Running Deer Foundation

NEEDHAM, MA EIN: 04-3409527

Running Deer Foundation is a private foundation based in Needham, Massachusetts, established in 1998. The foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) organization and focuses on charitable grantmaking across multiple sectors.

Financial Overview

From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

$1.5M

-21.5% YoY

Annual Giving

$648K

+356.4% YoY

Grant Count

36

-5.3% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$18K

+381.7% YoY

Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Running Deer Foundation reported a distributable amount of $103K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

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

Mission & Focus Areas

The foundation primarily funds charitable purposes with a focus on:

  • Education
  • Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking
  • Human Services
  • Science and STEM Education
  • Higher Education

Grantmaking

The foundation does not currently list active grant opportunities.

Average Grant

amount and median grant amount data available but specific figures not disclosed in sources

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Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

The foundation primarily funds organizations in:

  • Massachusetts
  • Illinois
  • California

Grant Distribution by State

22states
+14 more states

Cities

AlexandriaAustinBostonBoys TownBurlingtonCharlestownChestnut HillChicagoCulver CityDallasDedhamDeneverDenverEncinoEssex JunctionGalesburgGulfportHamptonHarwich PortHarwich Port Ma

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

As of December 31, 2024:

  • Total Assets: $1,459,531
  • Total Giving: $648,300
  • Total Revenues: $250,877
  • Total Expenses: $651,300

Revenue Composition (2024):

  • Investment income and dividends: $38,322
  • Net gain from sale of non-inventory assets: $212,555

Staffing:

  • 0 employees
Revenue
Expenses
Qualifying Distributions
Net Investment Income
$0$179K$358K$537K$716K20202021202220232024
Metric202420232022
Total Assets$1,459,531$1,859,864$1,920,494
Revenue$250,877$84,170$125,884
Expenses$651,300$144,800$133,050
Qualifying Distributions$651,300$144,800$133,050
Net Investment Income$250,877$84,170$125,884
Distributable Amount$102,918$107,837$109,331

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$162K$324K$486K$648K32 grants202057 grants202134 grants202238 grants202336 grants2024

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2024

WELLESLEY VILLAGE CHURCH$566KANDOVER NEWTON SEMINARY$15KWESTWOOD HILLS CONGREGAT…$15KWILLIAMS COLLEGE ALUMNI …$8KHAVARD BUSINESS SCHOOL$5KPRAYERS INC$5KWELLESLEY A BETTER CHANCE$5KCARROLL SCHOOL$4KMALAYAKA HOUSE$4KBOSTON UNIVERSITY SCHOOL…$3K

Grant Size Distribution

190 grants across all recorded years

184<$50K3$50–100K2$100–250K$250–500K1$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Wellesley Village Church ($566,250), Andover Newton Seminary ($15,000), Westwood Hills Congregational Church ($15,000).

RecipientPurposeAmount
909 WBUR BOSTON, MACHARITABLE PURPOSE$250
ANDOVER NEWTON SEMINARY NEW HAVEN, CTCHAIRTABLE$15,000
ARMENIAN MISSIONARY ASSOCIATION PARAMUS, NJCHARITABLE PURPOSE$300
BOSTON UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY BOSTON, MACHARITABLE$2,500
BOYS TOWN BOYS TOWN, NECHARITABLE PURPOSE$250
CARROLL SCHOOL LINCOLN, MACHARITABLE PURPOSE$4,000
CURE EPILEPSY CHICAGO, ILCHARITABLE$250
FAMILY PROMISE METRO WEST NATICK, MACHARITABLE$250
FOR HIS CHILDREN MILLPORT, NYCHARITABLE PURPOSE$1,000
FRIENDS OF HERRING RIVER S WELLFLEET, MACHARITABLE PURPOSE$250

Leadership & Key People

Officers and directors from IRS filings

Compensation Overview

From 2024 IRS filing

From 2024 filing

NameTitleHoursCompensation
EDWARD R BEDROSIANTRUSTEE
DIANE Y BEDROSIANTRUSTEE
EDWARD R BEDROSIAN JRTRUSTEE

Subject Areas

Focus areas based on grantmaking activity

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Running Deer Foundation fund?

The foundation primarily funds charitable purposes with a focus on: • Education • Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking • Human Services • Science and STEM Education • Higher Education

How do I apply for a grant from Running Deer Foundation?

**Grant Activity:** • Made 32 grants in 2024 • Typical grant awards range from $250 to $566,250 • Average grant amount and median grant amount data available but specific figures not disclosed in sources **Recent Grantees (2024):** • Westwood Hills Congregational Church ($15,000) • Carroll School ($4,000) • Malayaka House ($3,500) The foundation does not currently list active grant opportunities.

Where does Running Deer Foundation make grants?

The foundation primarily funds organizations in: • Massachusetts • Illinois • California

What size grants does Running Deer Foundation award?

In 2024, Running Deer Foundation awarded 36 grants totaling $648K — an average of about $18K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.

How much is Running Deer Foundation required to give away each year?

Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Running Deer Foundation reported a distributable amount of $103K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

What is Running Deer Foundation's EIN?

Running Deer Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 04-3409527. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.

Explore Open Grants

Browse active grant opportunities in Running Deer Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database

Related Funders

Similar funders by location and focus area

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

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