Palace Head Foundation Inc
Palace Head Foundation Inc. is a private foundation based in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. The foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) organization and was established in 2005. It functions as a grantmaking entity focused on supporting nonprofit organizations across multiple sectors.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$14.8M
+18.1% YoY
Annual Giving
$754K
+0.6% YoY
Grant Count
67
+8.1% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$11K
-6.9% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Palace Head Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $850K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's mission centers on giving primarily for the arts, with particular emphasis on opera. Additional funding priorities include education and human services.
The foundation supports initiatives in the following subject areas:
- Arts and culture
- Performing arts
- Music and opera
- Education
- Health
- Human services
Grantmaking
The foundation made 29 grants in its most recent fiscal year (ending March 2024). Typical grant awards range from $500 to $222,106.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation supports projects across multiple U.S. states and cities, including:
States: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, New York, and Pennsylvania
Cities: Boston, Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco, among others
Primary grantmaking focuses on Massachusetts, Maine, and Colorado.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets & Revenue (FY 2024)
- Total assets: $12,539,361
- Total revenues: $433,998
- Total expenses: $911,792
- Total giving: $753,780
Income Breakdown (FY 2024)
- Investment income and dividends: $310,367
- Net gain from sale of non-inventory assets: $85,477
Historical Assets Earlier reporting indicated total assets of $14,810,150, reflecting changes in the foundation's asset base over time.
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $14,810,150 | $12,539,361 | $13,017,155 |
| Revenue | $358,203 | $433,998 | $538,820 |
| Expenses | $902,313 | $911,792 | $1,028,499 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $753,780 | $749,500 | $866,106 |
| Net Investment Income | $226,968 | $282,105 | $402,863 |
| Distributable Amount | $850,361 | $777,124 | $749,279 |
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 2025
Grant Size Distribution
229 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2025 grants, the largest include Blue Sky Bridge ($10,000), Boulder Bridge House ($10,000), Boulder Ymca ($7,500).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| MAPLE GROVE CEMETARY ISLESBORO, ME | COMMUNITY & CHARITABLE | $500 |
| MORE THAN WORDS BOSTON, MA | COMMUNITY AND CHARITABLE | $1,000 |
| NANTUCKET PARTNERSHIP FOR CHILDREN NANTUCKET, MA | COMMUNITY AND CHARITABLE | $1,000 |
| BOSTON ATHENAEUM BOSTON, MA | EDUCATIONAL | $1,000 |
| BEACON PROJECT ISLESBORO, ME | COMMUNITY & CHARITABLE | $1,000 |
| BOSTON PUBLIC MARKET BOSTON, MA | COMMUNITY AND CHARITY | $1,000 |
| NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION OF THE BACK BAY BOSTON, MA | COMMUNITY & CHARITABLE | $1,000 |
| JOHN WINTHROP SCHOOL BOSTON, MA | COMMUNITY & CHARITABLE | $1,000 |
| SIASCONSET UNION CHAPEL SIASCONSET, MA | RELIGIOUS | $1,000 |
| NORTHEAST MOUNTAIN BIKING ASSOCIATION ACTON, MA | RECREATION | $1,500 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The foundation is led by the following individuals, all of whom serve without compensation:
- Joanne S. Gill — President/Clerk
- Thomas Gill — Treasurer/Director
- Adam Forkner — Director
- Peter Forkner — Director
- Benjamin Forkner — Director
The foundation operates with zero employees.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
From 2025 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JOANNE S GILL | PRESIDENT/CLERK | 1 | — |
| ADAM FORKNER | TREASURER/DIRECTOR | — | — |
| PETER FORKNER | DIRECTOR | — | — |
| BENJAMIN FORKNER | DIRECTOR | — | — |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Palace Head Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation's mission centers on giving primarily for the arts, with particular emphasis on opera. Additional funding priorities include education and human services. The foundation supports initiatives in the following subject areas: • Arts and culture • Performing arts • Music and opera • Education • Health • Human services
How do I apply for a grant from Palace Head Foundation Inc?
**Grant Activity & Amounts** The foundation made 29 grants in its most recent fiscal year (ending March 2024). Typical grant awards range from $500 to $222,106. **Recent Grants (FY 2024)** Notable recent grants include: • The Society of The Four Arts: $125,000 • Trust for Public Land Group Return: $122,000 • Esplanade Association: $76,500 The foundation distributed a total of $753,780 in grants during the most recent reporting period.
Where does Palace Head Foundation Inc make grants?
The foundation supports projects across multiple U.S. states and cities, including: **States:** California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, New York, and Pennsylvania **Cities:** Boston, Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco, among others Primary grantmaking focuses on Massachusetts, Maine, and Colorado.
What size grants does Palace Head Foundation Inc award?
In 2025, Palace Head Foundation Inc awarded 67 grants totaling $754K — an average of about $11K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Palace Head Foundation Inc required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2025, Palace Head Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $850K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Palace Head Foundation Inc's EIN?
Palace Head Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-1740632. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Palace Head Foundation Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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