Trustees of Boston University
The Trustees of Boston University is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization incorporated by an act of the Legislature of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in 1869. Based in Boston, Massachusetts, the organization serves as the governing body responsible for the establishment and oversight of Boston University. The organization operates as a comprehensive, private research university.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$8.5B
+2.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$92.0M
-13.5% YoY
Grant Count
263
-11.1% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$350K
-2.6% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Boston University is an international, comprehensive, private research university committed to educating students to be reflective, resourceful individuals ready to live, adapt, and lead in an interconnected world. The institution is dedicated to generating new knowledge to benefit society and remains committed to founding principles that higher education should be accessible to all and that research, scholarship, artistic creation, and professional practice should be conducted in the service of the wider community—both local and international.
The organization emphasizes the value of diversity, maintains standards of excellence, and engages dynamically with the City of Boston and the world. Boston University comprises a range of undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs built on a strong foundation of the liberal arts and sciences.
Primary funding focus areas include education, philanthropy, voluntarism and grantmaking, and human services.
Grantmaking
According to the most recent tax filing data, the organization reported total giving of $858,377,304. Typical grant awards range from $5,085 to $7,992,199. The organization operates a school and provides educational programming.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The organization's grant-making activities are primarily concentrated in Massachusetts, California, and Texas.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total Assets: $8,486,418,500
- Total Liabilities: $2,530,000,000
- Total Revenue: $3,260,000,000
- Total Expenses: $3,200,000,000
- Total Giving: $858,377,304
The organization has been tax-exempt since October 1937.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $8,486,418,500 | $8,318,947,751 | $8,017,718,487 |
| Revenue | $3,257,563,350 | $3,310,909,056 | $3,129,652,283 |
| Expenses | $3,195,959,811 | $3,006,440,897 | $2,838,264,646 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $117,067,805 | $125,603,011 | $157,220,154 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
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
250 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Avails Medical Inc ($3,051,366), Boston Medical Center Corporation ($2,863,040), Day Zero Diagnostics Inc ($1,847,067).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ABT ASSOCIATES INC ROCKVILLE, MD | RESEARCH | $69,370 |
| ADVANCED BUILDING ANALYSIS LLC AMESBURY, MA | RESEARCH | $8,929 |
| AMERICAN COLLEGE OF RADIOLOGY RESTON, VA | RESEARCH | $1,100,362 |
| AMERICAN INSTITUTES FOR RESEARCH NEW YORK, NY | RESEARCH | $195,337 |
| ANDERSONICS LLC BELMONT, MA | RESEARCH | $50,948 |
| ANDREWS UNIVERSITY BERRIEN SPRINGS, MI | RESEARCH | $62,585 |
| ASSOCIATION FOR CLINICAL PASTORAL E ATLANTA, GA | RESEARCH | $5,988 |
| AUGUSTA UNIVERSITY RESEARCH INSTITU ATLANTA, GA | RESEARCH | $51,095 |
| AVAILS MEDICAL INC MENLO PARK, CA | RESEARCH | $3,051,366 |
| BAEBIES INC DURHAM, NC | RESEARCH | $55,473 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Robert Brown serves as the Principal Officer of the organization.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ROBERT A BROWN | PRESIDENT (UNTIL 7/31/23) | 55 | $3,081,898 |
