What The Boston Foundation does

The Boston Foundation (TBF), founded in 1915, is one of the oldest and largest community foundations in the United States, headquartered at 75 Arlington Street, Boston. It manages approximately $2.2 billion in assets and operates as a private nonprofit (The Boston Foundation, Inc.) governed by an independent Board of Directors. The foundation operates through four interconnected equity pathways — Community Wealth, Economic Opportunity, Child Well-Being, and Community Leadership — and supports a portfolio of special initiatives including the Racial Wealth Gap Partnership (40+ members), the Business Equity Fund (evergreen loan fund), Shifting Power Advancing Justice, Success Boston, SkillWorks, and Opportunity Boston.

TBF generates operating inflows through charitable contributions from individuals, families, and organizations, investment returns on its endowment, and management/advisory fees on donor-advised fund (DAF) services. Pricing is not applicable in a conventional product sense because TBF does not sell commercial products. Grantmaking and donor fund management are delivered to donors and nonprofits; a recent year saw $6.1 million in recoverable grants deployed through DAFs, including $1.6 million for BIPOC developers and $1.5 million for BIPOC small businesses. Its distribution is mission-driven: open online grant applications, donor portal (SmartSimple), direct donor advisory by program officers, and convenings (e.g., Racial Wealth Gap Partnership, Opportunity Boston public-private coalition with 37 higher education institutions).

The organization runs an affiliate network — The Philanthropic Initiative (TPI), Boston Indicators, Racial Wealth Equity Resource Center, Wage Equity Now, and Haiti Development Institute — that extends its research, consulting, and convening reach. Senior leadership comprises President and CEO Lee Pelton (stepping down May 2026), CFO/Treasurer Brian Douglas, CIO George Wilson, CMO Todd Sperry, Chief Philanthropy Officer Kate Guedj, and VP/Chief Program Officer Orlando Watkins, who has overseen $150M+ in community investments during his tenure. Underlying technology is limited to standard nonprofit operational platforms (SmartSimple donor portal); no proprietary AI, ML, or platform product is disclosed.

Name

The Boston Foundation

Legal name

The Boston Foundation, Inc.

Website

https://tbf.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1915

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

The Boston Foundation is a 1915-founded Boston community foundation managing $2.2 billion in assets, serving Greater Boston through grantmaking, donor-advised funds, impact investing, and a network of research and convening affiliates focused on closing the racial wealth gap.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Foundation and Philanthropic Services

NAICS

Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Investment Advice (6282)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Foundations (BPAGAKAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Private Foundations (BPAGAKAA), Public Charities & Grantmaking Intermediaries (BPAGAKAE), College Access, Scholarships & Student Success Nonprofits (BPAGADAE)

Keywords

• Community foundation grantmaking
• Donor advised funds
• Philanthropic advisory services
• Nonprofit capacity building
• Impact investing programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Boston

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Philanthropic Fund Management and Grantmaking: The Boston Foundation operates as a community foundation that accepts charitable donations, manages donor-advised funds, and distributes grants to nonprofits and causes aligned with its mission. Revenue is generated through donations from individuals, families, and organizations; investment returns on its $2.2 billion endowment; and management fees for donor-advised fund services. TBF's impact investing program, through donor-advised funds, deployed $6.1 million in recoverable grants in a recent year, including $1.6 million for BIPOC developers and $1.5 million for BIPOC small businesses.

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The Boston Foundation is a community foundation that accepts charitable contributions, manages donor-advised funds and a $2.2 billion endowment, and distributes grants and impact-investing capital to nonprofits and equity-focused initiatives in Greater Boston. Its offerings are organized around four interconnected pathways to equity (Community Wealth, Economic Opportunity, Child Well-Being, and Community Leadership) and include special initiatives such as the Racial Wealth Gap Partnership, the Business Equity Fund, Success Boston, SkillWorks, and Safety Net Grants.

