Gratis Foundation
Mclean, VA · EIN 26-3639918. Reported 351 grants totalling $5,050,000 to 152 recipients across tax years 2021-2025. This foundation did not tell the IRS it funds only preselected organizations.
Does this foundation accept applications?
Yes -- on its own tax return. Form 990-PF asks every private foundation whether it makes grants only to organizations it selects itself. Of the 91,758 foundations in our data that made a grant and answered, 78% said yes -- and applying to those is wasted effort. Gratis Foundation did not check that box on its most recent filing, which puts it in the minority that is at least open to being approached.
How big are its grants?
The median grant is $10,000. Half of everything it gave fell between $5,000 and $15,000; the smallest was $2,500 and the largest $200,000. If you are asking for materially more than the top of that range, you are asking the wrong foundation.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duke University | Durham, NC | $1,000,000 | 5 | 5 | 2025 |
| Mass General Brigham Incorporated | Boston, MA | $150,000 | 3 | 2 | 2025 |
| Childrens Hospital Corporation | Boston, MA | $140,000 | 4 | 4 | 2025 |
| Thrive Scholars | Boston, MA | $115,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Medical Teams International | Portland, OR | $105,000 | 5 | 5 | 2025 |
| United States Fund for Unicef | New York, NY | $105,000 | 5 | 5 | 2025 |
| Mass General Brigham Incorporated - Newton Wellesley Hospital | Newton, MA | $100,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Cape Cod Times Needy Fund Inc | Hyannis, MA | $85,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Fisher House Foundation Inc | Rockville, MD | $75,000 | 3 | 3 | 2025 |
| International Rescue Committee | New York, NY | $75,000 | 4 | 4 | 2025 |
| Loyola University Maryland Inc | Baltimore, MD | $75,000 | 5 | 5 | 2025 |
| Massachusetts General Hospital | Boston, MA | $75,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Newton Wellesley Hospital | Newton, MA | $75,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Save the Children Federation Inc | Fairfield, CT | $75,000 | 4 | 4 | 2025 |
| Shriners Hospitals for Children | Philadelphia, PA | $75,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Hire Heroes USA | Alpharetta, GA | $70,000 | 5 | 5 | 2025 |
| Paws for Purple Hearts | San Diego, CA | $70,000 | 5 | 5 | 2025 |
| National Academy of Engineering Fund | Washington, DC | $60,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| American Humane Association | Washington, DC | $52,500 | 5 | 5 | 2025 |
| American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals | New York, NY | $52,500 | 5 | 5 | 2025 |
| American Heart Association Inc | Dallas, TX | $50,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Direct Relief | Santa Barbara, CA | $50,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Friends of the Children-Boston Inc | Roxbury, MA | $50,000 | 5 | 5 | 2025 |
| Massachusetts Adoption Resource Exchange Inc | Newton, MA | $50,000 | 5 | 5 | 2025 |
| Perkins School for the Blind | Watertown, MA | $50,000 | 5 | 5 | 2025 |
| St Jude Childrens Research Hospital Inc | Memphis, TN | $50,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Canine Companions for Independence | Orlando, FL | $45,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| St Luke Catholic Church | Mclean, VA | $45,000 | 4 | 4 | 2025 |
| United Service Organizations Inc | Arlington, VA | $45,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| United States Merchant Marine Academy Alumni Association and Fou | Kings Point, NY | $45,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Aid to Victims of Domestic Abuse Inc | Delray Beach, FL | $40,000 | 5 | 5 | 2025 |
| Boys and Girls Clubs of Dorchester Inc | Dorchester, MA | $40,000 | 5 | 5 | 2025 |
| CASA Myrna Vazquez Inc | Boston, MA | $40,000 | 4 | 4 | 2025 |
| Greater DC Diaper Bank | Washington, DC | $40,000 | 4 | 4 | 2025 |
| Independence House Inc | Orleans, MA | $40,000 | 4 | 4 | 2025 |
| Mercy Medical Angels | Virginia Beach, VA | $40,000 | 5 | 5 | 2025 |
| Mercy Ships | Lindale, TX | $40,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Reach Beyond Domestic Violence Inc | Waltham, MA | $40,000 | 5 | 5 | 2025 |
| Marthas Table | Washington, DC | $37,500 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Children's Hospital Corporation | Boston, MA | $35,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Shriners Hospitals for Children | Tampa, FL | $35,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| St John the Evangelist Parish | Pocasset, MA | $35,000 | 4 | 4 | 2025 |
| St Jude Children's Research Hospital Inc | Memphis, TN | $35,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| The Family Place Inc | Washington, DC | $32,500 | 4 | 4 | 2025 |
| Cancer Research Institute Inc | Bonita Springs, FL | $30,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Palm Beach Inc | Riviera Beach, FL | $30,000 | 4 | 4 | 2025 |
| Floc for Love of Children | Se Washington, DC | $30,000 | 3 | 3 | 2025 |
| K9S for Warriors Inc | Ponte Vedra, FL | $30,000 | 4 | 4 | 2025 |
| World Central Kitchen Incorporated | Washington, DC | $30,000 | 2 | 2 | 2025 |
| Elder Services of Cape Cod | South Dennis, MA | $27,500 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Humane Society of the United States | Gaithersburg, MD | $27,500 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| St Marys Center for Women and Children | Dorchester, MA | $27,500 | 3 | 3 | 2025 |
| Womens Lunch Place Inc | Boston, MA | $27,500 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| American Heart Association Inc | West Palm Beach, FL | $25,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Archdiocese for the Military Services USA | Washington, DC | $25,000 | 4 | 4 | 2025 |
