The Hyams Foundation Inc
The Hyams Foundation Inc is a private foundation based in Boston, Massachusetts. It supports efforts to increase economic, racial, and social justice and power within working-class communities in Massachusetts, with a stated goal of dismantling persistent racialized economic disparities.
The Hyams Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: The Hyams Foundation Inc gave $6.2M across 109 grants in 2024 (avg $57K), mostly in Massachusetts. 11% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $6,193,092
- +3.5% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 109
- +17.2% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $56,817
- -11.7% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $50,000
- Total assets
- $144,329,982
- +4.6% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 11% first-time grantees (8 of 73, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Massachusetts (94% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The Hyams Foundation Inc
- Contact
Application contact: Lisa Owens The Hyams Foundation
Mailing address: 89 South Street Suite 404, Boston, MA 02111
Phone: (617) 426-5600
Email: grants@hyamsfoundation.org
Website: https://www.hyamsfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Hyams Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Resist Inc ($607K across 7 grants). Together the top 10 received $3.2M.
Grant Size Distribution
481 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 254 grants of 481 (53%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s mission and eligibility criteria focus on working-class communities and communities of color in Massachusetts. Its grantmaking approach identifies Boston and Chelsea as locations where it seeks to address persistent racialized economic disparities. In 2024, 94% of grant dollars went to recipients in Massachusetts; the remaining shares went to New York (3%), California (2%), Pennsylvania (1%), and New Jersey (0%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 109 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The Hyams Foundation Inc open to new grantees?
11%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 8 of 73 grantees (11%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $20K; repeat grants $93K. How we count
Medians: $13K first-time, $50K repeat.
- 84% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 24% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 123% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $4.9M (2020) to $6.2M (2024). In 2024 it made 109 grants totaling $6.2M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Alternatives for Community and Environment Inc Roxbury, MA | General support | $420,000 |
| Third Sector New England Inc Boston, MA | HUBS Movement Infrastructure Project | $325,000 |
| Urban Revival Inc Jamaica Plain, MA | Homes for All Massachusetts Project | $205,000 |
| Resist Inc Jamaica Plain, MA | General support | $202,500 |
| Urban Revival Inc Jamaica Plain, MA | General support | $190,000 |
| Resist Inc Jamaica Plain, MA | MassCOSH - Immigrant and Youth Worker Justice | $159,000 |
| Neighbor To Neighbor Massachusetts Education Fund Inc Worcester, MA | General support | $151,000 |
| Center for Labor Education and Research Inc Boston, MA | Digital Empowerment for Social Justice Project | $142,000 |
| The City School Inc Dorchester, MA | Young Adult Fellowship Project | $110,000 |
| Boston Impact Initiative Fund Roxbury, MA | General support | $105,500 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $144,329,982 | $8,666,686 | $8,554,850 | $6,193,092 | 109 | $8,213,523 | $5,102,869 | $6,680,560 |
| 2023 | $137,975,556 | $4,379,179 | $8,878,862 | $5,980,865 | 93 | $7,962,715 | $1,876,121 | $6,454,044 |
| 2022 | $130,800,910 | $13,843,254 | $11,301,868 | $5,637,752 | 99 | $8,597,881 | $11,699,300 | $7,125,701 |
| 2021 | $163,844,341 | $20,347,329 | $8,985,629 | $4,982,940 | 84 | $6,891,854 | $18,499,262 | $7,423,339 |
| 2020 | $150,928,840 | $8,137,125 | $8,893,307 | $4,887,240 | 96 | — | $6,011,435 | $6,390,777 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Hyams Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $6.7M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s mission is to increase economic, racial, and social justice and power within working-class communities in Massachusetts. Its grantmaking supports general operating and program work by nonprofits focused on these aims, particularly frontline, constituent-led organizations and coalitions using leadership development and base-building strategies to address root causes and build movements. It also supports nonprofits working in partnership with, and following the lead of, frontline base-building groups.
Eligible applicants must be IRS-recognized 501(c)(3) organizations or projects fiscally sponsored by an organization that is not a private foundation. Funding criteria emphasize systemic analysis of racial inequities, community power-building, constituent leadership, and engagement of working-class communities of color, including immigrants and youth. The foundation’s stated approach includes general operating and project grants, a Special Opportunities Fund for discrete and time-bound efforts, and support for movement infrastructure and field building.
Among 2024 grantees, Resist described its work as supporting people’s movements for justice and liberation through resource redistribution and storytelling. La Colaborativa said it works to empower Latinx immigrants and hold institutional decision makers accountable to the communities they serve. The City School described its mission as developing youth leadership for civic involvement and social change.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 109 grants totaling $6,193,092. Grant amounts ranged from $2,000 to $420,000, with a median of $50,000.
