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Popplestone Foundation

Annual Giving
$145.3M
Grant Range
$50K - $5.0M

Popplestone Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $145.3 million (2023)
  • Success Rate: N/A (invitation only)
  • Decision Time: N/A (trustee discretion)
  • Grant Range: $50,000 - $5,000,000
  • Geographic Focus: National, with concentration in Massachusetts

Contact Details

Address: c/o Sullivan & Worcester LLP, Boston, MA

Note: The foundation does not maintain a public website, phone line, or email for grant inquiries.

Overview

The Popplestone Foundation was established in 2000 by Alan Dworsky (1930-2021), a former mutual fund manager and investment firm principal, and his wife Suzanne. The foundation has grown substantially in recent years, with 2023 marking exceptional growth in grantmaking activity—from $23.5 million in 2022 to $145.3 million in 2023. With total assets of $78.2 million as of 2023, the foundation demonstrates an extraordinarily high payout rate. The foundation's strategic focus has evolved from its original emphasis on education, human services, and performing arts to now primarily supporting policy advocacy organizations, particularly those focused on social welfare program expansion, voting rights, civil liberties, and health equity.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates a single discretionary grantmaking program managed by its trustees. Individual grants in recent years have ranged from $50,000 to $5,000,000, with a median award of approximately $296,650.

Application Method: Invitation only—the foundation makes contributions exclusively to preselected charitable organizations identified by trustees.

Priority Areas

Based on recent grantmaking patterns, the foundation supports:

  • Policy Advocacy: Organizations working on social policy, voting rights, and civil liberties
  • Social Welfare: Programs focused on expanding social services and safety net programs
  • Health Equity: Health programs addressing insurance coverage and access based on demographics
  • Investigative Journalism: Media organizations focused on regulatory and policy issues
  • Education: Educational institutions and programs (historical priority)
  • Arts & Culture: Performing arts, music, and opera organizations (historical priority)
  • Human Services: Social service organizations (historical priority)

Geographic Focus

The foundation demonstrates strong geographic preferences:

  • Massachusetts: 60% of domestic giving (primarily Cambridge and Boston)
  • District of Columbia: 20% of grants
  • Alabama: 10% of grants
  • Other states: 10% of grants

Notable Past Grantees

  • Fair Elections Center ($700,000 in 2022)
  • Center on Budget and Policy Priorities ($1.85 million from 2015-2020)
  • Americans United for Separation of Church and State
  • Southern Poverty Law Center
  • Brennan Center for Justice
  • Tides Foundation

Governance and Leadership

Trustees:

  • Suzanne E. Werber Dworsky: Co-founder and trustee, former vice president at David L. Babson and Company
  • Sally L. Rubin: Trustee, documentary filmmaker and associate professor at Chapman University

Founder (deceased):

  • Alan J. Dworsky (1930-2021): Founder and trustee, former mutual fund manager and investment firm principal

The foundation received a significant influx of funding in 2023 ($192.8 million in contributions), primarily from the Alan J. Dworsky Irrevocable Trust following his death in 2021, which explains the dramatic increase in annual grantmaking.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. The Popplestone Foundation exclusively makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations identified by its trustees. The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds, letters of inquiry, or grant applications.

All grants are awarded at the discretion of the board of trustees, who identify organizations aligned with the foundation's mission and values without a formal public application process.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable—grants are awarded on a discretionary basis throughout the year as trustees identify organizations to support.

Success Rates

Not applicable for unsolicited applications. The foundation does not track application numbers as it does not accept applications.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable—there is no application process for unsuccessful applicants.

Application Success Factors

Since the Popplestone Foundation operates exclusively through trustee discretion and preselected organizations, traditional application success factors do not apply. However, analysis of the foundation's grantmaking patterns reveals the following characteristics of funded organizations:

Profile of Funded Organizations:

  • Established organizations with proven track records in policy advocacy
  • Organizations working at the intersection of policy research and social change
  • Groups focused on expanding access to social programs and civil liberties
  • National or regional organizations with significant reach and impact
  • Organizations aligned with progressive social policy goals

Funding Pattern Observations:

  • The foundation has shifted focus from arts and education (early priorities) to policy advocacy and social welfare
  • Multi-year support appears common for certain organizations
  • Grant sizes vary significantly based on organizational capacity and project scope
  • Geographic proximity to Massachusetts increases likelihood of support, though national organizations are well-represented

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No public application process: This foundation cannot be approached through traditional grant application methods
  • Trustee-directed giving: All grants are identified and awarded at the discretion of the two trustees
  • Policy advocacy focus: Recent grantmaking heavily emphasizes social policy, civil liberties, and health equity organizations
  • Significant capacity: With $145.3 million in 2023 grants, this is an exceptionally active foundation despite having no public application process
  • Geographic preferences: Massachusetts-based organizations receive the majority of funding, though national organizations are supported
  • Large grant capability: The foundation makes grants up to $5 million, indicating willingness to provide substantial institutional support
  • Relationship-driven: Organizations funded likely have pre-existing relationships with trustees or come through trusted referrals

References

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