The Ilene Beal Charitable Foundation
The Ilene Beal Charitable Foundation is a private foundation based in Weston, Massachusetts. The foundation was established to promote and maintain the legacy of Ilene Beal, a pioneering figure in Boston's banking industry who rose to senior leadership positions at a time when women were vastly underrepresented in such roles.
Key facts about The Ilene Beal Charitable Foundation
- EIN
- 47-7387821
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $865,000
- Grants made (2024)
- 14
- Average grant
- $61,786
- Median grant
- $41,000
- New grantees (estimate)
- 21% first-time grantees (3 of 14, 2024)
- Total assets
- $9,284,573
- Primary geography
- Massachusetts (94% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- How to apply
- Grants from the Ilene Beal Charitable Foundation are by invitation only. Full details ↓
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology). Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Ilene Beal Charitable Foundation funds
By grant dollars, the top recipient states for The Ilene Beal Charitable Foundation's 14 itemized 2024 grants were Massachusetts (94%) and California (6%). The most frequent recipient cities were Boston, MA (3 grants) and Arlington, MA (2 grants). None of its 14 grants with a stated purpose were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Purpose Designated by the Recipient" (10 grants) and "Support for Cancer Patients and Their Families" (3 grants).
Is The Ilene Beal Charitable Foundation open to new grantees?
21%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 3 of 14 grantees (21%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $41K; repeat grants $68K. How we count
Medians: $42K first-time, $40K repeat.
- 79% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (−6%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 100% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized IRS Form 990-PF grant lists (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Next steps with The Ilene Beal Charitable Foundation
- How to evaluate The Ilene Beal Charitable Foundation as a funder
Our grant prospecting guide: read the 990-PF, check fit, and decide whether to apply.
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Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$9.3M
-7.4% YoY
Annual Giving
$865K
+7.4% YoY
Grant Count
14
+0.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$62K
+7.4% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Ilene Beal Charitable Foundation reported a distributable amount of $862K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's goal is to enthusiastically maintain and promote Ilene's legacy by supporting:
- Organizations and individuals fighting health issues
- Initiatives to increase hospitals' ability to provide high-quality care
- Mentoring and support for motivated women in underrepresented fields
- Innovators striving to improve communities in and around Boston and beyond
The foundation is particularly focused on organizations and individuals who exemplify Ilene's quiet, effective, and efficient spirit. Core principles reflected in grantmaking include hard work, high standards, service, graciousness, and an abiding care for others.
Specific areas of interest include mentoring, promoting the role of women in the workforce, cancer research, and direct support services for sick patients and families.
Grantmaking
Grant Range
s:** Typical awards range from $5,000 to $200,000, with a median grant amount of approximately $38,000.
Invitation Only
** Grants from the Ilene Beal Charitable Foundation are by invitation only. However, the foundation welcomes inquiries from interested organizations. Those wishing to learn more about Ilene and her legacy are encouraged to introduce themselves via email to info@ilenebealfoundation.org.
Ready to take the next step with The Ilene Beal Charitable Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily supports organizations in Massachusetts and California, with particular emphasis on the Boston area and surrounding communities.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 14 itemized 2024 grant dollars.
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
- Total Assets: $9.3–$10.0 million
- Annual Giving: $806,000–$865,000
- EIN: 47-7387821
- Organization Type: Private Grantmaking Foundation
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $9,284,573 | $10,023,358 | $11,001,228 |
| Revenue | $267,846 | $314,317 | $193,629 |
| Expenses | $1,099,587 | $1,000,828 | $1,050,646 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $865,000 | $805,500 | $861,000 |
| Net Investment Income | $286,734 | $500,099 | $263,084 |
| Distributable Amount | $861,707 | $775,609 | $825,003 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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 2024
Grant Size Distribution
77 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest recipients include Dana Farber ($200,000), Ellie Fund for Breast Cancer ($140,000), The Wily Network ($125,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| DANA FARBER Boston, MA | PURPOSE DESIGNATED BY THE RECIPIENT | $200,000 |
| ELLIE FUND FOR BREAST CANCER Needham, MA | SUPPORT FOR CANCER PATIENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES | $140,000 |
| THE WILY NETWORK West Roxbury, MA | PURPOSE DESIGNATED BY THE RECIPIENT | $125,000 |
| MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL Boston, MA | PURPOSE DESIGNATED BY THE RECIPIENT | $75,000 |
| THE COURAGEOUS PARENTS NETWORK Newton, MA | PURPOSE DESIGNATED BY THE RECIPIENT | $75,000 |
| HOSPITALITY HOMES Mariposa, CA | PURPOSE DESIGNATED BY THE RECIPIENT | $50,000 |
| MAYER CONCERT Cambridge, MA | SUPPORT FOR CANCER PATIENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES | $42,000 |
| THE BOSTON HOUSE Brookline, MA | SUPPORT FOR CANCER PATIENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES | $40,000 |
| WATER COMPASS Boston, MA | PURPOSE DESIGNATED BY THE RECIPIENT | $40,000 |
| RUNWAY FOR RECOVERY Newburyport, MA | FOR ITS LEGAL MEDICAL PARTNERSHIP | $25,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The foundation is overseen by four trustees:
- J. Brian Potts
- Gina Regina
- Kathleen McCarthy
- David Vaughn
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 IRS filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| J Brian Potts | Trustee | 4 | $60,000 |
| David Vaughn | Trustee | 4 | $60,000 |
| Gina Regina | Trustee | 4 | $60,000 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation released a series of video interviews with friends and colleagues of Ilene, capturing her life and spirit. The foundation also hosted a sold-out benefit concert featuring music and a showcase of its nonprofit partners, with proceeds supporting partner organizations.
Ilene Beal Charitable Foundation gift focuses on cancer interception - ImpactThe foundation provided support to Xylyx Bio as part of a multi-foundation grant totaling $1.125 million to accelerate clinical translation of bioengineered human organs for life-saving transplantation.
Xylyx Bio receives $1.125 million from multiple foundations to accelerateThe foundation made a gift to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute focused on cancer interception research.
Ilene Beal Charitable Foundation gift focuses on cancer interception - ImpactSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Ilene Beal Charitable Foundation fund?
The foundation's goal is to enthusiastically maintain and promote Ilene's legacy by supporting: • Organizations and individuals fighting health issues • Initiatives to increase hospitals' ability to provide high-quality care • Mentoring and support for motivated women in underrepresented fields • Innovators striving to improve communities in and around Boston and beyond The foundation is particularly focused on organizations and individuals who exemplify Ilene's quiet, effective, and efficient …
How do I apply for a grant from The Ilene Beal Charitable Foundation?
Grants from the Ilene Beal Charitable Foundation are by invitation only. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
Where does The Ilene Beal Charitable Foundation make grants?
The foundation primarily supports organizations in Massachusetts and California, with particular emphasis on the Boston area and surrounding communities.
What size grants does The Ilene Beal Charitable Foundation award?
In 2024, The Ilene Beal Charitable Foundation awarded 14 grants totaling $865K — an average of about $62K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Ilene Beal Charitable Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Ilene Beal Charitable Foundation reported a distributable amount of $862K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Ilene Beal Charitable Foundation's EIN?
The Ilene Beal Charitable Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 47-7387821. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.