Champions of Love

Private foundation · EIN 86-1229287 · since 2021championsoflove.org·Alabama, California, Massachusetts, Tennessee·Updated 13 October 2026

At a glance

$22.4M

Annual giving, 2024 tax year

From the Form 990-PF filing

$10,000 to $125k

Grant range

From grants in the 990-PF filings

$30,000

Typical grant (median)

188 grants in the latest filing

Invitation only

Unsolicited applications are not accepted

This funder does not accept unsolicited applications. The foundation chooses the organisations it funds itself.

Key takeaways

Champions of Love gives only to organisations it has preselected and does not accept unsolicited requests, so a cold application is not the route in.
Its typical grants fall between $10,000 and $125,000, and about 8 in 10 of its 538 grants to organisations sit in that band, with a median of $25,000.
That band is not a ceiling, since the largest grant was about $2,700,000.
In the filing, 83% of its grant dollars to organisations went to groups it had also funded in the earlier filings, so it leans heavily on relationships built over time, and a request is best framed as a continuing partnership.
Its stated focus is leaders addressing suffering and community strengthening, and no geographic focus is stated, so the grants in Massachusetts, California, Tennessee and Alabama show where it has given, not who may apply.

Overview

Champions of Love is a US private foundation based in Boston, MA.

What they fund

Profile derived from the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings (TY2024, TY2023, TY2022) and its website, with every statement checked against those sources. Sources read on 7 October 2026.

Priority Areas

Champions of Love supports extraordinary leaders working in proximity to people experiencing suffering. It backs charitable organisations led by individuals who have shown commitment to the communities they serve, a demonstrated ability to effect change and courageous leadership, and identifies organisations strengthening local communities. Its Champions are treated as experts who know their communities and have insights into leading and supporting change locally and beyond. The foundation describes its support as a lifelong partnership: champion-led organisations receive unrestricted support for at least three years, with funding expected to increase as partnerships develop. Alongside support for core work, Champions advise on a separate annual allocation and direct it to other nonprofits according to their accumulated knowledge, deep work and lived experiences.

Themes

Leaders addressing suffering
Community strengthening

Geographic Focus

No geographic focus is stated; the filings show grants mainly in Massachusetts, California, Tennessee and Alabama.

How to apply

The foundation gives only to preselected charitable organisations and does not accept unsolicited requests.

Application success factors

Repeat giving: In its TY2024 filing, 83% of its grant dollars to organisations went to organisations it had also funded in its TY2022 or TY2023 filing.
Grant size: Across its TY2022, TY2023 and TY2024 filings, half of its 538 grants to organisations were $25,000 or less.

What the foundation says:

It supports organisations led by individuals who show commitment to their communities, a demonstrated ability to effect change and courageous leadership.
It values Champions who know their communities and have insights into leading and supporting change.

Where grants go

From grants to organisations in the foundation’s filings for tax years 2022–2024.

Grant dollars by state

Massachusetts39%

California25%

Tennessee13%

Alabama9%

New York2%

Florida2%

6 other states: 5%

Outside the US or with no state on the filing: 4%

The largest single recipient received 12% of grant dollars to organisations.
In tax year 2024, 83% of grant dollars went to organisations Champions of Love had funded in earlier filings.
<1% of grant dollars went directly to organisations outside the US (South Africa).
<1% of grant dollars went to intermediaries that regrant to other organisations.

Grants

188 grants in the latest filing analysed · median $30,000

How much do they typically give?

Share of 188 grants in tax year 2024 by size

$1k–$2.5k1%

$2.5k–$5k0%

$5k–$10k4%

$10k–$25k32%

$25k–$50k28%

$50k–$100k16%

$100k–$250k11%

$250k–$500k3%

$500k–$1M2%

$1M and over4%

Median $30,000 (tax year 2024)

The largest grants to organisations in the foundation’s latest filing:

Epiphany School · General
$2,050,0002024 tax year
Thistle Farms · General
$2,021,6942024 tax year
Love Does Parade · General
$2,009,3452024 tax year
Equal Justice Initiative · General
$2,000,0002024 tax year
Homeboy Industries · General
$2,000,0002024 tax year
Roxbury Presbyterian Church Social Impact Center · General
$1,100,0002024 tax year
Healthcare For The Homeless Program · General
$1,000,0002024 tax year
Saint Cecilias Parish School · General
$700,0002024 tax year

Grants to organisations listed in the foundation’s Form 990-PF filings. Grants to individuals are not shown.

Officers and directors

Olivia Bancel — Director
Chloe Bancel — Clerk
Marine Brotons — Treasurer
Stephane Bancel — Co-Chair
Brenda Bancel — President

From the latest Form 990-PF filing

3 years of tax filings

Year	Total expenses	Grants paid	Assets	Filing document
2022 tax year	$14,848,530	$14,246,200	$51,895,262	Filing for 2022 tax year
2023 tax year	$22,942,954	$22,265,090	$78,043,496	Filing for 2023 tax year
2024 tax year	$23,163,255	$22,386,377	$58,374,752	Filing for 2024 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.