Product overview

The Boston Foundation is a community foundation offering a portfolio of philanthropic products and grant-making programs organized around four strategic pathways to equity: Community Wealth, Economic Opportunity, Child Well-Being, and Community Leadership. The foundation operates special initiatives including the Racial Wealth Gap Partnership, Success Boston, SkillWorks, and Opportunity Boston, alongside specialized grant programs like Safety Net Grants and Shifting Power, Advancing Justice. Additional offerings include donor-advised funds, targeted community funds (Asian Community Fund, Equality Fund, Latino Equity Fund), and the COVID-19 Response Fund. The foundation also supports impact investing through the Business Equity Fund and operates research initiatives through Boston Indicators.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Donor Advised Funds
• COVID-19 Response Fund
• Business Equity Fund
• Safety Net Grants Program
• Shifting Power, Advancing Justice (SPAJ)
• Asian Community Fund
• Equality Fund
• Latino Equity Fund
• Meeting the Moment Fund
• Racial Wealth Gap Partnership
• Success Boston
• SkillWorks
• Opportunity Boston
• ONE+ Mortgage Program
• Climate Initiative

Quantifiable outcome

• $18 million distributed via COVID-19 Response Fund (2020–2022)
• +4 more outcomes

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

25 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Massachusetts Housing Partnership (MHP)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2024MHP administers the ONE+ mortgage and down payment assistance program launched in November 2024, part of the Racial Wealth Gap Partnership. ONE+ was launched with more than $11 million in funding, more than $7 million of which came through TBF and members of the Partnership. MHP is working with more than two dozen lenders across the state to provide access to homeownership for hundreds of Massachusetts residents in 29 communities.
• Eastern BankcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2024Eastern Bank joined TBF and the Racial Wealth Gap Partnership at the November 2024 launch of the ONE+ mortgage program. As a major regional bank, Eastern Bank brings banking and finance sector expertise and capital to the partnership aimed at closing racial wealth gaps through homeownership.
• Governor Maura Healey and Lieutenant Governor Kim DriscollcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2024Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey and Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll joined TBF and the Racial Wealth Gap Partnership at the November 2024 launch of ONE+. Housing Secretary Ed Augustus also participated. The partnership leverages government support and policy alignment to advance homeownership in communities of color.
• More Than Two Dozen Lenders (ONE+ Program)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2024More than two dozen lenders across Massachusetts are working with the Racial Wealth Gap Partnership's ONE+ program to originate mortgages and down payment assistance for homebuyers in 29 communities. This network of lenders extends the Partnership's reach and enables actual loan origination.
• Shifting Power, Advancing Justice (SPAJ) Movement Leaders and Their OrganizationscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 April 2024Six inaugural SPAJ movement leaders selected in April 2024: Darian Burwell Gambrell (DEAF, Inc.), Gamaliel Lauture (Brockton Interfaith Community), Mike Leyba (City Life/Vida Urbana), Noemi Mimi Ramos (New England Community Project*), Shanique Rodriguez (Massachusetts Voter Table), and Dwaign Tyndal (Alternatives for Community and Environment). Each received $675,000 over 3 years ($4M+ total) in general operating support, wellness funding, technical assistance, and capacity building, with an emergency funding pool.
• Mill Cities Community Investments (MCCI)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018MCCI is a key ecosystem partner in the Business Equity Fund (BEF) launched by Orlando Watkins in 2018. Together with Liquid Capital Enterprises, MCCI provides capacity, capital, and contracts to Black and Latino businesses in Greater Boston as part of an ecosystem approach to growing BIPOC enterprises.
• Liquid Capital EnterprisescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Liquid Capital Enterprises partners with the Business Equity Fund and MCCI to provide capacity, capital, and contracts to Black and Latino businesses. The three entities together form an ecosystem designed to grow enterprises of color in Greater Boston.
• Boston Public Schools (BPS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBPS is a key partner in Success Boston, TBF's citywide college completion initiative. TBF, BPS, the City of Boston, and 37 area institutions of higher education led by UMass Boston, plus local nonprofit partners, are working to double the college completion rate for BPS students.
• City of BostoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe City of Boston is a partner across multiple TBF initiatives including Success Boston, Opportunity Boston, and the Racial Wealth Gap Partnership. TBF Vice President Keith Mahoney testified before the Massachusetts legislature on behalf of TBF for the $4.12 billion Affordable Homes Act proposed by Governor Healey.
• UMass BostoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUMass Boston leads 37 area institutions of higher education in Success Boston, TBF's citywide college completion initiative working to double the college completion rate for BPS students.
• SkillWorkscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSkillWorks is a TBF special initiative launched in 2003, bringing together philanthropy, government, community organizations, and employers to address workforce development — helping low-income individuals attain family-supporting jobs while helping businesses find skilled workers. Boston Indicators partnered with SkillWorks on the Care Work in Massachusetts report.
