Ruby W and Lavon P Linn Foundation
The Ruby W and Lavon P Linn Foundation is a private family foundation established on August 13, 2001, by Ruby W. Linn in Boston, Massachusetts. The foundation operates exclusively for charitable, scientific, educational, and religious purposes, continuing the philanthropic legacy of Ruby and her husband, LaVon.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$68.8M
+5.6% YoY
Annual Giving
$2.7M
-4.9% YoY
Grant Count
12
-25.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$222K
+26.8% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Ruby W and Lavon P Linn Foundation reported a distributable amount of $3.2M for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation supports organizations that reflect the legacy left by Ruby and LaVon Linn. Ruby's personal interests, which continue to guide the foundation's work, include:
- Education, particularly her alma mater Simmons College
- Veteran's issues
- Promoting patriotism and Americanism
- Methodist institutions and religious organizations
- Human services
- Education for people who are blind
Grantmaking
Grant sizes vary widely based on organizational need and resources, ranging from $1,500 to $1,000,000. Recent data indicates typical awards between $15,000 and $1,017,165.
Grant Range
s vary widely based on organizational need and resources, ranging from $1,500 to $1,000,000. Recent data indicates typical awards between $15,000 and $1,017,165.
Review Cycle
- Spring: April 1
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Massachusetts and Virginia.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Based on the most recent IRS Form 990 filing (2025):
- Total assets: $68,820,965
- Total giving: $2,667,399
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $68,820,965 | $65,201,899 | $59,396,691 |
| Revenue | $4,626,572 | $2,363,940 | $-250,357 |
| Expenses | $3,114,905 | $3,194,640 | $3,893,760 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $2,959,323 | $3,067,387 | $3,783,501 |
| Net Investment Income | $4,513,891 | $2,256,634 | $786,618 |
| Distributable Amount | $3,221,176 | $2,981,363 | $2,869,898 |
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
79 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2025 grants, the largest include Northeastern University ($949,399), Harvard Street Neighborhood Health Center ($350,000), Caritas Communities ($250,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Caritas Communities Braintree, MA | General Support | $250,000 |
| Community Systems Plymouth, MA | General Support | $20,000 |
| Harvard Street Neighborhood Health Center Boston, MA | General Support | $350,000 |
| Lazarus House Ministries Lawrence, MA | General Support | $100,000 |
| Mount Vernon Ladies Association Mount Vernon, VA | General Support | $100,000 |
| Northeastern University Boston, MA | General Support | $949,399 |
| Perkins School for the Blind Watertown, MA | General Support | $40,000 |
| Plimoth Patuxent Museums Plymouth, MA | General Support | $208,000 |
| St Francis House Boston, MA | General Support | $250,000 |
| The Home for Little Wanderers Boston, MA | General Support | $50,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The foundation is administered by the law firm Choate Hall & Stewart LLP in Boston, Massachusetts.
Trustees:
- John M. Cornish
- Thomas H. P. Whitney, Jr.
Board of Advisors:
- Brian Cassie
- Libby Herland
- Kathleen McGrath
- Bernard J. McHugh
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
From 2025 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| William Borek | Trustee | 1 | $40,000 |
| Scott G Borek | Trustee | 1 | $40,000 |
| William A Lowell | Trustee | 1 | $40,000 |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Ruby W and Lavon P Linn Foundation fund?
The foundation supports organizations that reflect the legacy left by Ruby and LaVon Linn. Ruby's personal interests, which continue to guide the foundation's work, include: • Education, particularly her alma mater Simmons College • Veteran's issues • Promoting patriotism and Americanism • Methodist institutions and religious organizations • Human services • Education for people who are blind
How do I apply for a grant from Ruby W and Lavon P Linn Foundation?
**Grant Amounts** Grant sizes vary widely based on organizational need and resources, ranging from $1,500 to $1,000,000. Recent data indicates typical awards between $15,000 and $1,017,165. **Application Timeline** The foundation awards grants quarterly with the following deadlines: • Spring: April 1 • Summer: July 1 • Fall: October 1 • Winter: December 30 If a deadline falls on a weekend or federal holiday, applications are due by 5:00 p.m. on the preceding business day. Grant decisions are ma…
Where does Ruby W and Lavon P Linn Foundation make grants?
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Massachusetts and Virginia.
What size grants does Ruby W and Lavon P Linn Foundation award?
In 2025, Ruby W and Lavon P Linn Foundation awarded 12 grants totaling $2.7M — an average of about $222K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Ruby W and Lavon P Linn Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2025, Ruby W and Lavon P Linn Foundation reported a distributable amount of $3.2M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Ruby W and Lavon P Linn Foundation's EIN?
Ruby W and Lavon P Linn Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 31-6672883. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
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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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