TBL Charitable Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $2,468,600 (2024)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Not publicly available
• Grant Range: $5,000 - $1,500,000
• Geographic Focus: National (US focus)
• Total Assets: $31.7 million (2024)

Contact Details

Mailing Address: F Thomson Leighton, Trustee 15 Charlesden Park Newtonville, MA 02460

Phone: Not publicly available Email: Not publicly available Website: No public website

Overview

The TBL Charitable Foundation is a private independent foundation established in 2006 and based in Newtonville, Massachusetts. The foundation has grown substantially from $8.4 million in assets in 2011 to $31.7 million in 2024, while consistently maintaining high charitable disbursements that typically represent over 97% of total expenses. Led by trustee F. Thomson Leighton—co-founder and CEO of Akamai Technologies and MIT professor of applied mathematics—the foundation focuses its grantmaking on STEM education, mathematics research, and scientific programs. The foundation's mission aligns with Leighton's 30+ year commitment to strengthening the pipeline of students pursuing STEM careers. Revenue sources include dividends (52.4%), interest income (23.5%), and investment gains (23.3%), providing a sustainable funding base for its educational philanthropy.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates with a single grantmaking program focused on education and science, with grants distributed on a trustee-discretion basis. Based on 2024 data, the foundation made 12 grants totaling $2.5 million with a median grant size of $5,000.

Grant Range: $5,000 - $1,500,000

Application Method: Invitation only/trustee discretion (no public application process)

Priority Areas

The foundation's grantmaking concentrates in the following areas:

• Higher Education: Substantial support for universities including Brandeis University, Princeton University, and MIT
• Scientific Organizations: Funding for organizations promoting science education and excellence, particularly the Society for Science and the Public
• Mathematics Education: Support for mathematics programs and competitions at the K-12 and collegiate levels
• STEM Pipeline Development: Programs focused on encouraging the next generation of technology innovators and scientists
• Educational Excellence: Organizations like the Center for Excellence in Education that provide advanced learning opportunities for talented students

Notable 2024 Grant Recipients

• Brandeis University: $1,500,000 (largest single grant)
• Society for Science and the Public: $600,000
• Center for Excellence in Education: $275,000
• Various smaller grants ($5,000-$50,000) to scientific and educational organizations

What They Don't Fund

Based on the foundation's grantmaking pattern, they do not appear to fund:

• Arts and culture organizations
• Health and medical services (outside of research)
• Direct social services
• International development
• Environmental conservation (unless STEM-related)
• General operating support for organizations outside their focus areas

Governance and Leadership

Trustee: F. Thomson Leighton (sole trustee, volunteers approximately 1 hour per week, receives no compensation)

F. Thomson "Tom" Leighton is a distinguished mathematician and technologist who brings exceptional expertise to the foundation's STEM-focused mission. He earned his Ph.D. in Applied Mathematics from MIT in 1981 and currently serves as Professor of Applied Mathematics at MIT's Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL), though currently on leave. In 1998, he co-founded Akamai Technologies with MIT graduate student Daniel Lewin and has served as CEO since 2013. His pioneering work in algorithm design and content delivery networks earned him the IEEE John von Neumann Medal in 2023 and an Emmy Award for technologies that deliver content to digital devices.

Dr. Leighton has stated his commitment to "increasing the pipeline of students pursuing STEM careers for over 30 years, first as a mathematics professor at MIT and now through his leadership at Akamai." His philanthropic priorities align closely with this mission, as evidenced through both the TBL Charitable Foundation and the Akamai Foundation (which received a $50 million endowment from Akamai Technologies to support mathematics programs in STEM education).

Organizations he is known to support include The Center for Excellence in Education, Society for Science (producer of the Regeneron Science Talent Search and Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair), The Mathematical Association of America (sponsor of the Math Olympiad), the Math Competition for Girls, and Girls Who Code.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. The TBL Charitable Foundation operates as a private foundation where grants are awarded at the discretion of the trustee, F. Thomson Leighton. There is no online portal, formal application form, or published application deadlines.

