
The Lincoln & Therese Filene Foundation concentrates its philanthropy on performing arts and music education, favoring institutional investments that build capacity (facilities, artist residences) and expand arts training and career pathways. Grants are focused and programmatic—supporting opera, artist residencies, teaching-artist training, and collegiate music programs—often directed to well-established arts organizations rather than many small grassroots groups.
A $1,175,000 building-improvement grant to Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts stands out in the Lincoln & Therese Filene Foundation Inc #0706176 record because it links capital support to a broader arts pipeline: opera, the Filene Artist Residence, career grants, and teaching-artist training. That pattern fits a funder that backs performing arts organizations through programmatic, institutional commitments rather than broad scattershot giving. In the recent grant list, Skidmore College also appears three times for the Filene Music Program and related scholarship support, showing a sustained relationship around collegiate music training. The foundation’s arts work reaches into early learning through the arts, opera, and music education, while other grants support the infrastructure and professional conditions that let arts programs operate over time. Alongside those arts commitments, the portfolio includes civic education, workforce training, immigrant language access, and services for survivors and young families, but the arts and education emphasis remains the clearest through line in the named grants. The recipient base is dominated by established nonprofit organizations, many of them in Massachusetts, with several awards repeated across multiple years.
In music education and performing arts, the foundation gave $550,000 in both 2024 and 2025 to Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts for a building project, opera, the Filene Artist Residence, career grants, and the Institute for Early Learning Through the Arts. Skidmore College received $175,000 in 2023 and again in 2024 and 2025 for the Filene Music Program and a Filene music scholarship/concert support line. Civic education appears in awards such as $20,570 to Primary Source for Investigating History: Foundation for Civic Life and $45,000 and $25,000 to the Bill of Rights Institute for professional development for Boston area teachers. Workforce and access-to-justice grants include $35,000 three times to Jewish Vocational Services for nurse aide and pharmacy technician training, and $40,000 to Student Clinic for Immigrant Justice for expanding access to justice in Boston.
Typical grant size is tightly clustered: p25 is $10,000, median is $15,000, and p75 is $20,000. That distribution matches a foundation that makes many moderate program grants, while a few larger commitments sit above the usual range. The same organizations can recur across years; Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts, Skidmore College, Jewish Vocational Services, Found in Translation, and Ria House Inc each appear in multiple grant years. The foundation is classified as a regular funder and also funds individuals. Its grant guidelines and program descriptions indicate unsolicited applications are accepted for several programs, including general grantmaking, civic education, community education, human development, and music education.
$1.5M
$16.9M
$3.7M
$1.8M
Most grants fall between $10K and $20K, with a median of $15K.
25th Percentile
$10K
Median
$15K
75th Percentile
$20K
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Concentrated, large grants to a small number of repeat grantees; multi-grant relationships that fund both capital projects and programmatic initiatives rather than one-off small gifts.
Notable grantees: Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts, Wolf Trap Opera / Filene Artist Residence programs, Skidmore College (Filene Music Program)
Grantmaking is heavily concentrated in Massachusetts: 80% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state, and Massachusetts is also the top state by grant count. Boston appears repeatedly, including Student Clinic for Immigrant Justice, Jewish Vocational Services, Found in Translation, Friends of the Children-Boston, and Primary Source. Chelsea, Framingham, Worcester, Dorchester, East Boston, and Watertown also show up in the recent list, alongside a smaller number of grants outside Massachusetts such as Vienna, Virginia; Saratoga Springs, New York; Gaithersburg, Maryland; and Reading, Pennsylvania. The recipient country distribution is entirely U.S.-based.
The foundation supports performing arts and music education, civic education, workforce training, immigrant language access, and services for survivors and young parents. Its program descriptions also emphasize Greater Boston-area organizations, with grant purposes ranging from teaching-artist training and early learning through the arts to job training and access to justice.
Its grants are usually modest and program-specific. The typical range is p25 $10,000, median $15,000, and p75 $20,000, which aligns with program grants described as generally falling between $10,000 and $20,000.
Yes. Several active programs say they accept unsolicited applications, including Human Development & Self Sufficiency, Public Education & Broadcasting, Community Education, Civic Education, Music Education & Performing Arts, and General Grantmaking.
Yes. Massachusetts is the top state by grant count, and 80% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state. Recent recipient cities include Boston, Chelsea, Framingham, Worcester, Dorchester, East Boston, and Watertown.
