Edward C Johnson Fund
At a glance
This funder does not accept unsolicited applications. The foundation chooses the organisations it funds itself.
Key takeaways
- The filing says the foundation does not accept unsolicited requests and limits contributions to preselected charitable organisations, so a small nonprofit should not send a cold application and should first find a route to an invitation.
- Its stated themes of nature conservation, land stewardship, historical preservation, museums, health, schools and youth, and preservation of art are the best guide to whether the work fits.
- If an invitation comes, aim near the typical grant band: about 8 in 10 of its 105 grants to organisations fall between $95,000 and $2,200,000, and half are $250,000 or less, though its largest grant was $5,000,000, so that band is not a ceiling.
- Repeat grantees take a large share of its grant dollars (42% in its latest filing), so a new applicant should expect a competitive, relationship-led process.
- The filing does not state a geographic focus; grants have mainly gone to Massachusetts, Maine and California, which is useful context but not a rule about who may apply.
Overview
Edward C Johnson Fund is a US private foundation based in Boston, MA.
What they fund
Profile derived from the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings (TY2024, TY2023, TY2022) and web pages about the foundation (insidephilanthropy.com), with every statement checked against those sources. Sources read on 7 October 2026.
Priority Areas
The fund is largely focused on nature conservation and preservation, land stewardship, historical preservation, museums and health. It also makes some gifts to schools and youth programmes. Its grantees include conservation organisations and land trusts, heritage and cultural institutions, hospitals, and educational and youth organisations. Its awards tend to be sizable, with support covering endowments, land acquisition, preservation, construction and programme development. Its portfolio also includes recurring grantees. It limits contributions to preselected charitable organisations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Themes
- Nature conservation
- Land stewardship
- Historical preservation
- Museums
- Health
- Schools and youth
- Preservation of art
Geographic Focus
No geographic focus is stated; the filings show grants mainly in Massachusetts, Maine and California.
How to apply
Contributions are limited to preselected charitable organisations; unsolicited requests are not accepted.
Application success factors
- Repeat giving: In its TY2024 filing, 42% of its grant dollars to organisations went to organisations it had also funded in its TY2022 or TY2023 filing.
- Grant size: Across its TY2022, TY2023 and TY2024 filings, half of its 105 grants to organisations were $250,000 or less.
Where grants go
From grants to organisations in the foundation’s filings for tax years 2022–2024.
Grant dollars by state
3 other states: 3%
Outside the US or with no state on the filing: 5%
- The largest single recipient received 11% of grant dollars to organisations.
- In tax year 2024, 42% of grant dollars went to organisations Edward C Johnson Fund had funded in earlier filings.
- 5% of grant dollars went directly to organisations outside the US (United Kingdom).
- 9% of grant dollars went to intermediaries that regrant to other organisations.
Grants
How much do they typically give?
Share of 42 grants in tax year 2024 by size
Median $264k (tax year 2024)
The largest grants to organisations in the foundation’s latest filing:
- Massachusetts Audubon Society · Acquisition for preservation$1,500,0002024 tax year
- Revolutionary Spaces · Operations support$1,500,0002024 tax year
- National Park Foundation · Discovery research (science)$1,000,0002024 tax year
- Atlantic Salmon Federation · Endowment$1,000,0002024 tax year
- Tinker Island Foundation · General operating / annual support$827,5002024 tax year
- Brigham and Women's Hospital · Endowment$650,0002024 tax year
- Maine Coast Heritage Trust · Program development / evaluation$575,0002024 tax year
- American Rivers · Construction$570,0002024 tax year
Grants to organisations listed in the foundation’s Form 990-PF filings. Grants to individuals are not shown.
Officers and directors
- Kevin Saunders — Assistant Secretary
- Daniel M Ardito — Treasurer
- Christopher J McKown — Secretary
- Edward C Johnson IV — Director
- Elizabeth L Johnson — Director And VP
- Abigail P Johnson — Director And VP
- Maura Marx — President
From the latest Form 990-PF filing
3 years of tax filings
| Year | Total expenses | Grants paid | Assets | Filing document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 tax year | $30,218,924 | $26,299,000 | $494,179,855 | Filing for 2022 tax year |
| 2023 tax year | $23,368,016 | $20,541,479 | $594,553,093 | Filing for 2023 tax year |
| 2024 tax year | $17,364,131 | $15,628,200 | $714,346,008 | Filing for 2024 tax year |
Figures from the foundation’s IRS Form 990-PF filings. Assets are at fair market value at year end. The document icon links to each year’s filing on ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer.
Sources
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At a glance
Applying to Edward C Johnson Fund?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- Boston, MA
Applying to Edward C Johnson Fund?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- Boston, MA