Ethel Kennedy Foundation
Cambridge, MA · EIN 11-2768682. Reported 249 grants totalling $3,075,911 to 122 recipients across tax years 2021-2025. 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". Ethel Kennedy 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
3 of the organizations Ethel Kennedy Foundation funded make grants themselves, and it reported 7 grants totalling $74,000 to them. That is 7% of the $1,110,965 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? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cambridge Community Foundation | community foundation | Massachusetts | $57,000 | 5 | 5 | 2025 | Its form does not ask |
| The John's Island Foundation Inc | grantmaking organization | Florida | $15,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 | Its form does not ask |
| United Way of Indian River County Inc | federated giving programme | Florida | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 | 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 $6,382. Half of everything it gave fell between $5,000 and $15,000; the smallest was $500 and the largest $100,000.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Georgetown University Law Center | Washington, DC | $380,000 | 5 | 5 | 2025 |
| The Learning Alliance | New York, NY | $232,200 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Umass Boston Ekm Scholarship Fund | Boston, MA | $125,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Southampton Hospital Foundation | Southampton, NY | $123,000 | 5 | 5 | 2025 |
| Planned Parenthood | New York, NY | $114,200 | 5 | 5 | 2025 |
| Umass Foundation Inc | Newton, MA | $100,000 | 5 | 1 | 2025 |
| Art Department Faculty Development Fund | Utica, NY | $95,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Columbia Business School | New York, NY | $72,000 | 5 | 5 | 2025 |
| Camp Hill Village | Copake, NY | $65,500 | 5 | 5 | 2025 |
| Habitat for Humanity Indian River | Vero Beach, FL | $61,000 | 3 | 3 | 2025 |
| Salisbury School | Salisbury, CT | $60,882 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Access Challenge | New York, NY | $60,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Orange County School of the Arts | Santa Ana, CA | $60,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Cambridge Community Foundation | Cambridge, MA | $57,000 | 5 | 5 | 2025 |
| Orphanos the Harbor Mother's Program | Cordova, TN | $56,700 | 4 | 4 | 2025 |
| Georgetown University | Washington, DC | $50,000 | 4 | 4 | 2025 |
| Hampshire College | Amherst, MA | $50,000 | 4 | 4 | 2025 |
| Hotchkiss School | Lakeville, CT | $50,000 | 5 | 5 | 2025 |
| The Learning Alliance | Vero Beach, FL | $50,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| University Massachusetts Boston Scholarship Fund | Dorchester, MA | $50,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Hamilton College | Clinton, NY | $45,000 | 4 | 4 | 2025 |
| Neverthirst | Birminghgam, AL | $40,000 | 5 | 5 | 2025 |
| The American Supporters of Highgate School | New York, NY | $37,500 | 4 | 4 | 2025 |
| Salisbury School - John Morris Scolarship | Salisbury, CT | $35,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Univeristy of San Diego Justice in Mexico Project Alirio | San Diego, CA | $35,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Easthampton Food Pantry | East Hampton, NY | $32,000 | 5 | 5 | 2025 |
| Gifford Youth Center | Vero Beach, FL | $32,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Orange County Highschool of the Arts | Santa Ana, CA | $30,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Salisbury School - John Morris Scholarship | Salisbury, CT | $30,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Vassar College Rowing | Poughkeepsie, NY | $28,000 | 5 | 5 | 2025 |
| Sag Harbor Community Rowing | Sag Harbor, NY | $26,000 | 5 | 5 | 2025 |
| Univeristy of San Diego Alivio Program Oaxaca | San Diego, CA | $25,382 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Together We Rise | St Brea, CA | $25,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Rosie's Place | Boston, MA | $22,383 | 5 | 5 | 2025 |
| Camfed | San Francisco, CA | $20,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Foundation for the Children of the Californias | San Diego, CA | $20,000 | 4 | 4 | 2025 |
| International Rescue Committee | New York, NY | $20,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Indian River Land Trust | Vero Beach, FL | $20,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Orphanos | Mclean, VA | $20,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Usd | San Diego, CA | $20,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| East Hampton Historical Society | East Hampton, NY | $18,000 | 4 | 4 | 2025 |
| University of San Diego | San Diego, CA | $16,600 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Salvation Army Adult Rehab Center of San Diego | San Diego, CA | $15,200 | 3 | 3 | 2025 |
| 1000 Friends of Florida | Tallahassee, FL | $15,000 | 2 | 2 | 2025 |
| Beagle Freedom Project | Valley Village, CA | $15,000 | 2 | 2 | 2025 |
| John's Island Foundation | Vero Beach, FL | $15,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Loyolla Marymount University | Los Angeles, CA | $15,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Planned Parenthood Federation of America | Washington, DC | $15,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Savannah College of Art and Design | Savannah, GA | $15,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| The Source | Vero Beach, FL | $15,000 | 2 | 2 | 2025 |
| We Are All Human Foundation | New York, NY | $15,000 | 2 | 2 | 2025 |
| John's Island Community Service | Vero Beach, FL | $12,600 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Ladies Village Improvement Society Inc | East Hampton, NY | $11,382 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Broadway Housing Communities | New York, NY | $11,000 | 3 | 3 | 2025 |
| Lvis | East Hampton, NY | $11,000 | 3 | 2 | 2025 |
| American Red Cross | Boone, IA | $10,382 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Arf Hamptons | East Hampton, NY | $10,000 | 2 | 1 | 2025 |
| East Hampton Medical Center | East Hampton, NY | $10,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Holy Family Svces Adoption & Foster Care | Los Angeles, CA | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Hope for Families Center | Vero Beach, FL | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Hibiscus Childrens Center | Jensen Beach, FL | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Immigrant Defenders | Los Angeles, CA | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Indian River Clay Inc | Vero Beach, FL | $10,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Indian River Habitat for Humanity | Vero Beach, FL | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Jacobs San Diego Food Bank | San Diego, FL | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Lutheran Immmigration and Refugee Service | Baltimore, MD | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Literacy Services of Irc | Vero Beach, FL | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Metropolitan Museum of Art | New York, NY | $10,000 | 2 | 2 | 2025 |
