Shethar Foundation Incorporated
Shethar Foundation Incorporated is a private foundation based in Boxford, Massachusetts. Its 2021 filing is marked as the organization’s final return, indicating that it has terminated or is winding down; its recent grantmaking should not be taken as evidence that it is currently making grants.
Shethar Foundation Incorporated at a glance
In short: Shethar Foundation Incorporated gave $395K across 41 grants in 2021 (avg $10K), top state Massachusetts. 20% of 2021 grantees were new. Source: 2021 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2021)
- $394,701
- +46.2% vs 2020
- Grants made (2021)
- 41
- -2.4% vs 2020
- Average grant
- $9,627
- +49.8% vs 2020
- Median grant
- $5,000
- New grantees (estimate)
- 20% first-time grantees (8 of 41, 2021)
- Primary geography
- Massachusetts (25% of itemized 2021 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2021 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2021; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Shethar Foundation Incorporated
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- Yes
- How to Apply
-
The foundation accepts unsolicited requests. Its filing instructs applicants to contact Gwendolen E. Perkins and submit a résumé that includes an outline of the proposed grant purpose. It states that awards are for charitable organizations for the general public and general use. Because the 2021 filing is marked as the final return, these instructions should not be treated as current.
- Review Cycle
- The filing stated that applications were accepted anytime during the year. This is not a current application window.
- Deadline
- The filing stated that applications were accepted anytime during the year.
- Contact
Application contact: Gwendolen E Perkins
Mailing address: 32 Lawrence Road PO Box 327, Boxford, MA 01921
Phone: (520) 878-1980
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Shethar Foundation Incorporated funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2021
The largest 2021 recipient was Burke Museum ($64K). Together the top 10 received $262K.
Grant Size Distribution
127 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 125 grants of 127 (98%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2021 grant dollars were distributed across multiple states. The largest shares went to Massachusetts (25%), New York (17%), Washington (16%), Arizona (16%), and North Carolina (8%). These figures describe the 2021 grants and do not establish a current geographic focus.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2021 grant dollars across all 41 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Shethar Foundation Incorporated open to new grantees?
20%
first-time grantees, 2021
In 2021, 8 of 41 grantees (20%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $6K; repeat grants $11K. How we count
Medians: $5K first-time, $5K repeat.
- 76% of 2021 grantees were also funded in 2020. Method
- In 2021 it paid out well above its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2019–2021). 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 2021, annual grant giving ranged from $240K (2019) to $395K (2021). In 2021 it made 41 grants totaling $395K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Burke Museum Seattle, WA | General Contribution | $64,000 |
| Grace St Paul's Episcopal Church Tucson, AZ | General Contribution | $64,000 |
| Church of the Good Shephard Wilmington, NC | General Contribution | $33,500 |
| National Immigration Law Center Los Angeles, CA | General Contribution | $20,000 |
| International Rescue Committee New York, NY | General Contribution for Ukrainian refugees | $16,701 |
| Boston Plan for Excellenc Boston, MA | General Contribution | $15,000 |
| City of Boston Scholarship Fund Boston, MA | General Contribution | $15,000 |
| Challenge Alaska Anchorage, AK | General Contribution | $12,000 |
| Christ Church Rye, NY | General Contribution | $11,300 |
| Dudley Street Neighborhood Initiative Roxbury, MA | General Contribution | $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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | — | $89,443 | $409,310 | $394,701 | 41 | $407,671 | $89,443 | $15,666 |
| 2020 | $319,867 | $27,823 | $282,111 | $270,000 | 42 | — | $27,823 | $26,571 |
| 2019 | $574,155 | $9,479 | $264,804 | $240,000 | 44 | — | $20,808 | $37,323 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Shethar Foundation Incorporated reported a distributable amount of $16K for 2021 — 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 filing describes the foundation’s direct charitable activity as “accountants, tax returns, preparation of annual grant & me.” It does not state a broader mission. Its grants demonstrate support for varied charitable organizations. For example, the International Rescue Committee says it responds to humanitarian crises and helps people affected by conflict and disaster. Challenge Alaska says it serves people with disabilities through adaptive sports, therapeutic recreation, and education. Environmental Defense Fund describes its mission as preserving natural systems and addressing environmental problems.
Other 2021 recipients included the Dudley Street Neighborhood Initiative, which says it works with residents to create and control a vibrant neighborhood, and Pine Street Inn, which says its mission is to end homelessness. These are the grantees’ stated missions, not stated priorities of the foundation.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2021, the foundation made 41 grants totaling $394,701. Grants ranged from $500 to $64,000, with a median grant of $5,000.
Among the largest listed grants were $64,000 each to Burke Museum in Seattle and Grace St Paul’s Episcopal Church in Tucson; $33,500 to Church of the Good Shepherd in Wilmington; $20,000 to the National Immigration Law Center; and $16,701 to the International Rescue Committee, designated as a general contribution for Ukrainian refugees. Other listed grants included $15,000 each to Boston Plan for Excellence and the City of Boston Scholarship Fund, and $12,000 to Challenge Alaska.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2021 filing listed Gwendolen E. Perkins as president, Susan Clippenger as secretary, and Spencer Smith as vice president.
Shethar Foundation Incorporated is led by Gwendolen E. Perkins, President on every filing since 2019; none of the 3 officers listed in 2021 report compensation.
Officers on the 2021 filing
Gwendolen E. Perkins
President
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Spencer Smith
Vice President
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Susan Clippenger
Secretary
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2021. "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 Shethar Foundation Incorporated
How much does Shethar Foundation Incorporated give each year?
Shethar Foundation Incorporated gave $395K across 41 grants in 2021, according to its 2021 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2020 it gave $270K across 42 grants.
What is Shethar Foundation Incorporated's typical grant size?
Shethar Foundation Incorporated's median grant in 2021 was $5,000, and its average grant was $9,627, across 41 grants on its 2021 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Shethar Foundation Incorporated that year got $6K on average.
Where does Shethar Foundation Incorporated give grants?
Shethar Foundation Incorporated's top state is Massachusetts, with 25% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2021 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were New York (17%) and Washington (16%). The most frequent recipient cities were Boston, MA (7 grants), New York, NY (4 grants), Rye, NY (3 grants) and Montgomery, AL (2 grants).
Does Shethar Foundation Incorporated give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Shethar Foundation Incorporated's 2021 grants with a stated purpose (41 of 41) were for general or operating support, per its 2021 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Shethar Foundation Incorporated's largest grantees?
Shethar Foundation Incorporated's largest 2021 grantees include Burke Museum ($64,000), Grace St Paul's Episcopal Church ($64,000) and Church of the Good Shephard ($33,500), according to its 2021 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 41% of its itemized 2021 grant dollars.
What does Shethar Foundation Incorporated fund?
The filing describes the foundation’s direct charitable activity as “accountants, tax returns, preparation of annual grant & me.” It does not state a broader mission. Its grants demonstrate support for varied charitable organizations. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Shethar Foundation Incorporated?
The foundation accepts unsolicited requests. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
How much is Shethar Foundation Incorporated required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2021, Shethar Foundation Incorporated reported a distributable amount of $16K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Shethar Foundation Incorporated's EIN?
Shethar Foundation Incorporated's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 13-6110174. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2021.
Does Shethar Foundation Incorporated accept unsolicited proposals?
Yes, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS August 21, 2020)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2021
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Figures come from Shethar Foundation Incorporated'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.
Shethar Foundation Incorporated down — hundreds of funders to go?