Tern Foundation
Preselected recipients only
Tern Foundation is a private foundation in Eastham, Massachusetts. In tax year 2025 it gave $250,538 in 43 grants; the typical grant was $1,057 and the largest $60,000. 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$250,538
- Number of grants43
- Typical grant$1,057
- Largest grant$60,000
- Assets$2.3 million
- New grantees41%
Giving in 2025 was up from $231,898 the year before.
41% of its 2025 grantees had not received a grant from it the year before, a sign it is open to new organizations.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Number of grants | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $168,532 | 29 | $1.7 million |
| 2024 | $231,898 | 37 | $2.3 million |
| 2025 | $250,538 | 43 | $2.3 million |
How to apply
Tern 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 Tern Foundation funds
Where it gives
Its grants went to recipients in 4 states, the most to Massachusetts.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | 39 | $242,426 |
| New York | 2 | $6,044 |
| Maine | 1 | $1,068 |
| West Virginia | 1 | $1,000 |
Grants paid in 2025
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Heritage Museum and Gardens Inc | Ternsolar grant in support of solar array | $60,000 |
| Berkshire Botanical Gardens | Ternsolar grant in support of solar array | $45,132 |
| Asociation to Preserve Cape Cod | Ternsolar grant in support of solar array | $38,000 |
| Asociation to Preserve Cape Cod | General support | $23,000 |
| Summer of Sass | Ternsolar grant in support of solar array | $15,000 |
| Coolidge Corner Theatre Foundation | General support | $5,000 |
| Hampshire College | In support of change in the making campaign | $5,000 |
| Massachusetts Audubon Society | In support of cape cod sanctuaries/boston nature center | $5,000 |
| Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) | General support | $5,000 |
| Third Sector New Englandfuture Chefs | In support of future chefs | $3,500 |
| 909 Wbur | General support | $2,500 |
| Arts Foundation of Cape Cod | General support | $2,500 |
| Center for Coastal Studies | General support | $2,500 |
| Payomet Performing Arts Center | General support | $2,500 |
| Wcai Cape & Islands NPR Station | General support | $2,500 |
| Wellfleet Preservation Hall | General support | $2,500 |
| WGBH | General support | $2,500 |
| Truro Center for the Arts at Castle Hill Inc | General support | $2,000 |
| Wellfleet Affordable Housing Trust | General support | $2,000 |
| International Fund for Animal Welflare (Ifaw) | General support | $1,500 |
| Coastal Maine Botanical Garden | General support | $1,068 |
| Fine Arts Work Center | General support | $1,057 |
| New York Restoration Project | General support | $1,044 |
| Spontaneous Celebrations | General support | $1,044 |
| Worcester County Horticultural Society | In support of new england botanic garden | $1,040 |
| Zumix | General support | $1,033 |
| Artists for Humanity | General support | $1,030 |
| Barnstable Land Trust | General support | $1,030 |
| Orion Society | General support | $1,030 |
| Provincetown Commons | Ternsolar grant in support of solar array | $1,030 |
| Chatham Orpheum Theater | General support | $1,000 |
| Claymont Society of Continuous Education | In support of solar array | $1,000 |
| Friends of Eastham Public Library | General support | $1,000 |
| Grow Native Massachusetts | General support | $1,000 |
| Helping Our Women (How) | General support | $1,000 |
| Local Journalism Project the | General support | $1,000 |
| Lower Cape Outreach Council (Lcoc) | General support | $1,000 |
| Peaked Hill Trust | General support | $1,000 |
| Provincetown Art Association Museum (Paam) | General support | $1,000 |
| The Lily House Inc | General support | $1,000 |
Officers and trustees
- Marianne Lampke
- Elisa Linnehan
Questions people ask
Does Tern Foundation accept grant applications?
No. Its IRS filing says it only makes contributions to preselected organizations.
How much does Tern Foundation give?
$250,538 in tax year 2025, across 43 grants, with a typical grant of $1,057.
Who runs Tern Foundation?
Its 2025 filing lists Marianne Lampke (Director and President) and Elisa Linnehan (Director and Treasurer).
What does Tern Foundation fund?
Based on its grants, mainly environment and conservation, arts and culture and education.