Josephine and Louise Crane Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: Data not publicly available (requires Form 990-PF review)
• Assets: Approximately $76.74 million (investment portfolio)
• Grant Range: Grants documented from $25,000+ (specific range requires Form 990-PF review)
• Geographic Focus: Massachusetts, with particular emphasis on Berkshire County
• Foundation Type: Fourth-generation private family foundation
• Application Method: No public application process

Contact Details

Address: 220 Main St., Suite 202, Falmouth, MA 02540

EIN: 20-8970284

Note: The foundation does not maintain a public website or published contact information for grant applications.

Overview

The Josephine and Louise Crane Foundation, Inc. was established in 2008 through the merger of two predecessor foundations: the Josephine B. Crane Foundation (established in 1956) and the Louise Crane Foundation. As a fourth-generation private family foundation, it continues the philanthropic legacy of Josephine Porter Crane (1873-1972), a prominent socialite and arts patron who co-founded the Museum of Modern Art and served on the Berkshire Museum board for 35 years, and her daughter Louise Crane (1913-1997), who organized concerts at MoMA and was deeply involved in cultural institutions. With assets exceeding $76 million, the foundation supports nonprofit organizations throughout Massachusetts, with a particular focus on the Berkshires region where the Crane family has deep historical roots. The foundation's mission centers on supporting organizations in the arts, health, human services, united ways, and federated giving programs. In 2024, the foundation received the Investing in Tomorrow Award from Berkshire County Head Start in recognition of its significant contributions to improving opportunities for Berkshire County residents.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not operate distinct grant programs with specific applications or deadlines. Instead, it makes discretionary grants to nonprofit organizations aligned with its funding priorities. As a private family foundation filing Form 990-PF, detailed grant information is available through IRS filings.

Priority Areas

Arts & Culture

• Theater and performing arts organizations
• Museums and cultural institutions
• Arts education and community programs

Health Organizations

• Community health initiatives
• Organizations serving vulnerable populations

Human Services

• Child care and early education (Head Start programs)
• Immigrant services
• Youth development and education programs
• Organizations addressing basic needs

Federated Giving

• United Way organizations
• COVID-19 emergency response funds
• Collaborative community initiatives

Geographic Focus: Strong preference for Berkshire County and broader Massachusetts nonprofits

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions have not been publicly documented. As a private family foundation with discretionary grantmaking, funding decisions are made by trustees based on alignment with the foundation's historical interests and family legacy in Massachusetts.

Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors/Trustees:

• Josephine B. Greene (Josie Greene) - President/Director: A fourth-generation family member actively involved in Berkshire County philanthropy, including service with New Pathways/Multicultural BRIDGE
• Cameron K. Mackey - Treasurer/Clerk
• Winnie C. Mackey - Vice President/Director
• William T. Mackey - Director
• Amy L. Greene - Director
• Winnie Greene - Director

The foundation maintains family governance across multiple generations, ensuring continuity with the philanthropic values established by Josephine Porter Crane and Louise Crane.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. As a private family foundation, the Josephine and Louise Crane Foundation makes grants through trustee discretion rather than open solicitation. The foundation identifies and supports organizations aligned with its mission through:

• Pre-existing relationships with organizations
• Trustee knowledge of community needs, particularly in Berkshire County
• Invitation-based consideration of potential grantees
• Proactive identification of nonprofits addressing priority areas

Organizations cannot submit unsolicited grant proposals through a formal application portal or process.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - the foundation operates on a discretionary basis without published decision cycles or timelines.

Success Rates

Not publicly available. As a private foundation without an open application process, success rates are not calculated or published.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable given the lack of a public application process.

Application Success Factors

While the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, understanding what they value can be helpful for organizations that may be approached or invited to apply:

Strong Connection to Berkshire County and Massachusetts: The foundation's roots run deep in the Berkshires, stemming from the Crane family's historical presence in Dalton, where W. Murray Crane (Louise Crane's father) served as Massachusetts Governor and U.S. Senator. Organizations with established track records serving Berkshire County communities appear to receive priority consideration.

Alignment with Arts and Cultural Heritage: Given Josephine Porter Crane's role as a Museum of Modern Art co-founder and Louise Crane's involvement in organizing cultural events, organizations supporting arts access, cultural preservation, and arts education align with the foundation's legacy.

