Theodore Edson Parker Foundation
The Theodore Edson Parker Foundation is a private foundation based in Lowell, Massachusetts, established in 1944. Its primary goal is to make effective grants benefiting Lowell residents, with a focus on basic human needs and support for specific programs, projects, and community improvements.
Theodore Edson Parker Foundation at a glance
In short: Theodore Edson Parker Foundation gave $1.0M across 43 grants in 2024 (avg $24K), mostly in Massachusetts. 71% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,032,569
- -20.6% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 43
- +16.2% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $24,013
- -31.7% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $34,847,193
- +8.2% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 71% first-time grantees (27 of 38, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Massachusetts (97% 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 Theodore Edson Parker Foundation
- How to Apply
-
The foundation’s 2024 filing encourages mini-grant applications online. Mini-grant proposals should describe the organization and its history, the project, the amount requested, and plans to continue the project after foundation funding ends. Regular grant applicants provide those materials as well as board information, a diversity form, audited financial statements, the organization’s latest Form 990, a current organizational budget, key project staff biographies or résumés, and a project budget. The foundation’s website says funded organizations must wait two years from the award date and submit final reporting before applying again; organizations whose applications are denied must wait one full calendar year. Its listed 2026 schedule is quarterly mini-grant rounds in January, April, July, and October, and regular-grant rounds in March and September.
- Review Cycle
- The website lists regular-grant deadlines in March and September and mini-grant rounds in January, April, July, and October. Its 2025 announcement specified September 30, 2025, as the final regular-grant application date for that year; that deadline has passed.
- Deadline
- The website lists regular-grant deadlines in March and September and mini-grant rounds in January, April, July, and…
- Next open deadline
- October 31, 2026 (Theodore Edson Parker Foundation: Mini Grant)
- Contact
Application contact: Karen Carpenter
Mailing address: 55-67 Middle Street Suite 501, Lowell, MA 01852
Phone: (617) 314-0417
Website: https://parkerfoundationlowell.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 Theodore Edson Parker Foundation
Theodore Edson Parker Foundation Grant
Theodore Edson Parker Foundation
Amount
US $15,000 - US $50,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Theodore Edson Parker Foundation: Mini Grant
Theodore Edson Parker Foundation
Amount
Up to US $7,500
Deadline
October 31, 2026
Listed date — confirm with the funder
Who Theodore Edson Parker Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Lowell Parks Conservation Trust ($125K). Together the top 10 received $674K.
Organizations only. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($7,454), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
192 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 134 grants of 192 (70%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s primary goal is to benefit residents of Lowell, and its guidelines prioritize Lowell-based organizations or organizations with strong ties to Lowell. In filing year 2024, 97% of grant dollars went to recipients in Massachusetts and 2% to recipients in New Hampshire.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 43 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Theodore Edson Parker Foundation open to new grantees?
71%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 27 of 38 grantees (71%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $19K; repeat grants $47K. How we count
Medians: $8K first-time, $50K repeat.
- 11% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (−13%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 73% 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 (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 $1.0M (2024) to $1.8M (2020). In 2024 it made 43 grants totaling $1.0M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Lowell Parks Conservation Trust Lowell, MA | 20-Acre Pawtucket Farm Wildlife Sanc | $125,000 |
| Whistler House Museum of Art Lowell, MA | Capital Campaign | $85,000 |
| Greater Lowell Community Foundation Lowell, MA | Newell Flather Legacy Fund | $75,000 |
| Riverbend Lowell, MA | Outreach Program | $75,000 |
| Bridge Club of Greater Lowell Lowell, MA | Culinary Training & Employment Progr | $60,000 |
| Girls Incorporated of Greater Lowel Lowell, MA | Connect: Stronger Together | $50,000 |
| Merrimack Valley Food Bank Lowell, MA | Feed & Nourish Capital Campaign | $50,000 |
| Fortaleza Inc Lowell, MA | Support to Acquire New Donors | $50,000 |
| Eliot Presbyterian Church Lowell, MA | Eliot Day Center | $45,000 |
| Middlesex Community College Lowell, MA | Luis M Pedrosa Scholarship Fund | $30,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Theodore Edson Parker Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
The 2024 filing reports 43 grants. The foundation’s EIN is 04-6036092.
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $34,847,193 | $5,154,931 | $1,369,208 | $1,032,569 | 43 | $1,177,779 | $4,971,432 | $1,619,323 |
| 2023 | $32,196,958 | $929,145 | $1,982,831 | $1,300,865 | 37 | $1,496,899 | $790,640 | $1,476,315 |
| 2022 | $28,514,689 | $2,282,289 | $1,585,495 | $1,497,500 | 31 | $1,661,015 | $1,987,268 | $1,513,971 |
| 2021 | $36,879,701 | $3,069,568 | $1,639,673 | $1,192,150 | 32 | $1,402,709 | $2,911,437 | $1,691,863 |
| 2020 | $33,302,784 | $1,464,082 | $2,141,774 | $1,773,650 | 49 | — | $1,323,301 | $1,522,850 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Theodore Edson Parker Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.6M 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 stated goal is to benefit residents of Lowell. Its website says grants focus mainly on food, housing, education, and health, and may also support arts and cultural activities, community development, urban environmental projects, capital improvements, and equipment purchases. The founder’s will called for special consideration of children, disadvantaged young women, and the elderly; the foundation also identifies refugees and immigrants among the underserved groups it is committed to assisting.
