Boston Foundation Inc
90% goes to programs $2 to raise $100 Strong reserves Declining revenue
Boston Foundation Inc is a 501(c)(3) organization based in Boston, Massachusetts, registered in 1997, with $210,389,550 in FY2023 revenue. CharityIndex grades it A, and it directs about 90% of spending to programs.
75 Arlington Street, Boston, MA, 02116 EIN 04-2104021 Since 1997
Revenue (FY2023)
$210.4M
▲ 30.4% vs prior year
Philanthropy median: $168K
Expenses (FY2023)
$215.3M
Net assets
$1.8B
Employees
174
CharityIndex rating
One independent A+ to F grade from four published criteria, each scored separately from IRS filings and combined by weight.
A
A+Program efficiency40% of the rating90% to programs · $2 to raise $100
Measures how much of every dollar spent actually reaches programs, plus what it costs to raise $100 of donations. The worse of the two measures sets the letter (85%+ to programs is an A; under $15 to raise $100 is an A), averaged over the three most recent filings. For Boston Foundation Inc: 90% to programs · $2 to raise $100 earns a A+ on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
B+Financial health25% of the rating102 mo reserves · -2% margin
Measures whether the organization is built to last: how many months its reserves would cover expenses (3+ months earns an A-range score, but hoarding 5+ years of budget is capped) and whether it runs a surplus or a deficit. For Boston Foundation Inc: 102 mo reserves · -2% margin earns a B+ on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
A+Governance25% of the rating6 of 6 checks met
Checks how the organization is run, from its own Form 990: an independent board majority, a board of five or more, conflict-of-interest, whistleblower and document-retention policies, and independently audited financials. The share of disclosed checks that pass sets the letter. For Boston Foundation Inc: 6 of 6 checks met earns a A+ on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
A+Transparency10% of the rating5 of 5 disclosure signals
Counts five disclosure signals: a recent filing, a mission statement, program descriptions, a listed website, and the full expense breakdown. More disclosure, better letter. For Boston Foundation Inc: 5 of 5 disclosure signals earns a A+ on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
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Mission
As greater boston's community foundation, the boston foundation devotes its resources to improving lives and strengthening communities. the boston foundation is committed to closing the gaps on this region's greatest disparities. through our resources and relationships we work to open pathways to opportunity and build and sustain vital, prosperous and equitable communities.the foundation fulfills this mission in three principal ways: (1) working with nonprofit organizations through grantmaking and deep partnership to address our community's critical challenges;(2) partnering with donors, nonprofit organizations, and companies to pursue philanthropy that is not only effective, but values-aligned and fulfilling; and (3) utilizing civic leadership and engagement, through research, convening, and advocacy to advance justice and equity in greater boston.
What they do
Carry out and evaluate philanthropic programs for individual donors, families, foundations, and corporations. encourage a positive climate for philanthropy and actively promote effective giving through work with community foundations, regional associations of grantmakers and others. strategy, combined with the values and passionate concerns of donors, brings about giving that makes a difference.
Contact & location
- Address
- 75 Arlington Street, Boston, MA, 02116
- City
- Boston
- State
- Massachusetts
- Subcategory
- Public Foundations
- Phone
- …
- Website
- …
Financial trends
Revenue grew from $132.8M (FY2014) to $210.4M (FY2023) across 10 reported years.
Financial snapshot
Financial health & position (FY2023)
Liabilities $17.5MNet assets $1.8B
Operating margin
-2.3%
Spent more than it raised in the latest fiscal year.
