The Blessing Foundation

Private foundation · Grantmaker Boston, MA EIN: 04-6990197

The Blessing Foundation is a private foundation based in Boston, Massachusetts. Its filing states that it distributes principal and income exclusively for charitable purposes or to charitable organizations, with particular focus on music, the environment, health and the human spirit, arts, and community.

The Blessing Foundation at a glance

In short: The Blessing Foundation gave $51K across 10 grants in 2025 (avg $5K), mostly in Colorado. 30% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.

Annual giving (2025)
$51,000
+18.9% vs 2024
Grants made (2025)
10
+11.1% vs 2024
Average grant
$5,100
+7.0% vs 2024
Median grant
$5,500
Total assets
$660,593
+30.4% vs 2024
New grantees (estimate)
30% first-time grantees (3 of 10, 2025; small sample)
Primary geography
Colorado (60% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
Latest 990 filing
Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing

Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).

How to apply to The Blessing Foundation

Accepts unsolicited proposals
No
How to Apply

The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Its filing directs applicants to consult above for forms and materials and lists David Boit as the contact. The stated restriction is that the foundation’s sole purpose is to hold and distribute its principal and income exclusively for charitable purposes or charitable organizations, with particular focus on music, the environment, health and the human spirit, arts, and community.

Review Cycle
Consult above, as stated on the filing.
Deadline
Consult above, as stated on the filing.
Contact

Application contact: David Boit
Mailing address: 230 Congress Street, Boston, MA 02110
Phone: (617) 523-6531

Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.

Who The Blessing Foundation funds

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2025

The Traprock Center for Peace and Justice: $8KThe Traprock Center for Peaceand Justice$8KBoulder County Arts Alliance: $8KBoulder County Arts Alliance$8KCultural Caravan: $7KCultural Caravan$7KPermatours: $7KPermatours$7KBoulder Philharmonic Orchestra: $6KBoulder Philharmonic Orchestra$6KColorado Music Festival and Center for Musical Arts: $5KColorado Music Festival andCenter for Musical Arts$5KSpecial Needs Art Fund Inc: $4KSpecial Needs Art Fund Inc$4KWorld Singing Day: $3KWorld Singing Day$3KCellists for Change: $2KCellists for Change$2KProject Step: $2KProject Step$2K

The largest 2025 recipient was The Traprock Center for Peace and Justice ($8K). Together the top 10 received $51K.

Grant Size Distribution

44 grants across all recorded years

44<$50K$50–100K$100–250K$250–500K$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

The most common grant size was under $50K: 44 grants of 44 (100%).

Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

In 2025, grant dollars went to recipients in Colorado (60%), Massachusetts (27%), and New Hampshire (13%).

Grant Distribution by State

6states

Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 10 itemized grants.

Cities

BoulderLafayetteLexingtonBostonBarabooFraminghamGreenfieldMontagueBellinghamBrattleboroLouisvilleStrathamWard

Is The Blessing Foundation open to new grantees?

30%

first-time grantees, 2025

In 2025, 3 of 10 grantees (30%) were first-time recipients. With only 10 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 10 points. First grants averaged $5K; repeat grants $5K. How we count

Medians: $6K first-time, $5K repeat.

  • 70% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
  • Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+2%). Method
  • In 2025 it paid out 77% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method

Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2019–2025). 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

$0$20K$40K$60K7 grants2019 8 grants2020 8 grants2021 9 grants2022 8 grants2023 9 grants2024 10 grants2025

From 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $32K (2019) to $51K (2025). In 2025 it made 10 grants totaling $51K.

Grants by year

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
The Traprock Center for Peace and Justice Montague, MADiscovery Center for Peacebuilding$8,400
Boulder County Arts Alliance Boulder, COGeneral$8,000
Cultural Caravan Louisville, COGeneral$7,100
Permatours Stratham, NHGeneral$6,600
Boulder Philharmonic Orchestra Boulder, COGeneral$6,000
Colorado Music Festival and Center for Musical Arts Lafayette, COThe Artist Fund$5,000
Special Needs Art Fund Inc Lexington, MAGeneral$3,900
World Singing Day Boulder, COGeneral$3,000
Cellists for Change Ward, COGeneral$1,500
Project Step Boston, MAGeneral$1,500
Your AI grants department

Ready to take the next step with The Blessing Foundation?