The foundation supports organizations serving Lowell residents. Examples from its 2024 grants illustrate a range of work: Lowell Parks & Conservation Trust says its mission is to improve Lowell residents’ quality of life through education and the creation, conservation, and preservation of parks and open spaces. Merrimack Valley Food Bank says it works to address hunger and improve people’s well-being. Project Kompass says it provides transitional housing and life skills for young women, new mothers, and babies experiencing homelessness.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the foundation reported 43 grants totaling $1,032,569. Grants ranged from $5,000 to $125,000, with a median of $10,000. Its largest awards included $125,000 to Lowell Parks Conservation Trust for the Pawtucket Farm Wildlife Sanctuary, $85,000 to Whistler House Museum of Art for a capital campaign, $75,000 to Greater Lowell Community Foundation for the Newell Flather Legacy Fund, and $75,000 to Riverbend for an outreach program. Other awards included $60,000 to Bridge Club of Greater Lowell for a culinary training and employment program and $50,000 each to Girls Incorporated of Greater Lowell, Merrimack Valley Food Bank, and Fortaleza.
The foundation’s website describes mini grants of up to $7,500 and regular grants generally ranging from $10,000 to $50,000. Multi-year grants are mainly for capital improvements. The foundation says it does not usually fund operating expenses of well-established organizations, endowments, or deficits, and it makes no awards to individuals. Eligible applicants include organizations serving Lowell residents with nonprofit tax-exempt status or a fiscal sponsor. Its guidelines specify 501(c)(3) organizations classified as “not a private foundation” under Section 509(a).
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Karen Carpenter as president, Sophy Theam as clerk, David Wdonahue Jr as treasurer, and Maria A Cunha as a director. A 2025 foundation announcement lists Karen Carpenter as president, DJ Donahue as treasurer, Maria Cunha and Sophy Theam as trustees, and Vladimir Saldaña as a trustee.
Theodore Edson Parker Foundation is led by Karen Carpenter, President & D on every filing since 2020; all 4 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Karen Carpenter
President & D
On filings since 2020
8 hrs/week
$13K (2020) → $17K (2024)
Sophy Theam
Clerk & Director
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
$13K (2020) → $22K (2024)
Maria A. Cunha
Director
On filings since 2022
3 hrs/week
$7K (2022) → $17K (2024)
David Wdonahue Jr.
Treasurer & D
On filings since 2020
4 hrs/week
$13K (2020) → $17K (2024)
Former officers (2)
- Former: Luis Pedroso (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Newell Flather (2020–2021) — Director · Filing note: Deceased
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 $22K, to Sophy Theam (Clerk, Direc). 4 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Theodore Edson Parker Foundation
How much does Theodore Edson Parker Foundation give each year?
Theodore Edson Parker Foundation gave $1.0M across 43 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $1.3M across 37 grants.
What is Theodore Edson Parker Foundation's typical grant size?
Theodore Edson Parker Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $10,000, and its average grant was $24,013, across 43 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Theodore Edson Parker Foundation that year got $19K on average.
Where does Theodore Edson Parker Foundation give grants?
Theodore Edson Parker Foundation gives mostly in Massachusetts: 97% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Lowell, MA (28 grants), Boston, MA (2 grants) and Newton, MA (2 grants).
Does Theodore Edson Parker Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 43 grants with a stated purpose on Theodore Edson Parker Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support.
Who are Theodore Edson Parker Foundation's largest grantees?
Theodore Edson Parker Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Lowell Parks Conservation Trust ($125,000), Greater Lowell Community Foundation ($88,500 across 3 grants) and Whistler House Museum of Art ($85,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($7,454), which are not listed by name. Together they received 29% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Theodore Edson Parker Foundation?
Theodore Edson Parker Foundation reported $34.8M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $1.2M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $1.6M (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 Theodore Edson Parker Foundation fund?
The foundation’s stated goal is to benefit residents of Lowell. Its website says grants focus mainly on food, housing, education, and health, and may also support arts and cultural activities, community development, urban environmental projects, capital improvements, and equipment purchases. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Theodore Edson Parker Foundation?
The foundation’s 2024 filing encourages mini-grant applications online. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Theodore Edson Parker Foundation's EIN?
Theodore Edson Parker Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 04-6036092. 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
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Theodore Edson Parker Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Theodore Edson Parker Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 15, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/theodore-edson-parker-foundation-morg_52c686c8010246cc9da71bc1429d9db0
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_046036092_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Theodore Edson Parker Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/theodore-edson-parker-foundation-morg_52c686c8010246cc9da71bc1429d9db0},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-15. 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 Theodore Edson Parker 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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