Stemberg Thomas G Char Fnd
Stemberg Thomas G Char Fnd is a private foundation based in Boston, Massachusetts. Its 2024 filing lists contributions for general charitable purposes to organizations including cultural institutions, schools, hospitals, and other nonprofits.
Stemberg Thomas G Char Fnd at a glance
In short: Stemberg Thomas G Char Fnd gave $443K across 23 grants in 2024 (avg $19K), mostly in Massachusetts. 9% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $442,500
- +13.2% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 23
- -4.2% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $19,239
- +18.1% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $6,458,555
- +1.1% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 9% first-time grantees (2 of 23, 2024; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Massachusetts (92% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Stemberg Thomas G Char Fnd
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
- Contact
Mailing address: 50 Post Office Square, Boston, MA 02110
Phone: (617) 772-1385
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Stemberg Thomas G Char Fnd funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum ($210K). Together the top 10 received $385K.
Grant Size Distribution
121 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 112 grants of 121 (93%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, 92% of grant dollars went to recipients in Massachusetts, 2% to New York, and 2% to Michigan; the recipient state for a further 3% was not identified in the filing data.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 23 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Stemberg Thomas G Char Fnd open to new grantees?
9%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 2 of 23 grantees (9%) were first-time recipients. With only 23 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 4 points. First grants averaged $13K; repeat grants $20K. How we count
Medians: $13K first-time, $10K repeat.
- 87% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 22% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 109% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). 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 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $329K (2020) to $555K (2022). In 2024 it made 23 grants totaling $443K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum Boston, MA | General Charitable Purposes | $210,000 |
| Boston Symphony Orchestra Lenox, MA | General Charitable Purposes | $50,000 |
| Boston Arts Academy Boston, MA | General Charitable Purposes | $25,000 |
| Brigham and Women's Hospital Boston, MA | General Charitable Purposes | $15,000 |
| Coutry Club Employee Education Fund Inc Chestnut Hill, MA | General Charitable Purposes | $15,000 |
| Massachusetts General Hospital Boston, MA | General Charitable Purposes | $15,000 |
| President and Fellows of Harvard Cambridge, MA | General Charitable Purposes | $15,000 |
| The Boston Foundation Boston, MA | General Charitable Purposes | $15,000 |
| University of Toronto | General Charitable Purposes | $15,000 |
| Boys and Girls Club of Boston Boston, MA | General Charitable Purposes | $10,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Stemberg Thomas G Char Fnd?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $6,458,555 | $569,748 | $501,784 | $442,500 | 23 | $442,596 | $511,212 | $404,904 |
| 2023 | $6,390,591 | $226,550 | $458,748 | $391,000 | 24 | $397,857 | $166,080 | $372,339 |
| 2022 | $6,622,789 | $482,998 | $716,294 | $554,750 | 29 | $557,759 | $422,700 | $408,397 |
| 2021 | $6,829,868 | $1,000,014 | $430,461 | $362,300 | 23 | $362,300 | $797,948 | $436,647 |
| 2020 | $6,281,956 | $494,754 | $396,838 | $329,268 | 22 | — | $422,034 | $404,341 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Stemberg Thomas G Char Fnd reported a distributable amount of $405K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants show support for organizations working in areas such as the arts, education, health, and environmental conservation. For example, the Boston Symphony Orchestra describes its mission as presenting music and providing educational and training programs. Perkins School for the Blind says it serves children and young adults with multiple disabilities, their families, and professionals through education, accessibility, professional development, and innovation. Buzzards Bay Coalition says it works to protect and restore Buzzards Bay and its watershed.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the foundation made 23 grants totaling $442,500. Grants ranged from $500 to $210,000, with a median of $10,000. The largest grants included $210,000 to Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, $50,000 to Boston Symphony Orchestra, and $25,000 to Boston Arts Academy. Other grants included $15,000 each to Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Massachusetts General Hospital, President and Fellows of Harvard, The Boston Foundation, and University of Toronto.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Katherine Chapman Stemberg is listed as trustee as required on the 2024 filing.
Stemberg Thomas G Char Fnd is led by Katherine Chapman Stemberg, Trustee As Required on every filing since 2020 — the only officer listed, and uncompensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Katherine Chapman Stemberg
Trustee As Required
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "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 Stemberg Thomas G Char Fnd
How much does Stemberg Thomas G Char Fnd give each year?
Stemberg Thomas G Char Fnd gave $443K across 23 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $391K across 24 grants.
What is Stemberg Thomas G Char Fnd's typical grant size?
Stemberg Thomas G Char Fnd's median grant in 2024 was $10,000, and its average grant was $19,239, across 23 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Stemberg Thomas G Char Fnd that year got $13K on average.
Where does Stemberg Thomas G Char Fnd give grants?
Stemberg Thomas G Char Fnd gives mostly in Massachusetts: 92% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Boston, MA (9 grants), Brookline, MA (2 grants) and New Bedford, MA (2 grants).
Does Stemberg Thomas G Char Fnd give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Stemberg Thomas G Char Fnd's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (23 of 23) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Stemberg Thomas G Char Fnd's largest grantees?
Stemberg Thomas G Char Fnd's largest 2024 grantees include Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum ($210,000), Boston Symphony Orchestra ($50,000) and Boston Arts Academy ($25,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 64% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Stemberg Thomas G Char Fnd?
Stemberg Thomas G Char Fnd reported $6.5M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $443K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $405K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Stemberg Thomas G Char Fnd fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants show support for organizations working in areas such as the arts, education, health, and environmental conservation. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Stemberg Thomas G Char Fnd?
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Stemberg Thomas G Char Fnd's EIN?
Stemberg Thomas G Char Fnd's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-5672425. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Stemberg Thomas G Char Fnd 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 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Stemberg Thomas G Char Fnd's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders with grantees in common, and similar funders in Massachusetts
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
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
Cummings Foundation Grants Inc (FKA Oneworld Boston Inc)
Woburn, MA
Cummings Foundation Grants Inc. funds nonprofits working in human services, education, healthcare, fairness and justice, and the environment, primarily in greater Boston and eastern Massachusetts. Its 2024 grants ranged from $1,000 to $3.5 million, with a median of $35,000; it accepts letters of inquiry through an online portal during its application cycle, which was not open at the time described.
Assets
$258.2M
Grants
658
Total Given
$38.2M
American Tower Corporation Foundation
Boston, MA
Assets
$15.4M
Grants
632
Total Given
$1.7M
More similar funders
More Funders in Massachusetts
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Stemberg Thomas G Char Fnd funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 11, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/stemberg-thomas-g-char-fnd-morg_74a8ef71cb084f3187e4134c24c4d6e0
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_205672425_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Stemberg Thomas G Char Fnd funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/stemberg-thomas-g-char-fnd-morg_74a8ef71cb084f3187e4134c24c4d6e0},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-11. 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 Stemberg Thomas G Char Fnd'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.
Stemberg Thomas G Char Fnd down — hundreds of funders to go?