Yes. Multiple organizations appear across more than one year, including Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts, Skidmore College, Jewish Vocational Services, Found in Translation, Ria House Inc, and The Neighborhood Developers Inc. That suggests repeat relationships rather than one-off awards only.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WOLF TRAP FOUNDATION FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS | VIENNA, VA | $550,000 | 2025 | BUILDING PROJECT; WOLF TRAP OPERA, FILENE ARTIST RESIDENCE, WTO CAREER GRANTS, INSTITUTE FOR EARLY LEARNING THROUGH THE ARTS, VIRGINIA EXPANSION:TEACHING ARTIST TRAINING AND RECRUITMENT |
| SKIDMORE COLLEGE | SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY | $175,000 | 2025 | FILENE MUSIC PROGRAM |
| STUDENT CLINIC FOR IMMIGRANT JUSTICE | BOSTON, MA | $40,000 | 2025 | EXPANDING ACCESS TO JUSTICE IN BOSTON |
| THE NEIGHBORHOOD DEVELOPERS INC | CHELSEA, MA | $40,000 | 2025 | CONNECT ONE-ON-ONE FINANCIAL AND EMPLOYMENT COACHING PROGRAM |
| JEWISH VOCATIONAL SERVICES | BOSTON, MA | $35,000 | 2025 | NURSES AID AND PHARMACY TECHNICIAN TRAINING PROGRAMS |
| MERYL'S SAFE HAVEN INC | WORCESTER, MA | $30,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT MERYL'S SAFE HAVEN INC. |
| FOUND IN TRANSLATION | BOSTON, MA | $30,000 | 2025 | LANGUAGE ACCESS FELLOWSHIP |
| RIA HOUSE INC | FRAMINGHAM, MA | $25,000 | 2025 | CLINICAL THERAPY SERVICES FOR HUMAN TRAFFICKING SURVIVORS |
| BILL OF RIGHTS INSTITUTE | ARLINGTON, VA | $25,000 | 2025 | PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR BOSTON AREA TEACHERS |
| FRIENDS OF THE CHILDREN-BOSTON | BOSTON, MA | $25,000 | 2025 | PROFESSIONAL MENTORING FOR HIGH-RISK YOUTH |
| PRIMARY SOURCE | WATERTOWN, MA | $20,570 | 2025 | INVESTIGATING HISTORY:FOUNDATION FOR CIVIC LIFE |
| BOSTON COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOL | BOSTON, MA | $20,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION ENGAGING DIVERSE HS YOUTH AS VOLUNTEERS IN ENGLISH AND CITIZENSHIP CLASSES FOR ADULT IMMIGRANTS |
| CHILDREN'S ADVOCACY CENTER OF SUFFOLK COUNTY | BOSTON, MA | $20,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT TO END EXPLOITATION NOW |
| EMPATH | BOSTON, MA | $20,000 | 2025 | ABBOT HOUSE |
| ZUMIX INC | EAST BOSTON, MA | $20,000 | 2025 | 94.9 FM ZUMIX RADIO |
| DISCOVERING JUSTICE | BOSTON, MA | $20,000 | 2025 | DELIVERING IMPACTFUL MOCK TRIAL AND MOCK APPEAL PROGRAMS TO STUDENTS ACROSS GREATER BOSTON |
| GENERATION CITIZEN INC | NEW YORK, NY | $20,000 | 2025 | BOSTON ACTION CIVICS EDUCATION |
| BOSTON CASA | BOSTON, MA | $20,000 | 2025 | INCREASING BOSTON CASA'S IMPACT ON TRADITIONAL AGED YOUTH |
| PROJECT CITIZEN | CALABASAS, CA | $20,000 | 2025 | CITIZENSHIP SERVICES AND EDUCATION FOR EASTERN MASSACHUSETTS |
| THE CONNECTICUT DEMOCRACY CENTER | HARTFORD, CT | $20,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT THE CONNECTICUT DEMORCRACY CENTER |
| PLAYWORKS MASSACHUSETTS | BOSTON, MA | $20,000 | 2025 | JUINOR COACH LEADERSHIP PROGRAM SERVING VULNERABLE STUDENTS AT HIGH NEED BOSTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS |
| ELEVATED THOUGHT INC | LAWRENCE, MA | $20,000 | 2025 | I AM ART. I AM CHANGE APPRENTICESHIP |
| BOSTON DAY AND EVENING ACADEMY | ROXBURY, MA | $15,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT BOSTON DAY AND EVENING ACADEMY |
| BOY'S AND GIRLS CLUB OF DORCHESTER | DORCHESTER, MA | $15,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT OF MUSIC THERAPY PROGRAM |
