The Joan Shafran and Rob Haimes
The Joan Shafran and Rob Haimes Foundation is a private foundation based in Somerville, Massachusetts, established in 2006. Operating as a 501(c)(3) organization, the foundation engages in philanthropic grantmaking across education, the arts, scientific research, and charitable causes.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$4.1M
-1.4% YoY
Annual Giving
$218K
-0.8% YoY
Grant Count
72
-19.1% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$3K
+22.7% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Joan Shafran and Rob Haimes reported a distributable amount of $243K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation supports a diverse range of causes including educational initiatives, scientific research, literary and religious organizations, and charitable endeavors. Notable funding areas include:
- Architecture and Design Education: Supports programs at the Boston Architectural College, including the School of Architecture and BAC Exhibition Program
- Arts and Culture: Funds cultural institutions and landscape architecture initiatives
- Scientific Research and Museums: Supports institutions like the Cleveland Museum of Natural History
- Public Media and Broadcasting: Funds organizations such as WBUR
- Infrastructure and Technology Upgrades: Supports projects like the Nathan & Fanny Shafran Planetarium renovations and technology upgrades
The foundation's approach reflects a vision of entrepreneurial grantmaking aligned with raising public awareness of important cultural and scientific work.
Grantmaking
The foundation operates on a preselected basis only and does not accept unsolicited applications for funds. Grantmaking is directed to organizations identified by the foundation's leadership.
Grant Range
s range from $250 to $50,000, with a median grant of $1,000
How to Apply
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Massachusetts, New York, and the District of Columbia, with a particular emphasis on Massachusetts-based institutions.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of Fiscal Year 2024:
- Total Assets: $4,067,185
- Total Revenues: $176,192
- Total Expenses: $234,553
- Total Liabilities: $0
The foundation maintains a healthy asset base relative to its annual grantmaking activity, positioning it to sustain its philanthropic work over the long term.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $4,067,185 | $4,125,546 | $4,175,571 |
| Revenue | $176,192 | $181,771 | $115,674 |
| Expenses | $234,553 | $231,796 | $266,418 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $218,059 | $219,799 | $250,234 |
| Net Investment Income | $164,877 | $171,788 | $104,787 |
| Distributable Amount | $243,226 | $218,044 | $223,217 |
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
193 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Mobile Makers ($50,000), Boston Architectural College ($25,000), Cleveland Museum of Natural History ($25,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ACLU FOUNDATION NEW YORK, NY | ANNUAL FUND | $1,000 |
| ACLU FOUNDATION OF MASSACHUSETTS BOSTON, MA | ANNUAL FUND | $500 |
| AMERICAN JEWISH COMMITTEE NEW YORK, NY | ANNUAL FUND | $2,500 |
| ANIMAL RESCUE LEAGUE OF BOSTON DEDHAM, MA | ANNUAL FUND | $500 |
| ASPCA NEW YORK, NY | ANNUAL FUND | $500 |
| BOSTON ARCHITECTURAL COLLEGE BOSTON, MA | SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE AND BAC EXHIBITION PROGRAM | $10,000 |
| BOSTON ARCHITECTURAL COLLEGE BOSTON, MA | WALTER HOOD NATIVE(S) EXHIBIT | $10,000 |
| BOSTON ARCHITECTURAL COLLEGE BOSTON, MA | SOCIAL INNOVATION & ENTREPRENEURSHIP INITIATIVE | $25,000 |
| BOSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY BOSTON, MA | BOOKS UNBANNED | $500 |
| BRENNAN CENTER FOR JUSTICE NEW YORK, NY | ANNUAL FUND | $1,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Joan Shafran - President/Director
- Rob Haimes - Treasurer/Director
Both serve without compensation. The foundation operates with limited staffing and no paid employees.
Background on Founders
Joan Shafran and Rob Haimes met at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Joan was one of the first graduate students in what later became the MIT Media Lab and subsequently taught, then took over a small family real estate investment company and served on the Board of Directors of Forest City Enterprises. She developed expertise in governance and nonprofit board service.
Rob Haimes worked in the technology industry before transitioning to pursue an interest in architecture. Both had been involved with the arts prior to establishing their foundation and have developed deep connections within the landscape architecture and cultural communities. Joan serves as co-chair of The Cultural Landscape Foundation board, reflecting the couple's commitment to elevating the visibility and recognition of landscape architecture as an integrated element of the built environment.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JOAN SHAFRAN | PRESIDENT/DIRECTOR | — | — |
| ROB HAIMES | TREASURER/DIRECTOR | — | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation has been active in supporting landscape architecture recognition through its involvement with The Cultural Landscape Foundation, including support for the Cornelia Hahn Oberlander International Landscape Architecture Prize. This initiative reflects the founders' commitment to raising public awareness of landscape architects' work and ensuring landscape architecture receives recognition comparable to building architecture in the built environment.
Jim Joseph Foundation Awards Four New Grants to Support Digital LearningSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Joan Shafran and Rob Haimes fund?
The foundation supports a diverse range of causes including educational initiatives, scientific research, literary and religious organizations, and charitable endeavors. Notable funding areas include: • **Architecture and Design Education**: Supports programs at the Boston Architectural College, including the School of Architecture and BAC Exhibition Program • **Arts and Culture**: Funds cultural institutions and landscape architecture initiatives • **Scientific Research and Museums**: Supports…
How do I apply for a grant from The Joan Shafran and Rob Haimes?
**Grant Activity:** • Made 50+ grants in 2024, totaling approximately $218,005 in charitable distributions • Grant sizes range from $250 to $50,000, with a median grant of $1,000 • Recent notable grants include: • Chicago Mobile Makers: $50,000 (Boston Fund) • Cleveland Museum of Natural History: $25,000 (Annual Fund) • Boston Architectural College: $25,000 (Social Innovation & Entrepreneurship Initiative) • Boston Architectural College: $10,000 (School of Architecture and BAC Exhibition Progra…
Where does The Joan Shafran and Rob Haimes make grants?
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Massachusetts, New York, and the District of Columbia, with a particular emphasis on Massachusetts-based institutions.
What size grants does The Joan Shafran and Rob Haimes award?
In 2024, The Joan Shafran and Rob Haimes awarded 72 grants totaling $218K — an average of about $3K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Joan Shafran and Rob Haimes required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Joan Shafran and Rob Haimes reported a distributable amount of $243K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Joan Shafran and Rob Haimes's EIN?
The Joan Shafran and Rob Haimes's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 01-0850218. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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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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