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BOSTON FOUNDATION INC

EIN 04-2104021 BOSTON, MA

Revenue 2023
$210,389,550
Expenses 2023
$215,292,419

Program services were 89.8% of total expenses calculated — Part IX's program-services column over total expenses, both as filed.

As filed

Subsection
03
NTEE code
T310
Classification
1000
Street
75 ARLINGTON STREET

These codes are the IRS's own and are shown exactly as filed. What each one means is in the Business Master File documentation (opens in a new tab).

Mission and programs · 2023

Mission

As Greater Boston's community foundation, the Boston Foundation devotes its resources to improving lives and strengthening communities. See Schedule OThe 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.

Activities or mission (Part I)

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.

  • Major goals and objectives:We have chosen four interconnected pathways to equity where we believe we can have the greatest impact. See Schedule O-Child Well Being: Ensure that children are physically and emotionally healthy, developmentally on track and well prepared to thrive in school and adulthood.-Economic Opportunity: Every resident will have equitable access to high-quality career exploration and education opportunities, resources, tools and supports.-Community Wealth: Traditionally under-invested residents will build stability and individual and collective wealth through more equitable housing, business and creative systems.-Community Leadership: Movement leaders are equipped to provide crucial leadership and support for marginalized communities and nonprofit organizations.

    Expenses $193,395,093 · Grants $183,105,297

  • 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.

    Revenue $3,743,674

As filed on the 2023 return. The filer continues this part on Schedule O, which is not shown here.

Officers and directors · 2023

As listed in Part VII of the 2023 return, in the order the filer printed them. Each return names its own; this is not a roster the organization keeps with us.

  • M Lee Pelton

    President & CEO

    Total calculated
    $875,816
    From this org
    $806,009
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $69,807
    Hours/week
    50 + 1.5 related

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $769,071
    Bonus
    $22,650
    Other
    $14,288
    Deferred
    $42,300
    Nontaxable benefits
    $27,507
    Filer's total
    $875,816

  • Kate Guedj

    SVP and Chief Phil. Off.

    Total calculated
    $458,298
    From this org
    $392,052
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $66,246
    Hours/week
    50 + 1.5 related

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $366,588
    Bonus
    $19,000
    Other
    $6,464
    Deferred
    $35,820
    Nontaxable benefits
    $30,426
    Filer's total
    $458,298

  • George C Wilson

    Assistant Treasurer

    Total calculated
    $454,745
    From this org
    $392,677
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $62,068
    Hours/week
    50 + 1 related

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $371,788
    Bonus
    $11,000
    Other
    $9,889
    Deferred
    $31,648
    Nontaxable benefits
    $30,420
    Filer's total
    $454,745

  • Alfred F Van Ranst Jr

    CFO & Treasurer (7/1/23-2/26/24)

    Total calculated
    $424,724
    From this org
    $400,830
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $23,894
    Hours/week
    50 + 1 related

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $379,941
    Bonus
    $11,000
    Other
    $9,889
    Deferred
    $19,800
    Nontaxable benefits
    $4,094
    Filer's total
    $424,724

  • Orlando Watkins

    VP & Chief Prog. Officer

    Total calculated
    $356,119
    From this org
    $335,194
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $20,925
    Hours/week
    50

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $313,055
    Bonus
    $19,000
    Other
    $3,139
    Deferred
    $19,800
    Nontaxable benefits
    $1,125
    Filer's total
    $356,119

  • Keith Mahoney

    VP, Comm. & Public Affairs

    Total calculated
    $340,848
    From this org
    $310,047
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $30,801
    Hours/week
    50

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $289,908
    Bonus
    $17,000
    Other
    $3,139
    Deferred
    $16,636
    Nontaxable benefits
    $14,165
    Filer's total
    $340,848

  • Imari Paris-Jefferies

    Exec. Dir. Embrace Boston

    Total calculated
    $320,734
    From this org
    $264,625
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $56,109
    Hours/week
    50