| Planned Parenthood | San Diego, CA | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Project Lift | Fort Pierce, FL | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Safe Space Inc | Stuart, FL | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| The Source | Vero Beach, CA | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Youth Sailing Foundation of Indian River County | Vero Beach, FL | $10,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Youth Guidance Mentoring Academy | Vero Beach, FL | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Impact 100 Vero Beach | Vero Beach, FL | $9,000 | 3 | 3 | 2025 |
| Lauren's Kids | Hollywood, FL | $9,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Foster Love (together We Rise) | Brea, CA | $8,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Mass General Hospital Development | Boston, MA | $8,000 | 2 | 2 | 2025 |
| Savi at Mount Sinai Hospital | New York, NY | $8,000 | 5 | 5 | 2025 |
| Water Mission | Charlotte, NC | $8,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Self Realization Fellowship | Los Angeles, CA | $7,000 | 3 | 3 | 2025 |
| Alzheimer's and Parkinson Association | Vero Beach, FL | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Charlie Mike | Liberty, NC | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Coastal Connections Inc | Vero Beach, FL | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| I Am Ministries Inc the Source Dignity Bus | Vero Beach, FL | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Jazz Foundation | New York, NY | $5,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Los Angeles Lgbt Center | Los Angeles, CA | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Malala Fund | Washington, DC | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Paws and Stripes | Albuquerque, NM | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Project Lift Mental Health & Vocational Program | Palm City, FL | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Room to Read | San Fransisco, CA | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| The American Supporters of Highgate School | Wilton, CT | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| The Barking Lot | Ramona, CA | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Treasure Coast Homeless Services Council | Vero Beach, FL | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Vna & Hospice Foundation | Vero Beach, FL | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Apopo | Washington, DC | $4,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Compassionate Care Als | Falmouth, MA | $4,000 | 2 | 2 | 2025 |
| Planned Parenthood Gift Planning | New York, NY | $4,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Reproductive Freedon for All | Washington, WA | $4,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Guild Hall | East Hampton, NY | $3,600 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Als | Boone, IA | $3,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Amagansett Village Improvement Society | Amagansett, NY | $3,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Charity Navigator | Harlan, IA | $3,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| I Am Ministries Inc | Vero Beach, FL | $3,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Long Island Caresinc | Hauppauge, NY | $3,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| One Can Help | Waban, MA | $3,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Paws and Streets | Albuquerque, NM | $3,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Self Realization Fellowship | New York, NY | $3,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Uncommonorg | Amagansett, NY | $3,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Dudley Street Neighborhood Initiative | Roxbury, MA | $2,300 | 2 | 2 | 2025 |
| Higher Ground Inc | Ketchum, ID | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service | Baltimore, MD | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Snining Light Garden Foundation Inc | Vero Beach, FL | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Uncomon | Amagansett, NY | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| United Way of Indian River County | Vero Beach, FL | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Wild Aid | San Francisco, CA | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Charity Navigator | Glen Rock, NJ | $1,600 | 2 | 2 | 2025 |
| Als Therapy Development Institute | Wetertown, MA | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Boys & Girls Club of Indian River County | Vero Beach, FL | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| The Moorings Educational Foundation Inc | Vero Beach, FL | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Wounded Warriors Family Support | Omaha, NE | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Wbur | Chelsea, MA | $500 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
53 of 122 (43%) received money in more than one year over the 5 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 60%, across 4 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.
- Camp Hill Village
CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION - COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT - Foundation for the Children of the Californias
CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION - EDUCATION - Boys & Girls Club of Indian River County
CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION - MEDICAL SUPPORT
What kind of organizations it funds
By the activity category the IRS assigns each recipient, for the 117 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 | 48 | $525,000 | $5,000 |
| 2022 | 52 | $656,911 | $10,000 |
| 2023 | 40 | $585,000 | $5,000 |
| 2024 | 44 | $601,000 | $8,000 |
| 2025 | 65 | $708,000 | $7,000 |
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
35% 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 Ethel Kennedy Foundation's own Form 990-PF filings, which the IRS publishes in bulk. We used 5 returns (tax years 2021-2025). 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 Elizabeth Marran 44 Alpine St, Cambridge, MA, 02138. This is the address the foundation gave the IRS.
EIN 11-2768682 · See the original filings on ProPublica · How we build this
Is something here wrong about your foundation? Email [email protected] and we will correct it.