The Robert F Higgins Foundation
The Robert F Higgins Foundation is a private foundation, based in Boston, MA. IRS filing data is available from 2021 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $10.1M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 7 grants totaling $461K. Net investment income was $1.9M.
The Robert F Higgins Foundation at a glance
In short: The Robert F Higgins Foundation gave $461K across 7 grants in 2024 (avg $66K), mostly in Massachusetts. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $461,000
- +4.2% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 7
- +0.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $65,857
- +4.2% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $25,000
- Total assets
- $10,070,955
- +52.5% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Massachusetts (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who The Robert F Higgins Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 7 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Malden Catholic High School ($250K). Together the top 7 received $461K.
Grant Size Distribution
23 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 16 grants of 23 (70%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 7 itemized grants.
Cities
How The Robert F Higgins Foundation gives
- Giving grew 235% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 106% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $138K (2021) to $461K (2024). In 2024 it made 7 grants totaling $461K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Malden Catholic High School Malden, MA | General | $250,000 |
| American Academy of Arts & Sciences Cambridge, MA | General | $125,000 |
| Deerfield Academy Deerfield, MA | General | $25,000 |
| MV Youth Chilmark, MA | General | $25,000 |
| Pioneer Institute Boston, MA | General | $25,000 |
| Sears House Association Boston, MA | General | $10,000 |
| TCC Employer Fund Chesnut Hill, MA | General | $1,000 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $10,070,955 | $4,030,591 | $558,770 | $461,000 | 7 | $470,195 | $1,938,489 | $442,867 |
| 2023 | $6,606,011 | $455,140 | $529,254 | $442,500 | 7 | $452,820 | $386,206 | $421,881 |
| 2022 | $6,683,239 | $254,835 | $489,062 | $402,500 | 6 | $409,445 | $185,718 | $451,287 |
| 2021 | $6,919,242 | $620,851 | $222,008 | $137,500 | 3 | $143,245 | $549,588 | $482,821 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Robert F Higgins Foundation reported a distributable amount of $443K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The Robert F Higgins Foundation is led by Robert F. Higgins, Trustee on every filing since 2021 — the only officer listed, and uncompensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Robert F. Higgins
Trustee
On filings since 2021
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2024. "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 Robert F Higgins Foundation
How much does The Robert F Higgins Foundation give each year?
The Robert F Higgins Foundation gave $461K across 7 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $443K across 7 grants.
What is The Robert F Higgins Foundation's typical grant size?
The Robert F Higgins Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $25,000, and its average grant was $65,857, across 7 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Robert F Higgins Foundation give grants?
The Robert F Higgins Foundation gives mostly in Massachusetts: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Boston, MA (2 grants).
Does The Robert F Higgins Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of The Robert F Higgins Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (7 of 7) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The Robert F Higgins Foundation's largest grantees?
The Robert F Higgins Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Malden Catholic High School ($250,000), American Academy of Arts & Sciences ($125,000) and Deerfield Academy ($25,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 87% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Robert F Higgins Foundation?
The Robert F Higgins Foundation reported $10.1M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $470K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $443K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What is The Robert F Higgins Foundation's EIN?
The Robert F Higgins Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 04-6906900. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2024
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