The Sudbury Foundation
The Sudbury Foundation is a private foundation based in Sudbury, Massachusetts, working to transform lives and strengthen communities through grantmaking and scholarship programs in Sudbury and surrounding communities. Established in 1952 by Herbert and Esther Atkinson, it supports programs addressing community needs, youth development, local food and farming, and equity and inclusion.
The Sudbury Foundation at a glance
In short: The Sudbury Foundation gave $1.9M across 137 grants in 2024 (avg $14K), mostly in Massachusetts. 33% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,879,485
- +15.2% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 137
- -4.9% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $13,719
- +21.1% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $6,000
- Total assets
- $36,890,846
- +4.1% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 33% first-time grantees (43 of 129, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Massachusetts (91% 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 Sudbury Foundation
- How to Apply
-
Review the relevant program’s application information on the Foundation’s website. The 2024 filing identifies Sonia Shah as the contact for applications and says forms, deadlines, and award restrictions are listed under the grant programs section.
- Review Cycle
- Refer to the relevant program’s website information. The Sudbury Program says applications open twice a year.
- Deadline
- Refer to the relevant program’s website information.
- Contact
Application contact: Sonia Shah
Mailing address: 326 Concord Road, Sudbury, MA 01776
Phone: (978) 443-0849
Website: https://sudburyfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
2 open opportunities from The Sudbury Foundation
Children, Youth & Families Capacity Building Grant Program
The Sudbury Foundation
Amount
Up to US $20,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Sudbury Foundation: Children, Youth & Families - Youth Emotional Well-Being Grant Program
The Sudbury Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who The Sudbury Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Boys & Girls Clubs of Metrowest ($100K). Together the top 10 received $504K.
Organizations only. It also paid 1 individual scholarship ($5,000), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
774 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 751 grants of 774 (97%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation works in Sudbury and surrounding communities. Its Sudbury Program primarily supports Sudbury-based nonprofits, the Town of Sudbury and its departments, Sudbury Public Schools, and Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School. It also considers applications from public and nonprofit organizations outside Sudbury for projects that substantially benefit Sudbury residents; organizations based outside Sudbury must speak with staff before applying.
The stated catchment area for Community Grants is Acton, Concord, Framingham, Hudson, Lincoln, Marlborough, Maynard, Natick, Stow, Sudbury, and Wayland. The Children, Youth & Families page identifies the same communities as its catchment area. The Farm & Local Food program focuses on sustainable agriculture and the local food system in Massachusetts.
In 2024, 91% of grant dollars went to recipients in Massachusetts. The filing also lists 1% each for Connecticut, New York, Virginia, and Vermont.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 137 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The Sudbury Foundation open to new grantees?
33%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 43 of 129 grantees (33%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $13K; repeat grants $15K. How we count
Medians: $6K first-time, $9K repeat.
- 60% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (−7%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 120% 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
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $1.3M (2020) to $2.0M (2021). In 2024 it made 137 grants totaling $1.9M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Boys & Girls Clubs of Metrowest Marlborough, MA | Children, Youth & Families | $100,000 |
| The Wayside Inn Foundation Sudbury, MA | Sudbury | $57,000 |
| College Planning Collaborative Framingham, MA | Children, Youth & Families | $50,000 |
| University of Massachusetts Amherst Amherst, MA | Scholarship | $45,000 |
| Boston Area Gleaners Acton, MA | Farm & Local Food | $40,000 |
| Cisa (Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture) South Deerfield, MA | Farm & Local Food | $40,000 |
| Mass Food System Collaborative Boston, MA | Farm & Local Food | $40,000 |
| Regional Environmental Council Worcester, MA | Farm & Local Food | $40,000 |
| Spoonfuls Newton, MA | Farm & Local Food | $40,000 |
| Oars Concord, MA | Sudbury | $40,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The Sudbury Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
The Foundation’s filing type is Form 990-PF.
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $36,890,846 | $2,075,407 | $2,719,567 | $1,879,485 | 137 | $2,358,720 | $2,020,424 | $1,961,235 |
| 2023 | $35,452,264 | $1,182,574 | $2,473,009 | $1,631,188 | 144 | $2,119,938 | $1,051,137 | $1,620,011 |
| 2022 | $32,987,532 | $646,994 | $1,721,342 | $1,628,485 | 205 | $2,105,424 | $662,744 | $1,696,657 |
| 2021 | $41,303,970 | $1,982,016 | $2,702,926 | $2,022,098 | 143 | $2,105,231 | $2,183,167 | $1,907,548 |
| 2020 | $37,629,681 | $4,848,506 | $2,002,175 | $1,323,313 | 145 | — | $4,613,083 | $1,692,679 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Sudbury Foundation reported a distributable amount of $2.0M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Foundation’s mission is to transform lives and strengthen communities through grantmaking and scholarship programs in Sudbury and surrounding communities. Its programs include the Sudbury Program, Children, Youth & Families, Farm & Local Food, Community, Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion, and the Atkinson Scholarship Program. The scholarship program recognizes local high school seniors with financial need, academic promise, and the capacity to contribute to society.
