The Lawrence & Lillian Solomon Foundation appears to concentrate its giving on local environmental conservation, with a single sizable grant supporting watershed protection. Their sole recorded gift funds community-based stewardship and restoration of the Mystic River watershed, indicating a regional, place-based conservation interest tied to the Greater Boston area.
Highly concentrated: one large grant to a single regional environmental nonprofit (suggests targeted, place-based giving rather than broad diversified support).
Notable grantees: Mystic River Watershed Association
A defining thread in Lawrence & Lillian Solomon Foundation Inc’s recent giving is place-based work in Greater Boston: the largest recorded grant goes to Mystic River Watershed Assoc for charitable purposes, and the same watershed group appears multiple times across 2023 and 2024. That pattern points to an ongoing relationship rather than a one-off gift. The foundation’s support also reaches local public-space and mobility organizations, including Bike to the Sea, Boston Cyclists Union, and Livable Streets Alliance, suggesting interest in greenways, parks, and connected routes as part of urban environmental stewardship. Recent grants also include city and community partners such as the City of Framingham, the City of Malden, and Southwest Boston Community Development, which indicates work that touches municipal planning and neighborhood-scale implementation. Several grants are directed to organizations tied to watershed protection, public access, and community activation, aligning with the foundation’s active programs for greenway planning, preliminary design studies, and public engagement. Across the record, the foundation gives within Massachusetts and maintains a clear regional focus on the Boston area and nearby communities.
Watershed protection is the clearest cause area in the recent record. Lawrence & Lillian Solomon Foundation Inc gave $90,000 to Mystic River Watershed Assoc for charitable purposes and also made additional gifts to the same organization in 2024 and 2023. It also funded Neponset River Watershed Assoc, showing attention to river systems in Greater Boston. The foundation’s public-space work extends beyond waterways. It gave $30,000 to Norwottuck Network and $25,000 to Mass Parks for All, both aligned with greenway and park advocacy. Transportation and access also appear through support for Bike to the Sea and Boston Cyclists Union, alongside grants to Livable Streets Alliance. Municipal and neighborhood partners are part of the mix as well: the City of Framingham, the City of Malden, and Southwest Boston Community Development each received recent support.
Typical grant size is modest: the 25th percentile is $1,000, the median is $2,000, and the 75th percentile is $5,000. Even so, the recent record includes larger awards for specific regional projects and organizations, with multiple repeat recipients across 2023 and 2024. That recurring pattern is especially visible in the grant list, which includes repeated support to the same watershed and greenway organizations rather than a single isolated cycle of gifts. The foundation operates through programmatic grantmaking and technical assistance, including partnership-based work with the Barr Foundation. Several active programs accept unsolicited requests, while the Streets for Recovery Emergency Response Grant Program did not. The foundation does not fund individuals and does not make program-related investments.
$522K
$6.9M
$675K
$914K
Most grants fall between $1K and $5K, with a median of $2K.
25th Percentile
$1K
Median
$2K
75th Percentile
$5K
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Grantmaking is heavily concentrated in Massachusetts: 88% of grants go to recipients in the foundation’s HQ state, and the top state by grant count is also Massachusetts. Recent recipients are spread across Greater Boston communities, including Arlington, Framingham, Malden, Hyde Park, Saugus, Jamaica Plain, Canton, Cambridge, Newton, and Boston. The record also includes nearby place-based groups in Brookline, Newton Centre, Winthrop, and Concord-area organizations through the broader regional pattern. The distribution is local, with all recorded recipient-country grants in the US.
The recent record centers on environmental conservation and public-space work in Greater Boston. Named recipients include Mystic River Watershed Assoc, Neponset River Watershed Assoc, Bike to the Sea, Boston Cyclists Union, Livable Streets Alliance, and municipal partners such as the City of Framingham and the City of Malden.
Yes. Mystic River Watershed Assoc appears multiple times across 2023 and 2024, and Bike to the Sea also appears repeatedly in both years. That pattern suggests ongoing relationships rather than one-time awards.
The reported grant-size distribution is $1,000 at the 25th percentile, $2,000 at the median, and $5,000 at the 75th percentile. The recent record also includes larger project grants, including a $90,000 award to Mystic River Watershed Assoc.
Several active programs accept unsolicited requests, including the A Greener Greater Boston programs and the limited general operating support program. The Streets for Recovery Emergency Response Grant Program did not accept unsolicited applications.
Massachusetts is the clear focus. The foundation gives 88% of its grants to recipients in its HQ state, and Massachusetts is also the top state by grant count. Recent recipient cities include Arlington, Framingham, Malden, Saugus, Cambridge, and Newton.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Current and upcoming funding from Lawrence & Lillian Solomon Foundation that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Organizations that provide regional leadership around greenway planning and design and operate within the Greater Boston region. The program is limited in number of awards.
