MathWorks Foundation
At a glance
This funder does not accept unsolicited applications. The foundation chooses the organisations it funds itself.
Key takeaways
- The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests, so a cold proposal is unlikely to be considered; the realistic first step is an introduction through someone who knows the foundation.
- Its themes are education, environmental stewardship and community wellbeing, so work clearly in one of these areas is the best fit to show.
- Its stated focus names no geographic area, so the Massachusetts and Georgia concentration in the filing should not be read as a limit on who may apply.
- Half of its grants to organisations were $300,000 or less, and about 8 in 10 fell between $100,000 and $9,150,000, so a modest request is the most realistic for a small charity, though that band is typical rather than a ceiling.
- Repeat support exists but is a minority pattern: 14% of its grant dollars to organisations went to groups it had funded in earlier filings.
Overview
MathWorks Foundation is a US private foundation based in Natick, MA.
What they fund
Profile derived from the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings (TY2025, TY2024, TY2023) and web pages about the foundation (mathworks.com), with every statement checked against those sources. Sources read on 12 October 2026.
Priority Areas
The MathWorks Foundation supports a broad range of initiatives focused on education, environmental stewardship and community wellbeing. The report describes the Foundation as a philanthropic body set up to give back. Its environmental support includes large-scale land conservation intended to protect biodiversity and strengthen climate resilience. This work is presented as part of its broader giving, alongside its stated support for education and community wellbeing. The Foundation’s stated focus therefore spans learning, care for the environment and community wellbeing, with conservation and climate resilience identified within its environmental work.
Themes
- Education
- Environmental stewardship
- Community wellbeing
Geographic Focus
No geographic focus is stated; the filings show grants mainly in Massachusetts and Georgia.
How to apply
The foundation states that it does not accept unsolicited requests.
Application success factors
- Repeat giving: In its TY2025 filing, 14% of its grant dollars to organisations went to organisations it had also funded in its TY2023 or TY2024 filing.
- Grant size: Across its TY2023, TY2024 and TY2025 filings, half of its 24 grants to organisations were $300,000 or less.
Where grants go
From grants to organisations in the foundation’s filings for tax years 2023–2025.
Grant dollars by state
2 other states: <1%
- The largest single recipient received 29% of grant dollars to organisations.
- In tax year 2025, 14% of grant dollars went to organisations MathWorks Foundation had funded in earlier filings.
- No grants were paid directly to organisations outside the US.
- 1% of grant dollars went to intermediaries that regrant to other organisations.
Grants
How much do they typically give?
Share of 9 grants in tax year 2025 by size
Median $500k (tax year 2025)
The largest grants to organisations in the foundation’s latest filing:
- Massachusetts General Hospital · Exempt purpose$20,000,0002025 tax year
- Appalachian Mountain Club · Exempt purpose$9,902,7002025 tax year
- Care Inc (Cooperative For Assistance And Relief Everywhere) · Exempt purpose$2,000,0002025 tax year
- Khan Academy · Exempt purpose$2,000,0002025 tax year
- I2 Learning Foundation · Exempt purpose$500,0002025 tax year
- Foundation for MetroWest · Exempt purpose$300,0002025 tax year
- National Arbor Day Foundation · Exempt purpose$250,0002025 tax year
- Umass Foundation · Exempt purpose$250,0002025 tax year
Grants to organisations listed in the foundation’s Form 990-PF filings. Grants to individuals are not shown.
Officers and directors
- James Rider — Agent
- Steven Douglas Barbo — Agent
- Thomas M Spera — Clerk
- Jeanne O'Keefe — Treasurer / Director
- John Little — President / Director
From the latest Form 990-PF filing
3 years of tax filings
| Year | Total expenses | Grants paid | Assets | Filing document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 tax year | $9,950,652 | $9,850,000 | $268,035,608 | Filing for 2023 tax year |
| 2024 tax year | $23,716,710 | $23,186,000 | $424,415,799 | Filing for 2024 tax year |
| 2025 tax year | $35,937,905 | $35,377,700 | $444,786,571 | Filing for 2025 tax year |
Figures from the foundation’s IRS Form 990-PF filings. Assets are at fair market value at year end. The document icon links to each year’s filing on ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer.
Sources
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At a glance
Applying to MathWorks Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- Natick, MA
Applying to MathWorks Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- Natick, MA