The Red Elm Tree Foundation
The Red Elm Tree Foundation is a private foundation based in Lincoln, Massachusetts. Its 2025 grants supported organizations including music and arts groups, a conservation organization, and a public radio station.
The Red Elm Tree Foundation at a glance
In short: The Red Elm Tree Foundation gave $101K across 15 grants in 2025 (avg $7K), mostly in Massachusetts. 27% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $100,750
- -75.2% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 15
- +50.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $6,717
- -83.4% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $5,000
- Total assets
- $16,655,935
- -8.7% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 27% first-time grantees (4 of 15, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Massachusetts (89% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The Red Elm Tree Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
- Contact
Mailing address: 6 Winchelsea Lane, Lincoln, MA 01773-5110
Phone: (617) 456-1620
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Red Elm Tree Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Berklee College of Music ($28K). Together the top 10 received $93K.
Grant Size Distribution
90 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 66 grants of 90 (73%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2025, Massachusetts recipients received 89% of grant dollars. The remaining shares went to Missouri (5%), Maine (3%), West Virginia (2%), and New York (1%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 15 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The Red Elm Tree Foundation open to new grantees?
27%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 4 of 15 grantees (27%) were first-time recipients. With only 15 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 7 points. First grants averaged $2K; repeat grants $8K. How we count
Medians: $2K first-time, $5K repeat.
- 33% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving fell 89% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 22% 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 (2019–2025). 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 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $101K (2025) to $1.9M (2020). In 2025 it made 15 grants totaling $101K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Berklee College of Music Boston, MA | General Purpose Grant | $27,500 |
| The Trustees of Reservations Boston, MA | General Purpose Grant | $16,250 |
| Fine Arts Work Center Provincetown, MA | General Purpose Grant | $11,000 |
| 909 Wbur Boston, MA | General Purpose Grant | $10,500 |
| Eliot Fisk Guitar Academy Newton, MA | General Purpose Grant | $5,000 |
| Folk Alliance International Kansas City, MO | General Purpose Grant | $5,000 |
| Latin America Music Festival Newton, MA | General Purpose Grant | $5,000 |
| Mass Audubon Lincoln, MA | General Purpose Grant | $5,000 |
| Passim Cambridge, MA | General Purpose Grant | $5,000 |
| Palaver Strings Portland, ME | General Purpose Grant | $3,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The Red Elm Tree 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 | $16,655,935 | $-1,053,566 | $116,450 | $100,750 | 15 | $108,250 | $3,381 | $500,463 |
| 2024 | $18,243,776 | $249,221 | $406,177 | $405,677 | 10 | $406,177 | $869 | $497,662 |
| 2023 | $18,400,732 | $-429,445 | $844,700 | $835,200 | 18 | $835,700 | $4,190 | $648,245 |
| 2022 | $19,674,877 | $1,671,688 | $940,762 | $902,000 | 17 | $903,000 | $103,561 | $943,344 |
| 2021 | $18,943,951 | $19,249,966 | $2,221,242 | $1,857,510 | 30 | — | $19,152,750 | $741,902 |
| 2020 | $1,915,227 | $3,100,295 | $1,952,862 | $1,932,424 | 40 | — | $3,078,249 | $42,139 |
| 2019 | $767,794 | $1,206,616 | $744,039 | $735,773 | 42 | — | $996,050 | $14,857 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Red Elm Tree Foundation reported a distributable amount of $500K 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 formal mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2025 grants went to organizations with varied missions. Berklee College of Music describes its mission as fostering and teaching music, theater, dance, and related arts; The Trustees of Reservations describes itself as a conservation and preservation nonprofit. Folk Alliance International says it promotes traditional, contemporary, and multicultural folk music and dance, while Palaver Strings says it works to strengthen and inspire community through music.
Grantmaking
The foundation reported 15 grants totaling $100,750 in 2025. Grants ranged from $500 to $27,500, with a median of $5,000. Among its largest 2025 grants were $27,500 to Berklee College of Music, $16,250 to The Trustees of Reservations, $11,000 to Fine Arts Work Center, and $10,500 to 909 WBUR. Other listed grants included $5,000 each to Eliot Fisk Guitar Academy, Folk Alliance International, Latin America Music Festival, Mass Audubon, and Passim; $3,000 to Palaver Strings; and $2,500 each to Riffraff Arts Collective and Vinegrass Music. Human Rights First received $1,000.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Robert E Davoli and Eileen L McDonagh as trustees.
The Red Elm Tree Foundation's 2025 filing lists 2 officers; none of the 2 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Eileen L. McDonagh
Trustee
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Robert E. Davoli
Trustee
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "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 Red Elm Tree Foundation
How much does The Red Elm Tree Foundation give each year?
The Red Elm Tree Foundation gave $101K across 15 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $406K across 10 grants.
What is The Red Elm Tree Foundation's typical grant size?
The Red Elm Tree Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $5,000, and its average grant was $6,717, across 15 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Red Elm Tree Foundation that year got $2K on average.
Where does The Red Elm Tree Foundation give grants?
The Red Elm Tree Foundation gives mostly in Massachusetts: 89% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Boston, MA (4 grants) and Newton, MA (2 grants).
Does The Red Elm Tree Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of The Red Elm Tree Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (15 of 15) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The Red Elm Tree Foundation's largest grantees?
The Red Elm Tree Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Berklee College of Music ($27,500), The Trustees of Reservations ($16,250) and Fine Arts Work Center ($11,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 54% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Red Elm Tree Foundation?
The Red Elm Tree Foundation reported $16.7M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $108K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $500K (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 Red Elm Tree Foundation fund?
No formal mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2025 grants went to organizations with varied missions. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Red Elm Tree Foundation?
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Red Elm Tree Foundation's EIN?
The Red Elm Tree Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 04-3210639. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Does The Red Elm Tree Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(8)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS May 21, 2020)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS March 25, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS April 7, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS March 30, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS October 10, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS October 10, 2025)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS March 4, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2025
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Red Elm Tree Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders with grantees in common, and similar funders in Massachusetts
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
The Chicago Community Trust
Chicago, IL
The Chicago Community Trust funds eligible nonprofits working to narrow the wealth gap and meet urgent needs, with priorities including economic mobility, education, jobs, homeownership, and community development in metropolitan Chicago and Cook County. Its 2025 grants had a median of $26,500, though amounts varied widely; the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$7.1B
Grants
4,316
Total Given
$1.2B
The Ford Foundation
New York, NY
The Ford Foundation funds organizations and initiatives working to reduce inequality and advance social justice, including work on civic engagement, civil rights, climate justice, disability rights, and technology and society. In 2024, its grants ranged from $45 to $15 million, with a median of $100,000, supporting work in the U.S. and internationally. It says most grants are identified by the foundation and it does not accept unsolicited proposals by mail, email, or phone; limited opportunities may be offered separately.
Assets
$17.5B
Grants
4,007
Total Given
$844.7M
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
More similar funders
More Funders in Massachusetts
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Red Elm Tree Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 12, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-red-elm-tree-foundation-morg_1fc8a3b3637044d888fcf02bd6ca2975
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_043210639_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Red Elm Tree Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-red-elm-tree-foundation-morg_1fc8a3b3637044d888fcf02bd6ca2975},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-12. 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 Red Elm Tree 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 Red Elm Tree Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?