Tern Foundation is a private foundation focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in EASTHAM, MA. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $2.3M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 37 grants totaling $232K. Net investment income was $79K.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$2.3M
+36.3% YoY
Annual Giving
$232K
+37.6% YoY
Grant Count
37
+27.6% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$6K
+7.8% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Tern Foundation reported a distributable amount of $84K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
About Tern Foundation
Based on IRS filings
Tern Foundation is a private foundation focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in EASTHAM, MA. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $2.3M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 37 grants totaling $232K. Net investment income was $79K.
Focus Areas
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $2,267,777 | $1,663,377 | $1,642,757 |
| Revenue | $85,914 | $38,505 | $139,648 |
| Expenses | $243,942 | $185,107 | $237,354 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $237,009 | $175,198 | $225,178 |
| Net Investment Income | $78,981 | $40,611 | $203,662 |
| Distributable Amount | $83,623 | $80,222 | $87,413 |
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
136 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Worcester County Horticultural Society ($50,000), Lower Cape Tv ($20,000), Provincetown Commons ($19,250).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 909 WBUR BOSTON, MA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $1,000 |
| ARTISTS FOR HUMANITY BOSTON, MA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $1,000 |
| ARTS FOUNDATION OF CAPE COD HYANNIS, MA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $1,000 |
| ASSOCIATION TO PRESERVE CAPE COD DENNIS, MA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $10,000 |
| BARNSTABLE LAND TRUST BREWSTER, MA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $1,000 |
| CARRIE A SEAMAN ANIMAL SHELTER (CASAS) PROVINCETOWN, MA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $500 |
| CENTER FOR COASTAL STUDIES PROVINCETOWN, MA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $2,500 |
| COOLIDGE CORNER THEATRE FOUNDATION BROOKLINE, MA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $5,000 |
| FINE ARTS WORK CENTER PROVINCETOWN, MA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $1,000 |
| FRIENDS OF EASTHAM PUBLIC LIBRARY EASTHAM, MA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $1,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| MARIANNE LAMPKE | DIRECTOR AND PRESIDENT | 10 | — |
| ELISA LINNEHAN | DIRECTOR AND TREASURER | 10 | — |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Tern Foundation?
Tern Foundation is a private foundation focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in EASTHAM, MA. It holds $2.3M in total assets as of 2024.
How large is Tern Foundation?
As of 2024, Tern Foundation holds $2.3M in total assets with $86K in annual revenue. It awarded 37 grants totaling $232K in 2024.
Where does Tern Foundation operate?
Tern Foundation has awarded grants in California, Massachusetts, Oregon.
What size grants does Tern Foundation award?
In 2024, Tern Foundation awarded 37 grants totaling $232K — an average of about $6K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Tern Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Tern Foundation reported a distributable amount of $84K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Tern Foundation's EIN?
Tern Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 26-3987455. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Tern Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
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