Trustees Under The Will Of Herman Dana
Quick Stats
- Annual Giving: ~$1,391,850 (2023)
- Total Assets: ~$18.9 million (2024)
- Grant Range: $1,250 - $315,610
- Number of Grants: 21-25 annually
- Geographic Focus: Greater Boston, MA with some national reach
- Application Process: No public application process
Contact Details
- Address: 1340 Centre Street, Suite 101, Newton, MA 02459-2453
- Phone: (617) 928-1700
- Website: None publicly available
- EIN: 04-6209497
Overview
Trustees Under The Will Of Herman Dana is a family foundation established in 1969 in Massachusetts through a testamentary bequest. The foundation has been tax-exempt since July 1969 and operates as a private foundation under Section 501(c)(3). With total assets of approximately $18.9 million (2024) and annual giving of approximately $1.4 million, the foundation has maintained a consistent grantmaking program for over five decades.
The trust's mission is explicitly directed toward supporting Jewish organizations, educational institutions, and healthcare initiatives. The foundation's charitable purpose is defined by the terms of Herman Dana's will, which restricts grants to constituent organizations of Combined Jewish Philanthropies of Greater Boston, Jewish charitable and educational institutions, domestic organizations doing overseas work, and uniquely, psychiatric care and counseling services for undergraduate students at Harvard University. The foundation makes approximately 21-25 grants annually, demonstrating a focused and deliberate approach to philanthropy.
Funding Priorities
Grant Programs
The foundation's grantmaking is structured around several defined categories as specified in the founding will:
- Combined Jewish Philanthropies Support: Grants to participating organizations of CJP of Greater Boston for capital purposes or urgent current needs
- Jewish Education & Charitable Institutions: Direct support to Jewish educational and charitable organizations
- International Jewish Organizations: Domestic organizations conducting overseas work, particularly in Israel
- Mental Health at Harvard: Specific support for psychiatric care and counseling of undergraduate students at Harvard University
Major Grant Recipients (2022-2023)
- Hadassah Medical Relief Association: $299,300
- Combined Jewish Philanthropies of Greater Boston: $299,300
- American Jewish Committee: $150,000
- Hebrew Senior Life: $150,000
- JCC Greater Boston: $70,000
- Additional grants to Jewish community organizations: $1,250 - $75,000
Priority Areas
- Jewish healthcare organizations
- Jewish educational institutions
- Jewish community organizations in Greater Boston
- Israel-focused charitable work
- Mental health services at Harvard University
What They Don't Fund
Based on the trust's explicit restrictions:
- Non-Jewish organizations (outside the specific Harvard psychiatric provision)
- Organizations not affiliated with Combined Jewish Philanthropies of Greater Boston
- General operating support for organizations outside defined categories
- Individuals
- Political organizations
Governance and Leadership
The foundation is managed by two trustees who serve as both trustees and property managers:
Myer R Dana - Trustee & Property Manager
- Compensation: $100,000 (2023)
- Full-time position (40 hours/week)
Alan Dana - Trustee & Property Manager
- Compensation: $100,000 (2023)
- Full-time position (40 hours/week)
The Dana family trustees appear to be descendants or family members connected to the original testator, Herman Dana. The foundation also operates Herman Dana Foundation, LLC, incorporated in New Hampshire in 2019, which shares the same Newton, MA address.
Application Process & Timeline
How to Apply
This funder does not have a public application process.
The Trustees Under The Will Of Herman Dana operates as a family foundation with grantmaking restricted by the terms of the original will. Grants are made at the discretion of the trustees to organizations that fall within the defined categories established by Herman Dana's bequest.
The foundation's 990 filings indicate that grants are "limited to constituent organizations of Combined Jewish Philanthropies of Greater Boston" and other specified Jewish institutions. This suggests that:
- Most grants go to organizations already known to the trustees
- The foundation may work through CJP to identify funding opportunities
- Organizations must meet specific criteria tied to the will's provisions
Getting on Their Radar
Organizations seeking support from this foundation should consider:
- CJP Affiliation: Becoming a constituent organization of Combined Jewish Philanthropies of Greater Boston significantly increases eligibility
- Direct Inquiry: Contact the foundation at (617) 928-1700 to inquire about eligibility and the trustees' current interests
- Hadassah Connection: The Hadassah Medical Relief Association is a major and consistent recipient, suggesting strong trustee interest in Israel-focused healthcare work
Decision Timeline
Not publicly documented. As a family foundation with two trustees making all decisions, the timeline likely depends on trustee availability and meeting schedules.
Success Rates
With approximately 21-25 grants made annually from a restricted pool of eligible organizations, this is not a competitive grants program in the traditional sense. Eligibility is determined by whether an organization fits the criteria specified in the will.
Reapplication Policy
Not publicly documented. However, the 990 filings show consistent multi-year funding to the same organizations (particularly Hadassah and CJP), suggesting that established relationships lead to ongoing support.
Application Success Factors
Given the foundation's structure as a testamentary trust with restricted giving, success factors are primarily about eligibility rather than competitive positioning:
-
Organizational Eligibility: Your organization must fall within one of the defined categories:
- CJP constituent organization
- Jewish educational institution
- Jewish charitable organization
- Domestic organization doing overseas Jewish charitable work
- Harvard University mental health services
-
Geographic Relevance: Strong preference for Greater Boston area organizations, though Israel-focused work is also supported
-
Relationship with CJP: Organizations connected to Combined Jewish Philanthropies of Greater Boston have the clearest pathway to funding
-
Healthcare/Education Focus: The foundation's major grants consistently support healthcare (Hadassah, Hebrew Senior Life) and community/education (CJP, JCC)
-
Capital and Urgent Needs: The will specifically mentions capital purposes and urgent current needs, suggesting responsiveness to infrastructure and emergency funding requests
Key Takeaways for Grant Writers
- No public application: This foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals through a formal process
- Will-restricted giving: Grantmaking is bound by the terms of Herman Dana's will, limiting flexibility
- CJP pathway: The clearest route to funding is through affiliation with Combined Jewish Philanthropies of Greater Boston
- Consistent major recipients: Hadassah and CJP receive the largest grants annually (~$300,000 each)
- Family-managed: Two Dana family trustees make all decisions, suggesting relationship-building may be valuable
- Direct contact recommended: Organizations believing they fit the criteria should call (617) 928-1700 to inquire
- Established track record: The foundation has operated consistently since 1969 with stable giving levels