Robert and Iris Fanger Family Foundation

Private foundation · Grantmaker Cambridge, MA EIN: 04-3425988

The Robert and Iris Fanger Family Foundation is a private foundation based in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Its 2024 grants went to organizations including climate research, child and family services, history, and performing arts organizations.

Key facts about Robert and Iris Fanger Family Foundation

In short: Robert and Iris Fanger Family Foundation gave $47K across 67 grants in 2024 (avg $698.284), mostly in Massachusetts. 31% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.

EIN
04-3425988
Latest 990 filing
Form 990-PF, 2024
Annual giving (2024)
$46,785
Grants made (2024)
67
Average grant
$698
Median grant
$250
New grantees (estimate)
31% first-time grantees (21 of 67, 2024)
Total assets
$55,025
Primary geography
Massachusetts (84% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
How to apply
The foundation does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. Full details ↓
Deadline
None.

Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology). Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.

Financial Overview

From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

$55K

-44.9% YoY

Annual Giving

$47K

-35.5% YoY

Grant Count

67

-2.9% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$698.284

-33.6% YoY

Is Robert and Iris Fanger Family Foundation open to new grantees?

31%

first-time grantees, 2024

In 2024, 21 of 67 grantees (31%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $376; repeat grants $845. How we count

Medians: $250 first-time, $300 repeat.

  • 49% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
  • Giving fell 45% from 2021 to 2024. 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.

Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.

Mission & Focus Areas

No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants show support for a range of organizations. For example, Woodwell Climate Research Center says it conducts science for solutions at the nexus of climate, people, and nature. The Home for Little Wanderers describes its mission as helping vulnerable children and families build permanent, positive change. Massachusetts Historical Society says it promotes understanding of Massachusetts and national history.

Performing arts recipients included Boston Ballet, which describes its work as forging human connections through art; Huntington Theatre Company, which says it engages audiences with theatrical productions and supports theatre artists; and Boston Dance Alliance, which says it works to increase access to dance and support dance in Greater Boston.

Grantmaking

In 2024, the foundation made 67 grants totaling $46,785. Grants ranged from $50 to $8,000, with a median of $250. Among the largest grants were $8,000 to Woodwell Climate Research Center, $5,540 to Temple Israel, $5,000 to The Home for Little Wanderers, $2,540 to Museum of Fine Arts Boston, and $2,500 to Massachusetts Historical Society. These grants were listed for unrestricted use.

Review Cycle

None.

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Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

In 2024, 84% of grant dollars went to recipients in Massachusetts and 11% to recipients in New York. Smaller reported shares went to recipients in Washington, DC (2%) and Florida (2%); New Hampshire accounted for 0%.

Grant Distribution by State

19states

Share of all 67 itemized 2024 grant dollars.

Cities

BostonNew YorkCambridgeWashingtonFalmouthSarasotaWoods HoleHanoverBrooklynGrotonBrooklineEtnaLanderSan FranciscoWatertownArlingtonManhattanSomervilleWatervilleAmherst

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$50K$100K$150K91 grants202070 grants202180 grants202269 grants202367 grants2024

From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $47K (2024) to $115K (2020). In 2024 it made 67 grants totaling $47K.

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2024

Woodwell Climate Research Center: $8KWoodwell Climate ResearchCenter$8KTemple Israel: $6KTemple Israel$6KThe Home for Little Wanderers: $5KThe Home for Little Wanderers$5KMuseum of Fine Arts Boston: $3KMuseum of Fine Arts Boston$3KMassachusetts Historical Society: $3KMassachusetts HistoricalSociety$3KMHS Gala: $2KMHS Gala$2KBoston Ballet: $2KBoston Ballet$2KAmerican Ballet Theatre: $1KAmerican Ballet Theatre$1KBallet Theater Foundation: $1KBallet Theater Foundation$1KMargaret Jenkins Dance CO: $1KMargaret Jenkins Dance CO$1K

The largest 2024 recipient was Woodwell Climate Research Center ($8K). Together the top 10 received $30K.