| MAKING MUSIC MATTERS INC | WEST ROXBURY, MA | $15,000 | 2025 | MAKING MUSIC MATTERS ENSEMBLE |
| POTENCIA INC | MALDEN, MA | $15,000 | 2025 | VOLUNTEER CIVIC LEADERSHIP TRAINING |
| COURAGEOUS SAILING | BOSTON, MA | $15,000 | 2025 | SWIM SAIL SCIENCE PROGRAM |
| READ TO A CHILD | WELLESLEY, MA | $15,000 | 2025 | READ ALOUD MENTORING PROGRAM |
| LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF MASSACHUSETTS | BOSTON, MA | $15,000 | 2025 | CITIZEN EDUCATION FUND |
| JULIE'S FAMILY LEARNING PROGRAM INC | BOSTON, MA | $15,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT JULIE'S FAMILY LEARNING PROGRAM |
| MUSICONNECTS | ROSLINDALE, MA | $15,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION PROGRAMS |
| 826 BOSTON INC | ROXBURY, MA | $12,000 | 2025 | AMPLIFYING YOUTH VOCIE THROUGH AFTER SCHOOL WRITING AND TUTORING |
| FAMILY SERVICES OF THE MERRIMACK VALLEY | LAWRENCE, MA | $10,000 | 2025 | NURTURING FATHERS PROGRAM |
| SHELTER MUSIC BOSTON | ARLINGTON, MA | $10,000 | 2025 | CLASSICAL MUSIC CONCERTS IN BOSTON AREA HOMELESS SHELTERS, RECOVERY CENTERS, AND AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS |
| LA VIDA INC | LYNN, MA | $10,000 | 2025 | EXPANDING EQUITY IN HIGHER EDUCATION FOR LYNN AND CHELSEA, MA |
| BOSTON LYRIC OPERA | BOSTON, MA | $10,000 | 2025 | CREATE YOUR OWN OPERA |
| GIRLSTART | AUSTIN, TX | $10,000 | 2025 | YEAR-ROUND STEM EDUCATION FOR UNDERSERVED GIRLS IN GREATER BOSTON |
| BARD COLLEGE | ANNANDALEONHUDSON, NY | $10,000 | 2025 | CONTRIBUTION FOR LONGY SCHOOL OF MUSIC AT BARD |
| EPIPHANY SCHOOL | BOSTON, MA | $10,000 | 2025 | SUMMER INTENSIVE |
| EMERGE INC | COLUMBIA, MD | $10,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT OF RESPONSIBLE FATHERHOOD PROGRAM |
| CASA MYRNA VAZQUEZ INC | BOSTON, MA | $10,000 | 2025 | SHELTER & SUPPORTIVE SERVICES FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SURVIVORS AND THEIR CHILDREN |
| YOUTH DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATION | LAWRENCE, MA | $10,000 | 2025 | YDO PERFORMING ARTS PROGRAMMING |
| MAB COMMUNITY SERVICES | BROOKLINE, MA | $9,000 | 2025 | ADULT DISABILITY SERVICES MUSIC THERAPY PROGRAM |
| ACHIEVE | WASHINGTON, DC | $8,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY BUILDING EVENTS SUMMER 2023 |
| ALL NEWTON MUSIC SCHOOL | WEST NEWTON, MA | $6,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION TO ALL NEW MUSIC SHCOOL |
| BETH ISRAEL DEACONESS MEDICAL CENTER | BOSTON, MA | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| COMBINED JEWISH PHILANTROPIES | BOSTON, MA | $5,000 | 2025 | ANNUAL GIFT |
| WOLF TRAP FOUNDATION FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS | VIENNA, VA | $550,000 | 2024 | BUILDING PROJECT; WOLF TRAP OPERA, FILENE ARTIST RESIDENCE, WTO CAREER GRANTS, INSTITUTE FOR EARLY LEARNING THROUGH THE ARTS, VIRGINIA EXPANSION:TEACHING ARTIST TRAINING AND RECRUITMENT |
| SKIDMORE COLLEGE | SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY | $175,000 | 2024 | FILENE MUSIC PROGRAM |
| BILL OF RIGHTS INSTITUTE | ARLINGTON, VA | $45,000 | 2024 | PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR BOSTON AREA TEACHERS |
BUILDING PROJECT; WOLF TRAP OPERA, FILENE ARTIST RESIDENCE, WTO CAREER GRANTS, INSTITUTE FOR EARLY LEARNING THROUGH THE ARTS, VIRGINIA EXPANSION:TEACHING ARTIST TRAINING AND RECRUITMENT
THE NEIGHBORHOOD DEVELOPERS INC
$40,000CONNECT ONE-ON-ONE FINANCIAL AND EMPLOYMENT COACHING PROGRAM
JEWISH VOCATIONAL SERVICES
$35,000NURSES AID AND PHARMACY TECHNICIAN TRAINING PROGRAMS
MERYL'S SAFE HAVEN INC
$30,000TO SUPPORT MERYL'S SAFE HAVEN INC.