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $255,871
    Bonus
    $7,650
    Other
    $1,104
    Deferred
    $16,274
    Nontaxable benefits
    $39,835
    Filer's total
    $320,734

  • Leigh Gasper

    Asst.Sec.& VP

    Total calculated
    $292,710
    From this org
    $250,841
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $41,869
    Hours/week
    40 + 1 related

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $234,086
    Bonus
    $14,000
    Other
    $2,755
    Deferred
    $15,410
    Nontaxable benefits
    $26,459
    Filer's total
    $292,710

  • Leslie Pine

    Mgr Partner, TPI

    Total calculated
    $276,870
    From this org
    $246,761
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $30,109
    Hours/week
    50

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $233,593
    Bonus
    $10,000
    Other
    $3,168
    Deferred
    $14,320
    Nontaxable benefits
    $15,789
    Filer's total
    $276,870

  • Jane Dixon

    VP, HR & Culture and Talent

    Total calculated
    $275,142
    From this org
    $251,727
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $23,415
    Hours/week
    50

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $233,631
    Bonus
    $12,000
    Other
    $6,096
    Deferred
    $15,064
    Nontaxable benefits
    $8,351
    Filer's total
    $275,142

  • Jennifer Aronson

    Deputy VP of Programs

    Total calculated
    $246,068
    From this org
    $196,526
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $49,542
    Hours/week
    50

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $186,138
    Bonus
    $9,450
    Other
    $938
    Deferred
    $11,693
    Nontaxable benefits
    $37,849
    Filer's total
    $246,068

  • Margaret Alexander

    Partner, TPI

    Total calculated
    $240,690
    From this org
    $191,824
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $48,866
    Hours/week
    50

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $181,609
    Bonus
    $8,500
    Other
    $1,715
    Deferred
    $11,471
    Nontaxable benefits
    $37,395
    Filer's total
    $240,690

  • Pam Hurd

    Sr. Dir. Philanthropy

    Total calculated
    $234,697
    From this org
    $197,492
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $37,205
    Hours/week
    50

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $186,674
    Bonus
    $5,699
    Other
    $5,119
    Deferred
    $11,576
    Nontaxable benefits
    $25,629
    Filer's total
    $234,697

  • Barbara Hindley

    Frmr Asst. Secretary/AVP C

    Total calculated
    $221,679
    From this org
    $193,440
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $28,239
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $179,828
    Bonus
    $5,557
    Other
    $8,055
    Deferred
    $11,288
    Nontaxable benefits
    $16,951
    Filer's total
    $221,679

  • Rupal Dandia

    VP Development/Deshpande

    Total calculated
    $200,214
    From this org
    $190,358
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $9,856
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $158,944
    Bonus
    $30,000
    Other
    $1,414
    Deferred
    $7,504
    Nontaxable benefits
    $2,352
    Filer's total
    $200,214

  • Makeeba McCreary

    Exec. Dir. NCF

    Total calculated
    $191,772
    From this org
    $174,210
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $17,562
    Hours/week
    50

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $173,573
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $637
    Deferred
    $8,993
    Nontaxable benefits
    $8,569
    Filer's total
    $191,772

  • Kristen O'Connell

    Secretary (1/3/24-present)

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    40 + 1 related

  • Brian Douglas

    CFO & Treasurer (2/26/24-present)

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    50 + 1 related

  • Charles Anderson

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1 + 0.5 related

  • Zamawa Arenas

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1 + 0.5 related

  • Andrew Arnott

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1 + 0.5 related

  • Vanessa Calderon-Rosado

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1 + 0.5 related

  • Elyse Cherry

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1 + 0.5 related

  • Petrina Martin Cherry

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1 + 0.5 related

  • Brian Conway

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1 + 0.5 related

The first 25 listed. Compensation is as filed in Part VII: reportable pay from this organization and from related organizations, other compensation, and hours per week. The total, marked calculated, is our sum of the three dollar columns, with a blank column counted as $0; the form itself has no total. On a Form 990-EZ the columns are Part IV's instead, and on a Form 990-PF Part VIII's — compensation, contributions to benefit plans, and expense account — and the total sums those. A Schedule J breakdown is as filed: base pay, bonus, other, deferred compensation and nontaxable benefits from this organization, with any from related organizations beside each, and the filer's own total. It is shown with the Part VII listing of the same name on the same return. The form gives no key between the two, so that pairing is ours, and is marked matched by us. Earlier years are each on their own filing page.

