The Lissy Family Foundation concentrates its giving in large, unrestricted operating support to a small number of mission-driven nonprofits, with a clear emphasis on education at both ends of the age spectrum and on Alzheimer’s/dementia-related work. Grants are sizable and targeted to established organizations rather than many small projects, and the foundation appears comfortable funding both national nonprofits and higher-education institutions.
Concentrated, high-dollar grants to a few recurring grantees—multiple large operating-support gifts rather than many small awards; demonstrates preference for established national organizations and institutions.
Lissy Family Foundation’s recent giving is defined by large operating support to a small set of nonprofits, with the single biggest grant going to Ithaca University for $356,113 in 2024. That pattern continues across education and Alzheimer’s-related work, where the foundation backs organizations it appears to know well rather than funding one-off projects. In the latest grants list, Jumpstart for Young Children received $250,000 in 2023 and another $200,000 in 2024, while the Alzheimer’s Association received $166,767 in 2023 and $166,667 in 2024, both for operating support. Those repeated awards show a preference for sustained support over highly segmented project funding. The funder also makes smaller operating gifts to a wider set of nonprofits, including universities, children’s organizations, and community groups, but the core of its recent activity centers on mission-driven institutions with ongoing budgets. Its grant history suggests a mix of national and Massachusetts-based recipients, with education at both the early-learning and higher-education ends of the spectrum alongside Alzheimer’s, dementia, and family-support work.
In early childhood education, the foundation gave $250,000 in 2023 and $200,000 in 2024 to Jumpstart for Young Children, both for operating support. In higher education, it awarded $356,113 in 2024 to Ithaca University for operating support, and also made $50,000 operating grants in both 2023 and 2024 to Elon University, plus $50,000 in 2024 to Wake Forest University. Its Alzheimer’s-related funding is also prominent: the Alzheimer’s Association received $166,767 in 2023 and $166,667 in 2024, again for operating support. The foundation’s recent grants also include support for family and community-serving organizations such as Bright Horizons Foundation for Children, Boston Community Pediatrics, Horizons for Homeless, and Families First.
Lissy Family Foundation’s grant sizes are tightly clustered at the small end for many awards, with a p25 of $195, a median of $500, and a p75 of $1,125, even as a few operating grants rise far above that range. The pattern includes repeat support for the same recipients across 2023 and 2024, especially Jumpstart for Young Children, Alzheimer’s Association, Elon University, Bright Horizons Foundation for Children, Circle of Hope, Pan Mass Challenge, Horizons for Homeless, and Families First. The foundation appears to function as a family foundation making operating-support grants rather than program-related investments, and it does not fund individuals. The latest 990 year on file is 2024.
$492K
$3.1M
$52K
$513K
Most grants fall between $195 and $1K, with a median of $500.
25th Percentile
$195
Median
$500
75th Percentile
$1K
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Notable grantees: Jumpstart for Young Children, Ithaca University, Alzheimer's Association
Grantmaking is heavily concentrated in Massachusetts, which accounts for 82% of grants and is the top state by grant count. Boston appears repeatedly, including grants to Jumpstart for Young Children, Combined Jewish Philanthropy, Boston Community Pediatrics, and The Givengain Foundation. Other Massachusetts locations in the recent list include Waltham, Belmont, Newton, Needham, Watertown, Roxbury, Chestnut Hill, North Attleborough, and Cotuit. Outside Massachusetts, grants went to Ithaca, New York; Elon, North Carolina; Winston-Salem, North Carolina; Providence, Rhode Island; and New York, New York. All listed grants in the sample went to U.S. recipients.
The foundation backs education at both ends of the age spectrum and Alzheimer’s/dementia-related work. Recent grants also include family and community-serving organizations, universities, and health-related nonprofits, with most awards labeled for operating support.
Yes. Several recipients appear in both 2023 and 2024, including Jumpstart for Young Children, Alzheimer’s Association, Elon University, Bright Horizons Foundation for Children, Circle of Hope, Pan Mass Challenge, Horizons for Homeless, and Families First.
