The Handshake Foundation Trust
The Handshake Foundation Trust is a private foundation, based in Boston, MA. IRS filing data is available from 2019 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $315K in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 6 grants totaling $20K. Net investment income was $62K.
The Handshake Foundation Trust at a glance
In short: The Handshake Foundation Trust gave $20K across 6 grants in 2025 (avg $3K), mostly in New York. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $20,000
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 6
- +20.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $3,333
- -16.7% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $3,000
- Total assets
- $314,637
- +14.8% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- New York (65% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who The Handshake Foundation Trust funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 6 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Bregamos Community Theater ($4K). Together the top 6 received $20K.
Grant Size Distribution
27 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 27 grants of 27 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 6 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How The Handshake Foundation Trust gives
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+11%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 100% 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 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $14K (2019) to $29K (2020). In 2025 it made 6 grants totaling $20K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Bregamos Community Theater New Haven, CT | General | $4,000 |
| The Earth School New York, NY | Gemeral | $4,000 |
| North East Community Center Millerton, NJ | General | $3,000 |
| Reti Center FBO Brooklyn Bluegreen Jobs for Youth and Environment Brooklyn, NY | Brooklyn Blue/Green Jobs for Youth and Environment | $3,000 |
| Grandma's Love Inc Brooklyn, NY | General | $3,000 |
| Brooklyn Waterfront Artists Coalition Brooklyn, NY | General | $3,000 |
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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 | $314,637 | $63,880 | $23,407 | $20,000 | 6 | $20,820 | $61,869 | $20,783 |
| 2024 | $274,164 | $28,601 | $22,701 | $20,000 | 5 | $20,819 | $26,965 | $20,526 |
| 2023 | $268,264 | $16,983 | $22,255 | $20,000 | 5 | $20,904 | $15,586 | $17,917 |
| 2022 | $273,536 | $13,906 | $20,949 | $18,000 | 5 | $18,924 | $12,421 | $17,554 |
| 2021 | $280,579 | $77,564 | $25,359 | $23,000 | 6 | $23,917 | $23,260 | $20,525 |
| 2020 | $228,374 | $8,980 | $30,355 | $28,500 | 9 | — | $8,018 | $14,874 |
| 2019 | $249,749 | $16,629 | $16,272 | $14,000 | 7 | — | $15,699 | $14,873 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Handshake Foundation Trust reported a distributable amount of $21K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The Handshake Foundation Trust's 2025 filing lists 5 officers; 1 of 5 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Thomas R. Appleton
Trustee
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
$617 (2019) → $616 (2025)
Anne R. Righter
Trustee
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Eliot Righter Ramos
Trustee
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
James V. Righter
Trustee
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mark H. Righter
Trustee
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $616, to Thomas R Appleton (Trustee).
Frequently asked questions about The Handshake Foundation Trust
How much does The Handshake Foundation Trust give each year?
The Handshake Foundation Trust gave $20K across 6 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $20K across 5 grants.
What is The Handshake Foundation Trust's typical grant size?
The Handshake Foundation Trust's median grant in 2025 was $3,000, and its average grant was $3,333, across 6 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Handshake Foundation Trust give grants?
The Handshake Foundation Trust gives mostly in New York: 65% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were Connecticut (20%) and New Jersey (15%). The most frequent recipient cities were Brooklyn, NY (3 grants).
Does The Handshake Foundation Trust give general operating support?
Yes: 67% of The Handshake Foundation Trust's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (4 of 6) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The Handshake Foundation Trust's largest grantees?
The Handshake Foundation Trust's largest 2025 grantees include Bregamos Community Theater ($4,000), The Earth School ($4,000) and North East Community Center ($3,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 55% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Handshake Foundation Trust?
The Handshake Foundation Trust reported $315K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $21K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $21K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What is The Handshake Foundation Trust's EIN?
The Handshake Foundation Trust's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 04-6931913. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(3)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS June 10, 2020)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS April 24, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Handshake Foundation Trust's focus areas in our free grants database
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