The Charles F and Beatrice D Adams
The Charles F. and Beatrice D. Adams Charitable Trust is a private foundation established in 1987 and based in Boston, Massachusetts. The Trust was founded by Charles Francis Adams, a civic leader, respected businessman, and avid sailor who was a direct descendant of Presidents John Adams and John Quincy Adams. Following Charles Adams' death in 1999 and his wife Beatrice's death in October 2022, the Trust has continued its philanthropic work with significantly expanded assets.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$85.4M
+311.8% YoY
Annual Giving
$2.1M
+57.2% YoY
Grant Count
32
+10.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$65K
+42.5% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Charles F and Beatrice D Adams reported a distributable amount of $1.5M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Charles F. and Beatrice D. Adams Charitable Trust is committed to enhancing the quality of life in the Downeast region of Maine and improving children's behavioral health in Massachusetts.
The Trust supports organizations whose talented people change lives and strengthen communities through creative strategies and comprehensive solutions.
Downeast Maine
In 2000, the Trust identified the Downeast region of Maine as one of its two priority areas. The donor's personal connection to the region came through his sailing adventures in those waters. The Trustees recognized Downeast Maine at that time as a region with abundant natural resources and a resilient population, but also burdened by significant needs and limited private sector capital.
The Trust currently seeks to:
- Encourage strategic and business planning to clarify organizational missions and capacity
- Support systems that address persistent poverty and help families thrive
- Promote collaborative and resourceful approaches to improve individual and community health
Over time, the Trust has worked in collaboration with other funders to sustain creative problem solving led by the region's dynamic nonprofit leaders, with a focus on increasing opportunities for communities and families to succeed and strengthening the infrastructure and linkages within the local nonprofit sector.
Children's Behavioral Health in Massachusetts
The Trust also prioritizes improving children's behavioral health in Massachusetts.
Grantmaking
The Trust does not accept unsolicited proposals. Organizations are invited to submit requests after the Trust determines there is a potential fit with their funding interests.
Grant Range
approximately $65,000
Average Grant
approximately $65,000
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
- Downeast Maine: The region from the Schoodic Peninsula to Eastport
- Massachusetts: Statewide focus for children's behavioral health initiatives
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total assets: $85,423,428
- Total revenues: $68,629,922
- Total expenses: $2,702,319
- Number of employees: 1
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $85,423,428 | $20,745,670 | $19,052,797 |
| Revenue | $68,629,922 | $2,683,029 | $1,544,765 |
| Expenses | $2,702,319 | $1,810,529 | $1,461,720 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $2,493,749 | $1,661,898 | $1,366,584 |
| Net Investment Income | $6,151,985 | $1,878,249 | $1,440,793 |
| Distributable Amount | $1,529,366 | $971,328 | $994,341 |
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
136 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Umass Memorial Health Care Inc (parent) ($175,000), Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children ($150,000), Aroostook Mental Health Services Inc ($125,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| AROOSTOOK MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES INC CARIBOU, ME | SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER COLLABORATIVE | $125,000 |
| BARRINGTON STAGE COMPANY INC PITTSFIELD, MA | PROGRAM SUPPORT AND STRATEGIC PLANNING | $30,000 |
| BROOKLINE COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH CENTER INC BROOKLINE, MA | FAMILY ENGAGEMENT COMPONENT OF BRYT | $75,000 |
| CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL CORPORATION DBA BOSTON CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL BOSTON, MA | PLANNING GRANT FOR NEW CENTER FOR INNOVATIVE AND EQUITABLE SCHOOL BEHAVIORAL HEALTH | $50,000 |
| COMMUNITY ART CENTER INC CAMBRIDGE, MA | OPERATING SUPPORT | $50,000 |
| COMMUNITY MUSIC CENTER OF BOSTON BOSTON, MA | MUSIC THERAPY PROGRAM AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT | $30,000 |
| EASTPORT ARTS CENTER EASTPORT, ME | GENERAL SUPPORT | $40,000 |
| EXPRESS YOURSELF INC BEVERLY, MA | OPERATING SUPPORT | $30,000 |
| EXPRESS YOURSELF INC BEVERLY, MA | OPERATING SUPPORT | $50,000 |
| HAND IN HAND MANO EN MANO MILBRIDGE, ME | OPERATING & CAPACITY SUPPORT | $25,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Tom Boutureira joined as the Trust's first full-time Executive Director, officially starting July 28, 2024, following an extensive search. His appointment marks a new chapter in the Trust's history while maintaining the founders' commitment to relationship-building, collaboration, and systems change.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| EDWARD P LAWRENCE ESQ | TRUSTEE | 1 | $30,000 |
| JANET C TAYLOR | MANAGING TRUSTEE | 5 | $50,000 |
| MARC J BLOOSTEIN ESQ | TRUSTEE | 1 | $30,000 |
| MARY LOUISE SUDDERS | TRUSTEE (RESIGNED 1/4/24) | 1 | — |
Contact Information
Address: Charles F. and Beatrice D. Adams Charitable Trust c/o Choate Wealth 2 International Place, Suite 3000 Boston, MA 02110
Phone: 617-973-4900
Email: info@cfadamstrust.org
Website: www.cfadamstrust.org
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Charles F and Beatrice D Adams fund?
The Charles F. and Beatrice D. Adams Charitable Trust is committed to enhancing the quality of life in the Downeast region of Maine and improving children's behavioral health in Massachusetts. The Trust supports organizations whose talented people change lives and strengthen communities through creative strategies and comprehensive solutions. In 2000, the Trust identified the Downeast region of Maine as one of its two priority areas. The donor's personal connection to the region came through hi…
How do I apply for a grant from The Charles F and Beatrice D Adams?
**Grant Activity (2024):** • Number of grants: 32 grants • Total annual giving: $2,091,000 • Average grant size: approximately $65,000 • Grant range: $25,000 - $150,000 **Recent Grants (2024):** • Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty To Children (MSPCC): $150,000 for Children's Mental Health Campaign-School-Based Project • Sunrise Opportunities: $125,000 for Community Caring Collaborative to continue work with Substance Use Disorder Collaborative • Sunrise County Economic Council…
Where does The Charles F and Beatrice D Adams make grants?
• **Downeast Maine:** The region from the Schoodic Peninsula to Eastport • **Massachusetts:** Statewide focus for children's behavioral health initiatives
What size grants does The Charles F and Beatrice D Adams award?
In 2024, The Charles F and Beatrice D Adams awarded 32 grants totaling $2.1M — an average of about $65K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Charles F and Beatrice D Adams required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Charles F and Beatrice D Adams reported a distributable amount of $1.5M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Charles F and Beatrice D Adams's EIN?
The Charles F and Beatrice D Adams's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 04-6556188. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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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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