The foundation’s grant-size distribution is small overall: p25 is $195, median is $500, and p75 is $1,125. It also makes a few much larger operating gifts, including a $356,113 award in 2024.
Massachusetts is the top state by grant count, and 82% of the foundation’s grants go to recipients in its headquarters state. Recent Massachusetts recipients include organizations in Boston, Waltham, Belmont, Newton, Needham, Watertown, Roxbury, Chestnut Hill, North Attleborough, and Cotuit.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ALZHEIMER'S ASSOCIATION | WALTHAM, MA | $200,000 | 2026 | FOR OPERATING SUPPORT |
| COMBINED JEWISH PHILANTHROPY | BOSTON, MA | $135,000 | 2026 | FOR OPERATING SUPPORT |
| WAKE FOREST UNIVERSITY | WINSTONSALEM, NC | $95,000 | 2026 | FOR OPERATING SUPPORT |
| BEAVER COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL | CHESTNUT HILL, MA | $10,497 | 2026 | FOR OPERATING SUPPORT |
| BRIGHT HORIZONS FOUNDATION FOR CHILDREN | NEWTON, MA | $10,000 | 2026 | FOR OPERATING SUPPORT |
| ONE COMPANY FUND | WALTHAM, MA | $10,000 | 2026 | FOR OPERATING SUPPORT |
| COALITION FOR HEALTHY DEMOCRACY | FOXBORO, MA | $10,000 | 2026 | FOR OPERATING SUPPORT |
| THE IMMIGRANT LEARNING CENTER | MALDEN, MA | $6,113 | 2026 | FOR OPERATING SUPPORT |
| ITHACA UNIVERSITY | ITHACA, NY | $5,000 | 2026 | FOR OPERATING SUPPORT |
| THE GIVING BACK FUND | BOSTON, MA | $2,000 | 2026 | FOR OPERATING SUPPORT |
| METRO WEST COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | NATICK, MA | $1,080 | 2026 | FOR OPERATING SUPPORT |
| GOLF FIGHTS CANCER | NORTON, MA | $1,049 | 2026 | FOR OPERATING SUPPORT |
| ACTBLUE - GIFFORDS PAC | BOSTON, MA | $1,000 | 2026 | FOR OPERATING SUPPORT |
| PAN MASS CHALLENGE | NEEDHAM, MA | $592 | 2026 | FOR OPERATING SUPPORT |
| OUIMETORG | NORTON, MA | $531 | 2026 | FOR OPERATING SUPPORT |
| BIRTHDAY WISHES | SUDBURY, MA | $515 | 2026 | FOR OPERATING SUPPORT |
| MEMORIAL SLOAN KETTERING CANCER CENTER | NEW YORK, NY | $500 | 2026 | FOR OPERATING SUPPORT |
| BOSTON BULLPEN PROJECT | NEEDHAM, MA | $500 | 2026 | FOR OPERATING SUPPORT |
| US CHALLENGE CUP | RIVERSIDE, RI | $500 | 2026 | FOR OPERATING SUPPORT |
| PAULA DAMOURA | NA, MA | $375 | 2026 | FOR OPERATING SUPPORT |
| DANA FARBER JIMMY FUND | BOSTON, MA | $268 | 2026 | FOR OPERATING SUPPORT |
| JO MOORESTOWN NJ | MOORESTOWN, NJ | $260 | 2026 | FOR OPERATING SUPPORT |
| NATIONAL OVARIAN CANCER COALITION | DALLAS, TX | $259 | 2026 | FOR OPERATING SUPPORT |
| RODMAN FOR KIDS | FOXBORO, MA | $256 | 2026 | FOR OPERATING SUPPORT |
| MICHIGAN GATEWAY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | BUCHANAN, MI | $209 | 2026 | FOR OPERATING SUPPORT |
