The Beker Foundation is a private, multi-generational family foundation based in Boston, Massachusetts. Established in 1985 by Jayne and Harvey Beker in New York, the foundation relocated to Greater Boston in 2015. The foundation works to make a difference in its community by funding organizations and leaders addressing society's most pressing social challenges with inclusiveness, creativity, and compassion.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$52.9M
+4.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$2.4M
+10.9% YoY
Grant Count
141
+7.6% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$17K
+3.0% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission Statement: The Beker Foundation is a multi-generational foundation established with deep gratitude for the generosity of others, and to continue a legacy of tzedakah (giving). The foundation supports creative, community-centered, and collaborative organizations doing work within and outside the Jewish community. It believes in the power of education to reduce barriers and increase opportunities, and seeks to cultivate an equitable world where diverse people come together to find common ground and connection.
Core Values:
- Loving Kindness
- Jewish Continuity
- Creativity & Innovation
- Respect for Human Dignity
- Mutual Responsibility
Strategic Giving Areas: The foundation organizes its work around four primary giving areas:
Repairing the World — Field-building, network-weaving, and advocacy that strengthens collective capacity and advances equitable policies; programs and initiatives that advance equity and improve community health and wellbeing in Greater Boston; growing the capacity of artists to be agents of reflection and change.
Expanding Opportunities — Increasing access to enriching learning and engagement opportunities for underserved young people in Greater Boston; empowering and developing educators; investing in embedded mental health initiatives that make it easier for youth to access support.
Jewish Vibrancy — Investing in the quality, accessibility, and sustainability of Jewish Day Schools; supporting experiences that deepen connection to Jewish life and community.
Arts & Parks — Supporting the arts as an essential component of a healthy society and community wellbeing.
Grantmaking
The foundation makes grants only to tax-exempt organizations with 501(c)(3) classifications from the Internal Revenue Service, or to organizations with 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsors. Funds cannot be used in contravention of Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3) requirements.
Grant Range
$17,000)
Average Grant
$17,000)
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation focuses its funding in the Boston area and other communities where family members live. Primary geographic areas of interest include Massachusetts, New York, and California, with particular emphasis on Greater Boston.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets & Revenue (2024):
- Total Assets: $52.9 million (+4.0% year-over-year)
- Annual Giving: $2.4 million (+10.9% year-over-year)
- Total Revenue: $3.7 million
- Total Expenses: $2.9 million
- Net Investment Income: $2.9 million
- Qualifying Distributions: $2.8 million
Assets & Revenue (2023):
- Total Assets: $50.9 million
- Total Revenue: $1.6 million
- Total Expenses: $2.7 million
- Qualifying Distributions: $2.5 million
Assets & Revenue (2022):
- Total Assets: $45.4 million
- Total Revenue: $3.7 million
- Total Expenses: $2.7 million
- Qualifying Distributions: $2.4 million
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $52,891,106 | $50,859,249 | $45,364,992 |
| Revenue | $3,702,648 | $1,618,096 | $3,650,480 |
| Expenses | $2,936,308 | $2,702,967 | $2,699,357 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $2,762,051 | $2,484,595 | $2,449,441 |
| Net Investment Income | $2,919,383 | $1,803,287 | $3,317,095 |
| Distributable Amount | $2,534,281 | $2,312,962 | $2,224,102 |
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
250 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
Executive Director: Sheri Gurock
Staff: The foundation operates with 3 employees.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| HARVEY BEKER | PRESIDENT & TREASURER | 1 | — |
| JAYNE BEKER | VP & SECRETARY | 1 | — |
| GREGG BUCKBINDER | ASST SECRETARY & ASST TREA | 0.5 | — |
| SHERI GUROCK | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 35 | $174,297 |
| ALISON JUDD | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| EMILY BEKER | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
Contact Information
Address: 204 Commonwealth Ave Boston, MA 02116-2503
Website: www.bekerfoundation.org
EIN: 13-3249239
IRS Classification: 501(c)(3) Private Grantmaking Foundation
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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