The Ilene Beal Charitable Foundation
The Ilene Beal Charitable Foundation is a private foundation based in Weston, Massachusetts. It supports nonprofit organizations and social entrepreneurs working to promote Ilene Beal’s principles of hard work, high standards, service, graciousness, and care for others.
The Ilene Beal Charitable Foundation at a glance
In short: The Ilene Beal Charitable Foundation gave $865K across 14 grants in 2024 (avg $62K), mostly in Massachusetts. 21% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $865,000
- +7.4% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 14
- +0.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $61,786
- +7.4% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $41,000
- Total assets
- $9,284,573
- -7.4% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 21% first-time grantees (3 of 14, 2024; small sample)
- 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 Ilene Beal Charitable Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- Contact
Mailing address: 320 Conant Rd, Weston, MA 02493
Phone: (617) 733-2020
Website: https://ilenebealfoundation.org
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
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Dana Farber ($200K). Together the top 10 received $812K.
Grant Size Distribution
77 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 40 grants of 77 (52%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s 2024 grant dollars went to recipients in Massachusetts (94%) and California (6%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 14 itemized grants.
Cities
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. With only 14 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 7 points. 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 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 $806K (2023) to $996K (2020). In 2024 it made 14 grants totaling $865K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| 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 |
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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 | $9,284,573 | $267,846 | $1,099,587 | $865,000 | 14 | $865,000 | $286,734 | $861,707 |
| 2023 | $10,023,358 | $314,317 | $1,000,828 | $805,500 | 14 | $805,500 | $500,099 | $775,609 |
| 2022 | $11,001,228 | $193,629 | $1,050,646 | $861,000 | 15 | $861,000 | $263,084 | $825,003 |
| 2021 | $11,762,845 | $802,205 | $1,122,732 | $919,000 | 17 | $919,000 | $788,108 | $945,967 |
| 2020 | $12,030,160 | $1,494,821 | $1,149,240 | $995,550 | 17 | — | $1,476,042 | $775,363 |
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.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation says its partners reflect Beal’s interests in mentoring, promoting women’s role in the workforce, cancer research, and providing direct support services to sick patients and families. Its website also highlights support for organizations and individuals who embody Beal’s “quiet, effective, and efficient spirit.”
Its 2024 grantees include organizations with a range of missions. The Wily Network describes its work as helping scholars thrive in four-year residential colleges and transition to life after college, including through coaching and a safety net as they navigate college. Hospitality Homes says it provides temporary lodging for families and friends of patients receiving care at Boston-area medical centers. Runway for Recovery describes providing families affected by breast cancer with community, services, and support. Shelter Music Boston presents classical chamber music in shelters, aiming to promote community and therapeutic benefit. Camp Casco builds community for families affected by childhood cancer in New England through free camps and social opportunities.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 14 grants totaling $865,000. Awards ranged from $5,000 to $200,000, with a median grant of $41,000. Among the largest were $200,000 to Dana-Farber, $140,000 to the Ellie Fund, $125,000 to the Wily Network, and $75,000 each to Massachusetts General Hospital and the Courageous Parents Network. The filing listed support for cancer patients and their families as the purpose of grants to the Ellie Fund and Mayer Concert; other listed purposes included recipient-designated purposes and support for Runway for Recovery’s legal medical partnership.
The foundation’s website says grants are by invitation only. How to apply: The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. It welcomes introductions from people interested in learning about Ilene Beal and her legacy.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists J. Brian Potts, David Vaughn, and Gina Regina as trustees. The foundation’s website identifies J. Brian Potts, Gina Regina, Kathleen McCarthy, and David Vaughn as trustees.
The Ilene Beal Charitable Foundation's 2024 filing lists 3 officers; all 3 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
David Vaughn
Trustee
On filings since 2020
4 hrs/week
$32K (2020) → $60K (2024)
Gina Regina
Trustee
On filings since 2020
4 hrs/week
$32K (2020) → $60K (2024)
J. Brian Potts
Trustee
On filings since 2020
4 hrs/week
$32K (2020) → $60K (2024)
Former officers (1)
- Former: Kathleen M. McCarthy (2020–2023) — 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 $60K, to J Brian Potts (Trustee). 3 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The Ilene Beal Charitable Foundation
How much does The Ilene Beal Charitable Foundation give each year?
The Ilene Beal Charitable Foundation gave $865K across 14 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $806K across 14 grants.
What is The Ilene Beal Charitable Foundation's typical grant size?
The Ilene Beal Charitable Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $41,000, and its average grant was $61,786, across 14 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Ilene Beal Charitable Foundation that year got $41K on average.
Where does The Ilene Beal Charitable Foundation give grants?
The Ilene Beal Charitable Foundation gives mostly in Massachusetts: 94% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was California (6%). The most frequent recipient cities were Boston, MA (3 grants) and Arlington, MA (2 grants).
Does The Ilene Beal Charitable Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 14 grants with a stated purpose on The Ilene Beal Charitable Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF 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).
Who are The Ilene Beal Charitable Foundation's largest grantees?
The Ilene Beal Charitable Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Dana Farber ($200,000), Ellie Fund for Breast Cancer ($140,000) and The Wily Network ($125,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 54% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Ilene Beal Charitable Foundation?
The Ilene Beal Charitable Foundation reported $9.3M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $865K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $862K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Ilene Beal Charitable Foundation fund?
The foundation says its partners reflect Beal’s interests in mentoring, promoting women’s role in the workforce, cancer research, and providing direct support services to sick patients and families. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Ilene Beal Charitable Foundation?
The Ilene Beal Charitable Foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals, according to Grantable's research on its published guidelines. Check ilenebealfoundation.org for any change to that policy.
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.
Does The Ilene Beal Charitable Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
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
Live grants for the work The Ilene Beal Charitable Foundation funds
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Ilene Beal Charitable Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 17, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-ilene-beal-charitable-foundation-morg_f7cdb428f8774ce6b653b79b291ec29f
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_477387821_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Ilene Beal Charitable Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-ilene-beal-charitable-foundation-morg_f7cdb428f8774ce6b653b79b291ec29f},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-17. 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 Ilene Beal Charitable Foundation'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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