
What size grants does New England Biolabs Foundation award?
In 2024, New England Biolabs Foundation awarded 117 grants totaling $1.1M — an average of about $9K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is New England Biolabs Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, New England Biolabs Foundation reported a distributable amount of $274K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is New England Biolabs Foundation's EIN?
New England Biolabs Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 04-2776213. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in New England Biolabs Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Vanguard Charitable Endowment Program
SOUTHEASTERN, PA
Assets
$22.2B
Grants
24,269
Total Given
$3.0B
Boston Foundation Inc
BOSTON, MA
Assets
$1.9B
Grants
2,046
Total Given
$169.9M
Ge Aerospace Foundation
NORWALK, CT
Assets
$22.5M
Grants
2,467
Total Given
$15.3M
National Philanthropic Trust
JENKINTOWN, PA
Assets
$42.2B
Grants
18,583
Total Given
$5.1B
Morgan Stanley Global Impact Funding Trust Inc
INDIANAPOLIS, IN
Assets
$9.1B
Grants
19,253
Total Given
$1.2B
The Pfizer Foundation Inc
NEW YORK, NY
Assets
$255.3M
Grants
9,306
Total Given
$23.2M
The Blackbaud Giving Fund
CHARLESTON SC, SC
Assets
$52.7M
Grants
1,860
Total Given
$41.4M
Silicon Valley Community Foundation
MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA
Assets
$12.3B
Grants
3,576
Total Given
$3.2B
Network for Good
WASHINGTON, DC
Assets
$96.2M
Grants
4,733
Total Given
$216.2M
Institution for Savings in Newburyport &
NEWBURYPORT, MA
Assets
—
Grants
339
Total Given
$2.4M
Jpmorgan Chase Foundation
NEW YORK, NY
Assets
$1.2B
Grants
10,334
Total Given
$202.5M
Gs Donor Advised Philanthropy Fund
NEW YORK, NY
Assets
$12.7B
Grants
7,424
Total Given
$3.0B
More Funders in Massachusetts
Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.