Salem Five Charitable Foundation Inc
Salem Five Charitable Foundation Inc is a private foundation based in Salem, Massachusetts. It supports organizations making a positive impact in the communities Salem Five serves, with giving focused on economic self-sufficiency, food insecurity, and human services.
Salem Five Charitable Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: Salem Five Charitable Foundation Inc gave $1.1M across 337 grants in 2025 (avg $3K), mostly in Massachusetts. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $1,077,366
- +10.6% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 337
- +33600.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $3,197
- -99.7% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $2,500
- Total assets
- $16,450,912
- +7.8% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Massachusetts (99% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026.
How to apply to Salem Five Charitable Foundation Inc
- How to Apply
-
Submit the online charitable request form and required materials through the Community Donations Program. The foundation’s 2024 filing states that applications are available at the foundation’s address and identifies Brian W. Shaughnessy as the application contact.
- Review Cycle
- Submit requests at least 60 days before the event or funding need. To receive funds by year-end, submit applications by November 1. The 2024 filing also says to see applications for various deadlines.
- Deadline
- Submit requests at least 60 days before the event or funding need.
- Contact
Application contact: Brian W Shaughnessy
Mailing address: 210 Eseex Street, Salem, MA 01970
Phone: (978) 745-5555
Email: brian.shaughnessy@salemfive.com
Website: https://salemfive.com
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Salem Five Charitable Foundation Inc
Who Salem Five Charitable Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Essex County Community ($42K). Together the top 10 received $178K.
Grant Size Distribution
1,148 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 1,147 grants of 1,148 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation says its primary community focus includes Essex, Middlesex, and Norfolk counties. In 2025, 99% of reported grant dollars went to recipients in Massachusetts. The listed 2025 recipients include organizations in communities such as Salem, Danvers, Lynn, Lawrence, and Burlington.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 337 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Salem Five Charitable Foundation Inc gives
- Giving grew 102% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 103% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $373K (2020) to $1.1M (2025). In 2025 it made 337 grants totaling $1.1M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Essex County Community Danvers, MA | Exempt Purposes | $42,300 |
| Peabody Essex Museum Salem, MA | Exempt Purposes | $30,000 |
| Greater Boston Stage Company Stoneham, MA | Exempt Purposes | $25,000 |
| Wenham Museum Wenham, MA | Exempt Purposes | $15,000 |
| Beverly Bootstraps Beverly, MA | Exempt Purposes | $12,100 |
| Lifebridge North Shore Salem, MA | Exempt Purposes | $12,000 |
| North Shore Community Salem, MA | Exempt Purposes | $11,150 |
| Billerica Community Pantry Inc Billerica, MA | Exempt Purposes | $10,000 |
| Danvers YMCA Danvers, MA | Exempt Purposes | $10,000 |
| Lazarus House Lawrence, MA | Exempt Purposes | $10,000 |
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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 | $16,450,912 | $2,364,651 | $1,178,762 | $1,077,366 | 337 | $1,080,409 | $2,322,920 | $1,050,471 |
| 2024 | $15,265,023 | $1,401,252 | $1,120,808 | $974,342 | 1 | $976,954 | $1,423,275 | $1,001,710 |
| 2023 | $14,984,579 | $3,917,754 | $653,700 | $584,243 | 281 | $582,293 | $1,887,970 | $757,051 |
| 2022 | $11,720,525 | $534,111 | $607,943 | $534,276 | 269 | $536,296 | $524,702 | $727,220 |
| 2021 | $11,794,357 | $1,186,248 | $557,127 | $475,295 | 260 | $477,463 | $1,207,636 | $780,508 |
| 2020 | $11,165,236 | $2,259,141 | $438,522 | $373,345 | 249 | — | $1,446,513 | $544,559 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Salem Five Charitable Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $1.1M 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 says it works to support organizations that help ensure vibrant and viable futures for the people they serve. Its stated priority areas are economic self-sufficiency, food insecurity, and human services. The foundation also describes its Community Donations Program as focusing on economic self-sufficiency, workforce development, and financial literacy.
