The Steven E and Michelle Karol

Private foundation · Grantmaker Boston, MA EIN: 04-3282853

The Steven E and Michelle Karol is a private foundation based in Boston, Massachusetts. It reported 24 grants totaling $51,251 in 2024, supporting charitable organizations in several states.

The Steven E and Michelle Karol at a glance

In short: The Steven E and Michelle Karol gave $51K across 24 grants in 2024 (avg $2K), mostly in Florida. 33% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.

Annual giving (2024)
$51,251
+15.2% vs 2023
Grants made (2024)
24
-4.0% vs 2023
Average grant
$2,135
+20.0% vs 2023
Median grant
$500
Total assets
$74,061
-38.1% vs 2023
New grantees (estimate)
33% first-time grantees (8 of 24, 2024; small sample)
Primary geography
Florida (53% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
Latest 990 filing
Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing

Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).

How to apply to The Steven E and Michelle Karol

Accepts unsolicited proposals
No
How to Apply

The foundation states on its 2024 filing that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.

Contact

Mailing address: 321 Newbury Street 2Nd Floor, Boston, MA 02115
Phone: (781) 891-6660

Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.

Who The Steven E and Michelle Karol funds

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2024

Baptist Health: $27KBaptist Health$27KTufts University: $10KTufts University$10KSpring Island Trust Foundation: $5KSpring Island Trust Foundation$5KNoah's Ark Rescue: $1KNoah's Ark Rescue$1KRodman for Kids: $1KRodman for Kids$1KVermont Academy: $1KVermont Academy$1KBeaufort Memorial Foundation: $500Beaufort Memorial Foundation$500Bourne Conservation Trust: $500Bourne Conservation Trust$500Hopeful Horizons: $500Hopeful Horizons$500Marshview Community Organic Farm: $500Marshview Community OrganicFarm$500

The largest 2024 recipient was Baptist Health ($27K). Together the top 10 received $47K.

Grant Size Distribution

128 grants across all recorded years

127<$50K$50–100K1$100–250K$250–500K$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

The most common grant size was under $50K: 127 grants of 128 (99%).

Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

In 2024, the largest shares of grant dollars went to recipients in Florida (53%), Massachusetts (27%), and South Carolina (16%). Smaller shares went to recipients in Vermont (2%) and Tennessee (1%).

Grant Distribution by State

13states

Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 24 itemized grants.

Cities

BostonNew YorkBeaufortBecketMedfordRidgelandSaxtons RiverSt Helena IslandArlingtonOaktieAndoverCharlestonLos AngelesNatickNewtonNorth CharlestonFoxboroSanta PaulaSpartanburgWashington

Is The Steven E and Michelle Karol open to new grantees?

33%

first-time grantees, 2024

In 2024, 8 of 24 grantees (33%) were first-time recipients. With only 24 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 4 points. First grants averaged $5K; repeat grants $734. How we count

Medians: $500 first-time, $250 repeat.

  • 63% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
  • Giving fell 36% from 2021 to 2024. Method
  • In 2024 it paid out 949% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method

Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). 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

$0$50K$100K$150K28 grants2020 24 grants2021 27 grants2022 25 grants2023 24 grants2024

From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $45K (2023) to $139K (2022). In 2024 it made 24 grants totaling $51K.

Grants by year

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
Baptist Health Coral Gables, FLSupporting Hospitals to Provide Improved Health Care$27,001
Tufts University Medford, MAContribution$10,000
Spring Island Trust Foundation Okatie, SCGeneral Support$5,000
Noah's Ark Rescue Ridgeland, SCCotribution$1,000
Rodman for Kids Foxboro, MAContribution$1,000
Vermont Academy Saxtons River, VTAnnual Fund$1,000
Beaufort Memorial Foundation Beaufort, SCIn Honor of David House$500
Bourne Conservation Trust Cataumet, MAContribution$500
Hopeful Horizons Beaufort, SCContribution$500
Marshview Community Organic Farm St Helena Island, SCContribution$500
Your AI grants department

Ready to take the next step with The Steven E and Michelle Karol?

Fully replaces Grant database subscriptions Instrumentl · Foundation Directory · GrantStation & similar

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Figures from IRS filings, by filing year
Filing yearTotal AssetsRevenueExpensesGrants paidGrantsQualifying DistributionsNet Investment IncomeDistributable Amount
2024$74,061$8,318$53,836$51,25124$51,251$5,653$5,403
2023$119,579$2,503$54,311$44,50025$44,500$2,503$7,877
2022$171,387$491,977$141,585$138,50027$138,500$189,562—
2021$9,748$100,133$82,997$80,35024$80,350$49,273$2,071
2020$41,472$173,855$62,725$61,55028—$78,454—

Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Steven E and Michelle Karol reported a distributable amount of $5K for 2024 — 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 mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants went to organizations working in areas including health care, education, youth services, conservation, farming, victim services, and animal welfare. For example, Rodman For Kids says its mission is to benefit disadvantaged youth from all ethnic and cultural backgrounds. Bourne Conservation Trust describes its mission as providing public woodland trails through a wildlife sanctuary, and Hopeful Horizons says it works to protect, treat, and prevent domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse.

