The Barbara Epstein Foundation Inc
The Barbara Epstein Foundation Inc is a private foundation based in Wayland, Massachusetts. Its 2024 filing describes it as making grants to preselected organizations and reports $1 million in grants to 33 organizations.
The Barbara Epstein Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: The Barbara Epstein Foundation Inc gave $1.0M across 33 grants in 2024 (avg $30K), top state New York. 21% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,000,000
- +29.2% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 33
- -17.5% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $30,303
- +56.7% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $28,000
- Total assets
- $1,889,299
- -16.0% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 21% first-time grantees (7 of 33, 2024)
- Primary geography
- New York (36% 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 The Barbara Epstein Foundation Inc
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests. It makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations.
- Contact
Mailing address: 23 Joyce Road, Wayland, MA 01778
Phone: (617) 974-4834
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Barbara Epstein Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was The Brigid Alliance ($50K). Together the top 10 received $500K.
Grant Size Distribution
193 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 163 grants of 193 (84%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s 2024 grant dollars were distributed among organizations in multiple states and the District of Columbia. Recipient-state shares were New York, 36%; California, 16%; Illinois, 10%; Massachusetts, 8%; and the District of Columbia, 7%. Other 2024 recipients listed included organizations in Ohio and Texas.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 33 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The Barbara Epstein Foundation Inc open to new grantees?
21%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 7 of 33 grantees (21%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $23K; repeat grants $32K. How we count
Medians: $18K first-time, $30K repeat.
- 76% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 50% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 412% 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 $648K (2022) to $1.7M (2020). In 2024 it made 33 grants totaling $1.0M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| The Brigid Alliance New York, NY | General Support of Receipent's Charitable Purpose | $50,000 |
| National Dance Institute New York, NY | General Support of Receipent's Charitable Purpose | $50,000 |
| Viva Dance Cleveland, OH | General Support of Receipent's Charitable Purpose | $50,000 |
| Mab Community Services Brookline, MA | Msuvorov - 06/12/24 12:10PM Worksheet Private Foundation | $50,000 |
| Jewish Free Loan Association Los Angeles, CA | General Support of Receipent's Charitable Purpose | $50,000 |
| Crossroads Community Services Dallas, TX | General Support of Receipent's Charitable Purpose | $50,000 |
| City Harvest New York, NY | General Support of Receipent's Charitable Purpose | $50,000 |
| Broadway Cares New York, NY | General Support of Receipent's Charitable Purpose | $50,000 |
| Albany Park Theater Project Chicago, IL | General Support of Receipent's Charitable Purpose | $50,000 |
| The Point Foundation Los Angeles, CA | General Support of Receipent's Charitable Purpose | $50,000 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $1,889,299 | $660,462 | $1,019,483 | $1,000,000 | 33 | $1,000,000 | $640,979 | $242,436 |
| 2023 | $2,248,320 | $202,177 | $829,658 | $773,700 | 40 | $773,700 | $146,219 | $238,379 |
| 2022 | $2,873,839 | $631,649 | $694,872 | $647,600 | 40 | $647,600 | $584,377 | $258,014 |
| 2021 | $2,935,349 | $490,046 | $706,982 | $664,800 | 40 | $664,800 | $447,864 | $303,294 |
| 2020 | $3,147,347 | $924,122 | $1,722,830 | $1,668,100 | 40 | — | $72,785 | $285,914 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Barbara Epstein Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $242K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s filing describes its purpose as making grants to preselected charitable organizations. Its 2024 grants included support for organizations working in areas such as the arts, food access, family planning support, and emergency medical services.
For example, Albany Park Theater Project describes its work as creating experiences with youth and adult artists to amplify immigrant and first-generation community voices. Crossroads Community Services describes its work as using food equity research, client-centered services, and community partnerships to change pantry distribution. The Brigid Alliance says it assists people who must travel for family planning services, including with transportation, accommodation, meals, childcare, and emotional support.
Grantmaking
In tax year 2024, the foundation made 33 grants totaling $1,000,000. Grants ranged from $4,000 to $50,000, with a median of $28,000.
Among the 2024 grants, the foundation awarded $50,000 each to The Brigid Alliance, National Dance Institute, Viva Dance, Mab Community Services, Jewish Free Loan Association, Crossroads Community Services, City Harvest, Broadway Cares, Albany Park Theater Project, The Point Foundation, and AFMDA - American Friends of Magen David Adom. Building Bridges Across the River received $45,000.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Lewis Epstein as president, Jodi Epstein as treasurer, Michelle Kleinert Bader as vice president, and Rebecca Hirsh as director.
The Barbara Epstein Foundation Inc is led by Lewis Epstein, President on every filing since 2020; none of the 4 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Lewis Epstein
President
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Michelle Kleinert Bader
V President
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Rebecca Hirsh
Director
On filings since 2023
No compensation reported
Jodi Epstein
Treasurer
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 The Barbara Epstein Foundation Inc
How much does The Barbara Epstein Foundation Inc give each year?
The Barbara Epstein Foundation Inc gave $1.0M across 33 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $774K across 40 grants.
What is The Barbara Epstein Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
The Barbara Epstein Foundation Inc's median grant in 2024 was $28,000, and its average grant was $30,303, across 33 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Barbara Epstein Foundation Inc that year got $23K on average.
Where does The Barbara Epstein Foundation Inc give grants?
The Barbara Epstein Foundation Inc's top state is New York, with 36% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were California (16%) and Illinois (10%). The most frequent recipient cities were New York, NY (8 grants), Los Angeles, CA (3 grants), Chicago, IL (3 grants) and Washington, DC (3 grants).
Does The Barbara Epstein Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Yes: 94% of The Barbara Epstein Foundation Inc's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (31 of 33) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The Barbara Epstein Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
The Barbara Epstein Foundation Inc's largest 2024 grantees include The Brigid Alliance ($50,000), National Dance Institute ($50,000) and Viva Dance ($50,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 15% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Barbara Epstein Foundation Inc?
The Barbara Epstein Foundation Inc reported $1.9M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $1.0M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $242K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Barbara Epstein Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation’s filing describes its purpose as making grants to preselected charitable organizations. Its 2024 grants included support for organizations working in areas such as the arts, food access, family planning support, and emergency medical services. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Barbara Epstein Foundation Inc?
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Barbara Epstein Foundation Inc's EIN?
The Barbara Epstein Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-8355941. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does The Barbara Epstein Foundation Inc 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 October 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Barbara Epstein Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 15, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-barbara-epstein-foundation-inc-morg_d583ee34a6cf4986a05ebdfbf58a6fee
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_208355941_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Barbara Epstein Foundation Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-barbara-epstein-foundation-inc-morg_d583ee34a6cf4986a05ebdfbf58a6fee},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-15. 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 The Barbara Epstein 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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