The Keel Foundation
The Keel Foundation is a private foundation based in Boston, Massachusetts. Its 2025 filing reports grants to organizations in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, and Washington, D.C., including awards for general support.
The Keel Foundation at a glance
In short: The Keel Foundation gave $150K across 14 grants in 2025 (avg $11K), mostly in Massachusetts. 7% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $150,200
- +19.8% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 14
- -6.7% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $10,729
- +28.3% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $12,500
- Total assets
- $1,667,507
- +7.2% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 7% first-time grantees (1 of 14, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Massachusetts (58% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The Keel Foundation
- How to Apply
-
The filing names Mark M. Christopher as the contact and says an application may be requested from the executive director. The filing states that awards are restricted to 501(c)(3) organizations other than religious organizations.
- Contact
Application contact: Mark M Christopher
Mailing address: Goulston Storrs One Post Office, Boston, MA 02110
Phone: (617) 574-3513
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Keel Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was National Multiple Sclerosis Society ($20K). Together the top 10 received $137K.
Grant Size Distribution
67 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 62 grants of 67 (93%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2025, 58% of grant dollars went to recipients in Massachusetts, 28% to New Hampshire, 12% to New York, and 2% to Washington, D.C.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 14 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The Keel Foundation open to new grantees?
7%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 1 of 14 grantees (7%) 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 $16K; repeat grants $10K. How we count
Medians: $16K first-time, $10K repeat.
- 93% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (−6%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 93% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2025). 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 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $125K (2024) to $514K (2020). In 2025 it made 14 grants totaling $150K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| National Multiple Sclerosis Society Waltham, MA | General Support | $20,000 |
| Lakes Region Symphony Orchestra Meredith, NH | General Support | $16,000 |
| Ukraine Crisis Aid Goup Gilford, NH | General Support | $15,600 |
| Clover Foundation Inc Concord, MA | General Support | $15,000 |
| Open Table Inc Concord, MA | General Support | $15,000 |
| Kerem Shalom Concord, MA | General Support | $15,000 |
| Hadassah New York, NY | General Support | $15,000 |
| 18 Doors Natick, MA | General Support | $10,000 |
| Prescott Conservancy Inc Laconia NH, NH | General | $10,000 |
| Habitat for Humanity Greater Boston Inc Boston, MA | General Support | $5,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The Keel Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $1,667,507 | $319,923 | $208,322 | $150,200 | 14 | $177,585 | $291,186 | $190,713 |
| 2024 | $1,555,580 | $312,153 | $190,333 | $125,400 | 15 | $152,205 | $282,256 | $181,008 |
| 2023 | $1,434,207 | $442,983 | $567,591 | $513,500 | 18 | $538,896 | $412,900 | $159,275 |
| 2022 | $1,558,779 | $208,521 | $217,881 | $160,550 | 4 | $186,548 | $180,188 | $171,932 |
| 2021 | $1,568,458 | $411,522 | $451,901 | $385,000 | 16 | $413,379 | $379,463 | $209,003 |
| 2020 | $1,608,833 | $638,175 | $593,729 | $514,000 | 29 | — | $599,095 | $181,637 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Keel Foundation reported a distributable amount of $191K for 2025 — 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 does not state a mission in the available information. Its 2025 grants included general support for organizations with varied missions. For example, Open Table says its mission is to address local hunger by providing healthy food in a welcoming environment. Clover Foundation says it supports disadvantaged children and orphans in Uganda with provisions, educational books, clothing, health care, and other services. Buddy Dog Humane Society describes its work as caring for and placing stray, homeless, and unwanted dogs and cats, and promoting their health and welfare.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation made 14 grants totaling $150,200. Awards ranged from $2,500 to $20,000, with a median grant of $12,500. Listed recipients included the National Multiple Sclerosis Society ($20,000), Lakes Region Symphony Orchestra ($16,000), Ukraine Crisis Aid Group ($15,600), Clover Foundation ($15,000), Open Table ($15,000), Kerem Shalom ($15,000), and Hadassah ($15,000). Buddy Dog Humane Society also received $2,500.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Barbara M. Olsen, Peter A. Wilson, Mark M. Christopher, and James Olsen as trustees.
