Putnam Investments Foundation
Putnam Investments Foundation is a private foundation based in Boston, Massachusetts (EIN 04-3175266). It made 12 grants totaling $54,550 in 2023. The foundation’s 2022 filing is marked as its final return; it states that the trustees voted in 2023 to dissolve the foundation voluntarily and that cash on hand was spent during 2023. The foundation therefore appears to have wound down and stopped grantmaking.
Putnam Investments Foundation at a glance
In short: Putnam Investments Foundation gave $55K across 12 grants in 2023 (avg $5K), mostly in Massachusetts. Source: 2023 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2023)
- $54,550
- -60.8% vs 2022
- Grants made (2023)
- 12
- +9.1% vs 2022
- Average grant
- $4,546
- -64.0% vs 2022
- Median grant
- $4,000
- Primary geography
- Massachusetts (73% of itemized 2023 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2023 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2023; updated October 2026.
How to apply to Putnam Investments Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. This policy is reported in its final-return filing and is not presented as a current application opportunity.
- Contact
Mailing address: 100 Federal Street, Boston, MA 02110
Phone: (617) 760-1000
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Putnam Investments Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2023
The largest 2023 recipient was Council for Economic Education ($15K). Together the top 10 received $52K.
Grant Size Distribution
24 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 22 grants of 24 (92%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2023, 73% of grant dollars went to recipients in Massachusetts and 27% to recipients in New York.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2023 grant dollars across all 12 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Putnam Investments Foundation gives
- 83% of 2023 grantees were also funded in 2022. Method
- In 2023 it paid out well above its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2023). 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 2023, annual grant giving ranged from $55K (2023) to $139K (2022). In 2023 it made 12 grants totaling $55K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Council for Economic Education New York, NY | Support Charitable Mission | $15,000 |
| Museum of Fine Arts Boston, MA | Support Charitable Mission | $6,000 |
| Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum Boston, MA | Support Charitable Mission | $5,000 |
| Institute of Contemporary Art Boston, MA | Support Charitable Mission | $5,000 |
| Boston Children's Museum Boston, MA | Support Charitable Mission | $5,000 |
| Boch Center Boston, MA | Support Charitable Mission | $5,000 |
| Zoo New England Boston, MA | Support Charitable Mission | $3,000 |
| Museum of Science Boston, MA | Support Charitable Mission | $2,500 |
| Peabody Essex Museum Salem, MA | Support Charitable Mission | $2,500 |
| Boston Ballet Bosston, MA | Support Charitable Mission | $2,500 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | — | $2,298 | $60,085 | $54,550 | 12 | $60,085 | $1,722 |
| 2022 | $57,787 | $75,250 | $149,070 | $139,000 | 11 | $149,070 | $4,341 |
| 2021 | $131,607 | $186,101 | $100,035 | $100,000 | 1 | $100,035 | $10,155 |
| 2020 | $45,541 | — | — | — | — | — | $2,243 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Putnam Investments Foundation reported a distributable amount of $2K for 2023 — 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 2023 grants went to organizations including museums, performing arts groups, an aquarium, a zoo, and an organization focused on economic education. The supported organizations describe their own missions in varied terms: for example, the Museum of Science says it aims to make science accessible and engaging, and the New England Aquarium describes work in public education, marine animal conservation, research, and advocacy for the ocean. These are the grantees’ missions, not stated missions of the foundation.
Grantmaking
In 2023, the foundation gave $54,550 through 12 grants. Grants ranged from $550 to $15,000, with a median of $4,000. The largest grants were $15,000 to the Council for Economic Education in New York and $6,000 to the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. Other 2023 recipients included the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Institute of Contemporary Art, Boston Children’s Museum, Boch Center, Zoo New England, Museum of Science, Peabody Essex Museum, Boston Ballet, New England Aquarium, and Pembroke Titans Against Drugs.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2023 filing lists Jonathan M. Goldstein, David J. Teeven, and Robert D. Ettinger as trustees.
Putnam Investments Foundation's 2023 filing lists 3 officers; none of the 3 officers listed in 2023 report compensation.
Officers on the 2023 filing
David J. Teeven
Trustee
On filings since 2020
0 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jonathan M. Goldstein
Trustee
On filings since 2020
0 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Robert D. Ettinger
Trustee
On filings since 2020
0 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2023. "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 Putnam Investments Foundation
How much does Putnam Investments Foundation give each year?
Putnam Investments Foundation gave $55K across 12 grants in 2023, according to its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2022 it gave $139K across 11 grants.
What is Putnam Investments Foundation's typical grant size?
Putnam Investments Foundation's median grant in 2023 was $4,000, and its average grant was $4,546, across 12 grants on its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Putnam Investments Foundation give grants?
Putnam Investments Foundation gives mostly in Massachusetts: 73% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was New York (27%). The most frequent recipient cities were Boston, MA (8 grants).
Does Putnam Investments Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2023: none of the 12 grants with a stated purpose on Putnam Investments Foundation's 2023 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Support Charitable Mission" (12 grants).
Who are Putnam Investments Foundation's largest grantees?
Putnam Investments Foundation's largest 2023 grantees include Council for Economic Education ($15,000), Museum of Fine Arts ($6,000) and Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum ($5,000), according to its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 48% of its itemized 2023 grant dollars.
What does Putnam Investments Foundation fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2023 grants went to organizations including museums, performing arts groups, an aquarium, a zoo, and an organization focused on economic education. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Putnam Investments Foundation?
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
How much is Putnam Investments Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2023, Putnam Investments Foundation reported a distributable amount of $2K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Putnam Investments Foundation's EIN?
Putnam Investments Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 04-3175266. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2023.
Does Putnam Investments 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 2020–2023
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Putnam Investments Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?