The Swartz Foundation is a private independent foundation established in 1994 in Boston, Massachusetts, and based in Newton, MA. It operates as a 501(c)(3) organization with tax-exempt status since September 1995. The foundation is a family foundation with significant assets and a focused philanthropic mission centered on Jewish causes and theoretical neuroscience research.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$220.8M
+5.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$9.8M
+36.9% YoY
Grant Count
15
-6.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$653K
+46.0% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's strategic intent is to integrate problem-solving approaches from physics, mathematics, electrical engineering, and computer science into neuroscience research. The foundation supports theoretical neuroscience research—including computational neuroscience—that investigates basic principles and mechanisms of brain function at multiple levels: biophysical (molecular and cellular), circuit and network, and whole brain system, behavioral, and social interaction levels.
Beyond neuroscience, the foundation provides grants primarily to Jewish organizations for medical research, Jewish temples, federated giving programs, social services, and education. The foundation's grantmaking emphasizes health, human services, community development, education, and religion.
Grantmaking
The foundation does not maintain a public application process and supports only preselected organizations. The foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals. Grants are made through trustee-directed giving rather than formal grant programs with published guidelines or application deadlines.
Grant Range
$500 to $1,500,000
Average Grant
$20,000
Review Cycle
.
How to Apply
**
Ready to take the next step with Swartz Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation's grantmaking focuses on:
- Boston area and Massachusetts
- South Florida
- National (U.S.) organizations
- Israel
Approximately half of the foundation's grantmaking supports Israeli organizations or U.S.-based organizations advancing Israeli causes. U.S. grantmaking prioritizes Boston-area organizations but extends to Jewish organizations with national reach.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets & Annual Activity (2024):
- Total assets: $220,801,315
- Total revenues: $23,722,214
- Total expenses: $13,328,988
- Annual giving: $10.3 million
Assets & Annual Activity (2023):
- Total assets: $210 million
- Revenue: $11.6 million
- Expenses: $10.2 million
- Total liabilities: $0
Historical Context: The foundation received approximately $110 million when the Swartz family sold Timberland to V.F. Corporation in 2011.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $220,801,315 | $210,367,347 | $195,438,630 |
| Revenue | $23,722,214 | $11,556,492 | $17,509,121 |
| Expenses | $13,328,988 | $10,202,308 | $1,852,118 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $10,291,550 | $11,716,300 | $776,431 |
| Net Investment Income | $20,986,857 | $9,373,583 | $12,709,558 |
| Distributable Amount | $12,604,252 | $11,520,652 | $10,728,350 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
105 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The Swartz Foundation was established by Sidney (Sydney) Swartz and Judith Swartz. Sidney Swartz is the former chairman and CEO of Timberland, the outdoor footwear and apparel company founded by his father Nathan Swartz in 1952.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| SIDNEY W SWARTZ | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| JEFFREY SWARTZ | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| JUDITH SWARTZ | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| DANIEL SWARTZ | OFFICER - DRE | 40 | — |
Contact Information
Address: c/o FWP, 2310 Washington Street, 3rd Floor, Newton, MA 02462
Phone: (617) 951-7000 or (617) 602-1901
Website: The foundation does not maintain a public website.
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
Charles J Tasker Memorial Scholarship Fund
HANOVER, MA
Assets
$98K
Grants
1
Total Given
$8K
Marshall M & Barbara J Sloane Pvt Found
CHESTNUT HILL, MA
Assets
$1.2M
Grants
11
Total Given
$75K
John J Mcardle Iii & Joan C Mcardle
ANDOVER, MA
Assets
$1.8M
Grants
13
Total Given
$205K
Massachusetts Association of Realtors
FOXBOROUGH, MA
Assets
$18.1M
Grants
2
Total Given
$71K
Communities for Restorative Justice
BOSTON, MA
Assets
$524K
Grants
1
Total Given
$61K
Hingham Historical Society Inc
HINGHAM, MA
Assets
$7.4M
Grants
1
Total Given
$10K
Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with Swartz Foundation on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
- Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
- Find open RFPs from this funder
- Monitor for new funding opportunities