Running Deer Foundation
Running Deer Foundation is a private foundation based in Needham, Massachusetts. Its 2025 filing reports 30 grants totaling $297,705 to organizations, with the largest share of grant dollars going to recipients in Massachusetts.
Running Deer Foundation at a glance
In short: Running Deer Foundation gave $298K across 30 grants in 2025 (avg $10K), mostly in Massachusetts. 13% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $297,705
- -54.1% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 30
- -16.7% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $9,924
- -44.9% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $750
- Total assets
- $1,434,366
- -1.7% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 13% first-time grantees (4 of 30, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Massachusetts (90% 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 Running Deer Foundation
- How to Apply
-
The filing says no specified form is required and identifies Edward R Bedrosian as the person to contact. It says the foundation does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. Contributions are made to organizations described in Sections 501(c)(3), 170(c), 2055(a), and 2522(a) of the Internal Revenue Code.
- Review Cycle
- None is stated on the filing.
- Deadline
- None is stated on the filing.
- Contact
Application contact: Edward R Bedrosian
Mailing address: 865 Central Ave Unit G-310, Needham, MA 02492
Phone: (617) 494-1000
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Running Deer Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Wellesley Village Church ($235K). Together the top 10 received $287K.
Grant Size Distribution
195 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 188 grants of 195 (96%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2025, 90% of grant dollars went to recipients in Massachusetts. The remaining reported shares went to California (5%), Connecticut (2%), Vermont (1%), and Illinois (1%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 30 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Running Deer Foundation open to new grantees?
13%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 4 of 30 grantees (13%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $700; repeat grants $11K. How we count
Medians: $750 first-time, $750 repeat.
- 70% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving grew 128% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 278% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2019–2025). 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 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $131K (2022) to $648K (2024). In 2025 it made 30 grants totaling $298K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Wellesley Village Church Wellesley, MA | Charitable Purpose | $235,000 |
| Westwood Hills Congregational Church Los Angeles, CA | Charitable Purpose | $15,000 |
| Williams College Alumni Fund Williamstown, MA | Charitable Purpose | $10,000 |
| Andover Newton Seminary New Haven, CT | Charitable Purpose | $5,000 |
| Havard Business School Boston, MA | Charitable Purpose | $5,000 |
| Wellesley a Better Chance Wellesley, MA | Charitable Purpose | $5,000 |
| Carroll School Lincoln, MA | Charitable Purpose | $4,000 |
| Malayaka House Essex Junction, VT | Charitable Purpose | $3,500 |
| Trustees of Boston University Boston, MA | Charitable Purpose | $2,500 |
| Knox College Galesburg, IL | Charitable Purpose | $2,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Running Deer 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 | $1,434,366 | $267,061 | $297,705 | $297,705 | 30 | $297,705 | $267,061 | $107,156 |
| 2024 | $1,459,531 | $250,877 | $651,300 | $648,300 | 36 | $651,300 | $250,877 | $102,918 |
| 2023 | $1,859,864 | $84,170 | $144,800 | $142,050 | 38 | $144,800 | $84,170 | $107,837 |
| 2022 | $1,920,494 | $125,884 | $133,050 | $130,550 | 34 | $133,050 | $125,884 | $109,331 |
| 2021 | $1,928,270 | $227,801 | $500,250 | $497,750 | 57 | $500,250 | $227,801 | $124,678 |
| 2020 | $2,328,954 | $338,806 | $159,739 | $139,350 | 32 | — | $138,806 | $101,333 |
| 2019 | $2,024,591 | $598,371 | $169,850 | $167,350 | 39 | — | $498,371 | $86,003 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Running Deer Foundation reported a distributable amount of $107K 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 available filing information does not state a mission for the foundation. Its 2025 grants were reported for “charitable purpose.” The recipient organizations describe a range of missions: Malayaka House says it assists women and abandoned children in Uganda; Knox College describes its work as providing a liberal arts education to students from diverse backgrounds; and Friends of Herring River describes work in environmental education, research, awareness, and habitat protection. These are the grantees’ stated missions, not the foundation’s.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation made 30 grants totaling $297,705. Grant amounts ranged from $155 to $235,000, with a median of $750. Notable grants included $235,000 to Wellesley Village Church, $15,000 to Westwood Hills Congregational Church, $10,000 to Williams College Alumni Fund, and $5,000 each to Andover Newton Seminary, Havard Business School, and Wellesley A Better Chance. The stated purpose for these grants was “charitable purpose.”
