The Salem Foundation is a private family foundation established in 2000, based in Boston, Massachusetts, with an additional office in Providence, Rhode Island. Designated as a 501(c)(3) organization, the foundation operates as a grantmaking foundation focused on strategic philanthropy across education, youth development, environmental conservation, and global nutrition.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$72.2M
+41.9% YoY
Annual Giving
$492K
-76.0% YoY
Grant Count
14
-30.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$35K
-65.7% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Salem Foundation reported a distributable amount of $3.6M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's grantmaking priorities center on three primary areas:
- Essential needs for children and families in developing countries — with particular emphasis on global nutrition
- Closing the opportunity gap for teens and young adults in the U.S. — through education, leadership development, physical wellness, social advancement, and spiritual growth
- Innovations to reverse climate change and preserve environmental assets
The foundation treats and prevents challenges faced by youth and supports programs designed to help young people achieve their purpose through comprehensive development.
Grantmaking
The foundation does not maintain a public application process or publicly accessible website for grant seekers. Grantmaking is invitation-only, and there is no formal published grant program structure or public application guidelines.
Grant Range
& Range:**
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Massachusetts, New York, and Rhode Island, with some national and international focus areas, particularly for global nutrition and environmental initiatives.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets:
- 2024: $72,180,280
- 2023: $50,882,159
Annual Giving & Revenue:
- 2024 total giving: $492,050
- 2023 total revenues: $16,462,718
- 2023 total expenses: $2,348,604
Liabilities:
- 2023: $0
Tax-Exempt Status: Tax-exempt since November 2000 (EIN: 13-7196668)
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $72,180,280 | $50,882,159 | $42,187,077 |
| Revenue | $25,969,756 | $16,462,718 | $14,579,859 |
| Expenses | $1,084,077 | $2,348,604 | $5,585,941 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $492,050 | $2,048,048 | $5,396,092 |
| Net Investment Income | $19,234,215 | $6,818,147 | $9,135,700 |
| Distributable Amount | $3,601,469 | $2,921,016 | $2,652,098 |
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
122 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Harvard Business School ($100,000), Squashbusters Inc ($60,000), Harlem Lacrosse ($50,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| HARVARD BUSINESS SCHOOL BOSTON, MA | EDUCATIONAL TO SUPPORT STUDENT NEEDS. | $100,000 |
| SQUASHBUSTERS INC ROXBURY CROSSING, MA | TO CHALLENGE AND NURTURE URBAN YOUTH AS STUDENTS, ATHLETES AND CITIZENS SO THAT THEY RECOGNIZE AND FULFILL THEIR FULLEST POTENTIAL IN LIFE | $60,000 |
| HARLEM LACROSSE NEW YORK CITY, NY | EMPOWER THE CHILDREN WHO ARE MOST AT RISK FOR ACADEMIC DECLINE AND DROPOUT TO RISE ABOVE THEIR CHALLENGES AND REACH THEIR FULL POTENTIAL. | $50,000 |
| FOUNDATION FOR THE CAROLINAS CHARLOTTE, NC | TO SERVE AS A CATALYST FOR PHILANTHROPIC ACTIVITY IN OUR 13-COUNTY REGION AND IS A DRIVER FOR MAJOR CIVIC EFFORTS. TO OFFER INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS THAT HELP INDIVIDUALS, NONPROFITS AND COMPANIES BRING THEIR CHARITABLE VISIONS TO LIFE. | $50,000 |
| MGM RESORTS FOUNDATION LAS VEGAS, NV | BRINGS THE BEST OF OUR EMPLOYEE VOLUNTEER AND CHARITABLE EFFORTS TOGETHER WITH GREATER IMPACT AND GREATER CHOICE. THE MGM RESORTS FOUNDATION FOCUSES EMPLOYEE CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTIONS TO NONPROFIT AGENCIES AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS. | $50,000 |
| SAVE THE BAY INC PROVIDENCE, RI | SAVE THE BAY PROTECTS, RESTORES, AND IMPROVES THE ECOLOGICAL HEALTH OF THE NARRANGANSETT BAY REGION, INCLUDING ITS WATERSHED AND ADJACENT COASTAL WATERS, THROUGH AN ECOSYSTEMBASED APPROACH TO ENVIORNMENTAL ACTION | $50,000 |
