The Charles L and Joan M Hirsch
The Charles L and Joan M Hirsch is a private foundation based in Cambridge, Massachusetts. It made 13 grants totaling $83,000 in 2025 to charitable organizations, including organizations working on food insecurity, humanitarian response, refugee support, education, and other causes.
The Charles L and Joan M Hirsch at a glance
In short: The Charles L and Joan M Hirsch gave $83K across 13 grants in 2025 (avg $6K), top state New York. 23% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $83,000
- +66.0% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 13
- +30.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $6,385
- +27.7% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $5,000
- Total assets
- $985,493
- +1.1% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 23% first-time grantees (3 of 13, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- New York (36% 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 Charles L and Joan M Hirsch
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations.
- Contact
Mailing address: C/O Deborah Peeples 243 Bent St 1, Cambridge, MA 02141
Phone: (508) 397-4050
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Charles L and Joan M Hirsch funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Long Island Cares ($10K). Together the top 10 received $70K.
Grant Size Distribution
46 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 46 grants of 46 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2025, grant dollars went to recipients in New York (36%), Washington, D.C. (30%), Massachusetts (16%), California (12%), and Maryland (6%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 13 itemized grants.
Cities
Is The Charles L and Joan M Hirsch open to new grantees?
23%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 3 of 13 grantees (23%) were first-time recipients. With only 13 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 8 points. First grants averaged $6K; repeat grants $7K. How we count
Medians: $5K first-time, $5K repeat.
- 77% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving grew 66% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 148% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2025). 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
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $35K (2021) to $83K (2025). In 2025 it made 13 grants totaling $83K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Long Island Cares Hauppauge, NY | Support | $10,000 |
| ACLU NY, NY | Support | $10,000 |
| Planned Parenthood Fed Washington, DC | Support | $10,000 |
| World Central Kitchen Washington, DC | Support | $10,000 |
| Way Out LGBT Fdn San Francisco, CA | Support | $5,000 |
| Temple Beth El Huntington, NY | Support | $5,000 |
| Hias Silver Spring, MD | Support | $5,000 |
| Lewa Wildlife Conservancy NY, NY | Support | $5,000 |
| Cambridge Art Assoc Cambridge, MA | Support | $5,000 |
| Antelope Valley Ballet Lancaster, CA | Support | $5,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The Charles L and Joan M Hirsch?
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 | $985,493 | $104,497 | $93,750 | $83,000 | 13 | $83,000 | $33,422 | $55,923 |
| 2024 | $974,746 | $55,111 | $60,482 | $50,000 | 10 | $50,000 | $30,748 | $52,464 |
| 2023 | $980,117 | $34,615 | $62,462 | $50,000 | 9 | $50,000 | $16,658 | $49,289 |
| 2022 | $1,007,964 | $11,260 | $60,934 | $50,000 | 7 | $51,500 | $11,080 | $50,784 |
| 2021 | $1,057,441 | $78,658 | $48,803 | $35,000 | 7 | $36,495 | $66,600 | $55,518 |
| 2020 | $1,026,936 | $13,200 | $71,669 | $60,000 | 12 | — | $3,720 | $50,099 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Charles L and Joan M Hirsch reported a distributable amount of $56K 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
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2025 grants included support for Long Island Cares, whose mission is to address hunger and food insecurity on Long Island; World Central Kitchen, which describes its work as providing meals during humanitarian, climate, and community crises; HIAS, which works for the welcome, safety, and opportunity of forcibly displaced people; and College Bound, which prepares public and public charter school students in the Washington, D.C., area for college and career goals.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation gave $83,000 through 13 grants. Grant amounts ranged from $3,000 to $10,000, with a median of $5,000. Notable grants included $10,000 each to Long Island Cares, ACLU, Planned Parenthood Federation, and World Central Kitchen, and $5,000 each to Way Out LGBT Foundation, Temple Beth El, HIAS, Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, Cambridge Art Association, Antelope Valley Ballet, College Bound, and LGBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders. The filing lists the purposes of these grants as “support.”
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists David Hirsch as vice president, secretary, and director; Deborah H Peeples as treasurer and director; and Nancy Hirsch and Ron Peeples as directors.
The Charles L and Joan M Hirsch's 2025 filing lists 4 officers; none of the 4 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
David Hirsch
Vice President, Secretary & Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Deborah H. Peeples
Treasurer & Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Nancy Hirsch
Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Ron Peeples
Director
On filings since 2020
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 Charles L and Joan M Hirsch
How much does The Charles L and Joan M Hirsch give each year?
The Charles L and Joan M Hirsch gave $83K across 13 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $50K across 10 grants.