Service to Vulnerable Populations: Recent grants to organizations like Berkshire Immigrant Center, Flying Cloud Institute (serving youth through science education), and Berkshire County Head Start demonstrate commitment to organizations addressing equity and access for underserved populations.

Collaborative Community Initiatives: The foundation's participation as an early partner in the COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund alongside Berkshire United Way and other funders suggests appreciation for collaborative approaches to community challenges.

Long-term Community Impact: The foundation's recognition through the Investing in Tomorrow Award from Berkshire County Head Start highlights its commitment to creating lasting opportunities and addressing systemic barriers.

Evidence-based Programs: Organizations like Flying Cloud Institute that provide specific, measurable outcomes (such as their Girls Science Club connecting young participants with professional scientists) demonstrate the type of programmatic rigor that appears valued.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• This is a private family foundation without a public application process - do not send unsolicited proposals
• The foundation has deep historical ties to Berkshire County, Massachusetts, making this geography a clear priority
• Arts and culture organizations have received significant support, reflecting the family's legacy in cultural philanthropy
• Human services organizations serving vulnerable populations, particularly children and immigrants, align with funding priorities
• The foundation values collaborative community initiatives and has supported joint emergency response efforts
• With assets exceeding $76 million, this is a substantial foundation, though specific annual grantmaking totals require Form 990-PF review
• Family governance across four generations suggests continuity in values and long-term relationships with grantee organizations
• Organizations seeking funding should focus on building relationships within the Berkshire County philanthropic community where foundation trustees are active

References

• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Josephine and Louise Crane Foundation (EIN 20-8970284): https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/208970284 (Accessed February 24, 2026)
• OpenCorporates - Josephine and Louise Crane Foundation, Inc.: https://opencorporates.com/companies/us_ma/208970284 (Accessed February 24, 2026)
• Cause IQ - Josephine and Louise Crane Foundation Profile: https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/josephine-and-louise-crane-foundation,208970284/ (Accessed February 24, 2026)
• BroadwayWorld Boston - "Berkshire Theatre Group Receives $25,000 Grant from the Josephine and Louise Crane Foundation" (December 15, 2016): https://www.broadwayworld.com/boston/article/Berkshire-Theatre-Group-Receives-25000-Grant-from-the-Josephine-and-Louise-Crane-Foundation-20161215 (Accessed February 24, 2026)
• Flying Cloud Institute - "Flying Cloud Institute Receives Funding from the Josephine and Louise Crane Foundation" (April 2021): https://www.flyingcloudinstitute.org/news/flying-cloud-institute-receives-funding-from-the-josephine-and-louise-crane-foundation (Accessed February 24, 2026)
• Berkshire Immigrant Center - Our Supporters: https://www.berkshireic.org/support/our-supporters (Accessed February 24, 2026)
• Berkshire County Head Start - Supporters & Partners: https://berkhs.org/elementor-26697/ (Accessed February 24, 2026)
• iBerkshires.com - "Berkshire County Head Start Fundraiser Emphasizes Impact of Child Care": https://www.iberkshires.com/story/80646/Berkshire-County-Head-Start-Fundraiser-Emphasizes-Impact-of-Child-Care.html (Accessed February 24, 2026)
• Berkshire United Way - COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund: https://www.berkshireunitedway.org/covid-19-emergency-response-fund-supporting-nonprofits (Accessed February 24, 2026)
• Williamstown.com - "Berkshire United Way Awards the Josephine and Louise Crane Foundation": https://williamstown.com/story/38875/Berkshire-United-Way-Awards-the-Josephine-and-Louise-Crane-Foundation.html (Accessed February 24, 2026)
• Berkshire Eagle - "Josephine Porter Crane: A socialite who tackled social issues": https://www.berkshireeagle.com/history/a-socialite-who-tackled-social-issues/article_b7772f56-3211-517b-b208-3807efe6cd3e.html (Accessed February 24, 2026)
• Wikipedia - Josephine B. Crane: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Josephine_Porter_Boardman (Accessed February 24, 2026)
• Grokipedia - Louise Crane: https://grokipedia.com/page/louise_crane (Accessed February 24, 2026)
• Multicultural BRIDGE - Josie Greene Bio: https://www.multiculturalbridge.org/new-pathways-bios/josie-greene (Accessed February 24, 2026)
• Foundersuite - Josephine and Louise Crane Foundation Investor Profile: https://www.foundersuite.com/firms/josephine-and-louise-crane-foundation (Accessed February 24, 2026)