The Fish Family Foundation
The Fish Family Foundation is a private foundation based in Boston, Massachusetts. It makes grants focused on education, philanthropy, voluntarism and grantmaking, and human services, primarily in Massachusetts.
Key facts about The Fish Family Foundation
In short: The Fish Family Foundation gave $1.1M across 4 grants in 2025 (avg $271K), mostly in Massachusetts. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- EIN
- 04-6905753
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025
- Annual giving (2025)
- $1,083,747
- Grants made (2025)
- 4
- Average grant
- $270,937
- Median grant
- $14,374
- Total assets
- $4,777,432
- Primary geography
- Massachusetts (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to apply
- The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Full details ↓
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026. Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$4.8M
-23.8% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.1M
-26.5% YoY
Grant Count
4
-20.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$271K
-8.1% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Fish Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $269K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
How The Fish Family Foundation gives
- Giving fell 59% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 599% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s stated grantmaking focus areas are education, philanthropy, voluntarism and grantmaking, and human services. Its 2024 filing says it is involved with the Japanese Women’s Leadership Initiative, which brings women from Japan to Boston for four weeks of direct experience and training in nonprofit management and leadership development.
Examples of supported organizations include Lesley University, which describes its work as providing transformative education through active learning, research, artistic expression, and practical professional experience. Bridge Over Troubled Waters says it serves homeless, at-risk, and runaway youth, helping them move toward self-sufficiency and fulfilling futures.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation gave $1,083,747 through four grants. The grants ranged from $5,000 to $1,050,000, with a median of $14,374. The foundation’s stated typical award range is $250 to $1,800,000.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation states that its grantmaking is primarily in Massachusetts. All of its 2025 grant dollars went to recipients in Massachusetts.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 4 itemized 2025 grant dollars.
States
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 4 recipients in 2025
Grant Size Distribution
253 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| THE BOSTON FOUNDATION Boston, MA | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $1,050,000 |
| FIDELITY INVESTMENTS CHARITABLE GIFT FUND Boston, MA | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $20,000 |
| LESLEY UNIVERSITY Cambridge, MA | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $8,747 |
| BRIDGE OVER TROUBLED WATERS INC Boston, MA | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $5,000 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants | Grant count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $4,777,432 | $200,680 | $1,707,745 | $1,083,747 | 4 |
| 2024 | $6,270,447 | $266,522 | $1,962,533 | $1,473,844 | 5 |
| 2023 | $8,223,507 | -$1,160,568 | $3,145,506 | $2,248,286 | 19 |
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $4,777,432 | $6,270,447 | $8,223,507 |
| Revenue | $200,680 | $266,522 | $-1,160,568 |
| Expenses | $1,707,745 | $1,962,533 | $3,145,506 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $1,610,641 | $1,872,992 | $3,053,068 |
| Net Investment Income | $226,245 | $393,572 | — |
| Distributable Amount | $268,785 | $345,296 | $431,558 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 14, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists these trustees: Lawrence K Fish, Atsuko Toko Fish, Edward Takezo Fish, Thaleia Schlesinger, Emily Fish, Nina Fish, and Leah Fish.
The Fish Family Foundation's 2025 filing lists 7 officers; none of the 7 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Thaleia Schlesinger
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$1K (2020) → $0 (2025)
Atsuko Toko Fish
Trustee
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Edward Takezo Fish
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Emily Fish
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lawrence K. Fish
Trustee
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Nina Fish
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Leah Fish
Trustee
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Alice T. Borden (2020–2023) — Executive Director
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 2023 IRS filing
Contact
Mailing address: 2 Commonwealth Avenue 16F, Boston, MA 02116
Phone: (617) 428-3775
Frequently asked questions about The Fish Family Foundation
How much does The Fish Family Foundation give each year?
The Fish Family Foundation gave $1.1M across 4 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $1.5M across 5 grants.
What is The Fish Family Foundation's typical grant size?
The Fish Family Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $14,374, and its average grant was $270,937, across 4 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Fish Family Foundation give grants?
The Fish Family 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 Boston, MA (3 grants).
Does The Fish Family Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 4 grants with a stated purpose on The Fish Family Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Program Support" (4 grants).
How large is The Fish Family Foundation?
The Fish Family Foundation reported $4.8M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $1.6M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $269K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Fish Family Foundation fund?
The foundation’s stated grantmaking focus areas are education, philanthropy, voluntarism and grantmaking, and human services. Its 2024 filing says it is involved with the Japanese Women’s Leadership Initiative, which brings women from Japan to Boston for four weeks of direct experience and training in nonprofit management and leadership development. Examples of supported organizations include Lesley University, which describes its work as providing transformative education through active learni…
How do I apply for a grant from The Fish Family 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 Fish Family Foundation's EIN?
The Fish Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 04-6905753. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Does The Fish Family Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
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