Fully replaces Grant database subscriptions Instrumentl · Foundation Directory · GrantStation & similar

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Figures from IRS filings, by filing year
Filing yearTotal AssetsRevenueExpensesGrants paidGrantsQualifying DistributionsNet Investment IncomeDistributable Amount
2025$660,593$213,967$60,096$51,00010$54,608$69,745$70,883
2024$506,722$164,764$50,475$42,9009$45,917$22,906$56,403
2023$392,433$3,539$52,696$45,8008$47,451$5,174$45,502
2022$441,590$61,778$56,208$49,9009$51,659$57,697$44,160
2021$436,020$54,114$48,069$41,7008$43,511$49,775$52,710
2020$429,975$48,394$42,759$36,2008—$44,548$42,474
2019$424,340$54,830$38,065$31,5007—$51,539$37,819

Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Blessing Foundation reported a distributable amount of $71K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.

Mission & Focus Areas

The foundation’s stated purpose is to hold and distribute its principal and income for charitable purposes or charitable organizations, with particular focus on music, the environment, health and the human spirit, arts, and community.

Its 2025 grants included arts, music, peacebuilding, and other charitable organizations. Among the grantees, Boulder County Arts Alliance says it works to sustain a thriving arts community and champion cultural equity in Boulder County. The Boulder Philharmonic Orchestra describes its mission as enriching connections and communities through orchestral music. Project STEP says it uses classical music training to bring positive change to students, their families, and communities, and identifies musically talented students from underrepresented racial and ethnic minorities.

Grantmaking

In filing year 2025, the foundation gave $51,000 through 10 grants. Grants ranged from $1,500 to $8,400, with a median of $5,500. Notable grants included $8,400 to The Traprock Center for Peace and Justice for its Discovery Center for Peacebuilding; $8,000 to Boulder County Arts Alliance; $7,100 to Cultural Caravan; $6,600 to Permatours; and $6,000 to the Boulder Philharmonic Orchestra. The remaining grants included $5,000 to Colorado Music Festival and Center for Musical Arts for The Artist Fund, $3,900 to Special Needs Art Fund, $3,000 to World Singing Day, and $1,500 each to Cellists for Change and Project STEP.

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

The 2025 filing lists Sue A. Blessing, David Boit, and Nushin Kormi as trustees.

The Blessing Foundation's 2025 filing lists 3 officers; 2 of 3 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.

Officers on the 2025 filing

  • David Boit

    Trustee

    On filings since 2019

    1 hr/week

    $886 (2019) → $2K (2025)

  • Nushin Kormi

    Trustee

    On filings since 2023

    1 hr/week

    $588 (2023) → $2K (2025)

  • Sue A. Blessing

    Trustee

    On filings since 2019

    0.5 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

Former officers (1)
  • Former: W. Andrew Mims (2019–2023) — Trustee

Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.

Compensation Overview

From 2025 IRS filing

David Boit — Trustee: $2KDavid BoitTrustee$2KNushin Kormi — Trustee: $2KNushin KormiTrustee$2K

The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $2K, to David Boit (Trustee). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.

Frequently asked questions about The Blessing Foundation

How much does The Blessing Foundation give each year?

The Blessing Foundation gave $51K across 10 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $43K across 9 grants.

What is The Blessing Foundation's typical grant size?

The Blessing Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $5,500, and its average grant was $5,100, across 10 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Blessing Foundation that year got $5K on average.

Where does The Blessing Foundation give grants?

The Blessing Foundation gives mostly in Colorado: 60% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were Massachusetts (27%) and New Hampshire (13%). The most frequent recipient cities were Boulder, CO (3 grants).