Deadline: Rolling / limited opportunities
Who can apply: Communities with specific needs and buy-in from municipal decision makers may receive planning and preparation support for Shared Streets and Spaces grant applications. The page emphasizes help to municipalities and communities interested in rapidly transforming streets.
Deadline: Not specified in scraped content (emergency program active in 2020).
Who can apply: The foundation focuses its technical assistance and grantmaking within the Greater Boston region, generally the area bounded by Interstate 128. It seeks partnerships with grassroots community groups, neighborhood associations, cities and towns, regional and state government agencies, and local and regional nonprofits. Projects should help complete a network of paths and parks, serve dense neighborhoods most in need of open space, fit within a broader regional vision, obtain necessary permits, provide public value, have broad political support, be likely to be funded for design and construction, and be maintainable and sustainable.
Deadline: Rolling basis; no fixed deadline stated.
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Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BARR FOUNDATION | BOSTON, MA | $308,958 | 2026 | FULFILL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| ESPLANDE ASSOCIATION | BOSTON, MA | $50,000 | 2026 | FULFILL CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| MASS PARKS FOR ALL | JAMAICA PLAIN, MA | $25,000 | 2026 | FULFILL CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| MYSTIC RIVER WATERSHED ASSOCIATION | ARLINGTON, MA | $25,000 | 2026 | FULFILL CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| MASS PARKS FOR ALL | JAMAICA PLAIN, MA | $25,000 | 2026 | FULFILL CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| CENTER FOR INDEPENDENT DOCUMENTARY | NEWTON, MA | $10,000 | 2026 | FULFILL CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| HENRY LEE FUND FOR BOSTON PARKS | BOSTON, MA | $10,000 | 2026 | FULFILL CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF WESTERN NC | ASHEVILLE, NC | $10,000 | 2026 | FULFILL CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| ESPLANDE ASSOCIATION | BOSTON, MA | $6,400 | 2026 | FULFILL CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| FRIENDS OF HERTER PARK | BOSTON, MA | $5,000 | 2026 | FULFILL CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| EMERALD NECKLACE CONSERVANCY | BROOKLINE, MA | $5,000 | 2026 | FULFILL CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| CHARLES RIVER BOAT CLEAN UP | BOSTON, MA | $5,000 | 2026 | FULFILL CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| EMERALD NECKLACE CONSERVANCY | BROOKLINE, MA | $3,500 | 2026 | FULFILL CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| MASS PARKS FOR ALL | JAMAICA PLAIN, MA | $2,000 | 2026 | FULFILL CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| THE NEW NORWOTTUCK NETWORK | ACTON, MA | $2,000 | 2026 | FULFILL CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| COGDESIGN | CAMBRIDGE, MA | $2,000 | 2026 | FULFULL CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| RAILS-TO-TRAILS CONSERVANCY | WASHINGTON, DC | $2,000 | 2026 | FULFILL CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| MASS AUDUBON | LINCOLN, MA | $2,000 | 2026 | FULFILL CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| BOSTON CONSERVATORY AT BERKLEE | BOSTON, MA | $1,500 | 2026 | FULFILL CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| TANGLEWOOD | LENOX, MA | $1,500 | 2026 | FULFILL CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| EAST QUABBIN LAND TRUST | HARDWICK, MA | $1,000 | 2026 | FULFILL CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| BOSTON CYCLIST UNION | JAMAICA PLAIN, MA | $1,000 | 2026 | FULFILL CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| CHARLES RIVER CONSERVANCY | CAMBRIDGE, MA | $1,000 | 2026 | FULFILL CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| ENVIRONMENTAL LEAGUE OF MASSACHUSETTS | BOSTON, MA | $1,000 | 2026 | FULFILL CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| WACHUSETT GREENWAYS | RUTLAND, MA | $1,000 | 2026 | FULFILL CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| EMERALD NECKLACE CONSERVANCY | BROOKLINE, MA | $1,000 | 2026 | FULFILL CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| TRUST FOR PUBLIC LAND | LOS ANGELES, CA | $1,000 | 2026 | FULFILL CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| MYSTIC RIVER WATERSHED ASSOCIATION | ARLINGTON, MA | $1,000 | 2026 | FULFILL CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| WALK