← Back to US Funders Directory

Cecile Higginson Murphy Charitable Foundation

Annual Giving
$2.2M
Grant Range
$1K - $0.5M

Cecile Higginson Murphy Charitable Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $2,227,000 (2024)
  • Total Assets: $55,277,073 (2024)
  • Grant Range: $1,000 - $500,000
  • Number of Grants: 29 awards (2024)
  • Geographic Focus: Massachusetts (primary), with grants also made to California, Tennessee, Connecticut, New York, and other states
  • Application Process: No public application process - trustee discretion

Contact Details

  • Address: c/o Choate LLP, PO Box 961019, Boston, MA 02196-1019
  • Phone: (617) 248-4760
  • Website: None

Overview

The Cecile Higginson Murphy Charitable Foundation is a private family foundation established in 1998 in Massachusetts and granted 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status in May 1999. The foundation was established by Cecile Higginson Murphy, a great-granddaughter of Henry Lee Higginson, founder of the Boston Symphony Orchestra in 1881.

The foundation received a substantial $48.1 million contribution in fiscal year 2022, significantly increasing its assets from approximately $7.7 million to its current level of over $55 million. Most revenue now derives from investment returns rather than external donations. The founder, Cecile Higginson Murphy, served as trustee until her death in October 2020, and the foundation continues to operate under the direction of professional trustees from Choate, Hall & Stewart LLP.

The foundation maintains a diverse investment portfolio including corporate stocks ($37.7 million), corporate bonds ($8.6 million), and other investments ($6.3 million). It operates with no full-time employees, relying on professional trustee management.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation makes approximately 25-29 grants annually with a total distribution of over $2 million. Grant sizes range considerably:

  • Large grants: Up to $500,000 (e.g., Boston Symphony Orchestra)
  • Medium grants: $100,000 - $200,000 (e.g., Cradles to Crayons, Women's Lunch Place)
  • Smaller grants: $1,000 - $50,000

Priority Areas

Based on 990 filings and available information, the foundation prioritizes:

  • Arts and Culture: Particularly the Boston Symphony Orchestra, continuing the Higginson family's legacy
  • Education: Including natural science education programs
  • Human Services: Support for organizations serving vulnerable populations
  • Philanthropy and Voluntarism: Supporting grantmaking infrastructure

The foundation has noted interests in supporting "a general purpose, south shore natural science center and the serving those who serve initiative" as well as funding "the outdoors rx program."

What They Don't Fund

No explicit exclusions are publicly documented. As a private family foundation operating on trustee discretion, the foundation does not publish formal funding guidelines or restrictions.

Governance and Leadership

Current Trustees:

  • Charles A. Cheever - Co-Managing Partner at Choate, Hall & Stewart LLP. He holds a JD from University of Virginia School of Law (1995) and a BA from Harvard University (1990). Cheever serves as trustee for more than $1 billion in assets and is a member of the Massachusetts Charitable Society and Perkins School for the Blind. He advises families committed to philanthropy, overseeing private foundations and charitable trusts.

  • Kristin T. Abati - Partner at Choate, Hall & Stewart LLP and Member of the Executive Committee. She holds a JD from University of Virginia School of Law (2001) and a BA from Dartmouth College (1998, magna cum laude). Abati serves as trustee of numerous private charitable trusts making significant grants throughout New England. She serves on the Leadership Council for Cradles to Crayons and Dana Farber Cancer Institute, and is a Board Member of Massachusetts Appleseed Center for Law and Justice.

Founder (Deceased):

  • Cecile Higginson Murphy (†October 2020) - Great-granddaughter of Henry Lee Higginson, founder of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. She established the Henry Lee Higginson Fund at the BSO and was recognized as a "Great Benefactor" with cumulative giving exceeding $5 million to the orchestra. The Cecile Higginson Murphy Pops Programming Fund supports new arrangements and works for the Boston Pops.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. Grants are made at the discretion of the trustees. There is no online portal, published guidelines, or formal application procedure.

The foundation is managed through Choate, Hall & Stewart LLP, a prominent Boston law firm, and grants appear to be directed to organizations with which the trustees or founder had established relationships, or which align with the foundation's documented interests.

Getting on Their Radar

Based on the foundation's giving patterns and trustee connections:

  • Cradles to Crayons Connection: Trustee Kristin Abati serves on the Leadership Council of Cradles to Crayons, which has received $200,000 grants from the foundation. Organizations in the children's services sector may benefit from connections to this network.

  • Arts and Culture: The foundation's deep roots in the Boston Symphony Orchestra (stemming from the Higginson family legacy) suggest continued strong support for Boston-area arts organizations.

  • Choate LLP Network: Both trustees are partners at Choate, Hall & Stewart LLP, one of Boston's leading law firms. The firm's professional network and client base may influence grant identification.

  • South Shore Focus: The foundation has documented interest in natural science centers on Massachusetts' South Shore, suggesting geographic focus beyond Boston proper.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly documented. As a private foundation, grant decisions are made at trustee meetings throughout the year.

Success Rates

Not available. The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, so traditional success rate metrics do not apply.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable as there is no formal application process.

Application Success Factors

Given the foundation's nature as a trustee-directed private foundation:

  • Alignment with Documented Interests: Organizations focused on arts/culture (particularly music), education, human services, natural science education, and programs serving those who serve others align with stated priorities.

  • Boston/Massachusetts Focus: While grants are made to multiple states, Massachusetts organizations, particularly those in Boston and the South Shore, receive primary attention.

  • Established Relationships: The foundation's giving patterns suggest grants flow to organizations where trustees have existing relationships or board involvement. Cradles to Crayons and the Boston Symphony Orchestra are notable examples.

  • Higginson Family Legacy: Organizations that honor or continue the philanthropic values of the Higginson family may find alignment with the foundation's mission.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No public application process exists - This foundation operates entirely on trustee discretion and pre-existing relationships.

  • Strong arts and culture focus - The Higginson family legacy with the Boston Symphony Orchestra drives significant giving in this area.

  • Professional trustee management - Both trustees are partners at Choate, Hall & Stewart LLP, bringing professional foundation management expertise.

  • Significant capacity - With $55+ million in assets and $2.2 million in annual giving, this is a substantial Massachusetts funder.

  • Geographic concentration - Primary focus on Massachusetts organizations, with particular interest in Boston and South Shore communities.

  • Human services alignment - Notable grants to organizations like Women's Lunch Place and Cradles to Crayons indicate interest in direct service organizations.

  • Relationship-building is essential - Rather than a formal application, organizations interested in this foundation should focus on building genuine connections with the trustees' networks and demonstrating alignment with documented funding interests.

References

← Back to US Funders Directory