Kenwood Foundation
Preselected recipients only
Kenwood Foundation is a private foundation in Boston, Massachusetts. In tax year 2025 it gave $619,817 in 83 grants; the typical grant was $650 and the largest $260,967. 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$619,817
- Number of grants83
- Typical grant$650
- Largest grant$260,967
- Assets$801,577
- New grantees11%
Giving in 2025 was up from $300,250 the year before.
11% 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 | $154,450 | 78 | $502,440 |
| 2024 | $300,250 | 85 | $922,800 |
| 2025 | $619,817 | 83 | $801,577 |
How to apply
Kenwood 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.
What Kenwood Foundation funds
Where it gives
Its grants went to recipients in 16 states, the most to Massachusetts.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | 53 | $582,967 |
| North Carolina | 1 | $10,000 |
| Virginia | 4 | $8,000 |
| New York | 8 | $6,750 |
| District of Columbia | 3 | $2,500 |
| Maryland | 2 | $1,500 |
| Rhode Island | 2 | $1,500 |
| Georgia | 1 | $1,000 |
| Minnesota | 1 | $1,000 |
| New Hampshire | 1 | $1,000 |
Grants paid in 2025
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Family Health Project | Unrestricted fund | $260,967 |
| MGH Institute of Health Professionals | Unrestricted for general | $142,000 |
| McLean Hospital | Unrestricted for general | $125,000 |
| Native Plant Trust | Unrestricted for general | $12,500 |
| Meals on Wheels - NC | Unrestricted for general | $10,000 |
| NAACP | Unrestricted for general | $5,000 |
| PBS Foundation | Unrestricted for general | $5,000 |
| Friends of Boston Homeless Inc | Unrestricted for general | $2,500 |
| American Red Cross of Mass | Unrestricted for general | $2,000 |
| Trustees of Reservations | Unrestricted for general | $2,000 |
| Essex County Community Foundation | Unrestricted for general | $2,000 |
| Planned Parenthood Federation of America | Unrestricted for general | $2,000 |
| Doctors Without Borders | Unrestricted for general | $1,500 |
| Horizons for Homeless Children | Unrestricted | $1,500 |
| Riverkeeper | Unrestricted for general | $1,500 |
| Woodwell Climate Research Center | Unrestricted for general | $1,250 |
| Animal Rescue League of BOSTON | Unrestricted for general | $1,000 |
| Beverly Bootstraps Food Pantry Inc | Unrestricted for general | $1,000 |
| Care USA | Unrestricted for general | $1,000 |
| CASPAR Inc | Unrestricted for general | $1,000 |
| Children's Cancer Research Fund | Unrestricted for general | $1,000 |
| Children Incorporated | Unrestricted for general | $1,000 |
| Christian Children's Fund | Unrestricted for general | $1,000 |
| Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation | Unrestricted for general | $1,000 |
| Coalition for Buzzards Bay | Unrestricted for general | $1,000 |
| Conservation Law Foundation | Unrestricted for general | $1,000 |
| Environmental Defense Fund | Unrestricted for general | $1,000 |
| Epilepsy Foundation | Unrestricted for general | $1,000 |
| Essex County Greenbelt | Unrestricted for general | $1,000 |
| Home for Little Wanderers | Unrestricted for general | $1,000 |
| Leukemia & Lymphoma Society | Unrestricted for general | $1,000 |
| Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Cen | Unrestricted for general | $1,000 |
| Plan International USA | Unrestricted for general | $1,000 |
| Salvation Army | Unrestricted for general | $1,000 |
| United Way of Massachusetts Bay | Unrestricted for general | $1,000 |
| US Fund for UNICEF | Unrestricted for general | $1,000 |
| Veterans of Foreign Wars of the US | Unrestricted for general | $1,000 |
| WBGH Educational Foundation | Unrestricted for general | $1,000 |
| Proctor Academy | Unrestricted for general | $1,000 |
| Partnership With Native Americans | Unrestricted for general | $1,000 |
Officers and trustees
- John H Knowles Jr
- Edith K Williams
- Thomas M Williams
- Jean Knowles Hedlund
- James T Knowles
- Robert M Knowles
- Theodore E Ober
Questions people ask
Does Kenwood Foundation accept grant applications?
No. Its IRS filing says it only makes contributions to preselected organizations.
How much does Kenwood Foundation give?
$619,817 in tax year 2025, across 83 grants, with a typical grant of $650.
Who runs Kenwood Foundation?
Its 2025 filing lists John H Knowles Jr (Trustee), Edith K Williams (Trustee), Thomas M Williams (Trustee) and Jean Knowles Hedlund (Trustee) among 7 officers and trustees.
What does Kenwood Foundation fund?
Based on its grants, mainly health, food and hunger and education.