Filings

  • 2023
    Revenue
    $210,389,550
    Expenses
    $215,292,419
    Contributions
    $179,935,491
    Grants paid
    $183,105,297
  • 2022
    Revenue
    $161,296,905
    Expenses
    $209,895,497
    Contributions
    $141,692,649
    Grants paid
    $174,634,511

The four totals the IRS asks for on Part I of the Form 990, as filed. A dash means the figure was not present on the return — not that it was zero.

Other returns filed

  • 2024 · 990-T

    Revenue
    not reported
    Expenses
    not reported
    Assets (EOY)
    not reported

  • 2023 · 990-T

    Revenue
    not reported
    Expenses
    not reported
    Assets (EOY)
    not reported

  • 2022 · 990-T

    Revenue
    not reported
    Expenses
    not reported
    Assets (EOY)
    not reported

  • 2021 · 990

    Revenue
    $324,652,362
    Expenses
    $228,370,471
    Assets (EOY)
    $1,673,670,064

  • 2021 · 990-T

    Revenue
    not reported
    Expenses
    not reported
    Assets (EOY)
    not reported

  • 2020 · 990

    Revenue
    $325,590,260
    Expenses
    $198,258,173
    Assets (EOY)
    $1,683,793,346

  • 2020 · 990-T

    Revenue
    not reported
    Expenses
    not reported
    Assets (EOY)
    not reported

  • 2019 · 990

    Revenue
    $182,767,888
    Expenses
    $240,461,702
    Assets (EOY)
    $1,201,631,617

  • 2018 · 990

    Revenue
    $165,527,614
    Expenses
    $175,809,198
    Assets (EOY)
    $1,270,928,403

  • 2017 · 990

    Revenue
    $225,434,521
    Expenses
    $150,727,991
    Assets (EOY)
    $1,235,098,746

Nonprofiteer parses Forms 990, 990-EZ and 990-PF, in a window of recent tax years. These returns are recorded from the IRS e-file index, so their figures were extracted by that index rather than read from the return here — treat them as a different source from the filings above, not as more of the same record. A dash means the index carries no figure; Form 990-T listings carry none at all. Showing the 10 most recent; the API carries the rest.

Grants made

The 10 largest by cash amount. The API serves every itemized grant.

Where these grants went next →

Grants received

The 10 largest by cash amount. The API serves every itemized grant.

Related organizations

From Schedule R Part II, where a filer lists the tax-exempt organizations it is related to by control. It does not record shared board members or money.

Declared on its 2023 return

Declared as related by

Taxable family

From Schedule R Parts I, III and IV: entities that legally are the filer, and taxable partnerships, corporations and trusts it is related to. These record ownership and control, not shared board members or money.

Disregarded entities on its 2023 return

Other IRS files

Auto-Revocation List

Not listed. The IRS publishes this list for organizations whose exemption was automatically revoked for failing to file for three consecutive years.

Publication 78

Listed as of 13 October 2026, under deductibility PC.

These are two separate IRS files on two separate schedules, shown as published and not reconciled with each other. Neither is a statement about whether a contribution is deductible today: 19,245 organizations appear in Publication 78 while the IRS's own revocation file lists them as currently revoked, more than half of those revoked before 2019. Absence from Publication 78 is evidence of nothing, and presence is not evidence either. Verify current status with the IRS before relying on it.

What this page reflects

The registration facts above come from the IRS Business Master File published 13 October 2026 and read 29 October 2026, for every organization at once. Returns through tax year 2023, the newest we have parsed for this organization.