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.
The Fish Family Foundation at a glance
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.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $1,083,747
- -26.5% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 4
- -20.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $270,937
- -8.1% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $14,374
- Total assets
- $4,777,432
- -23.8% vs 2024
- 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.
How to apply to The Fish Family 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: 2 Commonwealth Avenue 16F, Boston, MA 02116
Phone: (617) 428-3775
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Fish Family Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 4 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was The Boston Foundation ($1.1M). Together the top 4 received $1.1M.
Grant Size Distribution
253 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 214 grants of 253 (85%).
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 2025 grant dollars across all 4 itemized grants.
States
Cities
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.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $1.1M (2025) to $2.6M (2022). In 2025 it made 4 grants totaling $1.1M.
Grants by year
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 |
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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 | $4,777,432 | $200,680 | $1,707,745 | $1,083,747 | 4 | $1,610,641 | $226,245 | $268,785 |
| 2024 | $6,270,447 | $266,522 | $1,962,533 | $1,473,844 | 5 | $1,872,992 | $393,572 | $345,296 |
| 2023 | $8,223,507 | $-1,160,568 | $3,145,506 | $2,248,286 | 19 | $3,053,068 | — | $431,558 |
| 2022 | $11,408,831 | $3,271,299 | $4,184,195 | $2,618,556 | 110 | $3,918,352 | $2,414,250 | $673,430 |
| 2021 | $19,538,894 | $5,851,292 | $3,397,320 | $2,497,742 | 115 | — | $2,312,384 | $911,970 |
| 2020 | $13,364,615 | $1,898,663 | $2,671,744 | $1,945,418 | 68 | — | $1,665,610 | $642,125 |
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.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
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.
Its 2025 grants included $1,050,000 to The Boston Foundation, $20,000 to Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund, $8,747 to Lesley University, and $5,000 to Bridge Over Troubled Waters Inc. Each was listed for program support.
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
The highest reported compensation on the 2023 filing was $38K, to Alice T Borden (Executive Director (Retired Sept 2022)). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
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. See mission & focus areas ↑
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 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 May 14, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work The Fish Family Foundation funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
- Nixa Affiliate Grantmaking Program Up to US $10,000 · Due October 19, 2026
- Community and School Grants $28,000 total pool; 10-15 grants expected · Due October 19, 2026
- Mary Pinola/Crescenta Valley Chamber Education Fund $500 - $5,000 for ongoing programs; up to $15,000 for Strategic Initiative Grants · Due October 19, 2026
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Fish Family Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
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Boston, MA
The Boston Charitable Trust Fund supports charitable organizations working in charitable, scientific, literary, or educational fields; its only reported grant was for assistance to residents in need. In 2025 it gave $141,161 to a Boston organization, though it reported no grants in 2023 or 2024. The available information does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
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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.
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The Cabot Family Charitable Trust
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The Trust funds youth and community development, arts, education, environment, and health, with priority for programs that support young children. Its 2024 grants ranged from $5,000 to $50,000, with a median of $25,000, mainly supporting organizations in Boston and nearby communities, though it also funds organizations linked to Cabot family philanthropy. Its 2024 filing says it gives only to preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
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Richard & Susan Smith Family Foundation
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The Richard & Susan Smith Family Foundation funds health, medical research, education, economic security, community needs, and Jewish causes, primarily for organizations serving Greater Boston and specified Eastern Massachusetts communities. Its 2025 grants ranged from $100 to $1.5 million, with a median of about $35,600; its Small Capital Grants program offers $25,000 to $100,000. Capital grants accept applications, while health, education, Jewish giving, and medical research grants are invitation-only.
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Yawkey Foundation II
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Yawkey Foundation II funds youth enrichment, housing and homelessness services, education and skills building, hunger relief, and baseball education and outreach, primarily in Massachusetts, with some giving in New York. Its 2024 grants ranged from $2,250 to $2.5 million, with a median of $35,000. It directs applicants to review its online grant guidelines, but whether it accepts unsolicited requests is not stated.
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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.
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Total Given
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Figures come from The Fish Family 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.
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