• Opportunity Boston (formerly Boston Opportunity Agenda)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOpportunity Boston is a public/private partnership comprising the City of Boston, Boston Public Schools, the city's leading public charities, and many local foundations, including TBF. It is led by Executive Director Ayesha Cammaerts and governed by CEOs of member organizations. Focus areas include Birth to Eight Collaborative, Boston Opportunity Youth Collaborative, College/Career/Life Readiness, Mattapan Neighborhood of Opportunity, and Success Boston.
• Boston IndicatorscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBoston Indicators is TBF's research center and affiliate. Under Executive Director Luc Schuster, it produces trusted data-driven insights on housing, education, demographics, economic development, and racial wealth equity that inform policymakers, community leaders, and advocates. Boston Indicators co-authored the Greater Boston Housing Report Card and launched the MBTA Communities Tracker and Racial Wealth Equity Research Center.
• Federal Reserve Bank of BostoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Federal Reserve Bank of Boston co-hosts the Racial Wealth Gap Research and Conversation Series with Boston Indicators, supporting research and dialogue on wealth inequality in Greater Boston.
• Citizens' Housing and Planning Association (CHAPA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCHAPA has been a TBF partner since 1967 (when TBF provided a founding grant). TBF awarded CHAPA $450,000 over three years to support advocacy for extremely low-income renters through the Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program (MRVP). CHAPA wrote the MBTA Communities Act legislation.
• East Boston Neighborhood Development CorporationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe East Boston Neighborhood Trust, supported by TBF and the East Boston CDC, protected the affordability of over 100 housing units in East Boston. This partnership exemplifies TBF's community wealth strategy for housing preservation.
• Just Booklish (Porsha Olayiwola and Bing Broderick)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTBF provided an unrestricted $300,000 grant over three years to support the development of Just Booklish, a new bookstore and community gathering space in Fields Corner, Dorchester, at 1463 Dorchester Avenue. The project includes 81 community investors who will share in annual profits. Led by Boston Poet Laureate Porsha Olayiwola and community organizer Bing Broderick.
• Boston Art Review / RADARminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTBF's Arts & Creativity team supports the Boston Art Review's RADAR map tool — a free resource for experiencing contemporary visual art across all of Boston's neighborhoods. RADAR centralizes all visual art spaces, galleries, and institutions to encourage public engagement with BIPOC creative communities.
• A Better CitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn 2024, TBF partnered with A Better City, Boston University, and the City of Boston to deploy temperature sensors in heat island neighborhoods to inform policy and resource decisions. This pilot (B-Cool) informed the 'Feeling the Heat' report on heat emergency protocols.
• Boston University School of Public HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBoston University School of Public Health researchers ran the B-Cool pilot project in 2024, installing 15 heat sensors in heat island neighborhoods and comparing readings to Logan Airport data. The research informed TBF's heat resiliency strategy and climate work.
• Franklin Cummings TechcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTBF made a transformative $1 million investment in Franklin Cummings Tech's new state-of-the-art college campus in Nubian Square. The grant supports construction and educating/training students for clean energy and climate sector jobs of the future. Massachusetts needs to train 34,000 people for climate jobs to meet its 2050 net-zero goals.
• Racial Wealth Gap Partnership — 40+ Member OrganizationscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Racial Wealth Gap Partnership (established late 2022) is a broad-based group of more than 40 members representing banking/finance, housing, issue advocacy, government, healthcare, life sciences, and education sectors. Convened and anchored by TBF, the Partnership works to expand homeownership in communities of color and close racial wealth gaps. TBF has set out to raise $25 million for this work.
• The Philanthropic Initiative (TPI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Philanthropic Initiative is an affiliate of TBF and a globally recognized consulting firm specializing in philanthropy. TPI conducted the 2026 TPI Study of the Philanthropic Conversation (with support from DAFgiving360, Foundation Source, and TBF), which found that 99% of professional advisors believe discussing philanthropy with HNW clients is important.
• Institute for Nonprofit PracticeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerYolanda Coentro, founder of the Institute for Nonprofit Practice, was highlighted alongside Deputy Vice President Jennifer Aronson in a video on TBF's collective work in support of Greater Boston's nonprofit sector. The Institute supports nonprofit leadership development.
• Diverse array of nonprofit organizations (grant recipients)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTBF's nonprofit partners include immigrant-serving organizations, housing nonprofits, food security organizations, LGBTQ+-serving organizations, AAPI community organizations, movement leaders, and social safety net organizations. Recent grants include $1.2M to 24 organizations for immigrant neighbors, $1M to 10 immigrant-serving nonprofits, $705K to 42 LGBTQ+ organizations, and $635K to 59 AAPI organizations.

