Brooks Family Foundation
Boston, MA · EIN 04-3582018. Reported 259 grants totalling $7,170,500 to 119 recipients across tax years 2021-2024. This foundation told the IRS it does not accept unsolicited requests: it contributes only to organizations it selects itself.
Does this foundation accept applications?
No -- on its own tax return. Form 990-PF asks every private foundation to check a box if it "only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds". Brooks Family Foundation checked it on its most recent filing, as 78% of the 91,758 foundations in our data that made a grant and answered did. An unsolicited request is unlikely to go anywhere.
Organizations it funds that make grants of their own
4 of the organizations Brooks Family Foundation funded make grants themselves, and it reported 12 grants totalling $130,000 to them. That is 2% of the $6,641,500 of its giving we could match to a registered organization. Each is classified by the IRS as a philanthropy or grantmaking organization, reported grants to at least 25 organizations of its own, and has at least 10 funders behind it.
All of them file Form 990, which never asks whether an organization funds only groups it picks, so there is no answer on record either way.
What that does not mean. It does not mean an application to any of them reaches this foundation's money. A private foundation's grant to a community foundation or a federated campaign is often a donor-advised fund or a gift designated for a purpose the foundation chose, and has nothing to do with any open programme the receiving organization runs. Its return's purpose text sometimes names a family fund or a designated purpose, which is the plainest case of money no applicant can reach; where it names none, neither return says which. The list is who this foundation paid that also makes grants. Whether any of them would fund you is a question for its own page.
| Grantmaker | Kind | State | Received | Grants | Years | Last | Only funds organizations it picks? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heart of Maine United Way | federated giving programme | Maine | $40,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 | Its form does not ask |
| United Way of Broome County Inc | federated giving programme | New York | $30,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 | Its form does not ask |
| United Way of Central New York Inc | federated giving programme | New York | $30,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 | Its form does not ask |
| United Way of Tompkins County Inc | federated giving programme | New York | $30,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 | Its form does not ask |
A floor, not a full list. A grantmaker appears here only where this foundation's return named it clearly enough for us to match the name to an EIN, which we manage for about two thirds of 990-PF grant rows, and only where that grantmaker has a page on this site. There may be more. Dollars here are summed by EIN across every spelling on its returns, so a figure can differ from the matching row in the full list below, which groups names as written. And the IRS classification cannot tell a grantmaker from a funders' association or a donor-advised fund sponsor, so a payment to one of these may be dues or an account rather than support for a grants programme.
How big are its grants?
The median grant is $5,000. Half of everything it gave fell between $3,000 and $10,000; the smallest was $1,000 and the largest $3,000,000.
Every organization it funded
This is the complete list from its filings, largest first. Recipients are grouped by name and state as they were written on the returns, so an organization entered under two different names appears twice. Years funded is the number of separate tax years in which that name received money.
| Organization | Location | Total received | Grants | Years funded | Last |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cornell University | Ithaca, NY | $5,000,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Southern Maine Community College Foundation | South Portland, ME | $220,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Portland Stage Company | Portland, ME | $143,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Healthreach Community Health Centers | Waterville, ME | $120,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Mayo Street Arts | Portland, ME | $81,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Good Shepherd Food Bank | Auburn, ME | $80,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Oasis Health Network Inc (fbo Oasis Free Clinic) | Brunswick, ME | $60,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| United Way of Southern Maine | Portland, ME | $60,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Mid-Coast Health Net Inc (fbo Knox County Health Clinic) | Rockland, ME | $50,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Doctors Without Borders USA | New York, NY | $40,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Friends of the Portland Community Free Clinic | South Portland, ME | $40,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Kennebec Valley Dental Coalition Dba Waterville Community Dental Center | Oakland, ME | $40,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Partners in Health | Boston, MA | $40,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| The Foundation for Maine Community Colleges | South Portland, ME | $40,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| United Way of Androscoggin County | Lewiston, ME | $40,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| United Way of Aroostook | Presque Isle, ME | $40,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Foodlink Inc | Rochester, NY | $31,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Greater Portland Landmarks | Portland, ME | $31,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| United Way of Broome County | Vestal, NY | $30,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| United Way of Central New York | Syracuse, NY | $30,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| United Way of Cortland County | Cortland, NY | $30,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| United Way of Tompkins County | Ithaca, NY | $30,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Ithaca Waldorf School | Ithaca, NY | $29,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Grassroots International | Boston, MA | $27,500 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Food Bank of Central New York | Syracuse, NY | $27,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Foodnet Meals on Wheels | Ithaca, NY | $27,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Family & Children's Services of Ithaca | Ithaca, NY | $20,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Greater Portland Health | Portland, ME | $20,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Health Equity International (fbo St Boniface Haiti Foundation) | Newton, MA | $20,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Heart of Maine United Way | Bangor, ME | $20,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Ithaca Health Alliance (fbo Ithaca Free Clinic) | Ithaca, NY | $20,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York | Latham, NY | $20,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Saving Smiles Inc | Circleville, NY | $20,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| United Way of Eastern Maine | Bangor, ME | $20,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| United Way of Mid Coast Maine | Bath, ME | $20,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| United Way of Mid-Maine | Waterville, ME | $20,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| United Way of Tri-Valley Area | Farmington, ME | $20,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| United Way of Tri-Valley Area | Framingham, MA | $20,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Waynflete School | Portland, ME | $20,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Feedmore Wny | Buffalo, NY | $17,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Smile Train Inc | New York, NY | $16,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Preble Street Resource Center | Portland, ME | $15,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Sunrise Opportunities | Machias, ME | $15,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| The Catholic Charities Food Bank of the Southern Tier | Elmira, NY | $15,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Trustees of Hamilton College | Clinton, NY | $15,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| University of Southern Maine Foundation | Portland, ME | $15,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Bangor Area Homeless Center | Bangor, ME | $12,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Foundation for Portland Public Schools | Portland, ME | $12,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Speech Therapy Cambodia | San Francisco, CA | $12,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Build Health International | Beverly, MA | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Center for Transformative Action (fbo Ithaca City of Asylum) | Ithaca, NY | $10,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Center for Transformative Action (fbo Story House Ithaca) | Ithaca, NY | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Christian Medical Ministry to Cambodia Jeremiahs Hope | Denver, CO | $10,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Food Bank of Western New York Inc | Buffalo, NY | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Friends of Stewart Park | Ithaca, NY | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Ithaca City of Asylumcenter for Transformative Action | Ithaca, NY | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Ithaca College | Ithaca, NY | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Lifeflight of Maine | Brewer, ME | $10,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Rain for the Sahel and Sahara | Portsmouth, NH | $10,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Sunrise Opportunities (fbo Wccp Tooth Ferry) | Machias, ME | $10,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Sunrise Opportunities (fbo Washington County Children's Program) | Machias, ME | $10,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Madre | New York, NY | $9,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Educate the Children International | Ithaca, NY | $8,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Friendship Donations Network | Ithaca, NY | $8,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Friendship With Cambodia | Eugene, OR | $8,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Mid-Maine Homeless Shelter | Waterville, ME | $8,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Nepal Youth Foundation | Sausalito, CA | $8,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Planned Parenthood Federation of America | New York, NY | $8,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| University at Buffalo Foundation | Buffalo, NY | $8,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Advocacy Center of Tompkins County | Ithaca, NY | $6,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Maine Children's Home for Little Wanderers | Waterville, ME | $6,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| New Directions Cello Association and Festival | Ithaca, NY | $6,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Standish Food Pantry | Standish, ME | $6,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Water Is Life Inc | Pasadena, CA | $6,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Affordable Housing Institute | Boston, MA | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Affordable Housing Institute (fbo Sgr) | Boston, MA | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Aguaclara Reach | Ithaca, NY | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Amref Health Africa | New York, NY | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Center for Transformative Action | Ithaca, NY | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Childrens Initiative | San Diego, CA | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Community Partners International | San Francisco, CA | $5,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Digital Divide Data | New York, NY | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Elizabeth Stone House | Roxbury, MA | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Frannie Peabody Center | Portland, ME | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Franziska Racker Centers | Ithaca, NY | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Friends of Blaine House Inc | Augusta, ME | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Healthy Smiles for Me | Oxford, ME | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| High 5 Adventure Learning Center | Brattleboro, VT | $5,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| International Vision Volunteers | Walnut Creek, CA | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Maine Media Workshops and College | Rockport, ME | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Newborns in Need | Pfafftown, NC | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Ok International | San Francisco, CA | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Rise Up Alternative Radio | Boulder, CO | $5,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| St James AME Zion Church | Ithaca, NY | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Sunrise Opportunities (fbo Washington County Childrens Program) | Machias, ME | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Third Monday Foundation (fbo Dhammyietra) | Pawling, NY | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Women's Reproductive Rights Assistance Program | Santa Monica, CA | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Friends of Mount Auburn Cemetery | Cambridge, MA | $4,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Gadabout Transportation Services Inc | Ithaca, NY | $4,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Maine Public | Lewiston, ME | $4,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Portland Symphony Orchestra | Portland, ME | $4,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Stewards of the Western Cemetery | Portland, ME | $4,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Walk a Mile in Their Shoes | Windham, ME | $3,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Zambian Children's Fund | Tucson, AZ | $3,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Zambian Childrens Fund | Tucson, AZ | $3,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Maine Childrens Home for Little Wanderers | Waterville, ME | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Maine Humanities Council | Portland, ME | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Oar of Tompkins County | Ithaca, NY | $2,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| University of Southern Maine | Portland, ME | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| West End Neighborhood Association | Portland, ME | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Women's Opportunities Resource Center | Philadelphia, PA | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Womens Opportunities Resource Center | Philadelphia, PA | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Choral Art Society | Portland, ME | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| First Presbyterian Church of Dryden (fbo the Dryden Kitchen Cupboard) | Dryden, NY | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Hope and Comfort | Needham, MA | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Indigo Arts Alliance | Portland, ME | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Mechanics Hall | Portland, ME | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Opera Maine | Portland, ME | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Wikimedia Foundation Inc | San Francisco, CA | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
71 of 119 (60%) received money in more than one year over the 4 years we hold.
Measured the way we measure every foundation -- what share of one year's grantees are funded again the next -- this one retains 65%, across 3 year-to-year transitions. The median foundation retains about 67%, so this one is about typical. This measures how often it paid the same organizations again. It says nothing about whether it would consider a new one, and this foundation told the IRS it does not.
What the money was for
Taken verbatim from the purpose field of its filings. This is the closest thing to a statement of what this foundation cares about, in its own words.
- Cornell University
Jeb E. Brooks School of Public Policy - Sunrise Opportunities
$5,000 General Support; $5,000 Washington County Children's Program - Family & Children's Services of Ithaca
Dispositional Alternatives Program - Maine Humanities Council
tcross - 10/28/24 10:58AM Worksheet Private Foundation
What kind of organizations it funds
By the activity category the IRS assigns each recipient, for the 158 grants where we could match the recipient to a registered organization. The categories are the IRS's. The match, made from the name and address on the return, is ours.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants | Total | Median grant |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 83 | $577,500 | $5,000 |
| 2022 | 75 | $3,581,000 | $5,000 |
| 2023 | 66 | $768,500 | $5,000 |
| 2024 | 35 | $2,243,500 | $5,000 |
Tax years, not calendar years, and the most recent year is usually incomplete -- filings arrive about a year late, so a low final year means late paperwork rather than a foundation winding down.
Where its money goes
78% of its giving went to organizations in New York.
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Funders that support the same organizations
These funders gave to organizations this one also funded -- some private foundations, some community foundations and other grantmaking charities. Shared grantees are a sign of overlapping priorities and nothing more. Unlike this foundation, none of them is on record as funding only organizations it picks, and each page says what its filings show.
Related guides
Where these numbers come from
Everything above is taken from Brooks Family Foundation's own Form 990-PF filings, which the IRS publishes in bulk. We used 4 returns (tax years 2021-2024). Grant figures are from its returns. Matching recipients to registered organizations, their IRS classifications, the retention rate and the funders that support the same organizations are our own calculations, described in how we build this.
Address of record on the latest return: Co Lwc 230 Congress Street, Boston, MA, 02110. This is the address the foundation gave the IRS.
EIN 04-3582018 · See the original filings on ProPublica · How we build this
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