| ST JOHN'S HIGH SCHOOL SHREWSBURY, MA | EDUCATIONAL TO SUPPORT STUDENTS NEEDS THROUGH THE "VISION FOR TOMORROW CAMPAIGN". | $50,000 |
| MASSACHUSETTS PROJECT 351 INC BOSTON, MA | LEADERSHIP PATHWAYS THAT PREPARE YOUTH FOR SUCCESS IN COLLEGE, CAREER, AND AS CATALYST FOR A MORE JUST, INCLUSIVE, AND EQUITABLE WORLD. | $25,000 |
| HARLEM CHILDREN'S ZONE NEW YORK, NY | BREAKS THE CYCLE OF INTERGENERATIONAL POVERTY WITH ON-THE GROUND, ALL-AROUND PROGRAMMING THAT BUILDS UP OPPORTUNITIES FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES TO THRIVE IN SCHOOL, WORK AND LIFE. | $25,000 |
| ANSWER THE CALL NEW YORK, NY | THE MISSION OF THE NEW YORK POLICE AND FIRE WIDOWS AND CHILDREN'S BENEFIT FUND IS TO SUPPORT THE FAMILIES OF NEW YORK CITY POLICE OFFICERS, FIREFIGHTERS, PORT AUTHORITY POLICE, AND EMS PERSONNEL WHO HAVE BEEN KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY. WHEN THESE BRAVE MEN AND WOMEN MAKE THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE TO PROTECT OUR CITY, WE BELIEVE IT IS OUR CIVIC DUTY TO SUPPORT THE FAMILIES THESE HEROES HAVE LEFT BEHIND. OUR MISSION IS TO REASSURE THESE FAMILIES THAT WE WILL NEVER FORGET THEM OR THE SACRIFICE MADE BY THEIR LOVED ONES. WE PROVIDE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE, HOST SPECIAL GATHERINGS, AND OFFER A NETWORK OF SUPPORT TO OVER 600 FAMILIES. OUR GOAL IS TO RAISE ENOUGH FUNDS TO ASSIST THESE FAMILIES FOR THE REST OF THEIR LIVES. | $10,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Paul J. Salem — Trustee and founder of Salem Capital Management, former senior managing director at Providence Equity Partners. His nonprofit leadership roles include:
- Former national chairman of Year Up
- Board chair of Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
- Board member of Edesia Global Nutrition and other organizations
Paul McCoy — Listed as contact at the foundation's Boston office
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| PAUL J SALEM | TRUSTEE | 5 | — |
Contact Information
Providence Office: 50 Kennedy Plaza, 18th Floor Providence, RI 02903 Phone: (401) 457-1700
Boston Office: 31 St James Ave, Suite 740 Boston, MA 02116 Phone: (617) 933-3666
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Salem Foundation fund?
The foundation's grantmaking priorities center on three primary areas: • **Essential needs for children and families in developing countries** — with particular emphasis on global nutrition • **Closing the opportunity gap for teens and young adults in the U.S.** — through education, leadership development, physical wellness, social advancement, and spiritual growth • **Innovations to reverse climate change and preserve environmental assets** The foundation treats and prevents challenges faced b…
How do I apply for a grant from The Salem Foundation?
**Grant Size & Range:** • Typical awards range from $1,000 to $2,000,000 • Recent grant range documented at $1,000 to $100,000 **Recent Grants (2023-2024):** • Year Up: $1,000,000 (to further young adults' technical and professional skills) • University of Notre Dame: $200,000 (higher education support) • SquashBusters: $60,000 (youth development and mentorship) **Annual Giving:** • 2024: $492,050 • 2023: Made 27 grants to various organizations **Application Process:** The foundation does not m…
Where does The Salem Foundation make grants?
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Massachusetts, New York, and Rhode Island, with some national and international focus areas, particularly for global nutrition and environmental initiatives.
What size grants does The Salem Foundation award?
In 2024, The Salem Foundation awarded 14 grants totaling $492K — an average of about $35K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Salem Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Salem Foundation reported a distributable amount of $3.6M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Salem Foundation's EIN?
The Salem Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 13-7196668. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Salem Foundation'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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