The FAB Foundation
The FAB Foundation was formed february 6, 2009 to facilitate and support the growth of the international fab lab network. The FAB Foundation is a us non-profit 501(c)(3) organization emerging from the Massachusetts institute of technology's center for bits & atoms' (CBA) international fab lab outreach program. Our mission is to provide access to the tools, the knowledge and the financial means to educate, innovate and invent using technology and digital fabrication to allow anyone to make (ALMOST) anything, and thereby creating opportunities to improve lives and livelihoods around the world. Community organizations, educational institutions and non-profit concerns are our primary beneficiaries.
The FAB Foundation at a glance
In short: The FAB Foundation gave $96K across 3 grants in 2024 (avg $32K), top state District of Columbia. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $96,250
- -56.9% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 3
- -70.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $32,083
- +43.8% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $40,000
- Total assets
- $4,370,179
- +167.4% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- District of Columbia (48% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who The FAB Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 3 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Shift 7 LLC ($46K). Together the top 3 received $96K.
Grant Size Distribution
22 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 15 grants of 22 (68%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 3 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How The FAB Foundation gives
- Giving fell 72% from 2021 to 2024. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990 filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $35K (2022) to $1.4M (2020). In 2024 it made 3 grants totaling $96K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Shift 7 LLC Washington, DC | Fiscal sponsorship to promote the leveraging of technologies to promote social innovations globally. | $46,250 |
| STEM Connector Manhattan Beach, CA | Fiscal Sponsorship | $40,000 |
| FAB-Hood Cleveland, OH | Fiscal Sponsorship for Empowering Students Through FAB-Math Project | $10,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $4,370,179 | $6,495,763 | $5,385,435 | $96,250 | 3 | $8,176 |
| 2023 | $1,634,179 | $2,206,847 | $3,241,875 | $223,092 | 10 | $192,120 |
| 2022 | $3,453,460 | $2,649,329 | $3,735,780 | $35,000 | 2 | $82 |
| 2021 | $3,602,930 | $3,603,989 | $3,187,148 | $349,660 | 2 | $568 |
| 2020 | $3,585,576 | $4,362,728 | $4,359,956 | $1,403,880 | 5 | $1,060 |
About The FAB Foundation
Based on IRS filings
The FAB Foundation is a public charity focused on Science & Technology, based in Boston, MA. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $4.4M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 3 grants totaling $96K. Net investment income was $8K.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The FAB Foundation is led by Sherry Lassiter, President & Director on every filing since 2020; 3 of 6 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Sherry Lassiter
President & Director
On filings since 2020
20 hrs/week
$56K (2020) → $76K (2024)
Neil Gershenfeld
Chairman, Director & Consultant
Chairman & Director → Chairman, Director & Consultant, 2021
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$100K (2020) → $102K (2024)
Blair Evans
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Katie Rast
Secretary & Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Marie Planchard
Treasurer & Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Luciano Betoldi
Vice President & COO
International Operations Director → Vice President & COO, 2023
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$106K (2022) → $135K (2024)
Former officers (1)
- Former: Sonya Pryor Jones (2020–2021) — Chief Implementation Officer
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $135K, to Luciano Betoldi (Vice President/COO). 3 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The FAB Foundation
How much does The FAB Foundation give each year?
The FAB Foundation gave $96K across 3 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $223K across 10 grants.
What is The FAB Foundation's typical grant size?
The FAB Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $40,000, and its average grant was $32,083, across 3 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990.
Where does The FAB Foundation give grants?
The FAB Foundation's top state is District of Columbia, with 48% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were California (42%) and Ohio (10%).
Does The FAB Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 3 grants with a stated purpose on The FAB Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support.
How large is The FAB Foundation?
The FAB Foundation reported $4.4M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $6.5M.
What is The FAB Foundation?
The FAB Foundation is a public charity focused on Science & Technology, based in Boston, MA. It holds $4.4M in total assets as of 2024.
What is The FAB Foundation's EIN?
The FAB Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 26-4836002. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 4, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 10, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 8, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 7, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 11, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The FAB Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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