The James M and Cathleen D Stone
The James M and Cathleen D Stone is a private foundation, based in Boston, MA. IRS filing data is available from 2021 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $3.8M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 2 grants totaling $1.6M. Net investment income was $894K.
The James M and Cathleen D Stone at a glance
In short: The James M and Cathleen D Stone gave $1.6M across 2 grants in 2024 (avg $800K). Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,600,000
- +0.0% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 2
- +0.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $800,000
- +0.0% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $800,000
- Total assets
- $3,752,091
- +81.4% vs 2023
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who The James M and Cathleen D Stone funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 2 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was University College London ($1.0M). Together the top 2 received $1.6M.
Grant Size Distribution
12 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $500K–1M range: 6 grants of 12 (50%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
How The James M and Cathleen D Stone gives
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+7%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out well above its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $1.5M (2021) to $6.1M (2022). In 2024 it made 2 grants totaling $1.6M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| University College London | Development of Research/Education Center | $1,000,000 |
| La Fondation Mondiale Insead | Chair/Development of Research/Education Center | $600,000 |
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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 | $3,752,091 | $4,758,514 | $2,047,321 | $1,600,000 | 2 | $2,026,766 | $894,045 | $103,892 |
| 2023 | $2,068,445 | $2,518,289 | $1,848,743 | $1,600,000 | 2 | $1,842,759 | $114,676 | $51,905 |
| 2022 | $1,398,778 | $7,614,650 | $6,414,025 | $6,130,000 | 6 | $6,409,407 | $112,107 | $114,259 |
| 2021 | $768,200 | $2,250,000 | $1,666,885 | $1,500,000 | 2 | — | — | $46,882 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The James M and Cathleen D Stone reported a distributable amount of $104K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The James M and Cathleen D Stone is led by Sonja B. Plesset, Trustee & Executive Director on every filing since 2021; 1 of 4 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Sonja B. Plesset
Trustee & Executive Director
On filings since 2021
30 hrs/week
$113K (2021) → $228K (2024)
Cathleen D. Stone
Trustee
On filings since 2021
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
James M. Stone
Trustee
On filings since 2021
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Erin Macgowan
Trustee
Trustee - → Trustee, 2024
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Collen M. Granahan (2021–2022) — Trustee -
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2024. "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 $228K, to Sonja Plesset (Trustee / Executive Director).
Frequently asked questions about The James M and Cathleen D Stone
How much does The James M and Cathleen D Stone give each year?
The James M and Cathleen D Stone gave $1.6M across 2 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $1.6M across 2 grants.
How large is The James M and Cathleen D Stone?
The James M and Cathleen D Stone reported $3.8M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $2.0M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $104K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
Where does The James M and Cathleen D Stone operate?
The James M and Cathleen D Stone has awarded grants in California, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York.
What is The James M and Cathleen D Stone's EIN?
The James M and Cathleen D Stone's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 83-6533785. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2024
Live grants for the work The James M and Cathleen D Stone funds
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