Total assets
$1.9B
Total liabilities
$17.5M
Net assets
$1.8B
Salaries & benefits
$19.9M
9% of expenses
Board members
20
20 independent
Financials by year
| Fiscal year | Revenue | Expenses | Net assets | Total assets | Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $210,389,550▲30.4% | $215,292,419▲2.6% | $1,835,642,279▲8.7% | $1,853,183,611▲8.5% | 990 |
| 2022 | $161,296,905▼50.3% | $209,895,497▼8.1% | $1,688,124,910▲1.6% | $1,708,597,273▲2.1% | 990 |
| 2021 | $324,652,362▼0.3% | $228,370,471▲15.2% | $1,661,345,458▼0.6% | $1,673,670,064▼0.6% | 990 |
| 2020 | $325,590,260▲78.1% | $198,258,173▼17.6% | $1,670,739,530▲40.1% | $1,683,793,346▲40.1% | 990 |
| 2019 | $182,767,888▲10.4% | $240,461,702▲36.8% | $1,192,594,695▼5.4% | $1,201,631,617▼5.5% | 990 |
| 2018 | $165,527,614▼26.6% | $175,809,198▲16.6% | $1,260,463,441▲2.9% | $1,270,928,403▲2.9% | 990 |
| 2017 | $225,434,521▲9.5% | $150,727,991▼4.6% | $1,225,241,526▲13.1% | $1,235,098,746▲13.0% | 990 |
| 2016 | $205,819,144▲79.5% | $157,948,534▲29.6% | $1,083,452,538▲15.2% | $1,092,767,243▲15.3% | 990 |
| 2015 | $114,653,758▼13.7% | $121,917,990▼16.4% | $940,745,226▼2.5% | $947,759,671▼2.5% | 990 |
| 2014 | $132,839,016 | $145,747,894▲63.0% | $965,099,164▲15.9% | $971,636,282▲15.3% | 990 |
| 2010 | — | $89,396,536▼3.5% | $832,538,072▲17.6% | $842,390,250▲17.4% | 990 |
| 2009 | — | $92,631,399 | $707,924,013 | $717,824,308 | 990 |
Original Form 990 PDFs (the Form column) are served by ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer, as filed with the IRS. Create a free account to download the CSV report.
Leadership & compensation (FY2023)
Highest-paid: M Lee Pelton — $806,009 (0.37% of total expenses)
| Name | Title | Hours/week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| M Lee Pelton | President & Ceo | 50 | $806,009 |
| Alfred F Van Ranst Jr | Cfo & Treasurer (7/1/23-2/26/24) | 50 | $400,830 |
| George C Wilson | Assistant Treasurer | 50 | $392,677 |
| Kate Guedj | Svp and Chief Phil. Off. | 50 | $392,052 |
| Orlando Watkins | Vp & Chief Prog. Officer | 50 | $335,194 |
| Keith Mahoney | Vp, Comm. & Public Affairs | 50 | $310,047 |
| Imari Paris-jefferies | Exec. Dir. Embrace Boston | 50 | $264,625 |
| Jane Dixon | Vp, Hr & Culture and Talent | 50 | $251,727 |
| Leigh Gasper | Asst.sec.& Vp | 40 | $250,841 |
| Leslie Pine | Mgr Partner, Tpi | 50 | $246,761 |
| Pam Hurd | Sr. Dir. Philanthropy | 50 | $197,492 |
| Jennifer Aronson | Deputy Vp of Programs | 50 | $196,526 |
| Barbara Hindley | Frmr Asst. Secretary/avp C | 40 | $193,440 |
| Margaret Alexander | Partner, Tpi | 50 | $191,824 |
| Rupal Dandia | Vp Development/deshpande | 40 | $190,358 |
| Makeeba Mccreary | Exec. Dir. Ncf | 50 | $174,210 |
| Andrew Arnott | Director | 1 | — |
| Betty Francisco | Director | 1 | — |
| Brian Conway | Director | 1 | — |
| Brian Douglas | Cfo & Treasurer (2/26/24-present) | 50 | — |
Top vendors & contractors (FY2023)
| Contractor | Services | Paid |
|---|---|---|
| Mathematica | Suvey Prep and Analysis | $885,177 |
| Prime Buchholz & Associates | Investment Advising | $441,628 |
| Ricoh | Computer Support Managment | $335,287 |
| New York Academy of Medicine | Program Management | $315,000 |
| Castle Group | Event Management Services | $291,990 |
Grants received · $135.3M total
192 grants to Boston Foundation Inc totaling $135.3M, reported by foundations on their Schedule I filings — showing the 15 most recent.