| Canine Companions for Independence | Santa Rose, CA | $25,000 | 2 | 2 | 2025 |
| Gary Sinise Foundation | Los Angeles, CA | $25,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Grandmas Place Inc | Royal Palm Beach, FL | $25,000 | 4 | 4 | 2025 |
| Horizons for Homeless Children Inc | Roxbury, MA | $25,000 | 3 | 3 | 2025 |
| International Rescue Committee Inc | Alber Lea, MN | $25,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Save the Children Federation Inc | Washington, DC | $25,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Vita Nova Inc | West Palm Beach, FL | $25,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Darbster Foundation Inc | West Palm Beach, FL | $22,500 | 5 | 5 | 2025 |
| DC127 Inc | Washington, DC | $22,500 | 3 | 3 | 2025 |
| Jane Doe Inc | Boston, MA | $22,500 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| A Wider Circle Inc | Kensington, MD | $20,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Children's Oncology Services of Massachusetts Inc | Brookline, MA | $20,000 | 2 | 2 | 2025 |
| City Mission Inc | Boston, MA | $20,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Family Promise of North Central Palm Beach Inc | West Palm Beach, FL | $20,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| St Julia Parish | Weston, MA | $20,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Thrive Scholars | Los Angeles, CA | $20,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals | Boston, MA | $17,500 | 4 | 4 | 2025 |
| Cancer Research Institute Inc | New York, NY | $15,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Cape Cod Times Neighbors Fund Inc | Hyannis, MA | $15,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington Inc | Washington, DC | $15,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Catholic Foundation of Southeastern Massachusetts | Fall River, MA | $15,000 | 3 | 3 | 2025 |
| Homeless Coalition of Palm Beach County Inc | West Palm Beach, FL | $15,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Loggerhead Marinelife Center Inc | Juno Beach, FL | $15,000 | 3 | 3 | 2025 |
| National Academy of Engineering Fund | Atlanta, GA | $15,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Operation Delta Dog Inc | Hollis, NH | $15,000 | 2 | 2 | 2025 |
| St Lucy Church | Highland Beach, FL | $15,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| St Raphael Catholic Church | Rockville, MD | $15,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| The Boggy Creek Gang Inc | Eustis, FL | $15,000 | 3 | 3 | 2025 |
| United Service Organizations Inc | Washington, DC | $15,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| United Services Organizations Inc | Arlington, VA | $15,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| United States Merchant Marine Academy Alumni Association and Foundation | Kings Point, NY | $15,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| United States Merchant Marine Academy Alumni Association and Foundation | Newark, NJ | $15,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Christians Reaching Out to Society Inc | Lake Worth, FL | $12,500 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Community Reach of Montgomery County Inc | Rockville, MD | $12,500 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Mercy Flight Southeast Inc (mfse) | Leesburg, FL | $12,500 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| The Posse Foundation Inc | Washington, DC | $12,500 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| The Salvation Army | Boston, MA | $12,500 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| 4KIDS of South Florida Inc | Fort Lauderdale, FL | $10,000 | 2 | 2 | 2025 |
| Blue Star Families Inc | Encinitas, CA | $10,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Boston CASA Inc | Boston, MA | $10,000 | 2 | 2 | 2025 |
| Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program Inc | Boston, MA | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Cape Cod Foundation Inc | South Yarmouth, MA | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| CASA Myrna Vasquez Inc | Boston, MA | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Cristo Rey Boston High School Inc | Dorchester, MA | $10,000 | 2 | 2 | 2025 |
| DC Diaper Bank | Silver Spring, MD | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Edesia Inc | North Kingstown, RI | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Fenwick Foundation | Arlington, VA | $10,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Humane Society of the United States | Washington, DC | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Humane World for Animals Inc | Washington, DC | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Make-a-Wish Foundation of Massachusetts and Rhode Island Inc | Boston, MA | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Make-a-Wish Mid-Atlantic | Bethesda, MD | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation Inc | Alexandria, VA | $10,000 | 2 | 2 | 2025 |
| Ria Inc | Dorchester, MA | $10,000 | 2 | 2 | 2025 |
| Sasha Bruce Youthwork Inc | Washington, DC | $10,000 | 2 | 2 | 2025 |
| Smile Train Inc | New York, NY | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| St Luke Catholic Church | Westport, CT | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| The Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country Inc | Kerrville, TX | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Transition House Inc | Cambridge, MA | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Vietnam Veterans Workshop Inc | Boston, MA | $10,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Wounded Warrior Project Inc | Jacksonville, FL | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| 4KIDS | Fort Lauderdale, FL | $7,500 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Angel Flight of New England Inc | North Andover, MA | $7,500 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Animal Rescue League of Boston | Boston, MA | $7,500 | 2 | 2 | 2025 |
