Private foundation · EIN 04-6914538 · Newton, Massachusetts · Philanthropy & grantmaking

Brown Charitable 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: 11 grants paid, $172K total, median $17K. 100% of grants stayed in Massachusetts.

Accepts applications
No
per 990-PF Part XV
Grants paid, 2025
11
$172K
Median grant
$17K
Stays in MA
100%
of grants
Deadline
—
Assets
$2.9M

Grants paid in 2025

11 grants, all shown · from Form 990-PF Part XV

RecipientPurposeAmount
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical CenterBoston, MAGeneral support$25K
Dana Farber Cancer InstituteBoston, MAGeneral support$25K
The Children's Room-Center for Grieving Children & Teenagers IncArlington, MAGeneral support$20K
The Pine Street InnBoston, MAGeneral support$18K
Birthday Wishes IncNatick, MAGeneral support$17K
Rosie's PlaceBoston, MAGeneral support$17K
Saint Francis HouseBoston, MAGeneral support$15K
Bridge Over Troubled Waters IncBoston, MAGeneral support$13K
The Women's Lunch PlaceBoston, MAGeneral support$13K
Project SmileHopedale, MAGeneral support$5,500
Make-A-Wish Foundation of MassachusettsBoston, MAGeneral support$3,500

About this foundation

Brown Charitable Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation in Newton, Massachusetts, administered in care of Nixon Peabody Llp, tax-exempt since 2000. Private foundations must pay out roughly 5% of their assets each year, mostly as grants to 501(c)(3) public charities.

All filings on ProPublica

Does Brown Charitable 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 Brown Charitable Foundation give each year?

In tax year 2025 it paid $172K across 11 grants, a median of $17K.

Where does Brown Charitable Foundation give?

Massachusetts (11 grants), per its latest filing.

More foundations near Newton that accept applications

All in Massachusetts
FoundationBased inGrants paidMedian grantAccepts applicationsAssets
Richard and Susan Smith Family Foundationsince 1970 Newton, MA $16M137 grants · 2024 $36KYes $303M
Swartz Foundationsince 1995 Newton, MA $9.8M15 grants · 2024 $100KPreselected only $221M
Highland Street Connectionsince 1990 Newton, MA $4.4M410 grants · 2024 $5,000Preselected only $60M
Trustees Under the Will of Herman Danasince 1969 Newton, MA $1.7M21 grants · 2025 $25KYes $21M
Fisher Family Foundationsince 2001 Newton, MA $52K4 grants · 2024 $11KPreselected only $17M
Chase Street Foundationsince 2017 Newton, MA $55K3 grants · 2024 $25KPreselected only $14M
Galenus Foundationsince 2008 Newton, MA $964K19 grants · 2024 $3,384Preselected only $14M
Genie Foundation Incsince 2019 Newton, MA $505K6 grants · 2024 $60KPreselected only $9.2M
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