Carl & Ruth Shapiro Family Foundation
Preselected recipients only
Carl & Ruth Shapiro Family Foundation is a private foundation in Wellesley, Massachusetts. In tax year 2025 it gave $3.1 million in 91 grants; the typical grant was $20,000 and the largest $870,000. It only gives to organizations it selects itself and does not accept unsolicited applications.
From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2025.
- Grants paid, 2025$3.1 million
- Number of grants91
- Typical grant$20,000
- Largest grant$870,000
- Assets$38.7 million
- New grantees14%
Giving in 2025 was up from $2.9 million the year before.
14% of its 2025 grantees had not received a grant from it the year before, so most of its money goes to organizations it already funds.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Number of grants | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $2.7 million | 85 | $35.2 million |
| 2024 | $2.9 million | 93 | $36.8 million |
| 2025 | $3.1 million | 91 | $38.7 million |
How to apply
Carl & Ruth Shapiro Family Foundation says in its IRS filing that it only makes contributions to preselected organizations, so unsolicited applications are unlikely to be considered. Organizations it funds are usually invited.
Foundation website IRS filings on ProPublica
What Carl & Ruth Shapiro Family Foundation funds
Where it gives
Its grants went to recipients in 7 states, the most to Massachusetts.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | 63 | $2.8 million |
| Florida | 9 | $126,500 |
| California | 8 | $84,250 |
| New York | 7 | $68,000 |
| Illinois | 2 | $54,250 |
| Missouri | 1 | $5,000 |
| District of Columbia | 1 | $2,500 |
Grants paid in 2025
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital | General purposes of the organization | $870,000 |
| Musuem of Fine Arts Boston | General purposes of the organization | $382,000 |
| Brimmer and May School | General purposes of the organization | $101,000 |
| Combined Jewish Philanthropies | General purposes of the organization | $100,000 |
| Huntington Theater | General purposes of the organization | $70,000 |
| Boston Symphony Orchestra Inc | General purposes of the organization | $55,000 |
| Theater Offensive Inc | General purposes of the organization | $50,000 |
| Full Spectrum Features | General purposes of the organization | $39,250 |
| Roca Inc | General purposes of the organization | $35,000 |
| Team Impact | General purposes of the organization | $35,000 |
| Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County | General purposes of the organization | $34,000 |
| Boston Community Pediatrics Inc | General purposes of the organization | $32,500 |
| Boston Debate League | General purposes of the organization | $30,000 |
| Boston Medical Center | General purposes of the organization | $30,000 |
| Cambridge Multicultural Arts Center | General purposes of the organization | $30,000 |
| MIT Media Lab | General purposes of the organization | $30,000 |
| My Life My Choice | General purposes of the organization | $30,000 |
| One Family Inc | General purposes of the organization | $30,000 |
| Perkins School for the Blind | General purposes of the organization | $30,000 |
| The Museum of Contemporary Art | General purposes of the organization | $30,000 |
| Abilities Dance | General purposes of the organization | $25,000 |
| Bikes Not Bombs | General purposes of the organization | $25,000 |
| Breast Cancer Research Foundation | General purposes of the organization | $25,000 |
| Build Boston | General purposes of the organization | $25,000 |
| English for New Bostonians Inc | General purposes of the organization | $25,000 |
| Familyaid Boston | General purposes of the organization | $25,000 |
| Found in Translation Inc | General purposes of the organization | $25,000 |
| Hopewell Inc | General purposes of the organization | $25,000 |
| Jewish Vocational Service Inc | General purposes of the organization | $25,000 |
| Massart Foundation | General purposes of the organization | $25,000 |
| Neighborhood Villages | General purposes of the organization | $25,000 |
| Partners for Youth With Disabilities Inc | General purposes of the organization | $25,000 |
| Town of Palm Beach United Way | General purposes of the organization | $25,000 |
| Accessportamerica | General purposes of the organization | $20,000 |
| Artists for Humanity | General purposes of the organization | $20,000 |
| Best Buddies International Inc | General purposes of the organization | $20,000 |
| Boston Children's Chorus | General purposes of the organization | $20,000 |
| Boston Higher Education Resource Center | General purposes of the organization | $20,000 |
| Boston Impact Initiative Fund | General purposes of the organization | $20,000 |
| Boston Music Project | General purposes of the organization | $20,000 |
Officers and trustees
- Linda S Waintrup
- Ellen S Jaffe
- Jennifer S Herman
- Jonathan M Segal
Questions people ask
Does Carl & Ruth Shapiro Family Foundation accept grant applications?
No. Its IRS filing says it only makes contributions to preselected organizations.
How much does Carl & Ruth Shapiro Family Foundation give?
$3.1 million in tax year 2025, across 91 grants, with a typical grant of $20,000.
Who runs Carl & Ruth Shapiro Family Foundation?
Its 2025 filing lists Linda S Waintrup (Secretary), Ellen S Jaffe (Trustee), Jennifer S Herman (Trustee) and Jonathan M Segal (Trustee).
What does Carl & Ruth Shapiro Family Foundation fund?
Based on its grants, mainly health, arts and culture and education.