Richard Saltonstall Charitable
Richard Saltonstall Charitable is a private foundation based in Boston, Massachusetts. It reported 39 grants totaling $2,357,500 in 2024, with recipients including organizations working in conservation, marine conservation, food distribution, tick-borne disease research, history, and the arts.
Richard Saltonstall Charitable at a glance
In short: Richard Saltonstall Charitable gave $2.4M across 39 grants in 2024 (avg $60K), mostly in Massachusetts. 3% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $2,357,500
- +2.3% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 39
- +2.6% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $60,449
- -0.3% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $50,000
- Total assets
- $31,432,349
- -1.6% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 3% first-time grantees (1 of 38, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Massachusetts (86% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Richard Saltonstall Charitable
- How to Apply
-
The filing lists the foundation as the contact, states that there are no special requirements for forms and materials, and gives “MASSACHUSETTS AREA” as the restriction on awards.
- Review Cycle
- The filing lists October 1. That date has passed for 2026.
- Deadline
- The filing lists October 1.
- Contact
Application contact: Richard Saltonstall Charitable
Mailing address: 50 Congress Street Room 800, Boston, MA 02109
Phone: (617) 227-8660
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Richard Saltonstall Charitable funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was United Way ($260K across 2 grants). Together the top 10 received $1.2M.
Grant Size Distribution
193 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 89 grants of 193 (46%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s filing states that awards are restricted to the Massachusetts area. In 2024, 86% of grant dollars went to recipients in Massachusetts; 4% each went to California, Connecticut, and Maine, and 2% went to New York.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 39 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Richard Saltonstall Charitable open to new grantees?
3%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 1 of 38 grantees (3%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $35K; repeat grants $63K. How we count
Medians: $35K first-time, $50K repeat.
- 95% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (−3%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 96% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). 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 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $2.2M (2020) to $2.8M (2022). In 2024 it made 39 grants totaling $2.4M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| United Way Boston, MA | General Support | $160,000 |
| Conservation Law Foundation Boston, MA | General Support | $150,000 |
| New England Aquarium Boston, MA | General Support | $150,000 |
| Greater Boston Food Bank Boston, MA | General Support | $115,000 |
| Cure Alzheimer's Fund Wellesley, MA | General Support | $100,000 |
| Hale Reservation Westwood, MA | General Support | $100,000 |
| United Way Boston, MA | General Support | $100,000 |
| Bay Area Lyme Foundation Portola Valley, CA | General Support | $90,000 |
| Global Lyme Alliance Stamford, CT | General Support | $90,000 |
| International Red Cross Medford, MA | General Support | $75,000 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $31,432,349 | $2,432,692 | $2,934,382 | $2,357,500 | 39 | $2,791,783 | $2,329,443 | $2,905,609 |
| 2023 | $31,938,506 | $1,116,067 | $2,912,430 | $2,303,538 | 38 | $2,716,588 | $1,355,737 | $2,770,446 |
| 2022 | $33,734,869 | $3,399,998 | $3,378,349 | $2,817,281 | 42 | $3,218,582 | $3,241,835 | $2,904,839 |
| 2021 | $33,513,168 | $2,805,982 | $2,973,506 | $2,422,806 | 38 | $2,811,025 | $2,569,794 | $3,005,410 |
| 2020 | $33,716,231 | $750,979 | $2,623,035 | $2,173,395 | 36 | — | $1,454,537 | $2,732,628 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Richard Saltonstall Charitable reported a distributable amount of $2.9M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No foundation mission statement is provided. Its 2024 grants show support for organizations with a range of missions. Conservation Law Foundation describes its work as protecting New England’s environment using law, science, and markets. The New England Aquarium says it works through public engagement, education, marine animal conservation, research, and advocacy. The Greater Boston Food Bank describes its work as acquiring and distributing food through member agencies and direct distribution sites.
Other 2024 recipients include the Global Lyme Alliance and Bay Area Lyme Foundation, which describe their missions as addressing Lyme and other tick-borne diseases through research, awareness, education, and prevention; the Massachusetts Historical Society, which promotes understanding of Massachusetts and national history; and Peabody Essex Museum, which offers experiences in the arts, humanities, and sciences.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation made 39 grants totaling $2,357,500. Grant amounts ranged from $15,000 to $160,000, with a median of $50,000.
The largest reported grants included $160,000 to United Way in Boston; $150,000 each to Conservation Law Foundation and New England Aquarium, both in Boston; $115,000 to Greater Boston Food Bank; and $100,000 each to Cure Alzheimer’s Fund and Hale Reservation. Each of these grants was listed for general support. Other notable grants included $90,000 each to Bay Area Lyme Foundation and Global Lyme Alliance, and $75,000 each to International Red Cross and WBUR.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists the following trustees: Dudley H Willis, Mary R Saltonstall, David S Willis, Roland F Pease Jr (through 12/31/2023), Matthew Megargel, and Lori K Pease (as of 11/2024).
Richard Saltonstall Charitable's 2024 filing lists 5 officers; all 5 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
David S. Willis
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$8K (2020) → $8K (2024)
Dudley H. Willis
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$8K (2020) → $8K (2024)
Mary R. Saltonstall
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$8K (2020) → $8K (2024)
Matthew Megargel
Trustee
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
$33 (2022) → $8K (2024)
Lori K. Pease
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
$6K (2024)
Former officers (1)
- Former: Roland F. Pease Jr. (2020–2024) — Trustee · Filing note: Thru 123123
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $8K, to Dudley H Willis (Trustee). 6 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Richard Saltonstall Charitable
How much does Richard Saltonstall Charitable give each year?
Richard Saltonstall Charitable gave $2.4M across 39 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $2.3M across 38 grants.
What is Richard Saltonstall Charitable's typical grant size?
Richard Saltonstall Charitable's median grant in 2024 was $50,000, and its average grant was $60,449, across 39 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Richard Saltonstall Charitable that year got $35K on average.
Where does Richard Saltonstall Charitable give grants?
Richard Saltonstall Charitable gives mostly in Massachusetts: 86% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Boston, MA (20 grants) and Wellesley, MA (2 grants).
Does Richard Saltonstall Charitable give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Richard Saltonstall Charitable's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (39 of 39) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Richard Saltonstall Charitable's largest grantees?
Richard Saltonstall Charitable's largest 2024 grantees include United Way ($260,000 across 2 grants), Conservation Law Foundation ($150,000) and New England Aquarium ($150,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 24% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Richard Saltonstall Charitable?
Richard Saltonstall Charitable reported $31.4M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $2.8M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $2.9M (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does Richard Saltonstall Charitable fund?
No foundation mission statement is provided. Its 2024 grants show support for organizations with a range of missions. Conservation Law Foundation describes its work as protecting New England’s environment using law, science, and markets. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Richard Saltonstall Charitable?
The filing lists the foundation as the contact, states that there are no special requirements for forms and materials, and gives “MASSACHUSETTS AREA” as the restriction on awards. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Richard Saltonstall Charitable's EIN?
Richard Saltonstall Charitable's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 04-6078934. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Richard Saltonstall Charitable funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 14, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/richard-saltonstall-charitable-morg_a1c21ba5e21f449186ba94f1f92bfe37
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_046078934_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Richard Saltonstall Charitable funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/richard-saltonstall-charitable-morg_a1c21ba5e21f449186ba94f1f92bfe37},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-14. 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 Richard Saltonstall Charitable'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.
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