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Jean C Tempel Charitable Foundation

Annual Giving
$1.3M
Grant Range
$3K - $0.3M

Jean C Tempel Charitable Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: ~$1,300,000 (2024)
  • Success Rate: N/A (invitation only)
  • Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
  • Grant Range: $3,000 - $345,000
  • Geographic Focus: Massachusetts and Connecticut

Contact Details

  • Address: 95 Carlton Street, Brookline, MA 02446
  • Website: None publicly available
  • Phone: Not publicly available
  • Email: Not publicly available

Overview

The Jean C Tempel Charitable Foundation is a private independent foundation established in April 1997 in Brookline, Massachusetts. Founded and funded by Jean C. Tempel, a prominent venture capitalist and managing general partner of First Light Capital, the foundation reflects her lifelong commitment to philanthropy and community engagement.

The foundation experienced significant growth in 2024, with assets rising to approximately $1.8 million and total charitable distributions of $1.3 million—a substantial increase from prior years when annual giving was in the $15,000-$50,000 range. This expansion suggests an influx of new contributions and increased grantmaking activity.

The foundation's mission supports higher education, homeless services, performing arts, healthcare, and women's causes. Its grantmaking demonstrates Jean Tempel's personal philanthropic priorities, which align with her extensive board service at institutions such as Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Connecticut College, Northeastern University, and the United Way of Massachusetts Bay.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation distributes grants across several focus areas (2024 data):

  • Healthcare/Veterans Services: Up to $345,000 (e.g., MA General Brigham/Home Base Program)
  • Homeless Services: Up to $330,000 (e.g., Camp Harbor View, Pine Street Inn)
  • Food Security: Grants to Greater Boston Food Bank
  • Higher Education: Up to $50,000+ (e.g., Connecticut College Biology Department)
  • Animal Welfare: Various amounts
  • Cultural Institutions: Various amounts

Priority Areas

  • Healthcare and medical research (particularly Boston-area hospitals)
  • Homeless services and housing
  • Food security and basic needs
  • Higher education (especially Connecticut College and science programs)
  • Veterans services
  • Women's causes
  • Performing arts

What They Don't Fund

The foundation has indicated it only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations. Based on available information:

  • Unsolicited requests for funds are not accepted
  • Organizations outside Massachusetts and Connecticut are generally not supported
  • The foundation appears to focus on established organizations with which the trustees have existing relationships

Governance and Leadership

Trustees

  • Jean C. Tempel (Founder/Trustee) - Venture capitalist, Managing General Partner of First Light Capital, Vice Chair Emerita of Northeastern University Board of Trustees, former Vice Chair of Connecticut College Board of Trustees. Recipient of honorary doctorates from both Northeastern University (2003) and Connecticut College. Born March 23, 1943, in Hartford, Connecticut. B.A. Mathematics from Connecticut College (1965), M.S. Computer Science from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (1972), Harvard Advanced Management Program (1979).

  • Peter A. Wilson (Trustee) - Jean Tempel's husband since 1980.

  • Maureen Joyce (Trustee) - Added to the board in recent years.

All trustees receive $0 compensation for their foundation work.

Jean Tempel's Board Service (indicative of foundation priorities)

  • Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (Director)
  • United Way of Massachusetts Bay (Director)
  • Massachusetts General Hospital President's Council
  • Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (Board)
  • Boston Symphony Orchestra (Overseer)
  • Commonwealth Institute (Founding Board Member)

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process.

The foundation has explicitly indicated that it "only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds." Grants are made at trustee discretion to organizations with which Jean Tempel and fellow trustees have established relationships through their extensive board service and civic engagement.

Getting on Their Radar

Given Jean Tempel's high-profile involvement in Boston's philanthropic and business communities, organizations may increase their visibility through:

  • Connecticut College connections: Jean Tempel is a major benefactor of her alma mater, having endowed professorships, financed scholarships, and funded the Tempel Summer Institute. The campus green was renamed the "Jean C. Tempel '65 Green" in her honor in 2010.
  • Northeastern University engagement: As Vice Chair Emerita and longtime trustee who chaired the Funds and Investment Committee for nine years, she maintains strong connections to the university.
  • Healthcare institutional relationships: Her board service at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and involvement with Massachusetts General Hospital suggest pathways through medical institutional networks.
  • Boston civic leadership circles: The Commonwealth Institute, United Way of Massachusetts Bay, and Boston Symphony Orchestra represent venues where her philanthropic interests intersect with community leadership.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed. The foundation operates on a December fiscal year-end.

Success Rates

Not applicable—grants are made by trustee invitation only.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable—the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications.

Application Success Factors

Since this foundation does not accept applications, "success factors" relate to how organizations become known to the trustees:

  • Alignment with Jean Tempel's personal interests: Higher education (especially science programs), homeless services, healthcare, and veterans support represent documented priorities
  • Geographic presence: Organizations operating in Massachusetts and Connecticut, particularly the Boston area, are favored
  • Institutional connections: Recipients often have connections to institutions where Jean Tempel serves or has served on boards
  • Recent 2024 grantees provide insight into current priorities:
    • MA General Brigham/Red Sox Foundation Home Base Program ($345,000) - veterans healthcare
    • Camp Harbor View ($330,000) - youth development/homeless prevention
    • Pine Street Inn ($200,000) - homeless services
    • Boston Health Care for the Homeless - healthcare access
    • Greater Boston Food Bank - food security
    • Connecticut College Biology Department ($50,000) - higher education/science

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No public application process: This foundation operates entirely through trustee discretion and preselected recipients
  • Strong personal connection required: Grants reflect Jean Tempel's personal board service, educational background, and community involvement
  • Significant 2024 expansion: The foundation's grantmaking increased dramatically in 2024, suggesting potential for continued growth
  • Focus areas are clear: Healthcare, homeless services, higher education (especially science), veterans, and food security
  • Geographic limitation: Massachusetts and Connecticut are the primary areas of support
  • Board relationships matter: Organizations connected to Dana-Farber, MGH, Connecticut College, Northeastern University, or Boston civic institutions may have natural pathways to visibility
  • Small foundation, personal giving: With only three trustees and no staff, this represents personal philanthropy rather than institutional grantmaking

References

Accessed December 2025

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