The Keel Foundation's 2025 filing lists 4 officers; none of the 4 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Barbara M. Olsen
Trustee
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
James Olsen
Trustee
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mark M. Christopher
Trustee
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Peter A. Wilson
Trustee
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about The Keel Foundation
How much does The Keel Foundation give each year?
The Keel Foundation gave $150K across 14 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $125K across 15 grants.
What is The Keel Foundation's typical grant size?
The Keel Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $12,500, and its average grant was $10,729, across 14 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Keel Foundation that year got $16K on average.
Where does The Keel Foundation give grants?
The Keel Foundation gives mostly in Massachusetts: 58% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were New Hampshire (28%) and New York (12%). The most frequent recipient cities were Concord, MA (3 grants), Waltham, MA (2 grants) and New York, NY (2 grants).
Does The Keel Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of The Keel Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (14 of 14) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The Keel Foundation's largest grantees?
The Keel Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include National Multiple Sclerosis Society ($20,000), Lakes Region Symphony Orchestra ($16,000) and Ukraine Crisis Aid Goup ($15,600), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 34% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Keel Foundation?
The Keel Foundation reported $1.7M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $178K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $191K (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does The Keel Foundation fund?
The foundation does not state a mission in the available information. Its 2025 grants included general support for organizations with varied missions. For example, Open Table says its mission is to address local hunger by providing healthy food in a welcoming environment. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Keel Foundation?
The filing names Mark M. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Keel Foundation's EIN?
The Keel Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 04-3166698. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 12, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Keel Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders with grantees in common, and similar funders in Massachusetts
American Tower Corporation Foundation
Boston, MA
Assets
$15.4M
Grants
632
Total Given
$1.7M
Boston Foundation Inc
Boston, MA
The Boston Foundation funds nonprofits and community initiatives focused on equity and opportunity, including child well-being, economic opportunity, community wealth, and community leadership, primarily in Greater Boston. Its 2025 grants had a median of $25,000, while specific programs offer amounts such as $50,000; whether it accepts unsolicited requests is not stated.
Assets
$2.1B
Grants
2,375
Total Given
$228.4M
Eastern Bank Foundation
Wakefield, MA
Eastern Bank Foundation supports economic inclusion and mobility, including small businesses, early childhood development, affordable housing, and workforce development. Its 2025 grants ranged from $50 to $2,002,500, with a median of $2,500, primarily in Massachusetts and also in New Hampshire and Rhode Island. It accepts online applications and does not limit giving to preselected organizations.
Assets
$266.7M
Grants
1,786
Total Given
$19.0M
Barr Foundation
Boston, MA
The Barr Foundation funds arts and creativity, climate, education, and New England’s social sector, primarily through long-term support for organizations in New England. Its 2024 grants ranged from $100 to $3.275 million, with a median of $80,000. Its filing says it accepts only requests from preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests, though its website describes program-page inquiries and occasional open calls.
Assets
$1.9B
Grants
903
Total Given
$123.2M
Liberty Mutual Foundation Inc
Boston, MA
Liberty Mutual Foundation funds basic needs such as food and shelter, education and workforce development, and climate and community infrastructure, including homelessness and community preparedness programs. Its 2024 grants had a median of $35,000, and most funding supports organizations or programs serving the Boston area, though it also gives elsewhere. It accepts unsolicited online requests on a rolling basis, with no submission deadlines.
Assets
$46.1M
Grants
706
Total Given
$50.6M
Cummings Foundation Grants Inc (FKA Oneworld Boston Inc)
Woburn, MA
Cummings Foundation Grants Inc. funds nonprofits working in human services, education, healthcare, fairness and justice, and the environment, primarily in greater Boston and eastern Massachusetts. Its 2024 grants ranged from $1,000 to $3.5 million, with a median of $35,000; it accepts letters of inquiry through an online portal during its application cycle, which was not open at the time described.
Assets
$258.2M
Grants
658
Total Given
$38.2M
More similar funders
More Funders in Massachusetts
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Keel Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 5, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-keel-foundation-morg_ff978d1601814ad6abfade72b5153055
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_043166698_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Keel Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-keel-foundation-morg_ff978d1601814ad6abfade72b5153055},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-05. 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 Keel 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.
The Keel Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?