Does The Blessing Foundation give general operating support?

Yes: 80% of The Blessing Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (8 of 10) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.

Who are The Blessing Foundation's largest grantees?

The Blessing Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include The Traprock Center for Peace and Justice ($8,400), Boulder County Arts Alliance ($8,000) and Cultural Caravan ($7,100), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 46% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.

How large is The Blessing Foundation?

The Blessing Foundation reported $661K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $55K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $71K (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.

What does The Blessing Foundation fund?

The foundation’s stated purpose is to hold and distribute its principal and income for charitable purposes or charitable organizations, with particular focus on music, the environment, health and the human spirit, arts, and community. See mission & focus areas ↑

How do I apply for a grant from The Blessing Foundation?

The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑

What is The Blessing Foundation's EIN?

The Blessing Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 04-6990197. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.

Does The Blessing Foundation 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 September 2026.

Data update history

(7)

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

  1. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 14, 2025)
  2. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 12, 2026)
  3. Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS July 13, 2020)
  4. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 12, 2021)
  5. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 4, 2022)
  6. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 11, 2023)
  7. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 1, 2024)

Explore Open Grants

Browse active grant opportunities in The Blessing Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database

Similar Funders

Funders that support many of the same organizations

The Wolf Family Foundation

Boulder, CO

The Wolf Family Foundation supports a range of charitable organizations, including work in housing, child advocacy, health care, education, and the environment, with 2025 grants going to recipients in Colorado and California. Its 11 grants ranged from $500 to $25,000, with a median of $2,500. It gives only to preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$19K

Grants

11

Total Given

$63K

Liberty Mutual Foundation Inc

Boston, MA

Liberty Mutual Foundation funds basic needs such as food and shelter, education and workforce development, and climate and community infrastructure, including homelessness and community preparedness programs. Its 2024 grants had a median of $35,000, and most funding supports organizations or programs serving the Boston area, though it also gives elsewhere. It accepts unsolicited online requests on a rolling basis, with no submission deadlines.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$46.1M

Grants

706

Total Given

$50.6M

Popplestone Foundation

Boston, MA

The Popplestone Foundation funds democracy and civic engagement, early childhood development, music education, and investigative journalism, with most 2024 grant dollars going to organizations in New York and Washington, DC. In 2024, grants ranged from $150,000 to $10 million, with a median of $737,500. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.

Assets

$27.6M

Grants

24

Total Given

$51.3M

Emsa Fund Inc

New York, NY

EMSA Fund Inc supports charitable organizations working in civic engagement, voter education, justice and human rights, education, and arts and culture, with 2024 grants ranging from $105 to $184,720 and a median of $12,532. Its giving was concentrated in Massachusetts, with additional grants across several states. The filing says proposals may be described in a letter but does not state whether unsolicited requests are accepted.

Assets

$5.6M

Grants

18

Total Given

$560K

Harman Family Foundation

Los Angeles, CA

The foundation supports arts, education, youth services, workforce development, and immigrant and refugee services, with 2024 grants concentrated in Washington, DC and New York. Grants ranged from $500 to $100,000, with a median of $15,000. It does not accept unsolicited requests; proposals are by invitation only.

Assets

$36.3M

Grants

125

Total Given

$2.2M

Stephen D and Susan W Paine Foundation

Boston, MA

Assets

$130K

Grants

27

Total Given

$29K

More similar funders

More Funders in Massachusetts

Cite this profile

Grantable. (2026). The Blessing Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 15, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-blessing-foundation-morg_d7a08df1b80e40a299b3e7f62e0354d2

BibTeX
@misc{grantable_046990197_2026,
  author       = {{Grantable}},
  title        = {{The Blessing Foundation funder profile}},
  howpublished = {GrantGraph},
  year         = {2026},
  url          = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-blessing-foundation-morg_d7a08df1b80e40a299b3e7f62e0354d2},
  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 Blessing Foundation'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.

The Blessing Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?

Want AI to do this for you?