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
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
No grants recorded for .
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 |
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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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