Private foundation · EIN 04-6135027 · Wellesley, Massachusetts · Philanthropy & grantmaking

Carl & Ruth Shapiro Fam Foundation

Should you approach them?

Don't send a cold proposal. The foundation reports that it only gives to preselected organizations; an introduction through a current grantee or board member is the realistic route.

From the 2025 Form 990-PF: 91 grants paid, $3.1M total, median $20K. 69% of grants stayed in Massachusetts.

Accepts applications
No
per 990-PF Part XV
Grants paid, 2025
91
$3.1M
Median grant
$20K
Stays in MA
69%
of grants
Deadline
—
Assets
$26M

Grants paid in 2025

Top 60 of 91 grants by amount · from Form 990-PF Part XV

RecipientPurposeAmount
Beth Israel Deaconess HospitalBoston, MAGeneral purposes of the organization$870K
Musuem of Fine Arts BostonBoston, MAGeneral purposes of the organization$382K
Brimmer and May SchoolChestnut Hill, MAGeneral purposes of the organization$101K
Combined Jewish PhilanthropiesBoston, MAGeneral purposes of the organization$100K
Huntington TheaterBoston, MAGeneral purposes of the organization$70K
Boston Symphony Orchestra IncBoston, MAGeneral purposes of the organization$55K
Theater Offensive IncBoston, MAGeneral purposes of the organization$50K
Full Spectrum FeaturesChicago, ILGeneral purposes of the organization$39K
Roca IncSpringfield, MAGeneral purposes of the organization$35K
Team ImpactQuincy, MAGeneral purposes of the organization$35K
Jewish Federation of Palm Beach CountyWest Palm Beach, FLGeneral purposes of the organization$34K
Boston Community Pediatrics IncBoston, MAGeneral purposes of the organization$33K
Boston Debate LeagueBoston, MAGeneral purposes of the organization$30K
Boston Medical CenterBoston, MAGeneral purposes of the organization$30K
Cambridge Multicultural Arts CenterCambridge, MAGeneral purposes of the organization$30K
MIT Media LabCambridge, MAGeneral purposes of the organization$30K
My Life My ChoiceBoston, MAGeneral purposes of the organization$30K
One Family IncBoston, MAGeneral purposes of the organization$30K
Perkins School for the BlindWatertown, MAGeneral purposes of the organization$30K
The Museum of Contemporary ArtLos Angeles, CAGeneral purposes of the organization$30K
Abilities DanceBrookline, MAGeneral purposes of the organization$25K
Bikes Not BombsJamaica Plain, MAGeneral purposes of the organization$25K
Breast Cancer Research FoundationNew York, NYGeneral purposes of the organization$25K
Build BostonBoston, MAGeneral purposes of the organization$25K
English for New Bostonians IncBoston, MAGeneral purposes of the organization$25K
Familyaid BostonBoston, MAGeneral purposes of the organization$25K
Found in Translation IncDorchester, MAGeneral purposes of the organization$25K
Hopewell IncDedham, MAGeneral purposes of the organization$25K
Jewish Vocational Service IncNewton, MAGeneral purposes of the organization$25K
Massart FoundationBoston, MAGeneral purposes of the organization$25K
Neighborhood VillagesBoston, MAGeneral purposes of the organization$25K
Partners for Youth With Disabilities IncSomerville, MAGeneral purposes of the organization$25K
Town of Palm Beach United WayPalm Beach, FLGeneral purposes of the organization$25K
AccessportamericaActon, MAGeneral purposes of the organization$20K
Artists for HumanityBoston, MAGeneral purposes of the organization$20K
Best Buddies International IncMiami, FLGeneral purposes of the organization$20K
Boston Children's ChorusBoston, MAGeneral purposes of the organization$20K
Boston Higher Education Resource CenterBoston, MAGeneral purposes of the organization$20K
Boston Impact Initiative FundJamaica Plain, MAGeneral purposes of the organization$20K
Boston Music ProjectBoston, MAGeneral purposes of the organization$20K
Chica ProjectQuincy, MAGeneral purposes of the organization$20K
City Ballet of Boston IncJamaica Plain, MAGeneral purposes of the organization$20K
EmpathBoston, MAGeneral purposes of the organization$20K
Exceptional LivesBrookline, MAGeneral purposes of the organization$20K
Families FIRST Parenting Programs IncWatertown, MAGeneral purposes of the organization$20K
Gateway ArtsBrookline, MAGeneral purposes of the organization$20K
Horizons for Homeless ChildrenRoxbury, MAGeneral purposes of the organization$20K
Jeremiah ProgramBoston, MAGeneral purposes of the organization$20K
Julie's Family Learning Program IncBoston, MAGeneral purposes of the organization$20K
Lawyers for Civil RightsBoston, MAGeneral purposes of the organization$20K
Los Angeles County Musuem of Art (lacma)Los Angeles, CAGeneral purposes of the organization$20K
Mab Community ServicesBrookline, MAGeneral purposes of the organization$20K
Mothers for Justice and EqualityBoston, MAGeneral purposes of the organization$20K
New Commonwealth Racial Equity & Social Justice FundBoston, MAGeneral purposes of the organization$20K
Origination IncJamaica Plain, MAGeneral purposes of the organization$20K
Raw Art WorksLynn, MAGeneral purposes of the organization$20K
The Upward ProjectDorchester Center, MAGeneral purposes of the organization$20K
Waypoint AdventuresLexington, MAGeneral purposes of the organization$20K
Brigham & Womens HospitalBoston, MAGeneral purposes of the organization$15K
Central Square Theatre IncCambridge, MAGeneral purposes of the organization$15K

