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Edwin S. Webster Foundation

Annual Giving
$2.1M
Grant Range
$5K - $0.3M
Decision Time
2mo
Success Rate
32%

Edwin S. Webster Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $2,125,000 (2023); $2,190,000 (2024)
  • Total Assets: ~$52 million
  • Success Rate: ~29-36% (approximately 25 grants from 70-85 applications per cycle)
  • Decision Time: 4-6 weeks after deadline (meetings in mid-May/early June and early December)
  • Grant Range: $5,000 - $250,000 (typical: $10,000 - $25,000)
  • Geographic Focus: New England (primarily Massachusetts)

Contact Details

Overview

The Edwin S. Webster Foundation is a private family foundation established in 1948 by Edwin Sibley Webster (1867-1950), co-founder of the engineering firm Stone & Webster. Based in Boston, Massachusetts, the foundation has grown its assets from approximately $26.5 million in 2011 to over $52 million by 2024, demonstrating consistent endowment growth. The foundation distributes approximately $2-2.5 million annually across 60-70 grants.

The foundation's mission is to support charitable organizations that are well known to the trustees, with emphasis on hospitals, medical research, education, youth agencies, cultural activities, and programs addressing the needs of minorities. The foundation confines its grants primarily to the New England area and does not make grants outside the United States or to individuals.

Grant-making is heavily influenced by trustee relationships, with the foundation explicitly stating that "it is unlikely that a request without strong trustee support would receive funding."

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

  • General Operating Support: $5,000 - $250,000 (unrestricted support for established organizations)
  • Capital Programs: Support for building projects and equipment
  • Special Projects: Program-specific funding for discrete initiatives
  • Endowment Grants: Occasional larger gifts for institutional endowments

Application method: Online portal via GMA Foundations (access code: "webster") with fixed deadlines on May 1 and November 1.

Priority Areas

  • Social Services: Largest percentage of grants (food banks, shelters, youth programs)
  • Hospitals & Medical Research: Major hospital systems and health research institutions
  • Education: Schools, colleges, and educational programs
  • Civic Services: Museums, horticultural societies, science centers
  • Cultural Activities: Arts organizations, symphony orchestras, theaters
  • Environmental Conservation: Nature centers, land trusts, marine research
  • Programs Addressing Minority Needs: Organizations serving underrepresented communities

What They Don't Fund

  • Grants outside the United States
  • Grants to individuals
  • Private foundations as defined under Section 509(a) of the Internal Revenue Code
  • Organizations without 501(c)(3) status

Governance and Leadership

Current Trustees (2024)

  • Henry U. Harris III - Trustee
  • Suzanne Harte Sears - Trustee
  • Thomas C. Beck - Trustee
  • Alexander W. Hiam - Trustee (served through February 2024)

Foundation Management

The foundation is administered by GMA Foundations, a professional foundation management firm based in Boston. Angela McIntosh serves as the Program Associate handling day-to-day inquiries and application support.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

  1. Review eligibility requirements on the foundation website
  2. Register in the GMA Foundations grants portal (one-time registration)
  3. Log in and enter access code: webster (lowercase)
  4. Complete the online application form
  5. Upload required documents (each field accepts one file)
  6. Submit by deadline (system confirms receipt; no email confirmation sent)

Technical Tips:

  • Character limit: Approximately 3,200 characters equals one page in 12-point font
  • Formatting is stripped from submissions; save documents as RTF before pasting
  • Contact support for technical assistance: 617-391-3082 (9 AM - 4 PM Eastern)

Decision Timeline

  • Application Deadlines: May 1 and November 1 (extended to next business day if on weekend/holiday)
  • Board Meetings: Mid-May/early June (for May 1 deadline); early December (for November 1 deadline)
  • Notification: Decisions communicated following board meetings

Success Rates

  • Applications Received: 70-85 per funding cycle (twice yearly)
  • Grants Awarded: Approximately 25 per cycle
  • Success Rate: Approximately 29-36%
  • Total Annual Awards: 60-70 grants

Reapplication Policy

Organizations may reapply in subsequent funding cycles. Multi-year grants are provided occasionally but not regularly.

Application Success Factors

Critical Factor - Trustee Relationships: The foundation explicitly states that applications without "strong trustee support" are unlikely to receive funding. This is the single most important factor in application success.

What They Look For:

  • Organizations that are "well known to the trustees"
  • Demonstrated alignment with priority areas (hospitals, medical research, education, youth agencies, cultural activities, programs for minorities)
  • Strong track record of impact in New England, particularly Massachusetts
  • 501(c)(3) status and sound organizational management

Recent Funding Examples (2024):

  • Greater Boston Food Bank: $205,000 (unrestricted support)
  • Massachusetts General Hospital: $175,000 (unrestricted support)
  • Squam Lakes Natural Science Center: $175,000
  • Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston: $125,000
  • Boston Children's Hospital: $50,000
  • Pine Street Inn: $50,000
  • Boston Symphony Orchestra: $30,000
  • Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution: $25,000
  • New England Aquarium: $25,000

Common Grant Sizes: Most grants fall between $10,000-$50,000, with the foundation stating typical grants range from $10,000-$25,000, averaging around $15,000.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  1. Trustee relationships are paramount: The foundation explicitly states that requests without strong trustee support are unlikely to succeed. Before applying, determine if your organization has any connection to the trustees (Henry U. Harris III, Suzanne Harte Sears, Thomas C. Beck).

  2. Geographic focus matters: Grants are concentrated heavily in Massachusetts (particularly Boston) with additional support throughout New England. Organizations outside this region face significant barriers.

  3. Competitive but consistent: With 70-85 applications per cycle and only ~25 awards, expect roughly a 30% success rate. However, the foundation maintains consistent giving patterns and supports established grantees year after year.

  4. Contact before applying: The foundation recommends contacting them before submitting an application. Use this opportunity to gauge whether your organization aligns with trustee interests.

  5. Keep requests reasonable: While grants can reach $250,000, most fall between $10,000-$25,000. First-time applicants should consider more modest requests.

  6. Unrestricted support preferred: Most grants are for unrestricted/general operating support, suggesting the foundation prefers to fund strong organizations rather than specific projects.

  7. Two chances annually: With May 1 and November 1 deadlines, unsuccessful applicants can reapply in the next cycle. Multi-year grants are rare, so expect to reapply annually.

References

Information compiled December 2025

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