The Episode Foundation

Foundation · Grantmaker Newton, MA EIN: 20-0922618

The Episode Foundation is a private foundation focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in Newton, MA. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $317K in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 9 grants totaling $127K. Net investment income was $98K.

Key facts about The Episode Foundation

EIN: 20-0922618
Latest 990 filing: Form 990-PF, 2024
Annual giving (2024): $127,000
Grants made (2024): 9
Average grant: $14,111
Median grant: $10,000
Total assets: $317,184
Primary geography: Massachusetts (96% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)

Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026.

Who The Episode Foundation funds

By grant dollars, the top recipient states for The Episode Foundation's 9 itemized 2024 grants were Massachusetts (96%). The most frequent recipient cities were Boston, MA (7 grants). None of its 9 grants with a stated purpose were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Charitable Gift" (9 grants).

How The Episode Foundation gives

Giving fell 41% from 2021 to 2024. Method
In 2024 it paid out 109% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method

From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.

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Financial Overview

From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

$317K

-7.5% YoY

Annual Giving

$127K

-31.8% YoY

Grant Count

-35.7% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$14K

+6.1% YoY

Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Episode Foundation reported a distributable amount of $117K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

About The Episode Foundation

Based on IRS filings

Focus Areas

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

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Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

Grant Distribution by State

Massachusetts $122K (96%)

District of Columbia $5K (4%)

Share of all 9 itemized 2024 grant dollars.

States

District of Columbia Hawaii Massachusetts New York Ohio Texas

Cities

BostonLynnNahantWashingtonCambridgeArlingtonAtholGarden ValleyJamaica PlainKulaNew YorkSouth BostonWatertownChestnut HillCincinnatiNewtonvilleRoxbury

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Revenue

Expenses

Qualifying Distributions

Net Investment Income

Metric	2024	2023	2022
Total Assets	$317,184	$342,762	$516,735
Revenue	$124,377	$18,704	$11,540
Expenses	$149,955	$192,677	$161,811
Qualifying Distributions	$127,250	$186,737	$145,750
Net Investment Income	$97,589	$15,064	$22,954
Distributable Amount	$117,167	$104,170	$101,522

Data update history

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

March 1, 2026 IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 9 recipients in 2024

Grant Size Distribution

137 grants across all recorded years

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest recipients include Institute of Contemporary Art Boston ($62,000), Boston Art Review ($15,000), Boston Public Art Triennial ($10,000).

Recipient	Purpose	Amount
INSTITUTE OF CONTEMPORARY ART BOSTON Boston, MA	CHARITABLE GIFT	$62,000
BOSTON ART REVIEW Boston, MA	CHARITABLE GIFT	$15,000
BOSTON PUBLIC ART TRIENNIAL Boston, MA	CHARITABLE GIFT	$10,000
BRIMMER AND MAY SCHOOL Chestnut Hill, MA	CHARITABLE GIFT	$10,000
MASSART ART MUSEUM Boston, MA	CHARITABLE GIFT	$10,000
GRUBSTREET Boston, MA	CHARITABLE GIFT	$10,000
GEORGTOWN UNIVERSITY Washington, DC	CHARITABLE GIFT	$5,000
TRUSTEES OF TUFTS UNIVERSITY Boston, MA	CHARITABLE GIFT	$3,000
THE ASSOCIATES OF THE BOSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY Boston, MA	CHARITABLE GIFT	$2,000

Leadership & Key People

Officers and directors from IRS filings

Compensation Overview

No officer or director reported compensation in the available filings.

From 2024 IRS filing

Name	Title	Hours	Compensation
Jake Lemle	President	2	—
Natalie Lemle	Director	2	—
Florence Lemle	Director	0.5	—

Subject Areas

Focus areas based on grantmaking activity

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Frequently Asked Questions

What is The Episode Foundation?

The Episode Foundation is a private foundation focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in Newton, MA. It holds $317K in total assets as of 2024.

How large is The Episode Foundation?

As of 2024, The Episode Foundation holds $317K in total assets with $124K in annual revenue. It awarded 9 grants totaling $127K in 2024.

Where does The Episode Foundation operate?

The Episode Foundation has awarded grants in District of Columbia, Hawaii, Massachusetts, New York, Ohio, Texas.

What size grants does The Episode Foundation award?

In 2024, The Episode Foundation awarded 9 grants totaling $127K — an average of about $14K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.

How much is The Episode Foundation required to give away each year?

Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Episode Foundation reported a distributable amount of $117K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.