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
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Beker Foundation reported a distributable amount of $2.5M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
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
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Combined Jewish Philanthropies ($150,000), Central Synagogue Boston ($135,000), Brandeis University ($89,500).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 70 FACES MEDIA NEW YORK, NY | SPONSORSHIP OF DIGITIAL SUMMIT | $1,800 |
| A WIDER BRIDGE NEW YORK, NY | GENERAL OPERATING | $1,800 |
| ADAM THEATER NEWTON, MA | GENERAL OPERATING | $1,000 |
| ALLPATHS FAMILY BUILDING CONCORD, MA | GENERAL OPERATING | $3,600 |
| ALTERNATIVES FOR COMMUNITY AND ENVIRONMENT ROXBURY, MA | GENERAL OPERATING | $20,000 |
| AMERICAN FRIENDS OF SHALVA NEW YORK, NY | JOURNAL AD FOR GALA | $5,000 |
| AMERICAN FRIENDS OF THE PARENTS CIRCLE NEW YORK, NY | GENERAL OPERATING | $10,000 |
| AMERICAN REPERTORY THEATER CAMBRIDGE, MA | GENERAL OPERATING | $5,000 |
| ANTI-DEFAMATION LEAGUE NEW ENGLAND BOSTON, MA | GENERAL OPERATING | $10,000 |
| ARCK BOSTON, MA | GENERAL OPERATING | $2,000 |
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
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Beker Foundation fund?
**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 com…
How do I apply for a grant from The Beker Foundation?
**Grant Activity:** • **2024:** 141 grants totaling $2.4 million (average grant size: $17,000) • **2023:** 132 grants totaling approximately $1.86 million • **Historical Impact:** Over 3,200 grants distributed since inception, totaling over $48 million **Eligibility Requirements:** 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…
Where does The Beker Foundation make 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.
What size grants does The Beker Foundation award?
In 2024, The Beker Foundation awarded 141 grants totaling $2.4M — an average of about $17K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Beker Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Beker Foundation reported a distributable amount of $2.5M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Beker Foundation's EIN?
The Beker Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 13-3249239. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Beker Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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