The William & Lia G Poorvu Family Foundation
Preselected recipients only
The William & Lia G Poorvu Family Foundation is a private foundation in Cambridge, Massachusetts. In tax year 2024 it gave $10.1 million in 119 grants; the typical grant was $20,000 and the largest $2.5 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$10.1 million
- Number of grants119
- Typical grant$20,000
- Largest grant$2.5 million
- Assets$137 million
- New grantees14%
Giving in 2024 was up from $8.8 million the year before.
14% of its 2024 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 | $8.8 million | 109 | $133 million |
| 2024 | $10.1 million | 119 | $137 million |
How to apply
The William & Lia G Poorvu 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.
What The William & Lia G Poorvu Family Foundation funds
Where it gives
Its grants went to recipients in 9 states, the most to Massachusetts.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | 91 | $5.6 million |
| Connecticut | 3 | $2.5 million |
| District of Columbia | 7 | $1.2 million |
| New York | 9 | $580,000 |
| California | 3 | $65,000 |
| Virginia | 3 | $55,000 |
| Maryland | 1 | $25,000 |
| New Jersey | 1 | $10,000 |
| Vermont | 1 | $10,000 |
Grants paid in 2024
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Yale University | Endowment and operating support | $2.5 million |
| Ecoamerica | Program support | $1.1 million |
| Dana-Farber Cancer Institute | Program support | $1.0 million |
| Wbur | Program support | $600,000 |
| Brigham & Women's Hospital | Program and operating support | $510,000 |
| Harvard University | Shorenstein ctr on media, politics & public policy | $500,000 |
| Gilder Lehrman Institute | Program and operating support | $350,000 |
| Wellesley College | Program and operating support | $260,000 |
| Harvard University | Graduate school of design | $250,000 |
| American Academy of Arts and Sciences | Program support | $200,000 |
| Broad Institute | Program support | $200,000 |
| Combined Jewish Philanthropies | Program support | $150,000 |
| Adolescent Consultation Services | Endowment - program and operating support | $100,000 |
| Bard College - Fisher Center | Fisher center | $100,000 |
| Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum | Program support | $100,000 |
| Summer Search Boston | Operating support | $100,000 |
| Boston Baroque | Operating support | $75,000 |
| Arnold Arboretum (Harvard) | Program support | $50,000 |
| Boston Area Gleaners | Operating support | $50,000 |
| Cradles to Crayons | Program and operating support | $50,000 |
| Facing History and Ourselves | Operating support | $50,000 |
| Familyaid Boston | Operating support | $50,000 |
| Food for Free | Operating support | $50,000 |
| Lovin' Spoonfulls | Operating support | $50,000 |
| Massachusetts Historical Society | Program and operating support | $50,000 |
| Massachusetts Humanities | Operating support | $50,000 |
| Phillips Academy Andover | Scholarship fund | $50,000 |
| Project Bread - the Walk for Hunger | Operating support | $50,000 |
| Tsne Missionworks - Integrity Initiatives International | Intergrity initiatives international | $50,000 |
| West Chop Community Fund Inc | Operating support | $50,000 |
| WGBH Educational Foundation | Project, program, and operating support | $50,000 |
| Boston Camerata | Operating support | $45,000 |
| Bard College - Longy School of Music | Longy school of music | $40,000 |
| Metropolitan Opera Association | Program support | $30,000 |
| 2LIFE Communities Services | Operating support | $25,000 |
| Accelerate Change Inc | Operating support | $25,000 |
| ACLU Foundation of Ma | Operating support | $25,000 |
| American Independent Foundation | Operating support | $25,000 |
| American Jewish Committee | Transatlantic institute | $25,000 |
| Boston Landmarks Orchestra | Operating support | $25,000 |
Officers and trustees
- Lia G Poorvu
- William J Poorvu
Questions people ask
Does The William & Lia G Poorvu Family Foundation accept grant applications?
No. Its IRS filing says it only makes contributions to preselected organizations.
How much does The William & Lia G Poorvu Family Foundation give?
$10.1 million in tax year 2024, across 119 grants, with a typical grant of $20,000.
Who runs The William & Lia G Poorvu Family Foundation?
Its 2024 filing lists Lia G Poorvu (Trustee) and William J Poorvu (Trustee).
What does The William & Lia G Poorvu Family Foundation fund?
Based on its grants, mainly education, health and arts and culture.