The Lewis M & Esther Perlstein
The Lewis M & Esther Perlstein is a private foundation based in Worcester, Massachusetts. Its 2025 filing reports 58 grants totaling $42,100 to charitable organizations, with listed recipients spanning causes such as wildlife recovery, religious organizations, behavioral health, animal protection, and gun-violence prevention.
The Lewis M & Esther Perlstein at a glance
In short: The Lewis M & Esther Perlstein gave $42K across 58 grants in 2025 (avg $725.862), top state Massachusetts. 33% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $42,100
- +0.2% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 58
- -1.7% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $726
- +1.9% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $400
- Total assets
- $513,997
- +2.4% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 33% first-time grantees (19 of 58, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Massachusetts (33% 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 Lewis M & Esther Perlstein
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation states that it does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations.
- Contact
Mailing address: Co Grkb 306 Main St Ste 400, Worcester, MA 01615-0034
Phone: (508) 791-0901
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Lewis M & Esther Perlstein funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was California Community Foundation - Wildlife Recovery Fund ($8K). Together the top 10 received $25K.
Grant Size Distribution
304 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 304 grants of 304 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s 2025 grant dollars went to recipients in multiple states. Massachusetts accounted for 33% of grant dollars, California 24%, Virginia 11%, Washington, DC 9%, and New York 6%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 58 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The Lewis M & Esther Perlstein open to new grantees?
33%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 19 of 58 grantees (33%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $791; repeat grants $694. How we count
Medians: $300 first-time, $500 repeat.
- 66% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+0%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 119% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). 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 $39K (2023) to $42K (2021). In 2025 it made 58 grants totaling $42K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| California Community Foundation - Wildlife Recovery Fund Los Angeles, CA | General | $8,000 |
| Temple Emunah Lexington, MA | General | $3,000 |
| Temple Shalom West Newton, MA | General | $3,000 |
| Nature Bridge Sausalito, CA | General | $2,000 |
| Inova Behavioral Health Services Fairfax, VA | General | $1,750 |
| Peta - People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals Norfolk, VA | General | $1,750 |
| Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence Washington, DC | General | $1,500 |
| Congregation of Agudat Achim Leominster, MA | General | $1,500 |
| Planned Parenthood Washington, DC | General | $1,250 |
| Anti-Defamation League Washington, DC | General | $1,200 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $513,997 | $65,682 | $53,439 | $42,100 | 58 | $42,100 | $54,602 | $35,348 |
| 2024 | $501,754 | $28,840 | $52,238 | $42,010 | 59 | $42,010 | $18,642 | $33,556 |
| 2023 | $525,152 | $28,755 | $45,588 | $39,215 | 57 | $39,215 | $22,382 | $31,737 |
| 2022 | $541,985 | $26,564 | $52,929 | $42,065 | 67 | $42,065 | $15,700 | $33,250 |
| 2021 | $568,350 | $31,510 | $52,683 | $42,200 | 63 | $42,200 | $21,647 | $34,364 |
| 2020 | $589,523 | $64,647 | $51,550 | $42,200 | 62 | — | $55,297 | $32,764 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Lewis M & Esther Perlstein reported a distributable amount of $35K 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
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2025 grants include support for organizations with varied missions. For example, Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence describes its work as preventing gun violence; Wounded Warrior Project says it supports the well-being of post-9/11 veterans, service members, and their families; and Pregnancy Justice says it advances the rights of pregnant people through legal defense, advocacy, research, and support for partners in the field.
Other 2025 recipients include the National Brain Tumor Society, which says it works toward a cure and effective treatments while advocating for patients and care partners; Florida Little Dog Rescue Group, which says it rescues, rehabilitates, and rehomes homeless and abandoned pets; and Shriners Children’s, which describes its work as providing compassionate, high-quality care to children.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation made 58 grants totaling $42,100. Individual awards ranged from $100 to $8,000, with a median grant of $400. The largest grants included $8,000 to California Community Foundation – Wildlife Recovery Fund, $3,000 each to Temple Emunah and Temple Shalom, and $2,000 to Nature Bridge. Other notable awards were $1,750 each to INOVA Behavioral Health Services and PETA – People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, and $1,500 to Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Bette Jane Shapiro, Rachel Bodkins, and Jodi Morrocco as trustees.
The Lewis M & Esther Perlstein's 2025 filing lists 3 officers; none of the 3 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Bette Jane Shapiro
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jodi Morrocco
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Rachel Bodkins
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/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 Lewis M & Esther Perlstein
How much does The Lewis M & Esther Perlstein give each year?
The Lewis M & Esther Perlstein gave $42K across 58 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $42K across 59 grants.
What is The Lewis M & Esther Perlstein's typical grant size?
The Lewis M & Esther Perlstein's median grant in 2025 was $400, and its average grant was $726, across 58 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Lewis M & Esther Perlstein that year got $791 on average.
Where does The Lewis M & Esther Perlstein give grants?
The Lewis M & Esther Perlstein's top state is Massachusetts, with 33% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were California (24%) and Virginia (11%). The most frequent recipient cities were Boston, MA (8 grants), New York, NY (5 grants), Newton, MA (5 grants) and Washington, DC (3 grants).
Does The Lewis M & Esther Perlstein give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of The Lewis M & Esther Perlstein's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (58 of 58) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The Lewis M & Esther Perlstein's largest grantees?
The Lewis M & Esther Perlstein's largest 2025 grantees include California Community Foundation - Wildlife Recovery Fund ($8,000), Temple Emunah ($3,000) and Temple Shalom ($3,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 33% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Lewis M & Esther Perlstein?
The Lewis M & Esther Perlstein reported $514K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $42K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $35K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Lewis M & Esther Perlstein fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2025 grants include support for organizations with varied missions. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Lewis M & Esther Perlstein?
The foundation states that it does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Lewis M & Esther Perlstein's EIN?
The Lewis M & Esther Perlstein's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 04-6351051. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Does The Lewis M & Esther Perlstein 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
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS June 11, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work The Lewis M & Esther Perlstein funds
Education Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
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Figures come from The Lewis M & Esther Perlstein'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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