Carl and Ruth Shapiro Family Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $2,681,500 (2023)
• Assets: Over $35 million
• Grant Range: $10,000 - $50,000
• Number of Grants: 85 awards (2023)
• Geographic Focus: Greater Boston area (primary); Palm Beach County, FL (limited)
• Application Process: Invitation-only RFP process

Contact Details

Address: c/o Wellesley Capital, One Washington Street, Suite 201, Wellesley, MA 02481

Phone: 781-235-6107

Email: info@shapirofamilyfdn.org

Website: https://www.shapirofamilyfdn.org

Organizations interested in being considered for future RFP invitations should call foundation staff to discuss their work by phone.

Overview

Established in 1961 by Carl J. Shapiro and his wife Ruth Gordon Shapiro, the Carl and Ruth Shapiro Family Foundation is a pillar in Boston-area grantmaking. Carl Shapiro (1913-2021) founded Kay Windsor, Inc. in 1939, building it into one of the largest women's clothing companies in the country before its acquisition in 1971. The foundation has grown significantly in recent years, increasing its annual giving by approximately 30% from 2022 to 2023, while expanding the number of community-based grantees by almost 50%. The foundation's mission is to enhance the quality of life for all Bostonians, with particular emphasis on supporting community-based nonprofits focused on improving the lives of the disabled, disadvantaged, and disenfranchised. Over the years, the Shapiros contributed more than $72 million to Brandeis University, among many other major beneficiaries including Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Brigham & Women's Hospital, and the Museum of Fine Arts.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Disability Inclusion Initiative

• Typical grant range: $10,000 - $50,000
• Focus: Development and implementation of assistive technologies; repair and redistribution of assistive equipment
• Priority areas: Distribution of assistive technology devices and related training; opportunities for participation in sports, recreation, and arts; outreach to underserved populations including elderly, minorities, and youth in transition
• Example: $40,000 to BOSTnet for LOYD Initiative to expand out-of-school opportunities for youth with disabilities through inclusive sports and arts

Youth in the Arts Initiative

• Typical grant range: $10,000 - $50,000
• Focus: Developing artistic skills of at-risk youth in middle and high school
• Since inception: 134 grants totaling approximately $2.4 million benefitting 44 organizations
• Past grantees: Boston Children's Chorus, EdVestors for Boston Public Schools Arts Expansion Initiative

Access to Opportunity/Empowerment Grants

• Focus: Adult and postsecondary youth education; pre-vocational training; social inclusion
• Past grantees: English for New Bostonians, Future Chefs, Jewish Vocational Service

Early Childhood Education

• Strategic focus area supporting early learning programs

College Scholarship Initiative

• Renewable last-dollar funding up to $12,000 for students
• Students must be nominated by partner youth-serving nonprofits (not open application)
• Partnership with ACCESS for financial aid advising
• Monthly check-ins with Scholarship Initiative Advisor

Priority Areas

• Arts and culture programs, particularly for at-risk youth
• Health and hospitals
• Disability inclusion and assistive technology
• Education (early childhood through college)
• Jewish causes and institutions
• Social welfare and human services
• Racial equity and social justice organizations
• Community-based partnerships addressing unmet needs

What They Don't Fund

• Endowment requests
• Unsolicited proposals (see application process below)
• Organizations outside Greater Boston area and Palm Beach County, FL (with rare exceptions)

Governance and Leadership

The foundation is managed by a board of directors composed of the Shapiro family. Carl J. Shapiro and Ruth Gordon Shapiro had three daughters: Rhonda Shapiro Zinner (deceased), Ellen Shapiro Jaffe, and Linda Shapiro Waintrup. Rhonda Zinner served on the Brandeis Board of Trustees and was a key organizer in the family's philanthropic causes and projects.

Carl J. Shapiro passed away in March 2021 at age 108, and Ruth Gordon Shapiro passed away in 2012. According to Marc Baker, CEO of Combined Jewish Philanthropies: "The Shapiros' philanthropy has benefitted thousands of children and families, making the arts and education more inclusive for all, helping those seeking employment and job training, and enriching Jewish life in Greater Boston and beyond."

Family member Linda Shapiro Waintrup reflected on their approach: "My father always felt committed to Beth Israel because of its dedication to the immigrant and Jewish population in the city."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. The foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals for funding and only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations.

The foundation operates through an invitation-only Request for Proposal (RFP) process. Organizations are pre-identified and invited to submit proposals for specific initiatives.

Getting on Their Radar

Organizations offering programs that fit the foundation's funding objectives can take the following step:

Phone discussion with foundation staff: The foundation has indicated that any organization offering a program aligned with their funding objectives is invited to contact the foundation by phone to discuss its work. Call 781-235-6107 to initiate this conversation.

