The C Stephen and Frances B Foster Foundation
The C Stephen and Frances B Foster Foundation is a private foundation, based in Weston, MA. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $1.9M in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 7 grants totaling $147K. Net investment income was $324K.
The C Stephen and Frances B Foster Foundation at a glance
In short: The C Stephen and Frances B Foster Foundation gave $147K across 7 grants in 2025 (avg $21K), mostly in Massachusetts. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $146,695
- +1.2% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 7
- +250.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $20,956
- -71.1% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $1,057
- Total assets
- $1,926,391
- +13.6% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Massachusetts (98% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated November 2026.
Who The C Stephen and Frances B Foster Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 7 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was MGH Endowment ($125K). Together the top 7 received $147K.
Grant Size Distribution
12 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 9 grants of 12 (75%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 7 itemized grants.
Cities
How The C Stephen and Frances B Foster Foundation gives
- Giving grew 487% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 176% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $25K (2022) to $250K (2020). In 2025 it made 7 grants totaling $147K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| MGH Endowment Boston, MA | To Support Research | $125,000 |
| Ocular Inflammation and Uveitis Foundation Waltham, MA | To Support Research | $15,000 |
| Boston College Chestnut Hill, MA | To Support Research | $2,500 |
| Smile Train Washington, DC | Provides free corrective cleft surgery | $1,057 |
| Shriners Hospital Tampa, FL | To Support Research | $1,051 |
| Tunnel to Towers Staten Island, NY | Helps families of 9/11first responders and veterans | $1,050 |
| BLSA Boston, MA | To Educate Boston Children | $1,037 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $1,926,391 | $512,062 | $171,674 | $146,695 | 7 | $146,695 | $323,975 | $83,440 |
| 2024 | $1,696,049 | $230,657 | $161,676 | $145,000 | 2 | $145,000 | $242,375 | $92,125 |
| 2023 | $1,627,068 | $90,053 | $101,569 | $83,000 | 2 | $83,000 | $67,604 | $88,520 |
| 2022 | $1,638,584 | $-48,126 | $45,227 | $25,000 | 1 | $25,000 | $5,886 | $83,008 |
| 2021 | $1,733,703 | $101,977 | $20,263 | — | — | — | $83,045 | $101,120 |
| 2020 | $1,659,178 | $109,000 | $267,201 | $250,000 | 3 | — | $92,997 | $92,865 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The C Stephen and Frances B Foster Foundation reported a distributable amount of $83K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The C Stephen and Frances B Foster Foundation is led by C. Stephen Foster MD, President on every filing since 2020; none of the 2 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
C. Stephen Foster MD
President
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Frances B. Foster RN
Treasurer & Clerk
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "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 C Stephen and Frances B Foster Foundation
How much does The C Stephen and Frances B Foster Foundation give each year?
The C Stephen and Frances B Foster Foundation gave $147K across 7 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $145K across 2 grants.
What is The C Stephen and Frances B Foster Foundation's typical grant size?
The C Stephen and Frances B Foster Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $1,057, and its average grant was $20,956, across 7 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The C Stephen and Frances B Foster Foundation give grants?
The C Stephen and Frances B Foster Foundation gives mostly in Massachusetts: 98% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Boston, MA (2 grants).
Does The C Stephen and Frances B Foster Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 7 grants with a stated purpose on The C Stephen and Frances B Foster Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "To Support Research" (4 grants).
Who are The C Stephen and Frances B Foster Foundation's largest grantees?
The C Stephen and Frances B Foster Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include MGH Endowment ($125,000), Ocular Inflammation and Uveitis Foundation ($15,000) and Boston College ($2,500), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 97% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The C Stephen and Frances B Foster Foundation?
The C Stephen and Frances B Foster Foundation reported $1.9M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $147K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $83K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What is The C Stephen and Frances B Foster Foundation's EIN?
The C Stephen and Frances B Foster Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 04-2776591. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated November 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS August 31, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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