The Gess Foundation

WELLESLEY, MA EIN: 04-3539095

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

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.

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Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

Grant Distribution by State

8states

Cities

BostonBronxBrunswickCambridgeCharlotteDevensGaithersburgLa JollaLewistonMiddletownMount VernonMt VernonNew YorkNewtonPhiladelphiaPortlandProvidenceRoslindaleSan DiegoSidney

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Revenue
Expenses
Qualifying Distributions
Net Investment Income
$0$112K$224K$336K$447K20202021202220232024
Metric202420232022
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

$0$46K$91K$137K$183K35 grants202036 grants202125 grants202225 grants202326 grants2024

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2024

FROM THE TOP$61K30 MILE RIVER WATERSHED …$25KLA JOLLA MUSIC SOCIETY$13KJEWISH GRANDPARENTS NETW…$10KNORTH COAST REPERTORY TH…$10KVANGUARD CULTURE$10KWEST NEWTON CINEMA FOUND…$10KTEMPLE BETH ELOHIM$9KILLUSTRATION INSTITUTE$8KANTI-DEFAMATION LEAGUE$5K

Grant Size Distribution

147 grants across all recorded years

144<$50K3$50–100K$100–250K$250–500K$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

No grants recorded for .

Leadership & Key People

Officers and directors from IRS filings

Compensation Overview

From 2024 IRS filing

From 2024 filing

NameTitleHoursCompensation
GERALD SLAVETTRUSTEE1
SUSAN F SLAVETTRUSTEE1

Subject Areas

Focus areas based on grantmaking activity

Related Funders

Similar funders by location and focus area

Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.

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