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Also known as: F/K/A EASTERN BANK CHARITABLE FOUNDATION
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Supports 501(c)(3) organizations with annual support, project and program support, and event sponsorships. These donations are used for various purposes including galas, golf tournaments, and other events, as well as purchase of equipment or supplies.
Focused on organizations that do not have a 501(c)(3) designation. Donations support local youth-related activities, chamber of commerce events, fundraisers, and neighborhood improvement efforts.
Strategic investments supporting organizations that advance economic inclusion and mobility. This program prioritizes systems-level change, innovation, and measurable outcomes in specific strategy areas.
Eastern Bank Charitable Foundation is a private trust based in LYNN, MA. The foundation received its IRS ruling in 1995. The principal officer is Eastern Bank Foundation. It holds total assets of $249.7M. Annual income is reported at $44.6M. Total assets have grown from $52.9M in 2011 to $224.9M in 2023. The foundation is governed by 7 officers and trustees. Tax records are available from 2020 to 2023. Grantmaking is concentrated in Massachusetts. According to available records, Eastern Bank Charitable Foundation has made 3,902 grants totaling $42.1M, with a median grant of $2K. Annual giving has decreased from $15.7M in 2021 to $12M in 2023. Individual grants have ranged from N/A to $1.6M, with an average award of $11K. The foundation has supported 2,741 unique organizations. The foundation primarily supports organizations in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, which account for 91% of all grants. Grantmaking reaches organizations across 42 states. Contributions to this foundation are tax-deductible.
The Eastern Bank Charitable Foundation operates as a bank-affiliated foundation with a distinctive systems-change approach, combining philanthropy, volunteerism, and advocacy to address root causes of inequality. For over 30 years, the foundation has invested in organizations across Eastern Bank's market area with a core strategic focus on Economic Inclusion and Mobility. Their approach is organized around four strategy areas: Advancing Equity in the Small Business Ecosystem, Enriching Early Childhood Development (ages 0-5), Securing Safe and Affordable Housing, and Promoting Workforce Development. The foundation differentiates itself from traditional bank community giving by explicitly centering social justice and systems change rather than transactional community sponsorships. They fund organizations of all sizes, including a unique Neighborhood Donations program for organizations without 501(c)(3) status, reflecting their commitment to grassroots community capacity building.
The Eastern Bank Charitable Foundation distributed approximately $14.7 million in grants in 2024 across multiple grant types. Community Donations range from $1,000 to $10,000 for 501(c)(3) organizations, while Neighborhood Donations provide $100 to $1,000 for organizations without tax-exempt status. Impact Grants represent larger strategic investments aligned with the foundation's Economic Inclusion and Mobility priorities. The foundation operates on a rolling basis with no set deadlines, and decisions are typically made within 60 days. Most grants cluster around $1,000, though the range extends to $25,000 for larger community investments and occasionally higher for special initiatives (the Equality Fund received a $1 million grant). The foundation explicitly excludes private foundations, 509(a)(3) organizations, and international organizations. Their funding geography covers eastern Massachusetts, southern and coastal New Hampshire, and Rhode Island—closely tracking Eastern Bank's banking footprint.
| Metric | Eastern Bank Charitable Foundation | Citizens Charitable Foundation | Rockland Trust Charitable Foundation | Boston Foundation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assets | ~$250 million | ~$60 million | ~$25 million | ~$2 billion |
| Annual Giving | ~$14.7 million (2024) | ~$20 million | ~$3 million | ~$150 million |
| Type | Bank-affiliated foundation | Bank-affiliated foundation | Bank-affiliated foundation | Community foundation |
| Focus | Economic inclusion, small business equity, early childhood, housing, workforce dev. | Education, health, housing, financial empowerment | Education, health, human services | Broad community needs, racial equity |
| Geographic Scope | Eastern MA, southern NH, RI | New England + mid-Atlantic | Eastern MA, RI | Greater Boston |
| Application Model | Rolling, 60-day decisions | Quarterly cycles | Annual cycle | Multiple competitive programs |
| Distinctive Feature | Neighborhood Donations for non-501(c)(3) | Large-scale bank conversion funds | Tight local branch focus | Major convener and field-builder |
Among bank-affiliated foundations in New England, Eastern Bank Charitable Foundation stands out for its relatively large asset base ($250M), explicit social justice orientation, and unique Neighborhood Donations program that reaches organizations without formal tax-exempt status. The Boston Foundation operates at much larger scale as a community foundation, while peer bank foundations like Citizens and Rockland Trust have smaller but more geographically targeted programs.