MASSACHUSETTS | BOSTON, MA | $1,000 | 2026 | FULFILL CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| INSTITUTE FOR JUSTICE | ARLINGTON, VA | $1,000 | 2026 | FULFILL CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| EAST COAST GREENWAY ALLIANCE | DURHAM, NC | $1,000 | 2026 | FULFILL CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| FRANKLIN PARK COALITION | BOSTON, MA | $1,000 | 2026 | FULFILL CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| ROSE KENNEDY GREENWAY | BOSTON, MA | $1,000 | 2026 | FULFILL CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| NEWTON CONSERVATORS | NEWTON, MA | $1,000 | 2026 | FULFILL CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| CLINTON GREENWAY CONSERVATION TRUST | CLINTON, MA | $1,000 | 2026 | FULFILL CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| NEPONSET RIVER WATERSHED ASSOCIATION | CANTON, MA | $1,000 | 2026 | FULFILL CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| THE TRUSTEES | LEOMINSTER, MA | $1,000 | 2026 | FULFILL CHARTIABLE PURPOSE |
| WESTON FOREST AND TRAIL ASSOCIATION | WESTON, MA | $1,000 | 2026 | FULFILL CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| MASS GENERAL DEVELOPMENT | BOSTON, MA | $500 | 2026 | FULFILL CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| CENTRAL PARK CONSERVANCY | NEW YORK, NY | $500 | 2026 | FULFILL CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| NATIONAL KIDNEY FOUNDATION | NEW YORK, NY | $252 | 2026 | FULFILL CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| THE METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART | NEW YORK, NY | $210 | 2026 | FULFILL CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS | BOT, MA | $140 | 2026 | FULFILL CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| ST JUDE'S CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL | MEMPHIS, TN | $100 | 2026 | FULFILL CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| RAILS TO TRAILS CONSERVACY | WASHINGTON, DC | $50 | 2026 | FULFILL CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| ISABELLA STEWART GARDNER MUSEUM | BOSTON, MA | $31 | 2026 | FULFILL CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| MYSTIC RIVER WATERSHED ASSOC | ARLINGTON, MA | $90,000 | 2024 | FULFILL CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| MYSTIC RIVER WATERSHED ASSOC | ARLINGTON, MA | $43,070 | 2024 | FULFILL CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| CITY OF MALDEN | MALDEN, MA | $37,600 | 2024 | FULFILL CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| SOUTHWEST BOSTON COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT | HYDE PARK, MA | $37,440 | 2024 | FULFILL CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
BARR FOUNDATION
$308,958FULFILL CHARITABLE PURPOSES
ESPLANDE ASSOCIATION
$50,000FULFILL CHARITABLE PURPOSE
MASS PARKS FOR ALL
$25,000FULFILL CHARITABLE PURPOSE
MASS PARKS FOR ALL
$25,000FULFILL CHARITABLE PURPOSE
CENTER FOR INDEPENDENT DOCUMENTARY
$10,000FULFILL CHARITABLE PURPOSE
HENRY LEE FUND FOR BOSTON PARKS
$10,000FULFILL CHARITABLE PURPOSE
COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF WESTERN NC
$10,000FULFILL CHARITABLE PURPOSE
ESPLANDE ASSOCIATION
$6,400FULFILL CHARITABLE PURPOSE
FRIENDS OF HERTER PARK
$5,000FULFILL CHARITABLE PURPOSE
CHARLES RIVER BOAT CLEAN UP
$5,000FULFILL CHARITABLE PURPOSE
MASS PARKS FOR ALL
$2,000FULFILL CHARITABLE PURPOSE
THE NEW NORWOTTUCK NETWORK
$2,000FULFILL CHARITABLE PURPOSE
COGDESIGN
$2,000FULFULL CHARITABLE PURPOSE
MASS AUDUBON
$2,000FULFILL CHARITABLE PURPOSE
BOSTON CONSERVATORY AT BERKLEE
$1,500FULFILL CHARITABLE PURPOSE
TANGLEWOOD
$1,500FULFILL CHARITABLE PURPOSE
EAST QUABBIN LAND TRUST
$1,000FULFILL CHARITABLE PURPOSE
BOSTON CYCLIST UNION
$1,000FULFILL CHARITABLE PURPOSE
CHARLES RIVER CONSERVANCY
$1,000FULFILL CHARITABLE PURPOSE
WACHUSETT GREENWAYS
$1,000FULFILL CHARITABLE PURPOSE
WALK MASSACHUSETTS
$1,000FULFILL CHARITABLE PURPOSE
EAST COAST GREENWAY ALLIANCE
$1,000FULFILL CHARITABLE PURPOSE
FRANKLIN PARK COALITION
$1,000FULFILL CHARITABLE PURPOSE
ROSE KENNEDY GREENWAY
$1,000FULFILL CHARITABLE PURPOSE
NEWTON CONSERVATORS
$1,000FULFILL CHARITABLE PURPOSE
CLINTON GREENWAY CONSERVATION TRUST
$1,000FULFILL CHARITABLE PURPOSE
THE TRUSTEES
$1,000FULFILL CHARTIABLE PURPOSE
WESTON FOREST AND TRAIL ASSOCIATION
$1,000FULFILL CHARITABLE PURPOSE
MASS GENERAL DEVELOPMENT
$500FULFILL CHARITABLE PURPOSE
NATIONAL KIDNEY FOUNDATION
$252FULFILL CHARITABLE PURPOSE
CITY OF MALDEN
$37,600FULFILL CHARITABLE PURPOSE
SOUTHWEST BOSTON COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
$37,440FULFILL CHARITABLE PURPOSE