By state: Massachusetts 63 · Florida 9 · California 8 · New York 7 · Illinois 2 · Missouri 1

About this foundation

Carl & Ruth Shapiro Fam Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation in Wellesley, Massachusetts, tax-exempt since 1966. Private foundations must pay out roughly 5% of their assets each year, mostly as grants to 501(c)(3) public charities.

Foundation websiteAll filings on ProPublica

Does Carl & Ruth Shapiro Fam Foundation accept grant applications?

No. On its 2025 Form 990-PF the foundation checked that it only makes contributions to preselected organizations. Look for an introduction through a current grantee.

How much does Carl & Ruth Shapiro Fam Foundation give each year?

In tax year 2025 it paid $3.1M across 91 grants, a median of $20K.

Where does Carl & Ruth Shapiro Fam Foundation give?

Massachusetts (63 grants), Florida (9 grants), California (8 grants) and elsewhere, per its latest filing.

More foundations near Wellesley

All in Massachusetts
FoundationBased inGrants paidMedian grantAccepts applicationsAssets
Nancy Lurie Marks Family Foundationsince 1977 Wellesley, MA $9.7M39 grants · 2024 $40KPreselected only $120M
The Tommy Fuss Fundsince 2007 Wellesley, MA $2.1M4 grants · 2025 $375KPreselected only $44M
Jobson Family Foundationsince 2018 Wellesley, MA $966K12 grants · 2025 $30KPreselected only $39M
Bogle Family Foundationsince 2015 Wellesley, MA $865K25 grants · 2025 $25KPreselected only $20M
Jireh Foundationsince 2008 Wellesley, MA $696K16 grants · 2025 $28KPreselected only $17M
Eaglemere Foundation Incsince 1998 Wellesley, MA $1.0M34 grants · 2024 $22KPreselected only $13M
Mannheim Family Foundation Incsince 2019 Wellesley, MA $680K21 grants · 2024 $30KPreselected only $13M
The George Seymour Bissell Charitable Foundationsince 1995 Wellesley, MA $769K16 grants · 2025 $21KPreselected only $13M
Email me matching grants