The Humane Society of the Commonwealth
The Humane Society of the Commonwealth is a private foundation based in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. Established in 1950, it operates as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization with a focus on life-saving initiatives and accident prevention.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$4.4M
-0.9% YoY
Annual Giving
$266K
+29.8% YoY
Grant Count
37
-19.6% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$7K
+61.3% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The organization's mission centers on the prevention of accident, injury, and death on the water, including public education and training, and for rescue services and treatment of injuries incurred on the water.
Primary funding priorities include:
- Life Saving Awards: Grants, medals, and certificates awarded by nomination only to individuals residing in Massachusetts who have heroically saved or attempted to save someone's life
- General support for individuals who voluntarily attempt to save lives
- Safety programs
- Free swimming lessons
- Lifeguard certification
Grantmaking
The foundation made nine grants in the most recent fiscal year. Awards are granted by nomination only.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The organization primarily funds initiatives in Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Rhode Island, with a particular emphasis on Massachusetts-based recipients.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
FY 2025 (Year Ending February 2025):
- Total Assets: $4,394,027
- Total Revenue: $303,197
- Total Expenses: $398,775
- Net Income: -$95,578
Organization Type: Private Foundation
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $4,394,027 | $4,435,842 | $4,585,027 |
| Revenue | $303,197 | $166,558 | $103,784 |
| Expenses | $398,775 | $315,743 | $440,677 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $346,405 | $275,149 | $392,327 |
| Net Investment Income | $252,919 | $121,735 | $90,914 |
| Distributable Amount | $363,585 | $316,477 | $307,291 |
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 2025
Grant Size Distribution
192 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from The Humane Society of the Commonwealth
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Kathleen Davis – Executive Director
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
From 2025 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ANTHONY H LENESS | DIRECTOR/TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| DAVID BROOKS | DIRECTOR/TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| DAVID T LAWRENCE | CLERK/TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| EDWARD P LAWRENCE | 1ST VP/TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| FRANZ COLLOREDO-MANSFELD | DIRECTOR/TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| G NEAL RYLAND | TREASURER/TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| G WEST SALTONSTALL | PRESIDENT/TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| HENRY B BECTON | DIRECTOR/TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| IAN H GARDINER | DIRECTOR/TRUSTEE | 7 | — |
| KATHLEEN DAVIS | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 20 | $37,324 |
| OLIVER F AMES JR | COR SEC/TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| ROSS E SHERBROOKE | DIRECTOR/TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| WILLIAM N THORNDIKE | DIRECTOR/TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
Contact Information
Address: 51 Grove Street, Suite A Chestnut Hill, MA 02467-4010
Website: www.masslifesavingawards.org
EIN: 04-2104291
Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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