The Josetta Fund

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: $4.8 million - $5.1 million
Success Rate: Not applicable (no public application process)
Decision Time: Unknown (invitation only)
Grant Range: $2,500 - $380,000
Average Grant: ~$63,000 - $65,000
Median Grant: $30,000
Geographic Focus: Primarily Massachusetts, Maine, and New York; grants made across 26 states

Contact Details

Address: McCarter English, 265 Franklin St, Boston, MA 02110
Phone: (617) 733-1353
Website: None publicly available
Email: Not publicly available

Overview

The Josetta Fund is a private family foundation established in 1996 in Massachusetts and granted tax-exempt status in January 1997. The foundation holds approximately $27-34 million in total assets and distributes $4.8-5.3 million annually through approximately 75-81 grants. The fund is managed by three trustees and operates without paid staff, reflecting its private family foundation structure.

The foundation is connected to the prominent Gerry family through trustee Martha Rice Gerry Townley, whose mother Martha F. Gerry (1918-2007) was a renowned thoroughbred racehorse owner and breeder, recognized as an Exemplar of Racing by the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame. Martha F. Gerry was among the first women admitted to The Jockey Club in 1983.

The Josetta Fund does not accept unsolicited grant applications, instead selecting beneficiary organizations through trustee discretion.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation makes grants across several distinct program areas:

Religious and Spiritual Organizations: 32 grants in 2024, representing the largest funding category
Animal Rescue and Care: Multiple organizations including NBRAN ($380,000), Miracle German Shepherd Dog Rescue of Maine ($225,000)
Humanitarian Aid/Relief: Samaritan's Purse ($325,000), Jezreel International ($200,000)
Pregnancy Counseling Services: Alpha Pregnancy Care Center ($222,129)
Food Banks and Hunger Relief: Various food bank organizations
Education: Including religious and spiritual education programs
Libraries and Literacy: Free library programs

Priority Areas

Based on grant patterns, the foundation prioritizes:

Evangelical Christian and faith-based organizations
Animal rescue and welfare (particularly dog rescue)
Pro-life pregnancy resource centers
International humanitarian relief
Food security and hunger relief
Religious education

What They Don't Fund

Organizations without pre-existing relationships with the trustees
Unsolicited requests for funding
General operating support appears limited based on grant patterns favoring specific programmatic support

Governance and Leadership

Trustees:

Martha R. Gerry Townley - Trustee
F. Bradford Townley - Trustee
Mark A. Nowak - Trustee (dedicates approximately 10 hours per week)

Mark A. Nowak is an attorney at McCarter & English, LLP, whose practice focuses on strategic estate and tax planning, estate and trust administration, the operation of nonprofit organizations, and business succession planning. His role as both trustee and fiduciary at McCarter English (the foundation's registered address) suggests he manages the foundation's legal and administrative affairs.

All trustees serve without compensation.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process.

The foundation has explicitly indicated it "only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds." All grant decisions are made at trustee discretion based on pre-existing relationships and the foundation's priorities.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed. As an invitation-only funder, timing is determined entirely by trustee decisions.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable, as there is no formal application process.

Application Success Factors

Given the foundation's closed application process, prospective grantees should understand:

Alignment with Trustee Interests:

The foundation demonstrates strong support for evangelical Christian causes and organizations aligned with Samaritan's Purse (Franklin Graham's humanitarian organization)
Animal rescue, particularly dog rescue organizations, receive significant funding
Pro-life pregnancy resource centers are funded
International humanitarian relief with Christian mission orientation

Organizational Characteristics of Funded Organizations:

Many grantees appear to be faith-based organizations
Regional organizations in Massachusetts, Maine, and New York receive attention
Organizations with clear programmatic activities rather than pure advocacy

Grant Size Patterns:

Grants range from $2,500 to $380,000
Median grant of $30,000 suggests mid-sized grants are most common
Top grantees receive $200,000-$380,000, indicating capacity for significant multi-year or major project support

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

No public application process exists - the foundation only funds preselected organizations chosen by trustees
Strong faith-based orientation - evangelical Christian organizations and those aligned with conservative religious values receive substantial support
Animal welfare is a major priority - particularly dog rescue organizations
Geographic concentration in Massachusetts, Maine, and New York, though grants span 26 states
Connected to McCarter English law firm - the foundation operates from this address and trustee Mark Nowak practices there
Family foundation structure means personal relationships with trustees are essential for consideration
Consistent giving pattern of $4.8-5.1 million annually across 75-81 grants demonstrates stable, predictable philanthropy

References

Research conducted December 2025