RIA HOUSE INC
$25,000CLINICAL THERAPY SERVICES FOR HUMAN TRAFFICKING SURVIVORS
PRIMARY SOURCE
$20,570INVESTIGATING HISTORY:FOUNDATION FOR CIVIC LIFE
BOSTON COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOL
$20,000CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION ENGAGING DIVERSE HS YOUTH AS VOLUNTEERS IN ENGLISH AND CITIZENSHIP CLASSES FOR ADULT IMMIGRANTS
ZUMIX INC
$20,00094.9 FM ZUMIX RADIO
DISCOVERING JUSTICE
$20,000DELIVERING IMPACTFUL MOCK TRIAL AND MOCK APPEAL PROGRAMS TO STUDENTS ACROSS GREATER BOSTON
PROJECT CITIZEN
$20,000CITIZENSHIP SERVICES AND EDUCATION FOR EASTERN MASSACHUSETTS
THE CONNECTICUT DEMOCRACY CENTER
$20,000TO SUPPORT THE CONNECTICUT DEMORCRACY CENTER
PLAYWORKS MASSACHUSETTS
$20,000JUINOR COACH LEADERSHIP PROGRAM SERVING VULNERABLE STUDENTS AT HIGH NEED BOSTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
BOSTON DAY AND EVENING ACADEMY
$15,000TO SUPPORT BOSTON DAY AND EVENING ACADEMY
BOY'S AND GIRLS CLUB OF DORCHESTER
$15,000SUPPORT OF MUSIC THERAPY PROGRAM
MAKING MUSIC MATTERS INC
$15,000MAKING MUSIC MATTERS ENSEMBLE
POTENCIA INC
$15,000VOLUNTEER CIVIC LEADERSHIP TRAINING
LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF MASSACHUSETTS
$15,000CITIZEN EDUCATION FUND
MUSICONNECTS
$15,000EDUCATION PROGRAMS
AMPLIFYING YOUTH VOCIE THROUGH AFTER SCHOOL WRITING AND TUTORING
SHELTER MUSIC BOSTON
$10,000CLASSICAL MUSIC CONCERTS IN BOSTON AREA HOMELESS SHELTERS, RECOVERY CENTERS, AND AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS
LA VIDA INC
$10,000EXPANDING EQUITY IN HIGHER EDUCATION FOR LYNN AND CHELSEA, MA
EMERGE INC
$10,000SUPPORT OF RESPONSIBLE FATHERHOOD PROGRAM
SHELTER & SUPPORTIVE SERVICES FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SURVIVORS AND THEIR CHILDREN
ACHIEVE
$8,000COMMUNITY BUILDING EVENTS SUMMER 2023
ALL NEWTON MUSIC SCHOOL
$6,000CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION TO ALL NEW MUSIC SHCOOL
BETH ISRAEL DEACONESS MEDICAL CENTER
$5,000GENERAL FUND
BUILDING PROJECT; WOLF TRAP OPERA, FILENE ARTIST RESIDENCE, WTO CAREER GRANTS, INSTITUTE FOR EARLY LEARNING THROUGH THE ARTS, VIRGINIA EXPANSION:TEACHING ARTIST TRAINING AND RECRUITMENT