The Gess Foundation is a private foundation focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in WELLESLEY, MA. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $3.0M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 26 grants totaling $183K. Net investment income was $214K.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$3.0M
+0.7% YoY
Annual Giving
$183K
+44.0% YoY
Grant Count
26
+4.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$7K
+38.4% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Gess Foundation reported a distributable amount of $214K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
About The Gess Foundation
Based on IRS filings
The Gess Foundation is a private foundation focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in WELLESLEY, MA. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $3.0M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 26 grants totaling $183K. Net investment income was $214K.
Focus Areas
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $3,046,912 | $3,026,458 | $2,836,144 |
| Revenue | $219,836 | $331,076 | $95,725 |
| Expenses | $204,382 | $140,762 | $98,381 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $192,357 | $128,361 | $87,935 |
| Net Investment Income | $213,811 | $318,702 | $85,060 |
| Distributable Amount | $214,251 | $188,063 | $188,443 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
147 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include From the Top ($60,500), 30 Mile River Watershed Association ($25,000), La Jolla Music Society ($13,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 30 MILE RIVER WATERSHED ASSOCIATION MT VERNON, ME | GENERAL SUPPORT | $25,000 |
| ANTI-DEFAMATION LEAGUE NEW YORK, NY | GENERAL SUPPORT | $5,000 |
| CHALLENGED ATHLETE FOUNDATION SAN DIEGO, CA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $750 |
| FRANCIS PARKER SCHOOL DEVENS, MA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $200 |
| FRIENDS OF WELLESLEY LIBRARY WELLESLEY, MA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $1,000 |
| FROM THE TOP BOSTON, MA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $60,500 |
| HEBREW SENIOR LIFE ROSLINDALE, MA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $2,500 |
| HOUSE ON THE MOON NEW YORK, NY | GENERAL SUPPORT | $2,500 |
| ILLUSTRATION INSTITUTE PORTLAND, ME | GENERAL SUPPORT | $7,500 |
| JEWISH GRANDPARENTS NETWORK STEVENSON, MD | GENERAL SUPPORT | $10,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| GERALD SLAVET | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| SUSAN F SLAVET | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Gess Foundation?
The Gess Foundation is a private foundation focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in WELLESLEY, MA. It holds $3.0M in total assets as of 2024.
How large is The Gess Foundation?
As of 2024, The Gess Foundation holds $3.0M in total assets with $220K in annual revenue. It awarded 26 grants totaling $183K in 2024.
Where does The Gess Foundation operate?
The Gess Foundation has awarded grants in California, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, North Carolina, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island.
What size grants does The Gess Foundation award?
In 2024, The Gess Foundation awarded 26 grants totaling $183K — an average of about $7K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Gess Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Gess Foundation reported a distributable amount of $214K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Gess Foundation's EIN?
The Gess Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 04-3539095. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Gess Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
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