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Edward R Bedrosian, Diane Y Bedrosian, and Edward R Bedrosian Jr as trustees.
Running Deer Foundation's 2025 filing lists 3 officers; none of the 3 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Diane Y. Bedrosian
Trustee
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Edward R. Bedrosian
Trustee
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Edward R. Bedrosian Jr.
Trustee
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about Running Deer Foundation
How much does Running Deer Foundation give each year?
Running Deer Foundation gave $298K across 30 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $648K across 36 grants.
What is Running Deer Foundation's typical grant size?
Running Deer Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $750, and its average grant was $9,924, across 30 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Running Deer Foundation that year got $700 on average.
Where does Running Deer Foundation give grants?
Running Deer Foundation gives mostly in Massachusetts: 90% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was California (5%). The most frequent recipient cities were Boston, MA (8 grants), Wellesley, MA (2 grants), Los Angeles, CA (2 grants) and Wellfleet, MA (2 grants).
Who are Running Deer Foundation's largest grantees?
Running Deer Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Wellesley Village Church ($235,000), Westwood Hills Congregational Church ($15,000) and Williams College Alumni Fund ($10,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 87% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Running Deer Foundation?
Running Deer Foundation reported $1.4M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $298K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $107K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Running Deer Foundation fund?
The available filing information does not state a mission for the foundation. Its 2025 grants were reported for “charitable purpose.” See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Running Deer Foundation?
The filing says no specified form is required and identifies Edward R Bedrosian as the person to contact. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
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 2019–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(3)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS June 30, 2020)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 7, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Running Deer Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders with grantees in common, and similar funders in Massachusetts
The Chicago Community Trust
Chicago, IL
The Chicago Community Trust funds eligible nonprofits working to narrow the wealth gap and meet urgent needs, with priorities including economic mobility, education, jobs, homeownership, and community development in metropolitan Chicago and Cook County. Its 2025 grants had a median of $26,500, though amounts varied widely; the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$7.1B
Grants
4,316
Total Given
$1.2B
Boston Foundation Inc
Boston, MA
The Boston Foundation funds nonprofits and community initiatives focused on equity and opportunity, including child well-being, economic opportunity, community wealth, and community leadership, primarily in Greater Boston. Its 2025 grants had a median of $25,000, while specific programs offer amounts such as $50,000; whether it accepts unsolicited requests is not stated.
Assets
$2.1B
Grants
2,375
Total Given
$228.4M
Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation Inc
Princeton, NJ
The Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation supports health access and stronger health systems, with a focus on adult and pediatric cancers, blood disorders, brain health, and clinical-trial participation in the United States, Brazil, India, and ten Sub-Saharan African countries. In 2024, its median grant was about $134,000, though awards varied widely; it does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests, and advises prospective applicants to contact the Foundation about its process.
Assets
$83.3M
Grants
144
Total Given
$67.7M
Eastern Bank Foundation
Wakefield, MA
Eastern Bank Foundation supports economic inclusion and mobility, including small businesses, early childhood development, affordable housing, and workforce development. Its 2025 grants ranged from $50 to $2,002,500, with a median of $2,500, primarily in Massachusetts and also in New Hampshire and Rhode Island. It accepts online applications and does not limit giving to preselected organizations.
Assets
$266.7M
Grants
1,786
Total Given
$19.0M
Barr Foundation
Boston, MA
The Barr Foundation funds arts and creativity, climate, education, and New England’s social sector, primarily through long-term support for organizations in New England. Its 2024 grants ranged from $100 to $3.275 million, with a median of $80,000. Its filing says it accepts only requests from preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests, though its website describes program-page inquiries and occasional open calls.
Assets
$1.9B
Grants
903
Total Given
$123.2M
Liberty Mutual Foundation Inc
Boston, MA
Liberty Mutual Foundation funds basic needs such as food and shelter, education and workforce development, and climate and community infrastructure, including homelessness and community preparedness programs. Its 2024 grants had a median of $35,000, and most funding supports organizations or programs serving the Boston area, though it also gives elsewhere. It accepts unsolicited online requests on a rolling basis, with no submission deadlines.
Assets
$46.1M
Grants
706
Total Given
$50.6M
More similar funders
More Funders in Massachusetts
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Running Deer Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 12, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/running-deer-foundation-morg_73f757bec4fe4d1a9933e074b6b26327
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_043409527_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Running Deer Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/running-deer-foundation-morg_73f757bec4fe4d1a9933e074b6b26327},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-12. 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 Running Deer 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.
Running Deer Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?