The CHT Foundation

Private foundation · Grantmaker Boston, MA EIN: 20-6164250

The CHT Foundation is a private foundation based in Boston, Massachusetts. Its 2025 grants supported charitable organizations in Massachusetts, with stated purposes including literacy and youth programs, water-quality monitoring, and general operating support.

The CHT Foundation at a glance

In short: The CHT Foundation gave $80K across 26 grants in 2025 (avg $3K), mostly in Massachusetts. 12% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.

Annual giving (2025)
$80,000
+1.3% vs 2024
Grants made (2025)
26
-3.7% vs 2024
Average grant
$3,077
+5.2% vs 2024
Median grant
$3,000
Total assets
$1,151,685
-1.0% vs 2024
New grantees (estimate)
12% first-time grantees (3 of 25, 2025)
Primary geography
Massachusetts (100% 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 CHT Foundation

Accepts unsolicited proposals
No
How to Apply

The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.

Contact

Mailing address: Co Hemenway Barnes PO Box 96120, Boston, MA 02196-1209
Phone: (617) 227-7940

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

Who The CHT Foundation funds

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2025

Boys and Girls Clubs of Boston Inc: $5KBoys and Girls Clubs of BostonInc$5KCommunity Rowing Inc: $5KCommunity Rowing Inc$5KBuzzards Bay Coalition Inc: $4KBuzzards Bay Coalition Inc$4KCharles River Conservancy: $4KCharles River Conservancy$4KCharles River Watershed Association Inc: $4KCharles River WatershedAssociation Inc$4KEmerald Necklace Conservancy Inc: $4KEmerald Necklace ConservancyInc$4KFamily Nurturing Center of Massachusetts Inc: $4KFamily Nurturing Center ofMassachusetts Inc$4KGreenroots Inc: $4KGreenroots Inc$4KMystic River Watershed Association Inc: $4KMystic River WatershedAssociation Inc$4KNew Bedford Light: $4KNew Bedford Light$4K

The largest 2025 recipient was Boys and Girls Clubs of Boston Inc ($5K). Together the top 10 received $42K.

Organizations only. It also paid 2 grants to individuals ($6,000), which are not listed by name.

Grant Size Distribution

133 grants across all recorded years

133<$50K$50–100K$100–250K$250–500K$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

The most common grant size was under $50K: 133 grants of 133 (100%).

Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

All grant dollars in filing year 2025 went to recipients in Massachusetts.

Grant Distribution by State

1state

Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 26 itemized grants.

Cities

BostonNew BedfordDorchesterArlingtonBrightonChelseaEast BridgewaterCambridgeEast BostonCantonWestonHaverhillJamaica PlainNorth DartmouthSouth Dartmouth

Is The CHT Foundation open to new grantees?

12%

first-time grantees, 2025

In 2025, 3 of 25 grantees (12%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $2K; repeat grants $3K. How we count

Medians: $3K first-time, $4K repeat.

  • 80% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
  • Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+7%). Method
  • In 2025 it paid out 113% 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

$0$25K$50K$75K$100K28 grants2020 27 grants2021 27 grants2022 26 grants2023 27 grants2024 26 grants2025

From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $75K (2022) to $85K (2020). In 2025 it made 26 grants totaling $80K.

Grants by year

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
Boys and Girls Clubs of Boston Inc Boston, MAAcademic Programss and Literacy Initiatives$5,000
Community Rowing Inc Brighton, MALets Row Boston Scholars$5,000
Buzzards Bay Coalition Inc New Bedford, MABaywatchers Water Quality Program$4,000
Charles River Conservancy Cambridge, MACharles River Floating Wetland$4,000
Charles River Watershed Association Inc Boston, MACyanobacteria Monitoring$4,000
Emerald Necklace Conservancy Inc Boston, MAGeneral Operating Support$4,000
Family Nurturing Center of Massachusetts Inc Dorchester, MAGeneral Operating Support$4,000
Greenroots Inc Chelsea, MAGeneral Operating Support$4,000
Mystic River Watershed Association Inc Arlington, MAWater Quality Monitoring$4,000
New Bedford Light New Bedford, MAGeneral Operating Support$4,000
Your AI grants department