| CASA for Children of the District of Columbia | Washington, DC | $7,500 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Mercy Flight Southeast Inc Dba Angel Flight Southeast Inc | Leesburg, FL | $7,500 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| St Vincent De Paul Society-New Bedford District | New York City, NY | $7,500 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| The Compassionate Friends Inc | Wheaton, IL | $7,500 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| The Family Pantry of Cape Cod Corp | Harwich, MA | $7,500 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| 4KIDS of South Florida Palm Beach | Delray Beach, FL | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Boston Womens Fund Inc | Cambridge, MA | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Children's Advocacy Center of Suffolk County Inc | Boston, MA | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Christians Reaching Out to Society Inc Dba Cros Ministries | Lake Worth Beach, FL | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Clinics Can Help Inc | West Palm Beach, FL | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Elder Services of Cape Cod and the Islands Inc | South Dennis, MA | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Family Reach Foundation | Boston, MA | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Found in Translation Inc | Boston, MA | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Friends of Bourne Council on Aging Inc | Bourne, MA | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Grandma's Place | Royal Palm Beach, FL | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Gulf Stream Council Boy Scouts of America | Palm Beach Gardens, FL | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Haven Project Inc | Lynn, MA | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Heart Brothers Foundation Inc | Northborough, MA | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Operation Homefront Inc | San Antonio, TX | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Plenty to Eat Inc | Washington, DC | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Rosies Place Inc | Boston, MA | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Second Chance Animal Rescue of Martha's Vineyard | Vineyard Haven, MA | $5,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Spanish Catholic Center Inc | Washington, DC | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Spoonfuls Inc | Newton, MA | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| St John the Evangelist Parish | New York, NY | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| St Lucy Church | Newark, NJ | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| St Mary's Center for Women and Children | Dorchester, MA | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| St Raphael's Catholic Church | Livingston, NJ | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation | Staten Island, NY | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| The Brighton-Allston Congregational Church | Brighton, MA | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| The Posse Foundation Inc | New York, NY | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Tri County Humane Society | St Cloud, MN | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Women's Lunch Place Inc | Boston, MA | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| House With a Heart Pet Sanctuary | Gaithersburg, MD | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
87 of 152 (57%) 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 69%, 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.
What kind of organizations it funds
By the activity category the IRS assigns each recipient, for the 259 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 | 69 | $1,050,000 | $10,000 |
| 2022 | 61 | $1,000,000 | $10,000 |
| 2023 | 70 | $1,000,000 | $10,000 |
| 2024 | 76 | $1,000,000 | $10,000 |
| 2025 | 75 | $1,000,000 | $10,000 |
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
31% of its giving went to organizations in Massachusetts. If your organization is based elsewhere, look in the recipient list for grants to your area before writing.
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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: they do not show that any of these funders would consider a new organization. Each page says what its filings show.
How to approach this foundation
- Check you are its size. The median grant is $10,000. A request many times that size asks for something it has rarely or never given.
- Check you are in its geography. Its giving is concentrated in Massachusetts.
- Read the recipient list above for organizations like yours. If nothing on it resembles your work, that is a real answer, and a cheap one to get.
- Look up the current filing before writing. The 990-PF names the foundation's officers and, where one exists, its application procedure. We link it below.
Related guides
Where these numbers come from
Everything above is taken from Gratis 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: 926 Douglass Drive, Mclean, VA, 22101. This is the address the foundation gave the IRS; many small foundations file through an accountant or a bank trust department, so it may not be where post to a programme officer should go.
EIN 26-3639918 · See the original filings on ProPublica · How we build this
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