Ruby W and Lavon P Linn Foundation
The Ruby W and Lavon P Linn Foundation is a private foundation based in Boston, Massachusetts. Established by Ruby W. Linn in 2001, it operates for charitable, scientific, educational, and religious purposes and supports organizations that reflect the legacy of Ruby and LaVon Linn.
Ruby W and Lavon P Linn Foundation at a glance
In short: Ruby W and Lavon P Linn Foundation gave $2.7M across 12 grants in 2025 (avg $222K), mostly in Massachusetts. 50% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $2,667,399
- -4.9% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 12
- -25.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $222,283
- +26.8% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $154,000
- Total assets
- $68,820,965
- +5.6% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 50% first-time grantees (6 of 12, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Massachusetts (96% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Ruby W and Lavon P Linn Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation states that it does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Its application instructions describe an online application and require one hard copy with supporting materials, including a formal proposal, budget, board list, project overseer’s résumé, prior-year financial statements, proof of public-charity status, an IRS tax-exemption letter, and the most recent Form 990. The foundation does not make grants to individuals or private foundations; eligible applicants must be publicly supported charities or governmental units.
- Review Cycle
- Proposals are considered quarterly, with deadlines of April 1, July 1, October 1, and 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.
- Deadline
- Proposals are considered quarterly, with deadlines of April 1, July 1, October 1, and December 30.
- Contact
Mailing address: Choate Llp PO Box 961019, Boston, MA 02196
Phone: (617) 248-4760
Website: https://rwlinnfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Ruby W and Lavon P Linn Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Northeastern University ($949K). Together the top 10 received $2.6M.
Grant Size Distribution
79 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $100–250K range: 27 grants of 79 (34%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2025, 96% of grant dollars went to recipients in Massachusetts and 4% to recipients in Virginia. The listed 2025 grants included recipients in Boston and other Massachusetts communities, as well as the Mount Vernon Ladies Association in Virginia.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 12 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Ruby W and Lavon P Linn Foundation open to new grantees?
50%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 6 of 12 grantees (50%) were first-time recipients. With only 12 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 8 points. First grants averaged $170K; repeat grants $275K. How we count
Medians: $175K first-time, $154K repeat.
- 8% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (−18%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 92% 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 (2021–2025). 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 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $2.5M (2021) to $3.5M (2023). In 2025 it made 12 grants totaling $2.7M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Northeastern University Boston, MA | General Support | $949,399 |
| Harvard Street Neighborhood Health Center Boston, MA | General Support | $350,000 |
| Caritas Communities Braintree, MA | General Support | $250,000 |
| St Francis House Boston, MA | General Support | $250,000 |
| USS Constitution Museum Boston, MA | General Support | $250,000 |
| Plimoth Patuxent Museums Plymouth, MA | General Support | $208,000 |
| Lazarus House Ministries Lawrence, MA | General Support | $100,000 |
| Mount Vernon Ladies Association Mount Vernon, VA | General Support | $100,000 |
| Veterans Association of Bristol County Fall River, MA | General Support | $100,000 |
| The Home for Little Wanderers Boston, MA | General Support | $50,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Ruby W and Lavon P Linn Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $68,820,965 | $4,626,572 | $3,114,905 | $2,667,399 | 12 | $2,959,323 | $4,513,891 | $3,221,176 |
| 2024 | $65,201,899 | $2,363,940 | $3,194,640 | $2,803,951 | 16 | $3,067,387 | $2,256,634 | $2,981,363 |
| 2023 | $59,396,691 | $-250,357 | $3,893,760 | $3,536,937 | 15 | $3,783,501 | $786,618 | $2,869,898 |
| 2022 | $60,132,054 | $4,937,661 | $3,759,026 | $3,258,671 | 23 | $3,371,501 | $4,662,244 | $3,383,186 |
| 2021 | $76,229,811 | $4,657,124 | $3,037,535 | $2,542,503 | 13 | — | $4,362,398 | $3,345,746 |
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.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation states that it operates exclusively for charitable, scientific, educational, and religious purposes. It identifies Simmons College, veterans’ issues, patriotism and Americanism, Methodist institutions, and capital projects among Ruby Linn’s interests.
Examples of grantee work include Caritas Communities, which says it provides permanent housing and support to very low-income individuals, and the USS Constitution Museum, which says it engages visitors with maritime heritage, naval service, and the American experience. Perkins School for the Blind describes its work as serving children and young adults with multiple disabilities, their families, educators, researchers, and professionals. Community Systems says it helps people with disabilities live in their own homes and contribute to their communities.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation reported 12 grants totaling $2,667,399. The median grant was $154,000; awards ranged from $20,000 to $949,399. The foundation says grant amounts vary by organization and need, and that grants have ranged from $1,500 to $1,000,000.
The largest 2025 grant was $949,399 to Northeastern University for general support. Other large awards included $350,000 to Harvard Street Neighborhood Health Center and $250,000 each to Caritas Communities, St Francis House, and the USS Constitution Museum, all for general support. Plimoth Patuxent Museums received $208,000 for general support.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The foundation’s website lists William A. Lowell, William D. Borek, and Scott G. Borek as its current trustees. The 2025 filing lists William Borek, Scott G Borek, and William A Lowell as trustees. The foundation is administered by Choate Hall & Stewart LLP in Boston.
Ruby W and Lavon P Linn Foundation's 2025 filing lists 3 officers; all 3 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Scott G Borek
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
$24K (2021) → $40K (2025)
William A Lowell
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
$18K (2022) → $40K (2025)
William Borek
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
$24K (2021) → $40K (2025)
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $40K, to William Borek (Trustee). 3 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Ruby W and Lavon P Linn Foundation
How much does Ruby W and Lavon P Linn Foundation give each year?
Ruby W and Lavon P Linn Foundation gave $2.7M across 12 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $2.8M across 16 grants.
What is Ruby W and Lavon P Linn Foundation's typical grant size?
Ruby W and Lavon P Linn Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $154,000, and its average grant was $222,283, across 12 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Ruby W and Lavon P Linn Foundation that year got $170K on average.
Where does Ruby W and Lavon P Linn Foundation give grants?
Ruby W and Lavon P Linn Foundation gives mostly in Massachusetts: 96% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Boston, MA (5 grants) and Plymouth, MA (2 grants).
Does Ruby W and Lavon P Linn Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Ruby W and Lavon P Linn Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (12 of 12) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Ruby W and Lavon P Linn Foundation's largest grantees?
Ruby W and Lavon P Linn Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Northeastern University ($949,399), Harvard Street Neighborhood Health Center ($350,000) and Caritas Communities ($250,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 58% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Ruby W and Lavon P Linn Foundation?
Ruby W and Lavon P Linn Foundation reported $68.8M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $3.0M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $3.2M (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 Ruby W and Lavon P Linn Foundation fund?
The foundation states that it operates exclusively for charitable, scientific, educational, and religious purposes. It identifies Simmons College, veterans’ issues, patriotism and Americanism, Methodist institutions, and capital projects among Ruby Linn’s interests. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Ruby W and Lavon P Linn Foundation?
The foundation states that it does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
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.
Does Ruby W and Lavon P Linn 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 2021–2025
Live grants for the work Ruby W and Lavon P Linn Foundation funds
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Ruby W and Lavon P Linn Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 18, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/ruby-w-and-lavon-p-linn-foundation-morg_04e4f64bbb6249708954de18147220e2
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_316672883_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Ruby W and Lavon P Linn Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/ruby-w-and-lavon-p-linn-foundation-morg_04e4f64bbb6249708954de18147220e2},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-18. 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 Ruby W and Lavon P Linn Foundation'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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