Grants appear to be awarded based on the trustee's knowledge of organizations aligned with the foundation's mission of advancing STEM education and scientific research. The foundation's grantmaking reflects Dr. Leighton's professional networks in academia (particularly MIT and other leading universities) and his connections within the STEM education and scientific research communities.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly available. As a trustee-discretion foundation, grant decisions are made on an ongoing basis throughout the year rather than following a fixed schedule.

Success Rates

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

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable, as the foundation does not have a formal application process.

Application Success Factors

Given that this foundation operates on an invitation-only basis with trustee discretion, traditional application success factors do not apply. However, organizations that may come to the attention of this foundation typically share these characteristics:

Alignment with Trustee's Known Priorities:

• Organizations that Dr. Leighton has publicly endorsed or supported, such as the Society for Science, Center for Excellence in Education, Mathematical Association of America, Math Competition for Girls, and Girls Who Code
• Universities and research institutions, particularly those with strong mathematics and computer science programs (MIT, Princeton, Brandeis)
• Programs focused on "the pursuit of excellence in mathematics in grades K-12"
• Initiatives that strengthen the pipeline of students pursuing STEM careers

Organizational Characteristics of Past Recipients:

• Established organizations with track records in STEM education or scientific research
• Programs that provide advanced learning opportunities for talented students
• Competitions and recognition programs for student achievement in science and mathematics
• Organizations that promote diversity and inclusion in STEM fields

Connection to MIT and Akamai Networks:

• Given Dr. Leighton's roles at MIT and Akamai Technologies, organizations with connections to these institutions may have greater visibility
• Programs that align with the Akamai Foundation's mission (which focuses on mathematics education for K-12 students)

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No Public Application Process: This foundation does not accept unsolicited applications. Grants are made at trustee discretion to organizations known to the trustee.
• STEM Education Focus: 100% of grants support STEM education, scientific research, or mathematics programs, reflecting Dr. Leighton's professional background and stated philanthropic priorities.
• Wide Grant Range: While the median grant is $5,000, the foundation is capable of transformational gifts up to $1.5 million for the right opportunity.
• University Connections: Major universities, particularly MIT, Princeton, and Brandeis, have received substantial support.
• Excellence in Mathematics: Special emphasis on mathematics education and competitions at both K-12 and collegiate levels.
• Consistent Funding: With over $31 million in assets and consistent high disbursement rates (97%+ of expenses), the foundation maintains a strong and sustainable grantmaking capacity.
• Single Decision-Maker: As sole trustee, Dr. Leighton makes all grant decisions personally, meaning organizational visibility within his professional networks is essential.

References

• CauseIQ: TBL Charitable Foundation Profile, https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/tbl-charitable-foundation,203982689/ (accessed January 21, 2026)
• Grantmakers.io: TBL Charitable Foundation Profile, https://www.grantmakers.io/profiles/v0/203982689-tbl-charitable-foundation/ (accessed January 21, 2026)
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer: TBL Charitable Foundation, https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/203982689 (accessed January 21, 2026)
• IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search: TBL Charitable Foundation (EIN 20-3982689), https://apps.irs.gov/app/eos/detailsPage?ein=203982689 (accessed January 21, 2026)
• Wikipedia: F. Thomson Leighton, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/F._Thomson_Leighton (accessed January 21, 2026)
• MIT CSAIL: Tom Leighton Faculty Profile, https://www.csail.mit.edu/person/tom-leighton (accessed January 21, 2026)
• Akamai Technologies: Dr. Tom Leighton Leadership Biography, https://www.akamai.com/company/leadership/board-of-directors/tom-leighton (accessed January 21, 2026)
• Akamai Press Release: "Akamai Establishes $50 Million Endowment to Support Mathematics Programs in STEM Education," 2018, https://www.akamai.com/uk/en/about/news/press/2018-press/akamai-establishes-50-million-endowment-to-support-mathematics-programs-in-stem-education.jsp (accessed January 21, 2026)