| KENNETH W FREEMAN | INTERIM PRES (8/1/23 - 6/30/24) | 55 | $971,647 |
| KEVIN E SMITH | TRUSTEE (AS OF 6/1/24) & PROFESSOR | 55 | $224,070 |
| KIMBERLY AS HOWARD | TRUSTEE (UNTIL 5/31/24) & PROFESSOR | 55 | $159,931 |
| MAUREEN ALPHONSE-CHARLES | TRUSTEE | 3 | — |
| CASSANDRA M CLAY | TRUSTEE | 3 | — |
| CYNTHIA R COHEN | TRUSTEE | 3 | — |
| SHAMIM A DAHOD | TRUSTEE | 3 | — |
| NATHANIEL DALTON | TRUSTEE | 3 | — |
| AHMASS L FAKAHANY | TRUSTEE | 3 | — |
| MAURICE R FERRE | TRUSTEE | 3 | — |
| SANDRA A FRAZIER | TRUSTEE | 3 | — |
| MICHAEL D FRICKLAS | TRUSTEE | 3 | — |
| RYAN K ROTH GALLO | TRUSTEE | 3 | — |
| RICHARD C GODFREY | TRUSTEE | 3 | — |
| ANTONIO G GOMES | TRUSTEE (AS OF 12/7/23) | 3 | — |
| CAROLYN HESSLER-RADELET | TRUSTEE | 3 | — |
| RAJEN A KILACHAND | TRUSTEE | 3 | — |
| RANCH C KIMBALL | TRUSTEE | 3 | — |
| ANTOINETTE R LEATHERBERRY | TRUSTEE | 3 | — |
| KENNETH LIN | TRUSTEE | 3 | — |
| JOSEPH LOSCALZO | TRUSTEE | 3 | — |
| KEVIN MERIDA | TRUSTEE | 3 | — |
| RUTH A MOORMAN | TRUSTEE | 3 | — |
| ALICIA C MULLEN | TRUSTEE | 3 | — |
| REBECCA NORLANDER | TRUSTEE | 3 | — |
| JONATHAN PRIESTER | TRUSTEE | 3 | — |
| RICHARD D REIDY | TRUSTEE (UNTIL 9/14/23) | 3 | — |
| SHARON G RYAN | TRUSTEE (UNTIL 9/14/23) | 3 | — |
| SD SHIBULAL | TRUSTEE | 3 | — |
| HUGO X SHONG | TRUSTEE | 3 | — |
| KENNETH Z SLATER | TRUSTEE | 3 | — |
| MALEK SUKKAR | TRUSTEE | 3 | — |
| NINA C TASSLER | TRUSTEE (UNTIL 9/14/23) | 3 | — |
| ELIZABETH C THORS | TRUSTEE | 3 | — |
| PETER L WEXLER | TRUSTEE | 3 | — |
| STEPHEN M ZIDE | TRUSTEE | 3 | — |
| GARY W NICKSA | SR VP, CFO, TREAS (UNTIL 12/31/23) | 55 | $735,715 |
| ERIKA GEETTER | SR VP, GEN COUNSEL, SECRETARY | 55 | $746,329 |
| NICOLE TIRELLA | SR VP, CFO, & TREAS (AS OF 1/1/24) | 55 | $282,582 |
| JEAN MORRISON | UNIVERSITY PROVOST (UNTIL 6/30/23) | 55 | $1,670,350 |
| KAREN H ANTMAN MD | MEDICAL CAMPUS PROVOST | 55 | $1,057,855 |
| KENNETH R LUTCHEN | INTERIM UNI PROVOST (7/1/23-6/30/24) | 55 | $729,185 |
| DEREK HOWE | SR VP OPS, ASSISTANT TREASURER | 55 | $562,659 |
| PUSHKAR MEHRA | PROFESSOR & ORAL SURGEON | 55 | $1,796,153 |
| DAVID COLEMAN | PROFESSOR & PHYSICIAN | — | — |
| TONY TANNOURY | PROFESSOR & PHYSICIAN | — | — |
| CLARISSA C HUNNEWELL | CHIEF INVESTMENT OFFICER | 55 | $1,412,646 |
| CHADI TANNOURY | PROFESSOR & PHYSICIAN | — | — |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Trustees of Boston University fund?
Boston University is an international, comprehensive, private research university committed to educating students to be reflective, resourceful individuals ready to live, adapt, and lead in an interconnected world. The institution is dedicated to generating new knowledge to benefit society and remains committed to founding principles that higher education should be accessible to all and that research, scholarship, artistic creation, and professional practice should be conducted in the service o…
How do I apply for a grant from Trustees of Boston University?
According to the most recent tax filing data, the organization reported total giving of $858,377,304. Typical grant awards range from $5,085 to $7,992,199. The organization operates a school and provides educational programming.
Where does Trustees of Boston University make grants?
The organization's grant-making activities are primarily concentrated in Massachusetts, California, and Texas.
What size grants does Trustees of Boston University award?
In 2024, Trustees of Boston University awarded 263 grants totaling $92.0M — an average of about $350K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Trustees of Boston University's EIN?
Trustees of Boston University's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 04-2103547. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Trustees of Boston University'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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