The Lowell Institute
The Lowell Institute is a private foundation based in Boston, Massachusetts, established in 1836. The organization operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit with a primary focus on sponsoring free public lectures and educational programs throughout the Boston area. The Institute continues its historical mission while also funding innovative projects and supporting cultural and educational institutions in the region.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$48.9M
+6.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$2.3M
+7.4% YoY
Grant Count
16
+0.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$144K
+7.4% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Lowell Institute reported a distributable amount of $2.3M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
Founded in 1836 with a mission to inform the populace regardless of gender, race, or economic status, the Lowell Institute has reached thousands of Boston area residents by sponsoring free public lectures and other educational programs.
The Institute's funding priorities include:
- Education and higher education
- Arts and creative writing
- Journalism
- Historic preservation
- Library services
- Science and museums
- Philanthropy and voluntarism
- Human services
Grantmaking
The Lowell Institute made 15 grants in its most recent fiscal year (ending July 2024), with total giving of $2,301,235.
Grant Range
** Typical awards range from $6,000 to $656,908.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Lowell Institute primarily funds programs and initiatives throughout the Boston area and Massachusetts.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of Fiscal Year Ending July 2024:
- Total Assets: $48,919,106
- Total Revenues: $1,145,879
- Total Expenses: $2,506,009
- Total Giving: $2,301,235
- Number of Employees: 1
Revenue Composition (FY 2024):
- Investment income and dividends: $722,848
- Net gain from sale of non-inventory assets: $692,972
- Miscellaneous revenues: -$269,941
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $48,919,106 | $46,129,702 | $45,240,554 |
| Revenue | $1,145,879 | $99,982 | $4,788,527 |
| Expenses | $2,506,009 | $2,382,598 | $1,904,572 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $2,433,990 | $2,254,897 | $1,721,616 |
| Net Investment Income | $1,076,787 | $360,897 | $4,658,844 |
| Distributable Amount | $2,300,652 | $2,227,359 | $2,493,008 |
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
64 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Northeastern University ($656,908), New England Aquarium ($452,304), Museum of Science ($299,325).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Boston College Chestnut Hill, MA | General Purpose | $75,000 |
| Boston Public Library Fund Boston, MA | General Purpose | $50,000 |
| Boston University Boston, MA | General Purpose | $13,000 |
| Cambridge Forum Cambridge, MA | General Purpose | $60,000 |
| Charles River Museum Waltham, MA | General Purpose | $10,000 |
| Ford Hall Forum at Suffolk University Boston, MA | General Purpose | $29,460 |
| Harvard University Extension School Cambridge, MA | General Purpose | $100,494 |
| John F Kennedy Library Foundation Boston, MA | General Purpose | $90,000 |
| Museum of Science Boston, MA | General Purpose | $299,325 |
| New England Aquarium Boston, MA | General Purpose | $452,304 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| William A Lowell | Trustee | 1 | $83,144 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Lowell Institute fund?
Founded in 1836 with a mission to inform the populace regardless of gender, race, or economic status, the Lowell Institute has reached thousands of Boston area residents by sponsoring free public lectures and other educational programs. The Institute's funding priorities include: • Education and higher education • Arts and creative writing • Journalism • Historic preservation • Library services • Science and museums • Philanthropy and voluntarism • Human services
How do I apply for a grant from The Lowell Institute?
The Lowell Institute made 15 grants in its most recent fiscal year (ending July 2024), with total giving of $2,301,235. **Recent Grant Recipients (FY 2024):** • Northeastern University: $656,908 • New England Aquarium: $452,304 • Museum of Science: $299,325 **Grant Range:** Typical awards range from $6,000 to $656,908. The Institute supports programming through partnerships with established organizations, including: • Ford Hall Forum at Suffolk University (the nation's oldest continuously opera…
Where does The Lowell Institute make grants?
The Lowell Institute primarily funds programs and initiatives throughout the Boston area and Massachusetts.
What size grants does The Lowell Institute award?
In 2024, The Lowell Institute awarded 16 grants totaling $2.3M — an average of about $144K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Lowell Institute required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Lowell Institute reported a distributable amount of $2.3M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Lowell Institute's EIN?
The Lowell Institute's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 04-2105771. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Lowell Institute'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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