Ready to take the next step with The CHT 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$1,151,685$119,215$130,766$80,00026$115,559$106,745$102,565
2024$1,163,050$151,361$111,872$79,00027$99,456$139,325$100,381
2023$1,123,060$86,179$107,932$75,00026$97,531$75,778$91,426
2022$1,145,301$22,308$111,207$75,00027$99,562$17,763$93,671
2021$1,234,466$161,605$110,503$76,00027$100,226$151,328$98,624
2020$1,183,368$117,020$121,072$85,00028—$107,144$87,208

Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The CHT Foundation reported a distributable amount of $103K 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 available here. Its 2025 grants show support for organizations working in areas such as education, environmental protection, community services, and journalism. For example, Community Rowing Inc. describes its work as making rowing accessible and inclusive; GreenRoots Inc. says it works toward environmental justice through community engagement and youth leadership; and the Charles River Watershed Association says its mission is to protect, restore, and enhance the river and its watershed through science, advocacy, and law.

Grantmaking

In filing year 2025, the foundation reported 26 grants totaling $80,000. Grants ranged from $1,000 to $5,000, with a median of $3,000. Among the larger awards were $5,000 to Boys and Girls Clubs of Boston Inc. for academic programs and literacy initiatives, and $5,000 to Community Rowing Inc. for its Lets Row Boston Scholars program. The foundation also awarded $4,000 to Buzzards Bay Coalition Inc. for its Baywatchers water-quality program, $4,000 to Charles River Watershed Association Inc. for cyanobacteria monitoring, and $4,000 to Our Sisters’ School Inc. for general operating support.

Other 2025 recipients included Emerald Necklace Conservancy Inc. ($4,000), GreenRoots Inc. ($4,000), New Bedford Light ($4,000), and Charles River Conservancy ($4,000). The grantees describe their work as including restoring the Emerald Necklace, pursuing environmental justice, providing fact-based local journalism, and making the lower Charles River and its parks more vibrant and welcoming.

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

The 2025 filing lists Edmund C Taylor, Kevin M Ellis, and Kurt F Somerville as trustees.

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

Officers on the 2025 filing

  • Kurt F. Somerville

    Trustee

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    $5K (2020) → $6K (2025)

  • Kevin M. Ellis

    Trustee

    New on the 2025 filing

    1 hr/week

    $6K (2025)

  • Edmund C. Taylor

    Trustee

    On filings since 2020

    No compensation reported

Former officers (1)
  • Former: Nancy B. Gardiner (2020–2024) — Trustee

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.

Compensation Overview

From 2025 IRS filing

Kevin M Ellis — Trustee: $6KKevin M EllisTrustee$6KKurt F Somerville — Trustee: $6KKurt F SomervilleTrustee$6K

The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $6K, to Kevin M Ellis (Trustee). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.

Frequently asked questions about The CHT Foundation

How much does The CHT Foundation give each year?

The CHT Foundation gave $80K across 26 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $79K across 27 grants.

What is The CHT Foundation's typical grant size?

The CHT Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $3,000, and its average grant was $3,077, across 26 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The CHT Foundation that year got $2K on average.

Where does The CHT Foundation give grants?

The CHT Foundation gives mostly in Massachusetts: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were New Bedford, MA (8 grants) and Boston, MA (7 grants).

Does The CHT Foundation give general operating support?

Yes: 19% of The CHT Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (5 of 26) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.

Who are The CHT Foundation's largest grantees?

The CHT Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Boys and Girls Clubs of Boston Inc ($5,000), Community Rowing Inc ($5,000) and Buzzards Bay Coalition Inc ($4,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 2 grants to individuals ($6,000), which are not listed by name. Together they received 18% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.

How large is The CHT Foundation?

