Pemberton Family Foundation Inc.

## Approach Strategy

The Pemberton Family Foundation is a small, family-governed private foundation based in Osterville, Massachusetts. Led by President Robert A. Pemberton and directors Robert C. Pemberton, Julie Pemberton, and Brian Pemberton — all volunteering without compensation — this is a values-driven family philanthropy with deep roots in Cape Cod. Assistant Clerk Edward Tarlow rounds out the governance team.

The foundation operates with a discretionary, relationship-based grantmaking model. There is no public RFP or open application process evident from its filing history. All grants are listed as "GENERAL" purpose, suggesting unrestricted support to organizations the family knows and trusts. This pattern is common among small family foundations where giving is personal and directed to causes the founders care about.

Key strategic insight: Applicants cannot cold-apply through a website (the domain is no longer active). The highest-leverage approach is a warm introduction through existing grantees, Cape Cod nonprofit networks, or the Osterville/Martha's Vineyard community. Organizations like Cape Cod Academy, Independence House, or the Boston Athenaeum may be able to make introductions.

## Funding Patterns

Grant size range: $500 to $50,000 per grant. Median grant is $5,000; average is approximately $9,382.

Annual giving totals (IRS 990-PF data): - FY 2023: ~$165,658 total giving (grants paid: $156,000) - FY 2022: ~$179,780 total giving (grants paid: $171,000) - FY 2021: ~$325,654 total giving (grants paid: $319,000) - FY 2020: ~$293,110 total giving (grants paid: $274,000)

Total assets (most recent): ~$2.27 million (FY 2024)

Concentration of giving: Approximately 80-85% of grants go to Massachusetts-based organizations, with strong concentration on Cape Cod (Osterville, Barnstable County) and the Boston metro area. A small number of grants go out-of-state, most notably to SENS Research Foundation (CA, longevity research) and Friends of the Betsie Valley Trail (MI), indicating the family has personal ties to those causes.

Largest recurring grants (FY 2022-2024): 1. Cure Alzheimer's Fund (MA): $25,000-$40,000/year — top single recipient 2. MGH Pancreatic Cancer Research / Dr. Warshaw (MA): $25,000-$50,000/year 3. Osterville Village Library (MA): $10,000-$20,000/year 4. Cape Cod Academy (MA): $20,000-$30,000/year 5. Community Servings (MA): $15,000-$30,000/year

Focus area breakdown (observed from grant history): - Healthcare and biomedical research: ~35-40% of annual giving - Education (K-12 and higher ed): ~20-25% - Social services (food, housing, domestic violence): ~15% - Arts, culture, and historical preservation: ~10-15% - Community/civic organizations: ~5-10%

## Peer Comparison

Pemberton Family Foundation is a small single-family foundation typical of Cape Cod's philanthropic ecosystem. With ~$2.3M in assets and ~$160K-$320K in annual grants, it sits in the bottom quartile of Massachusetts private foundations by asset size, but gives generously relative to its assets (payout rate typically 7-14%, well above the 5% legal minimum).

Comparable Cape Cod / Massachusetts family foundations: - Osterville Historical Society donors: Multiple small Cape Cod foundations support local history preservation, with similar $1,000-$10,000 gift sizes. - SENS Research and longevity-focused funders: The Pemberton family's multi-year commitment to SENS Research ($1,000/year) places them in a niche group of individual and family foundations supporting longevity science at the grassroots level. - Cure Alzheimer's Fund supporters: Pemberton is one of many Massachusetts families funding this Wellesley-based organization; their giving ($40,000 in FY 2024) is notably large for a $2M-asset foundation.

What distinguishes Pemberton: - Unusually consistent multi-year relationships with grantees (same organizations appear across 4+ years) - Zero officer compensation — all directors are volunteers - Modest administrative overhead (accounting: $7,000-$7,700/year; no other paid staff) - The foundation appears to be stabilizing after asset fluctuations — assets declined from $2.3M (FY 2020) to $1.7M (FY 2022-2023) before recovering to $2.27M in FY 2024, driven by investment gains

## Recent Activity

FY 2024 (most recent available grants): Total of 16 grants made, ranging from $1,000 to $40,000. Notable recipients include: - Cure Alzheimer's Fund: $40,000 (increased from $25,000 in prior years — largest single grant in recent history) - Osterville Village Library: $20,000 - Cape Cod Academy: $20,000 - Cape Cod Hospital: $15,000 - Community Servings: $15,000 - Cape Cod Child and Family Services: $10,000 - Nashoba Learning Group: $10,000 (new recipient in 2024) - Boston Athenaeum: $10,000 - Independence House: $5,000 - MV Community Services: $5,000

The notable increase in the Cure Alzheimer's Fund grant ($40K in 2024 vs. $25K in 2023) suggests deepening commitment to dementia research. The Nashoba Learning Group (autism and special needs education in Littleton, MA) was a new 2024 addition, suggesting expanded interest in neurodevelopmental and special needs education.

Website status: The foundation's domain (pembertonfamily.org) no longer resolves as of March 2026. This suggests the foundation has wound down its web presence or the domain lapsed. The foundation continues to file 990-PFs (most recent data: FY 2024).

## Application Tips

1. Direct outreach only — no public application portal. The foundation does not maintain a working website or open application process. All grantmaking appears to be at the board's discretion. Do not attempt to submit through a web form.

2. Leverage the Cape Cod nonprofit network. If your organization is based on Cape Cod or serves the Cape Cod region, seek an introduction through organizations the Pemberton family already funds: Osterville Village Library, Cape Cod Academy, Independence House, or Cape Cod Child and Family Services. These organizations can provide credible warm referrals.

3. Target alignment with their core causes. The strongest fit areas, based on multi-year giving patterns: - Alzheimer's disease and dementia research - Cancer research (particularly MGH-affiliated pancreatic/gastrointestinal oncology) - Children with special needs and neurodevelopmental education (Nashoba Learning Group, NE Center for Children) - Local Osterville and Cape Cod community organizations - Historical preservation in New England

4. Keep initial asks modest. First-time grants tend to be in the $1,000-$5,000 range. The large gifts ($15,000-$40,000) go to organizations with multi-year relationships. Budget your initial ask at $5,000 or less and plan to build a multi-year relationship.

5. Align with the family's geographic ties. Beyond Cape Cod, the family appears to have personal ties to Martha's Vineyard (St. Andrews Church Edgartown, MV Community Services) and Michigan (Friends of the Betsie Valley Trail). Organizations in these geographies may have an advantage.

6. Be patient and relationship-driven. Nearly every current grantee has appeared in IRS filings for 3 or more consecutive years. This is a loyalty-based philanthropy. Initial contact should establish a genuine relationship, not just request funds. Contact: (508) 420-5405.