The Ferrara Foundation Inc
The Ferrara Foundation Inc is a private foundation based in Boston, Massachusetts. Its 2025 filing reports 22 grants totaling $225,500, primarily to organizations in Massachusetts.
The Ferrara Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: The Ferrara Foundation Inc gave $226K across 22 grants in 2025 (avg $10K), mostly in Massachusetts. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $225,500
- +1403.3% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 22
- +2100.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $10,250
- -31.7% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $8,250
- Total assets
- $5,137,254
- -0.6% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Massachusetts (89% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026.
How to apply to The Ferrara Foundation Inc
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation states that it does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations.
- Contact
Mailing address: 1 Franklin Street Unit 5103, Boston, MA 02110
Phone: (617) 291-5484
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Ferrara Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was DJ Dream Fund Inc ($26K). Together the top 10 received $171K.
Grant Size Distribution
43 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 43 grants of 43 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2025, 89% of grant dollars went to recipients in Massachusetts. The filing also reports shares of 2% each for recipients in Michigan, New York, Ohio, and Tennessee.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 22 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How The Ferrara Foundation Inc gives
- In 2025 it paid out 90% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2023 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $15K (2024) to $238K (2023). In 2025 it made 22 grants totaling $226K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| DJ Dream Fund Inc Boston, MA | General Support | $26,000 |
| Dana Farber Cancer Institute Inc Boston, MA | General Support | $25,000 |
| Wesleyan University Middletown, MA | General Support | $25,000 |
| Friendshipworks Inc Boston, MA | General Support | $20,000 |
| Project Citizenship Inc Boston, MA | General Support | $20,000 |
| Catholic Charitable Bureau of the Archdiocese of Boston Inc South Boston, MA | General Support | $15,000 |
| Saint Anthony Shrine Boston, MA | General Support | $10,000 |
| S E a L Foundation Inc Lakeville, MA | General Support | $10,000 |
| St Mary of the Assumption Brookline, MA | General Support | $10,000 |
| Sterling Promise Foundation Inc Pittsfield, MA | General Support | $10,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The Ferrara Foundation Inc?
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 | $5,137,254 | $266,955 | $278,629 | $225,500 | 22 | $242,519 | $234,721 | $269,971 |
| 2024 | $5,167,720 | $247,032 | $54,149 | $15,000 | 1 | $33,089 | $228,509 | $262,116 |
| 2023 | $4,974,837 | $228,498 | $261,679 | $238,000 | 20 | $258,429 | $228,498 | $247,469 |
| 2022 | $5,008,018 | $5,008,018 | — | — | — | — | $8,018 | $16,108 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Ferrara Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $270K 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 foundation mission statement is provided. Its 2025 grants included support for organizations whose own missions include helping permanent residents apply for U.S. citizenship (Project Citizenship), providing food assistance (Brookline Food Pantry), ending homelessness (Pine Street Inn), and engaging teens through mentorship and paid professional experiences (Artists for Humanity). The grantees describe these missions; they are not stated as the foundation’s own mission.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation gave 22 grants totaling $225,500. Grant amounts ranged from $1,000 to $26,000, with a median grant of $8,250. Notable grants included $26,000 to DJ Dream Fund Inc.; $25,000 each to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Inc. and Wesleyan University; and $20,000 each to FriendshipWorks Inc. and Project Citizenship Inc. The listed grants were for general support.
Other 2025 recipients included Brookline Food Pantry Inc. ($9,500), Pine Street Inn Inc. ($7,000), Artists for Humanity Inc. ($7,000), Pelotonia ($5,000), St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital ($5,000), and Shoes That Fit ($3,000).
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists John M. Ferrara as director and president; Kathleen A. Ferrara as director and clerk; Claudia Ferrara as director and vice president; Alfred John Ferrara as director and treasurer; and Jack Ferrara as director and community relations officer.
The Ferrara Foundation Inc is led by John M. Ferrara, Director & President since 2023 (on filings since 2022); none of the 5 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
John M. Ferrara
Director & President
President → Director & President, 2023
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Alfred John Ferrara
Director & Treasurer
Treasurer → Director & Treasurer, 2023
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Claudia J Ferrara
Director & Vice President
Vice President → Director & Vice President, 2023
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jack A Ferrara
Director & Community Relations Officer
Community Relations Officer → Director & Committee Relations Officer, 2023
Director & Committee Relations Officer → Director & Community Relations Officer, 2025
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kathleen A. Ferrara
Director & Clerk
Clerk → Director & Clerk, 2023
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2022–2025. "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 Ferrara Foundation Inc
How much does The Ferrara Foundation Inc give each year?