Grant Size Distribution

377 grants across all recorded years

377<$50K$50–100K$100–250K$250–500K$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

The most common grant size was under $50K: 377 grants of 377 (100%).

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
Woodwell Climate Research Center Falmouth, MAUnrestricted Use$8,000
Temple Israel Boston, MAUnrestricted Use$5,540
The Home for Little Wanderers Boston, MAUnrestricted Use$5,000
Museum of Fine Arts Boston Boston, MAUnrestricted Use$2,540
Massachusetts Historical Society Boston, MAUnrestricted Use$2,500
MHS Gala Boston, MAUnrestricted Use$2,250
Boston Ballet Boston, MAUnrestricted Use$1,500
American Ballet Theatre New York, NYUnrestricted Use$1,000
Ballet Theater Foundation New York, NYUnrestricted Use$1,000
Margaret Jenkins Dance CO Boston, MAUnrestricted Use$1,000

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Filing year Assets Revenue Expenses Grants
2024 $55,025 — $44,749 $46,785
2023 $99,774 — $77,942 $72,590
2022 $177,716 $3,900 $88,644 $87,347
Revenue
Expenses
Qualifying Distributions
$0$50K$100K$150K20202021202220232024
Metric202420232022
Total Assets$55,025$99,774$177,716
Revenue——$3,900
Expenses$44,749$77,942$88,644
Qualifying Distributions$46,785$72,590$87,347
Net Investment Income———
Distributable Amount———

Data update history

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

  1. IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

The 2024 filing lists Robert D Fanger and Iris Fanger as trustees.

Robert and Iris Fanger Family Foundation's 2024 filing lists 2 officers; none of the 2 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.

Officers on the 2024 filing

  • Iris Fanger

    Trustee

    On filings since 2020

    No compensation reported

  • Robert D. Fanger

    Trustee

    On filings since 2020

    No compensation reported

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.

Contact

Application contact: Robert Iris Fanger 1-617-734-2735
Mailing address: 1010 Memorial Drive, Cambridge, MA 02138
Phone: (617) 734-2735

Frequently asked questions about Robert and Iris Fanger Family Foundation

How much does Robert and Iris Fanger Family Foundation give each year?

Robert and Iris Fanger Family Foundation gave $47K across 67 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $73K across 69 grants.

What is Robert and Iris Fanger Family Foundation's typical grant size?

Robert and Iris Fanger Family Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $250, and its average grant was $698, across 67 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Robert and Iris Fanger Family Foundation that year got $376 on average.

Where does Robert and Iris Fanger Family Foundation give grants?

Robert and Iris Fanger Family Foundation gives mostly in Massachusetts: 84% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was New York (11%). The most frequent recipient cities were Boston, MA (25 grants), New York, NY (11 grants), Cambridge, MA (9 grants) and Falmouth, MA (7 grants).

Does Robert and Iris Fanger Family Foundation give general operating support?

Yes: 100% of Robert and Iris Fanger Family Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (67 of 67) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.

Who are Robert and Iris Fanger Family Foundation's largest grantees?

Robert and Iris Fanger Family Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Woodwell Climate Research Center ($8,000), Temple Israel ($5,540) and The Home for Little Wanderers ($5,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 40% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.

How large is Robert and Iris Fanger Family Foundation?

Robert and Iris Fanger Family Foundation reported $55K in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.

What does Robert and Iris Fanger Family Foundation fund?

No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants show support for a range of organizations. For example, Woodwell Climate Research Center says it conducts science for solutions at the nexus of climate, people, and nature. See mission & focus areas ↑

How do I apply for a grant from Robert and Iris Fanger Family Foundation?

The foundation does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑

What is Robert and Iris Fanger Family Foundation's EIN?

Robert and Iris Fanger Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 04-3425988. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.

Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.

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