Scale indicators17 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Greater New Orleans Foundation: A regional community foundation of comparable scale and mission, directly comparable as a place-based grantmaking institution serving a defined metro area. Orlando Watkins, TBF's VP/Chief Program Officer, previously served as VP of Programs at GNOF, further supporting the direct comparability.
• The Cleveland Foundation: One of the largest and oldest U.S. community foundations, founded in 1914, making it a near-direct peer in terms of age, asset scale, and community foundation model. Operates comparable grantmaking, donor services, and civic leadership functions in its metro region.
• Chicago Community Trust: A major regional community foundation with comparable assets, donor-advised fund programs, and equity-focused grantmaking. Operates with a similar hybrid model combining grantmaking, research, policy advocacy, and donor services in a major U.S. metro.
• The New York Community Trust: One of the largest community foundations in the U.S., managing multi-billion-dollar assets and serving a major metropolitan region. Directly comparable in function: donor-advised funds, competitive grant cycles, and equity-focused initiatives.
• San Francisco Foundation: A major Bay Area community foundation with comparable mission focus on racial equity, housing affordability, and immigrant communities. Comparable in asset scale, grantmaking approach, and donor-advised fund offerings.
• United Way of Massachusetts Bay: A regional charitable intermediary serving the Greater Boston area with comparable functions: fundraising from individual and corporate donors, distributing funds to nonprofits, and convening across sectors on community issues like food security and housing stability.

Regional players

• Barr Foundation: A Boston-area private foundation ($2.6B in assets) that is already a TBF partner through Boston Indicators' Racial Wealth Gap research with the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston. Highly comparable as a major regional grantmaker, though with a narrower programmatic scope.

Broad incumbents

• The California Endowment: A large health-focused private foundation with multi-billion-dollar assets and significant grantmaking operations. Comparable in scale and operational complexity, though narrower in thematic focus.
• Ford Foundation: A national private foundation with much larger scale and international scope. Comparable as a major philanthropic institution pursuing racial equity, economic opportunity, and civic engagement, though operating well beyond a single region.
• The Kresge Foundation: A national private foundation with comparable programs in American Cities, Climate, and Racial Equity—areas where TBF also works. Comparable in mission alignment and grantmaking scale, though operating nationally rather than regionally.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/bostonfdn
• Facebookfacebook.com/thebostonfoundation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Subsidiaries9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments62 records

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Frequently asked questions about The Boston Foundation