Grantmaking

In 2024, the foundation made 24 grants totaling $51,251. Grants ranged from $250 to $27,001, with a median grant of $500. The largest awards included $27,001 to Baptist Health for supporting hospitals to provide improved health care, $10,000 to Tufts University, and $5,000 to Spring Island Trust Foundation for general support.

Other listed 2024 grants included $1,000 each to Noah’s Ark Rescue, Rodman For Kids, and Vermont Academy, and $500 each to Beaufort Memorial Foundation, Bourne Conservation Trust, Hopeful Horizons, Marshview Community Organic Farm, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and the National Brain Tumor Society.

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

Steven E. Karol was listed as trustee on the 2024 filing.

The Steven E and Michelle Karol is led by Steven E. Karol, Trustee on every filing since 2020 — the only officer listed, and uncompensated.

Officers on the 2024 filing

  • Steven E. Karol

    Trustee

    On filings since 2020

    No compensation reported

Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "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 Steven E and Michelle Karol

How much does The Steven E and Michelle Karol give each year?

The Steven E and Michelle Karol gave $51K across 24 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $45K across 25 grants.

What is The Steven E and Michelle Karol's typical grant size?

The Steven E and Michelle Karol's median grant in 2024 was $500, and its average grant was $2,135, across 24 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Steven E and Michelle Karol that year got $5K on average.

Where does The Steven E and Michelle Karol give grants?

The Steven E and Michelle Karol gives mostly in Florida: 53% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were Massachusetts (27%) and South Carolina (16%). The most frequent recipient cities were Boston, MA (4 grants) and Beaufort, SC (2 grants).

Does The Steven E and Michelle Karol give general operating support?

Yes: 17% of The Steven E and Michelle Karol's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (4 of 24) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Contribution" (11 grants).

Who are The Steven E and Michelle Karol's largest grantees?

The Steven E and Michelle Karol's largest 2024 grantees include Baptist Health ($27,001), Tufts University ($10,000) and Spring Island Trust Foundation ($5,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 82% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.

How large is The Steven E and Michelle Karol?

The Steven E and Michelle Karol reported $74K in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $51K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $5K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).

What does The Steven E and Michelle Karol fund?

No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants went to organizations working in areas including health care, education, youth services, conservation, farming, victim services, and animal welfare. See mission & focus areas ↑

How do I apply for a grant from The Steven E and Michelle Karol?

The foundation states on its 2024 filing that it 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 Steven E and Michelle Karol's EIN?

The Steven E and Michelle Karol's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 04-3282853. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.

Does The Steven E and Michelle Karol accept unsolicited proposals?

No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑

Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.

Data update history

(1)

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

  1. IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024

Explore Open Grants

Browse active grant opportunities in The Steven E and Michelle Karol'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

Aetna Foundation Inc

Hartford, CT

Aetna Foundation supported health and wellness, access to health care, and related community needs; its 2021 grants ranged from $5,000 to $1 million, with a median of $40,000, and went to organizations across multiple states, especially in D.C. and Connecticut. Its 2021 filing was marked final, so it appears to have ended or be winding down grantmaking; that filing said there were no restrictions on who could apply and pointed applicants to its website for application materials.

Assets

—

Grants

65

Total Given

$7.2M

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.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$46.1M

Grants

706

Total Given

$50.6M

Cummings Foundation Grants Inc (FKA Oneworld Boston Inc)

Woburn, MA

Cummings Foundation Grants Inc. funds nonprofits working in human services, education, healthcare, fairness and justice, and the environment, primarily in greater Boston and eastern Massachusetts. Its 2024 grants ranged from $1,000 to $3.5 million, with a median of $35,000; it accepts letters of inquiry through an online portal during its application cycle, which was not open at the time described.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$258.2M

Grants

658

Total Given

$38.2M

More similar funders

More Funders in Massachusetts

Cite this profile

Grantable. (2026). The Steven E and Michelle Karol funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 12, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-steven-e-and-michelle-karol-morg_4c799a2c684a443e9d12a019ad330cdb

BibTeX
@misc{grantable_043282853_2026,
  author       = {{Grantable}},
  title        = {{The Steven E and Michelle Karol funder profile}},
  howpublished = {GrantGraph},
  year         = {2026},
  url          = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-steven-e-and-michelle-karol-morg_4c799a2c684a443e9d12a019ad330cdb},
  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 Steven E and Michelle Karol'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 Steven E and Michelle Karol down — hundreds of funders to go?

Want AI to do this for you?