Popplestone Foundation
Preselected recipients only
Popplestone Foundation is a private foundation in Boston, Massachusetts. In tax year 2024 it gave $51.3 million in 24 grants; the typical grant was $737,500 and the largest $10.0 million. It only gives to organizations it selects itself and does not accept unsolicited applications.
From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2024.
- Grants paid, 2024$51.3 million
- Number of grants24
- Typical grant$737,500
- Largest grant$10.0 million
- Assets$18.5 million
- New grantees38%
Giving in 2024 was down from $145 million the year before.
38% of its 2024 grantees had not received a grant from it the year before, a mix of repeat and new grantees.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Number of grants | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $145 million | 53 | $62.8 million |
| 2024 | $51.3 million | 24 | $18.5 million |
How to apply
Popplestone 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 Popplestone Foundation funds
Where it gives
Its grants went to recipients in 5 states, the most to New York.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| New York | 8 | $24.0 million |
| District of Columbia | 8 | $23.3 million |
| Massachusetts | 6 | $3.5 million |
| Connecticut | 1 | $300,000 |
| Ohio | 1 | $150,000 |
Grants paid in 2024
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Protect Democracy Project | Democracy & civic engagement - general operating support, safebuarding elections & legal accountability for 03/15/2024-03/15/2026 | $10.0 million |
| William J Brennan Jr Center for Justice Inc | Democracy & civic engagement - advance projects focusing on state & federal courts and constitutions | $10.0 million |
| States United Democracy Center Inc | Democracy & civic engagement - general operating support, safebuarding elections & legal accountability for 03/15/2024-03/15/2026 | $5.0 million |
| Campaign Legal Center | Democracy & civic engagement - combating election sabotage | $3.3 million |
| Parentcorps | Early childhood development - general operating support, expansion of pre-k for all for 03/15/2024-08/14/2026 | $3.0 million |
| Young People's Chorus of New York City | Music education - general support, serving ages 8-18 in various choruses for 03/15/2024-09/15/2027 | $3.0 million |
| Pro Publica | Democracy & civic engagement - general operating support, five-year plan - investigative reporting for 03/15/2024-03/05/2029 | $2.5 million |
| SD Foundation FBO Voting Rights Lab | Democracy & civic engagement - general operating support, supporting general election officials in 2024 election for 03/13/2024-03/31/2025 | $2.5 million |
| The Reading League Inc | Early childhood development - general operating support, further the science of reading movement for 03/15/2024-03/15/2026 | $2.5 million |
| Harmony Program | Music education - project support for development of a comprehensive youth orchestra system nyc for 03/25/2024-07/14/2026 | $2.0 million |
| Tides Foundation FBO Movement Voter Fund | Democracy & civic engagement - movement voter fund: expanding democracy through civic engagement | $1.5 million |
| American Journalism Project | Democracy & civic engagement - general operations | $825,000 |
| Fair Elections Center | Democracy & civic engagement - campus vote project | $650,000 |
| New Venture Fund FBO Media Democracy Fund | Democracy & civic engagement - support media democracy fund's disinformation defense league | $600,000 |
| Edvestors Inc | Music education - support music program of boston public schools arts expansion | $550,000 |
| Generation Citizen | Democracy & civic engagement - hands-on civics education | $500,000 |
| New England Conservatory of Music | Music education - support nec preparatory division's early childhood education pilot project | $500,000 |
| Open Secrets | Democracy & civic engagement - support for "up for debate: issues, controversies & money" | $500,000 |
| Parentchild Inc | Early childhood development - expansion of existing sites & new sites | $500,000 |
| Boston Debate League | Democracy & civic engagement - support "advancing achievement & impact" | $325,000 |
| Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center Inc | Democracy & civic engagement - support "delivering on equity collective" | $325,000 |
| Cambridge Public Schools | Music education - music department initiatives - kodaly program & music academic year 2023-2024 | $303,754 |
| Keys Music | Music education - general support providing free music education for voice & instruments K-12 in public schools | $300,000 |
| Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund | Other philanthropic endeavors | $150,000 |
Officers and trustees
- Suzanne E Werber Dworsky Deceased
- Sally L Rubin
Questions people ask
Does Popplestone Foundation accept grant applications?
No. Its IRS filing says it only makes contributions to preselected organizations.
How much does Popplestone Foundation give?
$51.3 million in tax year 2024, across 24 grants, with a typical grant of $737,500.
Who runs Popplestone Foundation?
Its 2024 filing lists Suzanne E Werber Dworsky Deceased (Trustee) and Sally L Rubin (Trustee).
What does Popplestone Foundation fund?
Based on its grants, mainly community development, education and arts and culture.