| Grantmaker | Purpose | Year | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Online Giving Foundation Inc | General support | 2024 | $241,041 |
| Nellie Mae Education Foundation Inc | Boston opportunity agenda 2024-26 | 2024 | $183,000 |
| American Endowment Foundation | Philanthropy | 2024 | $150,500 |
| The Bessemer Giving Fund | Scholarship fund | 2024 | $122,381 |
| American Gift Fund | Operations | 2024 | $110,000 |
| Community Foundation For Southeast Michigan | Philanthropy, voluntarism & grantmaking foundations | 2024 | $75,000 |
| The Us Charitable Gift Trust | For recipient's exempt purpose | 2024 | $51,000 |
| Fiduciary Charitable Foundation | Donations | 2024 | $37,500 |
| Philadelphia Foundation | Haiti development institute | 2024 | $25,000 |
| Gs Donor Advised Philanthropy Fund For Wealth Management Inc | Community & human services | 2024 | $22,000 |
| Morgan Stanley Global Impact Funding Trust Inc | Unrestricted general support | 2024 | $16,250 |
| Paypal Charitable Giving Fund | General support | 2024 | $8,387 |
| Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund | For grant recipient's exempt purposes | 2023 | $6,045,304 |
| Columbus Foundation | Advancing philanthropy | 2023 | $430,328 |
| Donor Advised Charitable Giving | Public, societal benefit | 2023 | $279,832 |
Grants made · $169.9M in FY2023
2,046 grants totaling $169.9M in FY2023 — showing the 15 largest. All grants made by Boston Foundation Inc →
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| New Commonwealth Racial Equity and Social Justice Fund Inc | Operating support/annual fund | $11,298,753 |
| Embrace Boston Inc | Operating support/annual fund | $5,961,655 |
| Justice Catalyst Inc | Operating support/annual fund | $5,000,000 |
| Boston Ballet Inc | Operating support/annual fund | $2,678,255 |
| Justice Catalyst Law Inc | Operating support/annual fund | $2,250,000 |
| United Way of Massachusetts Bay Inc | Operating support/annual fund | $2,127,173 |
| Emerson Umbrella Inc | Operating support/annual fund | $2,048,125 |
| Associates of the Boston Public Library Inc | Operating support/annual fund | $2,030,500 |
| New England Conservatory of Music | Operating support/annual fund | $1,865,588 |
| President and Fellows of Harvard College | Operating support/annual fund | $1,844,227 |
| Jumpstart For Young Children Inc | Operating support/annual fund | $1,650,000 |
| Trustees of Amherst College | Operating support/annual fund | $1,578,750 |
| Greenlight Fund Inc | Operating support/annual fund | $1,511,000 |
| Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund | Transfer to daf | $1,407,852 |
| Friends of Arrow Street Arts Inc | Operating support/annual fund | $1,400,000 |
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Frequently asked questions
- Is Boston Foundation Inc a legitimate nonprofit?
- Yes. Boston Foundation Inc is a 501(c)(3) organization registered with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service under EIN 04-2104021, based in Boston, Massachusetts. Donations are tax-deductible.
- What is Boston Foundation Inc's EIN?
- Boston Foundation Inc's Employer Identification Number (EIN) is 04-2104021.
- How much revenue does Boston Foundation Inc report?
- Boston Foundation Inc reported $210,389,550 in total revenue on its fiscal year 2023 IRS Form 990 filing.
- How much of Boston Foundation Inc's spending goes to programs?
- Boston Foundation Inc spends about 90% of its total expenses on programs, based on its latest IRS Form 990.
- What financial grade does Boston Foundation Inc have?
- CharityIndex grades Boston Foundation Inc A, based on program efficiency and fundraising cost.
- How much does Boston Foundation Inc's highest-paid employee make?
- The highest reported compensation on Boston Foundation Inc's latest Form 990 is $806,009, paid to M Lee Pelton (President & Ceo).
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Data for Boston Foundation Inc (EIN 04-2104021) comes from the IRS Business Master File and e-filed Form 990 returns, via CharityIndex. Figures reflect what the organization reported to the IRS for each fiscal year.