Its grant recipients illustrate a range of supported work. For example, Lazarus House says it provides shelter, food, clothing, education, and support for people experiencing homelessness and poverty in the Lawrence area. My Brother’s Table describes its work as providing free meals and hospitality, while Billerica Community Pantry says it provides food and personal care items to alleviate hunger and poverty. Arts and cultural organizations are also among the recipients: Peabody Essex Museum describes its work as offering experiences in the arts, humanities, and sciences, and Greater Boston Stage Company says it presents professional theatre and provides dramatic education.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation reported 337 grants totaling $1,077,366. Grants ranged from $200 to $42,300, with a median grant of $2,500. Examples of larger awards included $42,300 to Essex County Community, $30,000 to Peabody Essex Museum, and $25,000 to Greater Boston Stage Company. Other 2025 recipients included Wenham Museum ($15,000), Beverly Bootstraps ($12,100), and Lifebridge North Shore ($12,000).
The Community Donations Program considers requests up to $10,000. Requests are reviewed monthly on a rolling basis, and the foundation asks applicants to allow 6–8 weeks for processing. Applicants are asked to submit an online charitable request form with their organization’s EIN, 501(c)(3) IRS designation letter or verification, and event or program details, if applicable. The website says organizations may receive funding only once per calendar year.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Ping Yin Chai as president; Brian W. Shaughnessy as clerk/treasurer; and Donald A. Sadoski, DMD, Daniel E. Clasby, Catherine L. Oatway, Joseph M. Gibbons, and Peter C. Gourdeau as directors.
Salem Five Charitable Foundation Inc is led by Ping Yin Chai, President on every filing since 2020; none of the 7 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Ping Yin Chai
President
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Donald A. Sadoski DMD
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Catherine L. Oatway
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Daniel E. Clasby
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Joseph M. Gibbons
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Peter C. Gourdeau
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Brian W. Shaughnessy
Clerk & Treasurer
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (2)
- Former: Donald A. Sadoski D. M. D. (2024) — Director
- Former: William H. Mitchelson (2020–2021) — Director & Chairman of Board
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "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 Salem Five Charitable Foundation Inc
How much does Salem Five Charitable Foundation Inc give each year?
Salem Five Charitable Foundation Inc gave $1.1M across 337 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $974K across 1 grant.
What is Salem Five Charitable Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
Salem Five Charitable Foundation Inc's median grant in 2025 was $2,500, and its average grant was $3,197, across 337 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Salem Five Charitable Foundation Inc give grants?
Salem Five Charitable Foundation Inc gives mostly in Massachusetts: 99% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Salem, MA (29 grants), Lynn, MA (24 grants), Boston, MA (24 grants) and Beverly, MA (22 grants).
Who are Salem Five Charitable Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
Salem Five Charitable Foundation Inc's largest 2025 grantees include Essex County Community ($42,300), Peabody Essex Museum ($30,000) and Greater Boston Stage Company ($25,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 9% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Salem Five Charitable Foundation Inc?
Salem Five Charitable Foundation Inc reported $16.5M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $1.1M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $1.1M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Salem Five Charitable Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation says it works to support organizations that help ensure vibrant and viable futures for the people they serve. Its stated priority areas are economic self-sufficiency, food insecurity, and human services. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Salem Five Charitable Foundation Inc?
Submit the online charitable request form and required materials through the Community Donations Program. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Salem Five Charitable Foundation Inc's EIN?
Salem Five Charitable Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 04-3342405. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS April 28, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS July 27, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 16, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS March 20, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 9, 2025)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS April 22, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Salem Five Charitable Foundation Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Salem Five Charitable Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 12, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/salem-five-charitable-foundation-inc-morg_85cfceafeb7243f6853695862177ee3a
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_043342405_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Salem Five Charitable Foundation Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/salem-five-charitable-foundation-inc-morg_85cfceafeb7243f6853695862177ee3a},
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 Salem Five Charitable Foundation Inc'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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