Shipley Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $10.5 million
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
• Grant Range: $2,000 - $1,300,000
• Geographic Focus: United States and international
• Application Method: Invitation only - no public application process

Contact Details

Email: shipleyfoundation@nutter.com (for current grant recipients only)
Website: https://www.shipleyfoundation.org/
Location: Boston, MA

Note: Unsolicited applications are not accepted. Contact is limited to current grant recipients sharing updates on their work.

Overview

The Shipley Foundation, Inc. was established in 1969 by the late Charles and Lucia Shipley, who co-founded the Shipley Company in 1957 from their Newton, Massachusetts home. The foundation has total assets of approximately $157.6 million and distributes around $10.5 million annually through approximately 99 grants. The foundation operates through an invitation-only model, making grants exclusively to organisations identified by and known to its directors. The foundation's mission is to improve people's lives in the United States and abroad by catalysing innovation, building capacity, and responding nimbly to need across diverse focus areas. With a median grant of $50,000, the foundation has broadened its philanthropic reach in recent years from its historical focus on medicine, science, education, and research to include other critical causes.

Funding Priorities

Grant Range and Distribution

• Annual Distribution: $10.5 million across approximately 99 grants
• Grant Range: $2,000 - $1,300,000
• Median Grant: $50,000
• Application Method: Invitation only - grants made only to organisations identified by directors

Priority Areas

The foundation supports diverse causes across the United States and internationally:

• Education: Major support for educational innovation, including digital learning initiatives and academic institutions
• Medical Research: Significant funding for health research and medical centres
• Animal Welfare and Conservation: Support for animal protection organisations and conservation efforts
• Veterans Services: Programmes supporting veterans and their families, including career transition and housing
• Immigration and Refugee Support: Services for immigrants, refugees, and asylum-seekers
• Hunger Relief: Organisations addressing food insecurity
• Substance Use Disorder Treatment: Programmes providing treatment and care for substance use disorders

Recent Major Grants (2023)

• Boston University - $1,300,000 for Shipley Center for Digital Learning & Innovation
• Best Friends Animal Society - $1,006,914 for Shipley Dog Lodges
• Homes for Our Troops - $700,000 for construction of homes for disabled military personnel
• Princeton University - $550,000
• Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund - $330,000
• Hire Heroes USA - $300,000 for veteran career transition support programme
• Colorado State University - Grant amount not disclosed

What They Don't Fund

Not publicly disclosed, but unsolicited applications are not accepted.

Governance and Leadership

The foundation is managed by an executive management team with grants made by director discretion. The foundation was originally established by Charles and Lucia Shipley, founders of the Shipley Company.

Richard C. Shipley, a BU trustee emeritus and son of the founders, served as president and CEO of Shipley Company, LLC, which became a world leader in electronic materials and process technology development. He is currently founder of Shiprock Capital, a private equity firm. Richard Shipley has been a major individual philanthropist to Boston University, making gifts totalling over $20 million for prostate cancer research, digital learning innovation, and professorships.

The foundation's assets are managed by the executive management team, with grant decisions made by directors who identify organisations aligned with the foundation's mission.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process.

The Shipley Foundation operates through an invitation-only model. According to their official website: "Grants are made only to organizations identified by and known to the directors, and unsolicited applications for funding are not being accepted at this time."

Current grant recipients may share information and updates on their work via email to shipleyfoundation@nutter.com.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed. Decisions are made by directors on an ongoing basis for organisations they have identified.

Success Rates

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications. Organisations must be identified and invited by directors.

Reapplication Policy

Not publicly disclosed, though current grantees are encouraged to maintain communication with the foundation through the designated email address.

Application Success Factors

Since the Shipley Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, traditional application success factors do not apply. However, based on their recent grantmaking patterns, the following insights emerge:

Funding Patterns:

• The foundation supports a diverse range of causes, from major educational institutions to specialised service organisations
• Grants span a wide range from $2,000 to over $1 million, showing flexibility in funding levels
• The foundation appears to value both innovation ('catalyzing innovation') and practical impact (homes for veterans, animal lodges)
• Strong track record of multi-year or repeat support to institutions (multiple major grants to Boston University)

Types of Organisations Funded:

• Major research universities (Boston University, Princeton, Colorado State)
• National service organisations (Best Friends Animal Society, Homes for Our Troops, Hire Heroes USA)
• Intermediary grantmaking vehicles (Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund)
• Organisations serving diverse causes from veterans to animals to digital education

Alignment Factors:

• Organisations that demonstrate innovation in their field
• Programmes that build capacity for lasting change
• Initiatives that respond to identified needs
• Both established institutions and specialised service providers

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No public application process: The Shipley Foundation operates exclusively through director-identified organisations. There is no application portal or process for organisations to apply directly.
• Diverse funding portfolio: While historically focused on medicine, science, education, and research, the foundation has significantly broadened its reach to include veterans services, animal welfare, immigration support, hunger relief, and substance use disorder treatment.
• Wide grant range: With grants ranging from $2,000 to $1.3 million and a median of $50,000, the foundation demonstrates flexibility in funding levels based on project needs.
• Major institutional relationships: The foundation maintains significant relationships with major universities, particularly Boston University, and established national organisations.
• Mission-driven focus: The foundation seeks to catalyse innovation, build capacity, and respond nimbly to need – suggesting interest in transformative projects and responsive grantmaking.
• Current grantees maintain connection: Organisations currently receiving funding can share updates via shipleyfoundation@nutter.com, suggesting the foundation values ongoing relationships with grantees.
• Geographic scope: The foundation makes grants both domestically and internationally, though the majority of recent major grants appear to be U.S.-based.

References

• Shipley Foundation Official Website: https://www.shipleyfoundation.org/ (Accessed January 2026)
• Charity Navigator Profile: https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/237015570 (Accessed January 2026)
• Instrumentl 990 Report: https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/shipley-foundation-inc (Accessed January 2026)
• Cause IQ Profile: https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/shipley-foundation,237015570/ (Accessed January 2026)
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer: https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/237015570 (Accessed January 2026)
• Boston University Shipley Center: https://www.bu.edu/dli/about/about-shipley-center/ (Accessed January 2026)
• Boston University Article on Richard C. Shipley: https://www.bu.edu/articles/2016/shipley-prostate-cancer-research-center/ (Accessed January 2026)