The CHT Foundation reported $1.2M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $116K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $103K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).

What does The CHT Foundation fund?

No mission statement for the foundation is available here. Its 2025 grants show support for organizations working in areas such as education, environmental protection, community services, and journalism. See mission & focus areas ↑

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

The foundation 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 CHT Foundation's EIN?

The CHT Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-6164250. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.

Does The CHT 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

(6)

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

  1. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 3, 2021)
  2. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 3, 2022)
  3. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 9, 2023)
  4. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 8, 2024)
  5. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS April 30, 2025)
  6. Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 12, 2026)

Explore Open Grants

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

Similar Funders

Funders that support many of the same organizations

Southcoast Community Foundation Inc

New Bedford, MA

SouthCoast Community Foundation funds nonprofits working in arts and culture, basic needs, education, economic and community development, health and human services, and nonprofit resilience. Its 2024 grants ranged from $6,000 to $190,000, with a median of $12,550, primarily serving 41 cities and towns across Southeastern Massachusetts. It offers some competitive, fund-specific opportunities, but the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests generally.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$62.0M

Grants

92

Total Given

$2.5M

Alvord Family Foundation

Boston, MA

The Alvord Family Foundation supports education, youth programs, journalism, arts, and community organizations, with most of its 2025 grant dollars going to Massachusetts and smaller shares to New Hampshire and Connecticut. Grants ranged from $200 to $100,000, with a median of $1,000. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$434K

Grants

41

Total Given

$362K

William E Schrafft and Bertha E Schrafft Charitable Trust

Boston, MA

The Trust funds youth development, academic enrichment, and arts and culture programs for underserved young people, mainly through community organizations and schools in Boston; in New Bedford, it supports pathways to economic independence for underserved youth and young adults. Its 2024 grants ranged from $1,000 to $100,000, with a median of $20,000; new applicants must first submit a letter of intent, while recent grantees may apply directly.

Assets

$47.6M

Grants

100

Total Given

$2.2M

Highland Street Connection

Newton, MA

Highland Street Foundation funds programs supporting children and families, including education, youth mentoring, housing, health care, the environment, and the arts, primarily in Massachusetts, with some support in California and elsewhere. Its 2024 grants ranged from $400 to $100,000, with a median of $5,000. It does not accept unsolicited requests; eligible organizations may submit a letter of inquiry after completing its online eligibility quiz.

Assets

$60.4M

Grants

410

Total Given

$4.4M

Bushrod H Campbell & Adah F Hall

Boston, MA

The fund supports organizations serving older, infirm, homeless, and vulnerable people, as well as work in education, social justice, economic opportunity, and reproductive health. Grants generally focus on Greater Boston, with reproductive health projects also eligible elsewhere; typical grants are modest, with a 2025 median of $8,000 and a listed award range of $5,000–$10,000. It gives only to preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.

Assets

$15.6M

Grants

201

Total Given

$1.7M

Riley Mabel Louise Tr Uwill

Pittsburgh, PA

The foundation supports children and youth, education, human services, arts access, job training, foster care, affordable housing, and neighborhood revitalization. Its main grants to Massachusetts nonprofits serving Boston are typically $50,000–$100,000; its Greater Dudley small-grants fund generally awards $500–$5,000. Whether it accepts unsolicited requests is not stated.

Assets

$47.3M

Grants

69

Total Given

$3.7M

More similar funders

More Funders in Massachusetts

Cite this profile

Grantable. (2026). The CHT Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 12, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-cht-foundation-morg_ec989d38784e4732af23165c25bb01b6

BibTeX
@misc{grantable_206164250_2026,
  author       = {{Grantable}},
  title        = {{The CHT Foundation funder profile}},
  howpublished = {GrantGraph},
  year         = {2026},
  url          = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-cht-foundation-morg_ec989d38784e4732af23165c25bb01b6},
  note         = {Accessed 2026-10-12. 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 CHT 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 CHT Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?

Want AI to do this for you?