Edwin S Webster Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $2,125,000 (2023)
• Success Rate: 29-36%
• Decision Time: 3-4 months
• Grant Range: $10,000 - $100,000 (typical: $10,000 - $25,000)
• Geographic Focus: New England (primarily Massachusetts)

Contact Details

Website: https://websterfoundation.grantsmanagement08.com/
Phone: 617-426-7080
Pre-Application Support:
Angela McIntosh, Program Associate
Email: amcintosh@gmafoundations.com
Phone: 617-391-3082
Address: c/o GMA Foundations, 2 Liberty Square, Suite 500, Boston, MA 02109

Overview

The Edwin S Webster Foundation is a private family foundation established in 1948 by Edwin Sibley Webster (1867-1950), an early electrical engineer and MIT graduate who co-founded the engineering firm Stone & Webster. With total assets of approximately $48.5 million, the foundation distributes over $2.1 million annually to nonprofit organizations primarily in the New England region. The foundation supports a broad range of charitable activities with emphasis on social services, healthcare, medical research, education, and cultural activities. Operating through two annual grant cycles, the foundation awards approximately 67 grants per year, with typical awards ranging from $10,000 to $25,000. The foundation is administered by GMA Foundations and maintains a strong preference for organizations with existing trustee relationships.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

• General Operating Support: $10,000 - $100,000 (unrestricted funding for organizational operations)
• Capital Programs: $10,000 - $50,000 (infrastructure and equipment)
• Special Projects: $10,000 - $25,000 (specific program initiatives)
• Application method: Online portal with two fixed deadlines (May 1 and November 1)

Priority Areas

• Social services (largest percentage of grants)
• Hospitals and healthcare services
• Medical research initiatives
• Education programs
• Youth agencies
• Cultural activities
• Civic services (horticultural societies, science museums)
• Programs addressing needs of minorities
• Arts organizations
• Environmental issues

What They Don't Fund

• Individuals
• Private foundations (per section 509(a) of the Code)
• Organizations outside the United States
• Non-501(c)(3) organizations

Governance and Leadership

The foundation is governed by a board of directors/trustees and administered by GMA Foundations, a professional foundation management organization based in Boston. While specific trustee names are not publicly available in general search results, the foundation explicitly notes that trustee relationships play a critical role in grant decisions. The foundation states: "Unless you have strong support from one of the trustees, you are advised to seek funding from other sources."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Applications are submitted electronically through the GMA Foundations portal at websterfoundation.grantsmanagement08.com. Use access code "webster" to register, with applicants using the executive director's name for registration. The foundation encourages pre-application contact with Angela McIntosh for questions and support.

Decision Timeline

• Application deadlines: May 1 and November 1 (extended to next business day if deadline falls on weekend/holiday)
• Decision timeframe: Approximately 3-4 months after deadline
• Notification method: Written communication through GMA Foundations

Success Rates

• Applications per round: 70-85
• Grants awarded per round: approximately 25
• Overall success rate: 29-36%
• Total annual applications: 140-170
• Total annual grants: 50-67

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication policy is publicly documented. Unsuccessful applicants should contact the foundation office directly for guidance on reapplying.

Application Success Factors

The foundation has documented several critical factors for successful applications:

• Trustee Relationships Are Essential: The foundation explicitly states that without strong trustee support, organizations are advised to seek funding elsewhere. This is the single most important factor for success.

• Geographic Alignment: Organizations must be based in and serving the New England region, with preference for Massachusetts-based initiatives.

• Mission Fit: Strongest consideration given to social services, healthcare, and educational initiatives that align with the foundation's historic funding patterns.

• Pre-Application Contact: The foundation encourages applicants to call before applying, suggesting that this initial contact helps assess fit and potentially establish trustee connections.

• Organizational Credibility: Recent grant recipients include well-established organizations like Greater Boston Food Bank ($100,000), Pine Street Inn ($50,000), and New England Aquarium ($25,000), indicating preference for organizations with proven track records.

• Request Appropriateness: Most successful grants fall within the $10,000-$25,000 range, suggesting applications should be scaled appropriately to the foundation's typical giving patterns.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Trustee relationships are make-or-break: Without existing trustee support or a strategy to develop it, success is unlikely regardless of application quality
• Pre-application contact is crucial: Call Angela McIntosh before applying to gauge fit and potentially identify trustee connections
• Competition is significant but manageable: With a 29-36% success rate, well-connected organizations have reasonable odds
• Flexible funding available: The foundation provides both restricted project funding and valuable unrestricted operating support
• Regional focus is strict: Only New England organizations need apply, with Massachusetts organizations having the best chances
• Mid-range requests perform best: Target requests between $10,000-$25,000 for optimal consideration
• Established organizations preferred: The foundation's grant history shows preference for well-known, credible nonprofits

References

• Edwin S Webster Foundation Official Website. websterfoundation.grantsmanagement08.com. Accessed February 2024.
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Edwin S Webster Foundation Form 990-PF (2023). projects.propublica.org/nonprofits. Accessed February 2024.
• GuideStar Profile. Edwin S Webster Foundation (EIN: 04-6000647). www.guidestar.org. Accessed February 2024.
• Charity Navigator. Edwin S Webster Foundation Profile. www.charitynavigator.org. Accessed February 2024.
• Grantmakers.io. Edwin S Webster Foundation Grant Database. www.grantmakers.io. Accessed February 2024.
• Candid Foundation Directory. Edwin S Webster Foundation Profile. fconline.foundationcenter.org. Accessed February 2024.
• GMA Foundations. Client Foundation Information. www.gmafoundations.com. Accessed February 2024.
• IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search. Edwin S Webster Foundation (EIN: 04-6000647). apps.irs.gov/app/eos. Accessed February 2024.