The Ferrara Foundation Inc gave $226K across 22 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $15K across 1 grant.
What is The Ferrara Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
The Ferrara Foundation Inc's median grant in 2025 was $8,250, and its average grant was $10,250, across 22 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Ferrara Foundation Inc give grants?
The Ferrara Foundation Inc gives mostly in Massachusetts: 89% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Boston, MA (9 grants) and Brookline, MA (2 grants).
Does The Ferrara Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of The Ferrara Foundation Inc's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (22 of 22) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The Ferrara Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
The Ferrara Foundation Inc's largest 2025 grantees include DJ Dream Fund Inc ($26,000), Dana Farber Cancer Institute Inc ($25,000) and Wesleyan University ($25,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 34% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Ferrara Foundation Inc?
The Ferrara Foundation Inc reported $5.1M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $243K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $270K (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does The Ferrara Foundation Inc fund?
No foundation mission statement is provided. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Ferrara Foundation Inc?
The foundation states that it does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and 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 Ferrara Foundation Inc's EIN?
The Ferrara Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 92-1281007. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2022–2025.
Does The Ferrara Foundation Inc 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
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS June 29, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2022–2024
Live grants for the work The Ferrara Foundation Inc funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Ferrara Foundation Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders with grantees in common, and similar funders in Massachusetts
Enterprise Holdings Foundation
Saint Louis, MO
The Enterprise Holdings Foundation supports charitable and educational nonprofits in communities where Enterprise Mobility operates, focusing on health, education, arts, and disaster relief; applicants must be actively supported by an Enterprise Mobility team member, spouse, or domestic partner. Giving varies widely: it reported 9,499 grants in 2024, but its 2025 filing showed one grant of $101.4 million, so that amount is not a typical award. Applications are accepted at any time through eligible Enterprise-affiliated applicants; the Foundation does not limit giving to preselected organizations.
Assets
$594.3M
Grants
1
Total Given
$101.4M
Eastern Bank Foundation
Wakefield, MA
Eastern Bank Foundation supports economic inclusion and mobility, including small businesses, early childhood development, affordable housing, and workforce development. Its 2025 grants ranged from $50 to $2,002,500, with a median of $2,500, primarily in Massachusetts and also in New Hampshire and Rhode Island. It accepts online applications and does not limit giving to preselected organizations.
Assets
$266.7M
Grants
1,786
Total Given
$19.0M
Boston Foundation Inc
Boston, MA
The Boston Foundation funds nonprofits and community initiatives focused on equity and opportunity, including child well-being, economic opportunity, community wealth, and community leadership, primarily in Greater Boston. Its 2025 grants had a median of $25,000, while specific programs offer amounts such as $50,000; whether it accepts unsolicited requests is not stated.
Assets
$2.1B
Grants
2,375
Total Given
$228.4M
Barr Foundation
Boston, MA
The Barr Foundation funds arts and creativity, climate, education, and New England’s social sector, primarily through long-term support for organizations in New England. Its 2024 grants ranged from $100 to $3.275 million, with a median of $80,000. Its filing says it accepts only requests from preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests, though its website describes program-page inquiries and occasional open calls.
Assets
$1.9B
Grants
903
Total Given
$123.2M
Liberty Mutual Foundation Inc
Boston, MA
Liberty Mutual Foundation funds basic needs such as food and shelter, education and workforce development, and climate and community infrastructure, including homelessness and community preparedness programs. Its 2024 grants had a median of $35,000, and most funding supports organizations or programs serving the Boston area, though it also gives elsewhere. It accepts unsolicited online requests on a rolling basis, with no submission deadlines.
Assets
$46.1M
Grants
706
Total Given
$50.6M
Cummings Foundation Grants Inc (FKA Oneworld Boston Inc)
Woburn, MA
Cummings Foundation Grants Inc. funds nonprofits working in human services, education, healthcare, fairness and justice, and the environment, primarily in greater Boston and eastern Massachusetts. Its 2024 grants ranged from $1,000 to $3.5 million, with a median of $35,000; it accepts letters of inquiry through an online portal during its application cycle, which was not open at the time described.
Assets
$258.2M
Grants
658
Total Given
$38.2M
More similar funders
More Funders in Massachusetts
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Ferrara Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 17, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-ferrara-foundation-inc-morg_7d936d38ae814dd3a2a1f96db3063ab9
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_921281007_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Ferrara Foundation Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-ferrara-foundation-inc-morg_7d936d38ae814dd3a2a1f96db3063ab9},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-17. 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 Ferrara Foundation Inc'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 Ferrara Foundation Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?