The Sudbury Program supports work that benefits Sudbury residents, including youth development, preservation of community character and assets, community building, and support for underserved populations. Children, Youth & Families grants focus on underserved young people facing economic or personal barriers. The Farm & Local Food Initiative supports sustainable agriculture and the Massachusetts local food system. Community grants provide essential resources to organizations and initiatives addressing needs in the Foundation’s catchment area, and are awarded by invitation only.
The 2024 grant list includes support for youth organizations, food and agriculture groups, environmental organizations, and local historical and community organizations. The grantees’ own descriptions illustrate this range: Boston Area Gleaners says it works to increase access to fresh produce while supporting regional farms and reducing food waste; OARS says it works to protect and enhance the Assabet, Sudbury, and Concord rivers and their watersheds; and the Regional Environmental Council describes itself as a food justice organization working toward a just food system and healthy, sustainable, equitable communities.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the Foundation reported 137 grants totaling $1,879,485. Grant amounts ranged from $1,083 to $100,000, with a median of $6,000. Its largest reported grant was $100,000 to Boys & Girls Clubs of MetroWest for Children, Youth & Families. Other notable grants included $57,000 to The Wayside Inn Foundation for Sudbury; $50,000 to College Planning Collaborative for Children, Youth & Families; and $45,000 to the University of Massachusetts Amherst for a scholarship. Five organizations received $40,000 each: Boston Area Gleaners, CISA, Mass Food System Collaborative, Regional Environmental Council, and Spoonfuls for Farm & Local Food; OARS also received $40,000 for Sudbury.
The Foundation’s website says it distributed $1.89 million in grants and scholarships in 2024. This figure includes scholarships, while the filing reports the grant total separately. The filing directs applicants to the Foundation’s website for application forms, deadlines, and award restrictions. The website encourages organizations to discuss ideas with staff before applying; organizations based outside Sudbury must speak with staff before applying to the Sudbury Program. The Children, Youth & Families page says prospective applicants must schedule a 30-minute Zoom call before applying and that the program is closed for 2026. The Community Grants program is invitation-only.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Bank of America, Miner Crary, Jill Stansky, Tracy Stewart, and Bill Spencer as trustees, with Stansky listed as trustee and chair. It lists Sonia Shah as executive director.
The Foundation’s website lists Brendan Mahoney, Tory Oak, Bill Spencer, Jill M. Stansky, and Tracy L. Stewart as trustees, and Sonia Shah as executive director.
The Sudbury Foundation is led by Sonia Shah, Executive Director on every filing since 2022; 2 of 6 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Sonia Shah
Executive Director
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$132K (2022) → $147K (2024)
Jill Stansky
Trustee & Chair
On filings since 2020
1.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Bank Of America
Trustee
On filings since 2020
0.8 hrs/week
$129K (2020) → $148K (2024)
Bill Spencer
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Miner Crary
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Tracy Stewart
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (2)
- Former: Marilyn Martino (2020–2021) — Executive Director · Filing note: Thru dec 2021
- Former: Stephen Richmond (2020) — Trustee
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.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $148K, to Bank of America (Trustee). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The Sudbury Foundation
How much does The Sudbury Foundation give each year?
The Sudbury Foundation gave $1.9M across 137 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $1.6M across 144 grants.
What is The Sudbury Foundation's typical grant size?
The Sudbury Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $6,000, and its average grant was $13,719, across 137 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Sudbury Foundation that year got $13K on average.
Where does The Sudbury Foundation give grants?
The Sudbury Foundation gives mostly in Massachusetts: 91% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Framingham, MA (20 grants), Boston, MA (15 grants), Sudbury, MA (12 grants) and Natick, MA (6 grants).
Does The Sudbury Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 137 grants with a stated purpose on The Sudbury Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Community" (46 grants), "Scholarship" (44 grants) and "Children, Youth & Families" (23 grants).
Who are The Sudbury Foundation's largest grantees?
The Sudbury Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Boys & Girls Clubs of Metrowest ($100,000), The Wayside Inn Foundation ($57,000) and College Planning Collaborative ($50,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 1 individual scholarship ($5,000), which are not listed by name. Together they received 11% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Sudbury Foundation?
The Sudbury Foundation reported $36.9M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $2.4M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $2.0M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Sudbury Foundation fund?
The Foundation’s mission is to transform lives and strengthen communities through grantmaking and scholarship programs in Sudbury and surrounding communities. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Sudbury Foundation?
Review the relevant program’s application information on the Foundation’s website. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Sudbury Foundation's EIN?
The Sudbury Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 04-6037026. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Sudbury Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-sudbury-foundation-morg_1f13c8b96de744438905be8cbe913916
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_046037026_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Sudbury Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-sudbury-foundation-morg_1f13c8b96de744438905be8cbe913916},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-24. 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 Sudbury 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.
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