In 2024-2025, the Eastern Bank Charitable Foundation has been active with several notable initiatives. The foundation awarded $14.7 million in grants in 2024, continuing its substantial investment in community organizations. A major highlight was the $1 million grant to the Equality Fund (announced May 2025), which will award $575,000 to support critical services for Greater Boston's diverse LGBTQ+ community—the Eastern Bank Foundation was one of the Equality Fund's first supporters. The foundation continued its Impact Grants program focused on Economic Inclusion and Mobility, with investments in Commonwealth Kitchen (expanding facilities for local food entrepreneurs), Children's Services of Roxbury (transforming and expanding early childhood facilities), and Father Bill's and MainSpring (housing services). The foundation also expanded its work through an announcement of broader strategic initiatives. Throughout 2024-2025, the foundation maintained its rolling application process with 60-day decision timelines.
To successfully apply to the Eastern Bank Charitable Foundation, follow these strategies: (1) Apply through the online portal at easternbank.com/about-us/eastern-bank-foundation/apply at any time—there are no deadlines. (2) Clearly demonstrate how your work advances Economic Inclusion and Mobility, specifically in one of four strategy areas: small business equity, early childhood development (ages 0-5), affordable housing, or workforce development. (3) If your organization lacks 501(c)(3) status, apply through the Neighborhood Donations program ($100-$1,000). (4) Ensure your organization serves eastern Massachusetts, southern/coastal New Hampshire, or Rhode Island—the foundation strictly follows Eastern Bank's geographic footprint. (5) Expect a 60-day decision timeline; plan accordingly. (6) Emphasize systems-change outcomes rather than one-time program delivery—the foundation prioritizes changing broken systems. (7) Organizations focused on LGBTQ+ services, racial equity, and economic justice have strong alignment with current priorities. (8) Be specific about community impact with measurable outcomes. (9) Note that private foundations, 509(a)(3) organizations, and international organizations are ineligible. (10) For larger strategic grants (Impact Grants), demonstrate how your work addresses structural barriers to economic inclusion.
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Smallest Grant
N/A
Median Grant
$3K
Average Grant
$13K
Largest Grant
$2.5M
Based on 1,724 grants from the most recent 990-PF filing.
No program descriptions are available for this foundation. Many private foundations report program activities in their annual 990-PF filings — check the Tax Filings section below for the most recent filing.
The Eastern Bank Charitable Foundation distributed approximately $14.7 million in grants in 2024 across multiple grant types. Community Donations range from $1,000 to $10,000 for 501(c)(3) organizations, while Neighborhood Donations provide $100 to $1,000 for organizations without tax-exempt status. Impact Grants represent larger strategic investments aligned with the foundation's Economic Inclusion and Mobility priorities. The foundation operates on a rolling basis with no set deadlines, and de.
Eastern Bank Charitable Foundation has distributed a total of $42.1M across 3,902 grants. The median grant size is $2K, with an average of $11K. Individual grants have ranged from N/A to $1.6M.
The Eastern Bank Charitable Foundation operates as a bank-affiliated foundation with a distinctive systems-change approach, combining philanthropy, volunteerism, and advocacy to address root causes of inequality. For over 30 years, the foundation has invested in organizations across Eastern Bank's market area with a core strategic focus on Economic Inclusion and Mobility. Their approach is organized around four strategy areas: Advancing Equity in the Small Business Ecosystem, Enriching Early Chi.
Eastern Bank Charitable Foundation is headquartered in LYNN, MA. While based in MA, the foundation distributes grants to organizations across 42 states.
| Name | Title | Compensation | Benefits | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| James Canales | TRUSTEE | $0 | $0 | N/A |
| James Rudolph | TRUSTEE | $0 | $0 | N/A |
| Robert F Rivers | TRUSTEE | $0 | $0 | N/A |