Notable 2024 grants included $420,000 to Alternatives for Community and Environment Inc for general support; $325,000 to Third Sector New England Inc for the HUBS Movement Infrastructure Project; $205,000 to Urban Revival Inc for the Homes for All Massachusetts Project; and $202,500 to Resist Inc for general support. Other grants included $159,000 to Resist for the MassCOSH – Immigrant and Youth Worker Justice project, $151,000 to Neighbor To Neighbor Massachusetts Education Fund Inc for general support, and $110,000 to The City School Inc for its Young Adult Fellowship Project. Third Sector New England describes its mission as strengthening organizations working toward a just and equitable society; Urban Revival describes its mission as promoting ethnic and racial harmony through affordable housing and economic development.
The foundation says it does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. Its website encourages prospective applicants to review its funding criteria and submit a letter of interest. It says few new applicants can be considered for core grantmaking support, but rapid-response requests for urgent community needs and time-bound racial justice initiatives or projects may be considered through the Special Opportunity Fund. The website directs prospective applicants to contact Alex Ponte-Capellan about how to proceed; the 2024 filing lists Lisa Owens as the contact for application information. Restrictions are described in the foundation’s eligibility and funding criteria, including exclusions for individuals, direct services or self-help programs, capital campaigns, and certain electoral or union-organizing work. Deadline: The foundation states that there are no deadlines.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Penn Loh as President, Chair, and Trustee; Iris Gomez as Clerk and Trustee; Julie Goodridge as Treasurer and Trustee; Lily Mendez-Morgan as Vice Chair, Vice Treasurer, and Trustee; and Lucas H Guerra as Vice Treasurer and Trustee. Other listed trustees were Gerardo Espinoza, Rahsaan D Hall, Maria Elena Letona, Karen L Mapp, and Mark Watson.
The Hyams Foundation Inc is led by Penn Loh, President, Chair & Trustee since 2023 (on filings since 2020); all 11 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Penn Loh
President, Chair & Trustee
Chair & Trustee → Board Chair & Trustee, 2021
Board Chair & Trustee → President, Chair & Trustee, 2023
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
$30K (2020) → $30K (2024)
Lisa Owens
Executive Director
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$224K (2021) → $267K (2024)
Iris Gomez
Clerk & Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$16K (2020) → $16K (2024)
Julie Goodridge
Treasurer & Trustee
Clerk & Trustee → Assistant Treasurer & Trustee, 2021
Assistant Treasurer & Trustee → Treasurer & Trustee, 2023
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$16K (2020) → $20K (2024)
Karen L Mapp
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$20K (2020) → $20K (2024)
Lily Mendez-Morgan
Vice Chair, Vice Treasurer & Trustee
Co-Chair & Trustee → Vice Chair & Trustee, 2023
Vice Chair & Trustee → Vice Chair, Vice Treasurer & Trustee, 2024
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$20K (2020) → $16K (2024)
Lucas H Guerra
Vice Treasurer & Trustee
Trustee → Vice Treasurer & Trustee, 2023
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$16K (2020) → $16K (2024)
Rahsaan D Hall
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$16K (2020) → $20K (2024)
Gerardo Espinoza
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
$11K (2024)
Maria Elena Letona
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
$11K (2024)
Mark Watson
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
$11K (2024)
Former officers (4)
- Former: Martella Wilson-Taylor (2020–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Omar Simmons (2020–2023) — Assistant Treasurer & Trustee
- Former: David Moy (2020–2021) — Deputy Director
- Former: Willma Davis (2020–2021) — Treasurer & Trustee
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $267K, to Lisa Owens (Executive Director). 11 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The Hyams Foundation Inc
How much does The Hyams Foundation Inc give each year?
The Hyams Foundation Inc gave $6.2M across 109 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $6.0M across 93 grants.
What is The Hyams Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
The Hyams Foundation Inc's median grant in 2024 was $50,000, and its average grant was $56,817, across 109 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Hyams Foundation Inc that year got $20K on average.
Where does The Hyams Foundation Inc give grants?
The Hyams Foundation Inc gives mostly in Massachusetts: 94% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Boston, MA (38 grants), Jamaica Plain, MA (15 grants), Dorchester, MA (9 grants) and Roxbury, MA (8 grants).
Does The Hyams Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Yes: 48% of The Hyams Foundation Inc's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (52 of 109) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Membership dues" (14 grants) and "Support for the BMIP Design Team" (7 grants).
Who are The Hyams Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
The Hyams Foundation Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Resist Inc ($606,500 across 7 grants), Alternatives for Community and Environment Inc ($470,000 across 2 grants) and Urban Revival Inc ($455,000 across 4 grants), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 25% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Hyams Foundation Inc?
The Hyams Foundation Inc reported $144.3M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $8.2M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $6.7M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Hyams Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation’s mission is to increase economic, racial, and social justice and power within working-class communities in Massachusetts. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Hyams Foundation Inc?
The Hyams Foundation Inc has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check hyamsfoundation.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is The Hyams Foundation Inc's EIN?
The Hyams Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 04-6013680. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Hyams Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 16, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-hyams-foundation-inc-morg_59a50896d7cd4eb09a6f250fe97d2088
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_046013680_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Hyams Foundation Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-hyams-foundation-inc-morg_59a50896d7cd4eb09a6f250fe97d2088},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-16. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from The Hyams Foundation Inc's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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