The Keel Foundation
The Keel Foundation is a private foundation established in 1992 and based in Boston, Massachusetts. It operates as an independent grantmaking foundation with a focus on supporting charitable causes primarily in the Northeast.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$1.6M
+8.5% YoY
Annual Giving
$125K
-75.6% YoY
Grant Count
15
-16.7% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$8K
-70.7% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Keel Foundation reported a distributable amount of $181K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's primary funding interests include:
- Education
- Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking
- Human Services
- Boston Resiliency
The foundation provides general support funding to its grantees.
Grantmaking
The median grant size is approximately $20,000, with an average grant size of around $40,100.
Grant Range
is approximately $20,000, with an average grant size of around $40,100.
Average Grant
of around $40,100.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations in:
- Massachusetts
- New York
- New Hampshire
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total Assets: $1,555,580
- Total Revenues: $312,153
- Total Expenses: $190,333
- Investment Income and Dividends: $55,872
As of 2023:
- Total Assets: $1,430,000
- Total Revenues: $443,000
- Total Expenses: $568,000
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $1,555,580 | $1,434,207 | $1,558,779 |
| Revenue | $312,153 | $442,983 | $208,521 |
| Expenses | $190,333 | $567,591 | $217,881 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $152,205 | $538,896 | $186,548 |
| Net Investment Income | $282,256 | $412,900 | $180,188 |
| Distributable Amount | $181,008 | $159,275 | $171,932 |
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
82 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Kerem Shalom ($18,000), Lakes Region Symphony Orchestra ($17,000), Clover Foundation Inc ($15,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| CLOVER FOUNDATION INC CONCORD, MA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $15,000 |
| OPEN TABLE INC CONCORD, MA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $15,000 |
| HABITAT FOR HUMANITY GREATER BOSTON INC BOSTON, MA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $5,000 |
| BUDDY DOG HUMANE SOCIETY SUDBURY, MA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $2,500 |
| NATIONAL MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS SOCIETY WALTHAM, MA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $10,000 |
| KEREM SHALOM CONCORD, MA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $18,000 |
| JEWISHGEN INC NEW YORK, NY | GENERAL SUPPORT | $3,600 |
| HADASSAH NEW YORK, NY | GENERAL SUPPORT | $10,000 |
| LAKES REGION SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA MEREDITH, NH | GENERAL SUPPORT | $17,000 |
| 18 DOORS NATICK, MA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $1,800 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Key leadership includes:
- Barbara M Olsen, Trustee
- Peter A Wilson, Trustee
- Mark M Christopher, Trustee
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| BARBARA M OLSEN | TRUSTEE | 5 | — |
| PETER A WILSON | TRUSTEE | 5 | — |
| MARK M CHRISTOPHER | TRUSTEE | 5 | — |
| JAMES OLSEN | TRUSTEE | 5 | — |
Contact Information
Address: 1 Post Office Square, Boston, MA 02109-2106
Phone: 617-480-9594
EIN: 04-3166698
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Keel Foundation fund?
The foundation's primary funding interests include: • Education • Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking • Human Services • Boston Resiliency The foundation provides general support funding to its grantees.
How do I apply for a grant from The Keel Foundation?
**Grant Amounts:** Typical awards range from $1,800 to $125,000. **Recent Grant Activity:** The foundation made 29 grants in 2024, with a total giving amount of $125,400. Recent grantees include: • Kerem Shalom ($18,000) • Open Table ($15,000) • Clover Foundation ($15,000) • Massachusetts General Hospital The median grant size is approximately $20,000, with an average grant size of around $40,100.
Where does The Keel Foundation make grants?
The foundation primarily funds organizations in: • Massachusetts • New York • New Hampshire
What size grants does The Keel Foundation award?
In 2024, The Keel Foundation awarded 15 grants totaling $125K — an average of about $8K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Keel Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Keel Foundation reported a distributable amount of $181K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
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 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Keel Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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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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