| Deborah C Jackson | TRUSTEE | $0 | $0 | N/A |
| Carol N Fulp | TRUSTEE | $0 | $0 | N/A |
| Bari A Harlam | TRUSTEE | $0 | $0 | N/A |
| Joseph T Chung | TRUSTEE | $0 | $0 | N/A |
Total Giving
$16.6M
Total Assets
$224.9M
Fair Market Value
$224.9M
Net Worth
$224.9M
Grants Paid
$12M
Contributions
N/A
Net Investment Income
$15M
Distribution Amount
$10.6M
Total: $221.6M
Total Grants
3,902
Total Giving
$42.1M
Average Grant
$11K
Median Grant
$2K
Unique Recipients
2,741
Most Common Grant
$1K
of 2023 grantees were first-time recipients
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Second StepEXEMPT PURPOSE | Newtonville, MA | $51K | 2023 |
| McciEXEMPT PURPOSE | Lawrence, MA | $1M | 2023 |
| New Commonwealth Racial Equity And Social Justice FundEXEMPT PURPOSE | Roxbury, MA | $1M | 2023 |
| The Boston FoundationEXEMPT PURPOSE | Boston, MA | $638K | 2023 |
| Children'S Services Of RoxburyEXEMPT PURPOSE | Roxbury, MA | $285K | 2023 |
| Father Bill'S & MainspringEXEMPT PURPOSE | Brockton, MA | $255K | 2023 |
| Bottom LineEXEMPT PURPOSE | Jamaica Plain, MA | $185K | 2023 |
| United Way Of Ma Bay & Merrimack ValleyEXEMPT PURPOSE | Boston, MA | $181K | 2023 |
| Neighborhood VillagesEXEMPT PURPOSE | Boston, MA | $175K | 2023 |
| Greater Boston Chamber Of Commerce FoundationEXEMPT PURPOSE | Boston, MA | $154K | 2023 |
| Small Business StrongEXEMPT PURPOSE | Boston, MA | $150K | 2023 |
| Strategies For ChildrenEXEMPT PURPOSE | Boston, MA | $150K | 2023 |
| Boston Children'S HospitalEXEMPT PURPOSE | Boston, MA | $143K | 2023 |
| Local Initiatives Support Corporation - LiscEXEMPT PURPOSE | New York, NY | $135K | 2023 |
| Black Economic Council Of Massachusetts (Becma)EXEMPT PURPOSE | Boston, MA | $135K | 2023 |
| Massachusetts Lgbt Business NetworkEXEMPT PURPOSE | Boston, MA | $125K | 2023 |
| Breaktime UnitedEXEMPT PURPOSE | Boston, MA | $125K | 2023 |
| Lgbtq Senior Housing IncEXEMPT PURPOSE | Boston, MA | $125K | 2023 |
| Associated Industries Of Massachusetts FoundationEXEMPT PURPOSE | Boston, MA | $125K | 2023 |
| St Francis HouseEXEMPT PURPOSE | Boston, MA | $105K | 2023 |
| St Mary'S Center For Women & ChildrenEXEMPT PURPOSE | Dorchester, MA | $105K | 2023 |
| Jewish Community Center Of Greater BostonEXEMPT PURPOSE | Newton, MA | $105K | 2023 |
| Boston Chinatown Neighborhood CenterEXEMPT PURPOSE | Boston, MA | $105K | 2023 |
| Neighborworks Housing SolutionsEXEMPT PURPOSE | Quincy, MA | $105K | 2023 |
| Lawrence CommunityworksEXEMPT PURPOSE | Lawrence, MA | $105K | 2023 |
| Wellspring HouseEXEMPT PURPOSE | Gloucester, MA | $103K | 2023 |
| Massachusetts Taxpayers FoundationEXEMPT PURPOSE | Boston, MA | $100K | 2023 |
| Catholic Medical CenterEXEMPT PURPOSE | Manchester, NH | $100K | 2023 |
| Naacp BostonEXEMPT PURPOSE | Boston, MA | $100K | 2023 |
| AscendusEXEMPT PURPOSE | New York, NY | $100K | 2023 |
| Building Futures - RiEXEMPT PURPOSE | Providence, RI | $100K | 2023 |
| Nurtury IncEXEMPT PURPOSE | Boston, MA | $100K | 2023 |
| Community Day Care Center Of LawrenceEXEMPT PURPOSE | Lawrence, MA | $100K | 2023 |
| John Fitzgerald Kennedy Library FoundationEXEMPT PURPOSE | Boston, MA | $100K | 2023 |
| Center For Women & Enterprise IncEXEMPT PURPOSE | Boston, MA | $90K | 2023 |
| Cambridge Health AllianceEXEMPT PURPOSE | Cambridge, MA | $87K | 2023 |
| Victory ProgramsEXEMPT PURPOSE | Jamaica Plain, MA | $85K | 2023 |
| Massachusetts Institute For A New Commonwealth (Massinc)EXEMPT PURPOSE | Boston, MA | $85K | 2023 |
| Seiu Education And Support FundEXEMPT PURPOSE | Northampton, MA | $70K | 2023 |
| Ymca Of Greater BostonEXEMPT PURPOSE | Boston, MA | $69K | 2023 |
| Housing Assistance CorporationEXEMPT PURPOSE | Hyannis, MA | $65K | 2023 |
| Lawyers For Civil RightsEXEMPT PURPOSE | Boston, MA | $65K | 2023 |
| African Bridge NetworkEXEMPT PURPOSE | Newton, MA | $61K | 2023 |
| Yw BostonEXEMPT PURPOSE | Boston, MA | $60K | 2023 |
| Concord Coalition To End HomelessnessEXEMPT PURPOSE | Concord, NH | $51K | 2023 |
| Ymca Of Greater NashuaEXEMPT PURPOSE | Nashua, NH | $50K | 2023 |
| Ma Early Childhood Funder Collaborative - Philanthropy MassachusettsEXEMPT PURPOSE | Boston, MA | $50K | 2023 |
| First TeacherEXEMPT PURPOSE | Roxbury, MA | $50K | 2023 |
| Local Enterprise Assistance Fund IncEXEMPT PURPOSE | Boston, MA | $50K | 2023 |
| Inquilinos Boricuas En Accion - IbaEXEMPT PURPOSE | Boston, MA | $45K | 2023 |