What is The Charles L and Joan M Hirsch's typical grant size?
The Charles L and Joan M Hirsch's median grant in 2025 was $5,000, and its average grant was $6,385, across 13 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Charles L and Joan M Hirsch that year got $6K on average.
Where does The Charles L and Joan M Hirsch give grants?
The Charles L and Joan M Hirsch's top state is New York, with 36% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were District of Columbia (30%) and Massachusetts (16%). The most frequent recipient cities were Washington, DC (3 grants) and NY, NY (2 grants).
Does The Charles L and Joan M Hirsch give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 13 grants with a stated purpose on The Charles L and Joan M Hirsch's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Support" (13 grants).
Who are The Charles L and Joan M Hirsch's largest grantees?
The Charles L and Joan M Hirsch's largest 2025 grantees include Long Island Cares ($10,000), ACLU ($10,000) and Planned Parenthood Fed ($10,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 36% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Charles L and Joan M Hirsch?
The Charles L and Joan M Hirsch reported $985K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $83K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $56K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Charles L and Joan M Hirsch fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Charles L and Joan M Hirsch?
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Charles L and Joan M Hirsch's EIN?
The Charles L and Joan M Hirsch's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 27-4313417. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Does The Charles L and Joan M Hirsch 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
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 15, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 13, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS August 10, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 14, 2025)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS April 13, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025
Live grants for the work The Charles L and Joan M Hirsch funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Charles L and Joan M Hirsch's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Gannett Foundation Inc
New York, NY
Gannett Foundation’s 2025 grants supported a range of organizations, with listed awards generally between $1,500 and $2,500, though the available figures do not establish a typical grant size or geographic focus. The foundation has wound down: its 2026 filing reports no grants or assets, and no current application process or acceptance of unsolicited requests is stated.
Assets
—
Grants
32
Total Given
$65K
Lucile and Maurice Pollak Fund
Manahawkin, NJ
The Lucile and Maurice Pollak Fund favors health and education, with emphasis on Jewish charities and special social services, particularly in Monmouth County, New Jersey, and Westchester, New York. Its 2025 grants ranged from $250 to $8,000, with a median of $1,000. It accepts written requests with no stated deadline; meetings are generally held in May and November.
Assets
$3.3M
Grants
119
Total Given
$166K
The Rockefeller Foundation
New York, NY
The Rockefeller Foundation funds initiatives in energy access, sustainable food systems, health, climate, economic opportunity, and finance in the United States and around the world. In 2024, it made 381 grants, with a median grant of about $171,000, though awards ranged widely; it does not accept unsolicited requests and funds preselected organizations only.
Assets
$6.4B
Grants
381
Total Given
$233.2M
Jewish Community Federation of San Francisco the Peninsula Marin & Sonoma
San Francisco, CA
The Federation funds Jewish life and identity, antisemitism response, crisis relief, human services, and justice and inclusion, with work in the Bay Area, Israel, and beyond. Its 2025 grants ranged from $5,050 to $2,405,915, with a median of $22,750. It frequently issues requests for proposals and welcomes inquiries about new Bay Area programs; no current organization grant opportunities were listed.
Assets
$2.0B
Grants
1,032
Total Given
$94.5M
America's Charities
Chantilly, VA
AMERICA’S CHARITIES routes donor-directed workplace giving to member charities and provides emergency assistance to eligible employees and people affected by disasters; its reported grants are fiscal-agent disbursements, not awards selected through an application process. In 2025 it reported 808 grants totaling $16.4 million, ranging from $5,000 to $515,354 (median $9,664), to recipients across the United States, with the largest shares going to Pennsylvania, California, Washington, D.C., Virginia, and Arizona. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$36.2M
Grants
808
Total Given
$16.4M
Select Equity Group Foundation
New York, NY
The foundation supports charitable organizations in advocacy and civil rights, arts and culture, education and youth development, the environment, health, human services, and international development, locally, nationally, and internationally. In 2025, grants ranged from $30 to $500,000, with a median of $1,500. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$44.7M
Grants
854
Total Given
$7.3M
More similar funders
More Funders in Massachusetts
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Charles L and Joan M Hirsch funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-charles-l-and-joan-m-hirsch-morg_433e0a4b38bc47dfbd35f4dc5ca59cec
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_274313417_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Charles L and Joan M Hirsch funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-charles-l-and-joan-m-hirsch-morg_433e0a4b38bc47dfbd35f4dc5ca59cec},
note = {Accessed 2026-11-04. 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 Charles L and Joan M Hirsch'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 Charles L and Joan M Hirsch down — hundreds of funders to go?