The 1156 Foundation
Preselected recipients only
The 1156 Foundation is a private foundation in Concord, Massachusetts. In tax year 2025 it gave $585,687 in 27 grants; the typical grant was $5,000 and the largest $250,000. 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$585,687
- Number of grants27
- Typical grant$5,000
- Largest grant$250,000
- Assets$4.9 million
- New grantees100%
Giving in 2025 was up from $420,000 the year before.
100% 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 | $357,079 | 1 | $4.4 million |
| 2024 | $420,000 | 1 | $4.9 million |
| 2025 | $585,687 | 27 | $4.9 million |
How to apply
The 1156 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 The 1156 Foundation funds
Where it gives
Its grants went to recipients in 4 states, the most to Massachusetts.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | 24 | $329,687 |
| New York | 1 | $250,000 |
| New Hampshire | 1 | $5,000 |
| District of Columbia | 1 | $1,000 |
Grants paid in 2025
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| The Bridge Project | The bridge project works to reduce childhood poverty by providing unconditional cash support to new mothers, ensuring every baby has a fair start in life | $250,000 |
| Beacon Academy | Beacon academy closes the opportunity gap for a group of greater bostons determined and inquisitive students. Through education and advocacy, our community supports students as they develop and embrace their identities and build lives of agency and impact. | $155,000 |
| Boston Public Library | The boston public library fund supports innovation that empowers bostons communities, advances social and economic equity, and protects democratic values. It ensures the preservation and accessibility of the librarys spaces and collections while creating new ways for people to explore ideas, passions, and their shared future. | $25,000 |
| Chatham Orpheum Theater | The non-profit chatham orpheum theater serves as a vibrant cinema, and cultural asset to the cape cod community by providing education, inspiration, and entertainment through diverse, and unique programming. | $25,000 |
| Cape Code Fishermen's Alliance | To maintain a sustainable, small-boat, local fishing fleet by providing economic support, opportunities to create better public policies, and advocacy to protect and restore the ocean environment and fishing stocks. | $20,000 |
| Stage Harbor Sailing School Inc | To encourage and promote the sport of sailing. | $15,917 |
| Boston Public Library | The boston public library fund supports innovation that empowers bostons communities, advances social and economic equity, and protects democratic values. It ensures the preservation and accessibility of the librarys spaces and collections while creating new ways for people to explore ideas, passions, and their shared future. | $10,000 |
| Cape Code Fishermen's Alliance | To maintain a sustainable, small-boat, local fishing fleet by providing economic support, opportunities to create better public policies, and advocacy to protect and restore the ocean environment and fishing stocks. | $10,000 |
| The Park School | The park school is dedicated to academic excellence while nurturing each childs intellectual, physical, and moral growth in a supportive, engaging environment. Committed to diversity and community, the school values respect, multiple perspectives, and the dignity of every student, family member, and educator. | $10,000 |
| United South End Settlements | Uses builds a community that fosters childrens growth, inspires new possibilities, and provides the tools to create positive change. | $10,000 |
| United South End Settlements | Uses builds a community that fosters childrens growth, inspires new possibilities, and provides the tools to create positive change. | $10,000 |
| Boston Ballet | Boston ballet believes in the transformative power of dance to connect people, reflect the human experience, and inspire positive change. Committed to inclusion and equity, it strives to break down barriers and share the art of dance more widely as a force for a stronger, more connected community | $5,000 |
| Boston Foundation | The boston foundation builds and sustains a thriving greater boston by advancing justice and opportunity through strategic grantmaking, impactdriven partnerships, and serving as a civic hub for shared ideas and solutions. | $5,000 |
| Museum of Fine Arts | The museum preserves outstanding art collections and serves diverse audiences by providing highquality exhibitions, programs, and scholarship that deepen understanding of art across cultures and time. | $5,000 |
| Revels Inc | Revels unites people of all ages and backgrounds through vibrant musical and theatrical celebrations of cultural and seasonal traditions from around the world. By engaging audiences, volunteers, and local communities, revels fosters artistic excellence, cultural appreciation, and a shared sense of joy and connection. | $5,000 |
| Smith College | Smith college educates women of promise for lives of distinction and purpose. A college of and for the world, smith links the power of the liberal arts to excellence in research and scholarship, thereby developing engaged global citizens and leaders to address societys challenges. | $5,000 |
| United South End Settlements | Uses builds a community that fosters childrens growth, inspires new possibilities, and provides the tools to create positive change. | $5,000 |
| Upper Saco Valley Land Trust | The organization works with local landowners to permanently protect natural land and waters that define its community and enrich the quality of life by purchasing, managing, negotiating and developing conservations easements in the upper saco valley region of northern new hampshire and western maine. | $5,000 |
| Pan Mass Challenge | The pan-massachusetts challenge raises funds for lifesaving cancer care and research at danafarber cancer institute through the jimmy fund, centered around a statewide bikeathon. Since 1980, it has united cyclists, volunteers, sponsors, and donors to support research efforts aimed at finding cures for all cancers. | $2,270 |
| Concord Carlisle Foundation | To engage our community to help neighbors in need. | $1,000 |
| Individual | $1,000 | |
| Proprietors of the Boston Athenaeum | The boston atheneum seeks to engage lifelong learners by providing access to its library collections and spaces that inspire reflection, dialogue, creativity, and enjoyment. It aims to foster meaningful conversations, build a diverse and active community, and preserve dynamic collections for research and pleasure. | $1,000 |
| Save the Haborsave the Bay | Save the harbor is committed to making boston harbor, the islands, our beaches, and our programs inclusive, equitable, diverse, and accessible for everyone and anyone. | $1,000 |
| Vinfen | Vinfen is a nonprofit organization providing communitybased services for individuals with mental health conditions, developmental and intellectual disabilities, brain injuries, autism, and behavioral health challenges. Its mission is to promote recovery, resilience, selfdetermination, and meaningful lives for the people it serves. | $1,000 |
| Wbur | Wbur is bostons npr, delivering highquality journalism and engaging experiences across multiple platforms to inform, connect, and build community around the most important issues of our time. | $1,000 |
| WGBH | Wgbh enriches people's lives through programs and services that educate, inspire, and entertain, fostering citizenship and culture, the joy of learning, and the power of diverse perspectives. | $1,000 |
| Eldredge Public Library | To provide library services in the town of chatham massachusetts | $500 |
Officers and trustees
- Amelia L McCarthy
Questions people ask
Does The 1156 Foundation accept grant applications?
No. Its IRS filing says it only makes contributions to preselected organizations.
How much does The 1156 Foundation give?
$585,687 in tax year 2025, across 27 grants, with a typical grant of $5,000.
Who runs The 1156 Foundation?
Its 2025 filing lists Amelia L McCarthy (Trustee).
What does The 1156 Foundation fund?
Based on its grants, mainly education, human services and arts and culture.