Edward C. Johnson Fund

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: $20,541,479 (2023)
Total Assets: $496,554,483 (2023)
Grant Range: $5,000 - $3,000,000
Average Grant: ~$467,000 (based on 44 grants in 2023)
Geographic Focus: Boston area, New England (Massachusetts, Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire)
Application Process: Does not accept unsolicited applications

Contact Details

Address: 7 Water Street, Boston, MA 02109-4100
Phone: (603) 681-4375 or (603) 681-4291
Website: None publicly available
Application Portal: None - does not accept unsolicited applications

Overview

The Edward C. Johnson Fund is a private family foundation established in 1964 in Massachusetts. The fund was created by Edward C. Johnson II and Edward C. Johnson III, the founders and leaders of Fidelity Investments, one of the world's largest mutual fund companies. Edward C. "Ned" Johnson III, who passed away in March 2022 at age 91, was known as a generous philanthropist with particular interests in arts, medical research, and environmental conservation.

The foundation has grown substantially, with total assets of approximately $497 million as of 2023. Annual giving has increased significantly in recent years, distributing over $20.5 million in 2023 across 44 grants. The fund is part of the broader Johnson family philanthropy ecosystem, which includes the Fidelity Foundation and Fidelity Charitable, among other vehicles. The Johnson family, worth nearly $45 billion, owns 49% of Fidelity Investments and maintains significant philanthropic capacity. Edward Johnson III was often identified simply as "AD" (anonymous donor) when charities acknowledged his gifts, reflecting his preference for quiet giving without seeking public recognition.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation supports four primary areas with varying grant sizes:

Environmental Conservation (Currently Dominant Focus)

Large grants: $1,500,000 - $3,000,000 for major conservation projects
Focus on land preservation, biodiversity, climate change mitigation, and water resources
Recent recipients: Massachusetts Audubon Society ($2,500,000), Friends of Acadia ($1,500,000), Midcoast Conservancy, Coastal Rivers Conservation Trust, Barnstable Land Trust

Arts & Culture

Grants typically $200,000 - $500,000 (reduced from historical levels)
Focus on large, established institutions rather than grassroots arts organizations
Recent recipients: Museum of Fine Arts Boston, Institute of Contemporary Art, Children's Museum, Museum of Science, New England Aquarium

Health

Moderate grants supporting hospitals and health centers
Special interest in Alzheimer's research (stemming from Edward Johnson II's death from the disease in 1984)
Recent recipients: Mass General Brigham Incorporated, Mount Desert Island Hospital ($3,000,000), Mass General Hospital

Historic Preservation

Support for historical societies and preservation projects
Regional focus on New England institutions

Priority Areas

Environmental conservation and land preservation
Climate change mitigation
Major cultural institutions
Hospital and health center capital campaigns
Historic preservation in New England
Higher education
Youth programs

What They Don't Fund

Based on grantmaking patterns, the fund does not typically support:

Grassroots or community-based arts organizations
Human services or social services at the local level
Direct health interventions or grassroots health initiatives
Organizations outside New England (with limited exceptions)
Unsolicited proposals from organizations without pre-existing relationships

Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors and Officers

Position	Name
Director and Vice President	Abigail P. Johnson (Chair/CEO, Fidelity Investments)
Director and Vice President	Elizabeth L. Johnson
President	Maura Marx
Program Director	Stephen Sloan
Treasurer	Daniel M. Ardito
Assistant Secretary	Kevin Saunders

Founding Members: Edward C. Johnson II, Edward C. Johnson III, Abigail P. Johnson, Edward C. Johnson IV, Elizabeth L. Johnson, Abel Partners, and FMR Corp.

Johnson Family Philanthropic Philosophy

Edward C. Johnson III articulated the family's investment philosophy: "When we invest in an organization, we consider it a partnership...if we can help that organization become more self-sufficient, we feel we've achieved something."

The family maintains deep personal connections to their grantees. Edward Johnson III served as a trustee at the Museum of Fine Arts Boston since the 1970s, and his daughter Abigail has been on the board of governors since 2006.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. The Edward C. Johnson Fund does not accept unsolicited grant applications. Grants are made at the discretion of the board of directors, typically to organizations with which the Johnson family has existing relationships or personal connections.

The foundation operates through:

Board member identification of potential grantees
Pre-existing relationships with institutions
Personal involvement by family members on nonprofit boards
Invitation-only consideration

Getting on Their Radar

Based on the foundation's grantmaking patterns:

Museum of Fine Arts Boston and Peabody Essex Museum boards: Family members have served on these boards for decades. Organizations connected to these institutions may have greater visibility.
Environmental conservation networks in New England: The foundation has increasingly focused on land conservation, with grants to organizations like Massachusetts Audubon, Friends of Acadia, and regional land trusts.
Fidelity corporate connections: As a foundation closely tied to Fidelity Investments, organizations that intersect with Fidelity's corporate philanthropy may gain exposure.
Healthcare institutions: The family has long-standing relationships with Mass General Brigham and regional hospitals, particularly Mount Desert Island Hospital in Maine.

Decision Timeline

The foundation appears to make grant decisions throughout the year, with no fixed application deadlines. Processing time is not publicly documented due to the invitation-only nature of the grantmaking.

Grant Activity Trends

Year	Number of Awards	Total Giving
2023	44	$20,541,479
2022	18	Not specified
2021	17	Not specified
2020	2	Not specified
2019	3	Not specified

The significant increase in awards from 2021 to 2023 suggests expanding grantmaking activity.

Success Rates

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - grants are made at board discretion to known organizations.

Application Success Factors

While the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, organizations seeking to build relationships should note:

What the Foundation Values:

Large, established institutions with proven track records
Organizations that demonstrate self-sufficiency and strong management
Grantees where family members have personal involvement or board service
Projects with significant scale and regional impact in New England

Strategic Priorities:

Environmental conservation has become the dominant focus in recent years, overtaking the historical emphasis on arts and culture
The foundation prefers capital projects (new construction, land acquisition, renovations) over operating support
Geographic preference strongly favors Massachusetts, Maine, Vermont, and New Hampshire

Types of Support Provided:

Endowment support
General operating funds
Property care
Collections and archives
Renovations
New construction
Land preservation

Relationship Building: Given the closed application process, organizations should focus on:

Building authentic relationships through shared board service and professional networks
Demonstrating alignment with the foundation's environmental conservation priorities
Establishing institutional credibility in New England
Connecting through the broader ecosystem of Johnson family philanthropy

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

No public application process: This foundation operates entirely through board discretion and existing relationships. Cold applications will not be considered.
Environmental conservation is now the priority: The foundation has shifted significantly from arts and culture toward environmental conservation, land preservation, and climate change mitigation.
Geographic focus is New England: Grants predominantly support organizations in Massachusetts, Maine, Vermont, and New Hampshire.
Large, established institutions preferred: This is not a grassroots funder. They support major institutions with significant scale and proven track records.
Capital projects over operations: The foundation favors tangible projects like land acquisition, new construction, and renovations rather than general operating support.
Family connections are essential: The Johnson family maintains personal involvement with grantees, serving on boards and building long-term partnerships.
Consider related Johnson family vehicles: Organizations may also explore the Fidelity Foundation and Fidelity Charitable as potential funding sources within the Johnson family philanthropic ecosystem.

References

Research conducted December 2025. Financial data based on 2023 Form 990-PF filings.