Theodore Edson Parker Foundation
The Theodore Edson Parker Foundation is a private, independent foundation based in Lowell, Massachusetts. Established in 1944 under the will of Theodore Edson Parker, a lifelong Lowell resident, the foundation is dedicated to making effective grants that benefit the city of Lowell and its residents. The foundation maintains offices in downtown Lowell on the fifth floor of the Pollard Building on Middle Street.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$34.8M
+8.2% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.0M
-20.6% YoY
Grant Count
43
+16.2% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$24K
-31.7% YoY
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.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's primary goal is to make effective grants that benefit the residents of the City of Lowell. Grants are made for a variety of purposes including:
- Social services
- Cultural programs
- Community development activities
- Education
- Community health needs
- Urban environmental projects
The foundation funds specific needs including special programs and projects, capital improvements and equipment purchases, and technical assistance.
The founder's will suggested special consideration for the welfare of children, disadvantaged young women, and the elderly. The foundation remains especially committed to assisting these and other under-served groups, including refugees and immigrants, to create a more caring and equitable community. The foundation favors applications from organizations with balanced representation in staff and management, reflecting constituents served and the diverse community that Lowell has become.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation has been highly active:
Grant Range
s and Types:**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation restricts its grantmaking exclusively to the City of Lowell, Massachusetts, and its residents.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets and Giving (Most Recent Data):
- Total assets: $34,847,193 (as of 2024)
- Total assets: $32,196,958 (as of 2023)
- Total giving: $1,032,569 (2024)
- Total revenues: $929,145 (2023)
- Total expenses: $1,982,831 (2023)
EIN: 04-6036092
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $34,847,193 | $32,196,958 | $28,514,689 |
| Revenue | $5,154,931 | $929,145 | $2,282,289 |
| Expenses | $1,369,208 | $1,982,831 | $1,585,495 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $1,177,779 | $1,496,899 | $1,661,015 |
| Net Investment Income | $4,971,432 | $790,640 | $1,987,268 |
| Distributable Amount | $1,619,323 | $1,476,315 | $1,513,971 |
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
192 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
2 open opportunities from Theodore Edson Parker Foundation
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Lowell Parks Conservation Trust ($125,000), Whistler House Museum of Art ($85,000), Greater Lowell Community Foundation ($75,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| GIRLS INCORPORATED OF GREATER LOWEL LOWELL, MA | CONNECT: STRONGER TOGETHER | $50,000 |
| GREATER LOWELL COMMUNITY FOUNDATION LOWELL, MA | NEWELL FLATHER LEGACY FUND | $75,000 |
| LOWELL PARKS CONSERVATION TRUST LOWELL, MA | 20-ACRE PAWTUCKET FARM WILDLIFE SANC | $125,000 |
| MERRIMACK VALLEY FOOD BANK LOWELL, MA | FEED & NOURISH CAPITAL CAMPAIGN | $50,000 |
| MIDDLESEX COMMUNITY COLLEGE LOWELL, MA | LUIS M PEDROSA SCHOLARSHIP FUND | $30,000 |
| AARON'S PRESENTS ANDOVER, MA | SUPPORT FOR GROWTH OF PROGRAM | $25,000 |
| AFRICAN CULTURAL ASSOCIATION LOWELL, MA | AFRICAN FESTIVAL | $7,500 |
| ALLIES IN MUSIC EDUCATION INC LOWELL, MA | THE COMMON VOICE: COMMUNITY CHORUS | $5,000 |
| ANNIE POWELL INC NORTH ANDOVER, MA | CHASING ANNIE POWELL PROGRAM | $5,000 |
| BRIDGE CLUB OF GREATER LOWELL LOWELL, MA | CULINARY TRAINING & EMPLOYMENT PROGR | $60,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
As of the foundation's annual meeting in June 2024:
- Karen Carpenter – President
- DJ Donahue – Treasurer
- Sophy Theam – Clerk
The foundation also works with trustees and advisors in its grantmaking decisions. Luis Pedroso, a retiring trustee, was honored for his service with the establishment of a $100,000 scholarship fund at Middlesex Community College to support immigrants.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| KAREN CARPENTER | PRESIDENT, D | 8 | $17,000 |
| SOPHY THEAM | CLERK, DIREC | 3 | $22,000 |
| DAVID WDONAHUE JR | TREASURER, D | 4 | $17,000 |
| MARIA A CUNHA | DIRECTOR | 3 | $17,000 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation has significantly increased its visibility and impact in recent years. In 2024, the trustees moved the foundation's offices to Lowell, strengthening their connection to local nonprofit organizations.
Parker Foundation grants $500K to local nonprofitsThe foundation is planning an October program marking the 80th year of supporting Lowell.
Recent grant announcements emphasize the foundation's focus on basic human needs during uncertain times, particularly housing, food insecurity, and youth development. In 2025, the foundation has awarded over $1.2 million across multiple grant cycles, demonstrating robust grantmaking activity.
Theodore Edson Parker Foundation Announces New Grants - InsideLowellThe foundation maintains a website at parkerfoundationlowell.org and can be reached at 617-314-0417.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Theodore Edson Parker Foundation fund?
The foundation's primary goal is to make effective grants that benefit the residents of the City of Lowell. Grants are made for a variety of purposes including: • Social services • Cultural programs • Community development activities • Education • Community health needs • Urban environmental projects The foundation funds specific needs including special programs and projects, capital improvements and equipment purchases, and technical assistance. The founder's will suggested special considerati…
How do I apply for a grant from Theodore Edson Parker Foundation?
**Grant Sizes and Types:** • Typical awards range from $4,715 to $200,000 • Regular grants and mini grants (not exceeding $7,500) are available • The foundation funds specific needs, capital improvements, equipment purchases, and technical assistance • The trustees do not usually award funds for operating expenses of well-established organizations, for endowment, or to fund deficits **Eligibility:** • Grants are restricted to organizations that are tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Inte…
Where does Theodore Edson Parker Foundation make grants?
The foundation restricts its grantmaking exclusively to the City of Lowell, Massachusetts, and its residents.
What size grants does Theodore Edson Parker Foundation award?
In 2024, Theodore Edson Parker Foundation awarded 43 grants totaling $1.0M — an average of about $24K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Theodore Edson Parker Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Theodore Edson Parker Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.6M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
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.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Theodore Edson Parker 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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