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
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Humane Society of the Commonwealth reported a distributable amount of $364K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
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
Among its reported 2025 grants, the largest include Charles Schwab Donor Advised Fund ($131,167), Amy Lynn Leboeuf ($25,000), Boston Medflight ($25,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ALEXANDER FAUST SHORT HILLS, NJ | AWARD FOR SAVING A LIFE | $1,000 |
| ALLISON BENKART SACO, ME | AWARD FOR SAVING A LIFE | $1,000 |
| AMY LYNN LEBOEUF WEBSTER, MA | AWARD FOR SAVING A LIFE | $25,000 |
| BENJAMIN J COURVILLE SOMERSET, MA | AWARD FOR SAVING A LIFE | $1,000 |
| BOSTON MEDFLIGHT BEDFORD, MA | IN HONOR OF HONORARY TRUSTEE GREENWAY | $25,000 |
| BRIAN ORIOLA MARSHFIELD, MA | AWARD FOR SAVING A LIFE | $1,000 |
| CAROLYN STAPLETON VINEYARD HAVEN, MA | AWARD FOR SAVING A LIFE | $1,000 |
| CHARLES SCHWAB DONOR ADVISED FUND OMAHA, NE | DONATION OF APPRECIATED STOCK | $131,167 |
| CHRISTINE BELLINO BARRE, MA | AWARD FOR SAVING A LIFE | $1,000 |
| COMMUNITY BOATING INC BOSTON, MA | FOR ENHANCING SAFETY THROUGH THE INSTALLATION OF HOBIE MAST HEAD FLOATS ON THEIR CAPE COD MERCURY SAILBOATS | $18,619 |
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
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Humane Society of the Commonwealth fund?
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 …
How do I apply for a grant from The Humane Society of the Commonwealth?
**Grant Activity:** • Total giving (FY 2025): $265,786 • Total assets: $4,394,027 • Typical award range: $1,000–$131,167 **Recent Grants (FY 2025):** • Boston Medflight: $25,000 (In Honor of Honorary Trustee Greenway) • Community Boating: $18,619 (For Enhancing Safety Through the Installation of Hobie Mast Head Floats on Their Cape Cod Mercury Sailboats) The foundation made nine grants in the most recent fiscal year. Awards are granted by nomination only.
Where does The Humane Society of the Commonwealth make grants?
The organization primarily funds initiatives in Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Rhode Island, with a particular emphasis on Massachusetts-based recipients.
What size grants does The Humane Society of the Commonwealth award?
In 2025, The Humane Society of the Commonwealth awarded 37 grants totaling $266K — an average of about $7K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Humane Society of the Commonwealth required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2025, The Humane Society of the Commonwealth reported a distributable amount of $364K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Humane Society of the Commonwealth's EIN?
The Humane Society of the Commonwealth's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 04-2104291. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Humane Society of the Commonwealth's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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