Network with Boston nonprofits: The foundation has significantly increased its community-based grantee portfolio, expanding by almost 50% in recent years. Building relationships within the Greater Boston nonprofit community may increase visibility.

Review past grantees: Organizations similar to those already funded (see examples throughout this overview) may have a stronger case for consideration.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed. The foundation uses an RFP process for its strategic initiatives, but specific timelines from invitation to decision are not published.

Success Rates

Not publicly disclosed. In 2023, the foundation made 85 awards totaling $2,681,500, representing significant growth from 65 awards in 2022.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable for unsolicited applications. Organizations invited to respond to RFPs should inquire about reapplication possibilities during the proposal process.

Application Success Factors

Since this foundation operates on an invitation-only basis, success factors relate to program alignment and relationship building:

Strategic Initiative Alignment: The foundation's grantmaking is organized around specific strategic initiatives (Disability Inclusion, Youth in the Arts, Early Childhood Education, Empowerment). Programs must clearly align with one of these focused areas.

Community-Based Approach: The foundation has demonstrated a commitment to expanding its portfolio of community-based organizations, increasing such grantees by almost 50% recently. Community-rooted organizations serving the Greater Boston area appear to be priorities.

Partnership Orientation: The foundation emphasizes creating partnerships with community-based organizations. Their disability inclusion work specifically highlights collaboration with medical and social service providers to expand access to services.

Racial Equity and Social Justice: The foundation has shown continued commitment to racial equity and social justice organizations, suggesting these values are important in their grant decisions.

Practical Impact: Example grants show preference for programs with tangible outcomes—assistive technology distribution, specific youth arts programs, job training initiatives, and inclusive sports/recreation opportunities.

Underserved Populations: Explicit focus on elderly, minorities, youth in transition, immigrants, and people with disabilities.

Innovative Approaches: Support for new assistive technologies and expansion of service models (like integrating low vision services into geriatric healthcare) suggests interest in innovation.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Relationship building is essential: Without a public application process, getting on the foundation's radar through phone contact and networking is the only pathway to funding consideration
• Geographic specificity matters: Your organization must serve the Greater Boston area (or very rarely, Palm Beach County, FL) to be considered
• Multi-year growth trajectory: The foundation has been expanding both total giving (30% increase) and number of grantees (50% increase), suggesting openness to new partners
• Initiative-focused grantmaking: Ensure your program clearly aligns with one of their four strategic initiatives—Disability Inclusion, Youth in the Arts, Early Childhood Education, or Empowerment
• Typical grants are $10,000-$50,000: Plan funding requests within this range, though the BOSTnet example shows $40,000 grants are possible
• Community-based organizations prioritized: The foundation's recent growth has emphasized expanding its community-based grantee portfolio
• Values alignment: Demonstrated commitment to racial equity, social justice, and serving underserved populations including immigrants, minorities, elderly, and people with disabilities

References

1. Carl and Ruth Shapiro Family Foundation official website. Retrieved January 2026. https://www.shapirofamilyfdn.org/
2. Inside Philanthropy. "Carl and Ruth Shapiro Family Foundation." Retrieved January 2026. https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/find-a-grant-places/massachusetts-grants/carl-and-ruth-shapiro-family-foundation
3. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. "Carl & Ruth Shapiro Fam Foundation - EIN 46135027." Retrieved January 2026. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/46135027
4. Cause IQ. "Carl and Ruth Shapiro Family Foundation | Wellesley, MA." Retrieved January 2026. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/carl-and-ruth-shapiro-family-foundation,046135027/
5. Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. "Devoted to Family and Giving Back." Retrieved January 2026. https://giving.bilh.org/bethisraeldeaconessmedicalcenter/philanthropy-news/devoted-to-family-and-giving-back/
6. BrandeisNOW. "Carl J. Shapiro, H'03, philanthropist, dies at 108." March 2021. https://www.brandeis.edu/now/2021/march/carl-shapiro-memoriam.html
7. Carl and Ruth Shapiro Family Foundation. "The Carl and Ruth Shapiro Family Foundation: Grantmaking Overview - Disability Inclusion Initiative." Retrieved January 2026. https://shapirofamilyfdn.org/matriarch/MultiPiecePage.asp_Q_PageID_E_8_A_PageName_E_GrantmakingOverviewDisInclusio
8. Carl and Ruth Shapiro Family Foundation. "Shapiro Family Foundation College Scholarship Initiative." Retrieved January 2026. https://shapirofamilyfdn.org/matriarch/MultiPiecePage.asp_Q_PageID_E_35_A_PageName_E_ScholarshipInitiative