| JEWISH COMMUNAL FUND OF NEW YORK | NEW YORK, NY | $207 | 2026 | FOR OPERATING SUPPORT |
| HELP BRING THEM HOME - ISRAEL | NEW YORK, NY | $180 | 2026 | FOR OPERATING SUPPORT |
| GOFUNDMEORG | WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA | $175 | 2026 | FOR OPERATING SUPPORT |
| FALMOUTH ROAD RACE | FALMOUTH, MA | $110 | 2026 | FOR OPERATING SUPPORT |
| NATIONAL BRAIN TUMOR SOCIETY | NEWTON, MA | $103 | 2026 | FOR OPERATING SUPPORT |
| COMM FIREFIGHTER ASSOCIATION | CENTERVILLE, MA | $100 | 2026 | FOR OPERATING SUPPORT |
| ITHACA UNIVERSITY | ITHACA, NY | $250,000 | 2025 | FOR OPERATING SUPPORT |
| JUMPSTART FOR YOUNG CHILDREN | BOSTON, MA | $200,000 | 2025 | FOR OPERATING SUPPORT |
| ALZHEIMER'S ASSOCIATION | WALTHAM, MA | $166,916 | 2025 | FOR OPERATING SUPPORT |
| SALT LICK INCUBATOR INC | BELMONT, MA | $75,000 | 2025 | FOR OPERATING SUPPORT |
| WAKE FOREST UNIVERSITY | WINSTONSALEM, NC | $50,000 | 2025 | FOR OPERATING SUPPORT |
| COMBINED JEWISH PHILANTHROPY | BOSTON, MA | $40,000 | 2025 | FOR OPERATING SUPPORT |
| BRIGHT HORIZONS FOUNDATION FOR CHILDREN | NEWTON, MA | $11,000 | 2025 | FOR OPERATING SUPPORT |
| NETWORK FOR GOOD | WASHINGTON, DC | $5,000 | 2025 | FOR OPERATING SUPPORT |
| TEMPLE BETH SHALOM | NEEDHAM, MA | $5,000 | 2025 | FOR OPERATING SUPPORT |
| UNITED NATIONS ASSOCIATION OF GREATER BOSTON | BOSTON, MA | $2,000 | 2025 | FOR OPERATING SUPPORT |
| PAN MASS CHALLENGE | NEEDHAM, MA | $1,531 | 2025 | FOR OPERATING SUPPORT |
| METRO WEST COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | NATICK, MA | $1,080 | 2025 | FOR OPERATING SUPPORT |
| HILLEL INTERNATIONAL | WASHINGTON, DC | $1,036 | 2025 | FOR OPERATING SUPPORT |
| DANA FARBER CANCER INSTITUTE | BOSTON, MA | $1,000 | 2025 | FOR OPERATING SUPPORT |
| WOMEN AND INFANTS HOSPITAL | PROVIDENCE, RI | $500 | 2025 | FOR OPERATING SUPPORT |
| BOSTON BULLPEN PROJECT | NEEDHAM, MA | $500 | 2025 | FOR OPERATING SUPPORT |
| RIVERSIDE COMMUNITY CARE | DEDHAM, MA | $258 | 2025 | FOR OPERATING SUPPORT |
| BOSTON MARATHON JIMMY FUND WALK | BOSTON, MA | $250 | 2025 | FOR OPERATING SUPPORT |
| MIGHTYCAUSE FOUNDATION - HEBREW COLLEGE | NEWTON, MA | $108 | 2025 | FOR OPERATING SUPPORT |
ALZHEIMER'S ASSOCIATION
$200,000FOR OPERATING SUPPORT
COMBINED JEWISH PHILANTHROPY
$135,000FOR OPERATING SUPPORT
BRIGHT HORIZONS FOUNDATION FOR CHILDREN
$10,000FOR OPERATING SUPPORT
ONE COMPANY FUND
$10,000FOR OPERATING SUPPORT
COALITION FOR HEALTHY DEMOCRACY
$10,000FOR OPERATING SUPPORT
ITHACA UNIVERSITY
$5,000FOR OPERATING SUPPORT
METRO WEST COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
$1,080FOR OPERATING SUPPORT
ACTBLUE - GIFFORDS PAC
$1,000FOR OPERATING SUPPORT
PAN MASS CHALLENGE
$592FOR OPERATING SUPPORT
OUIMETORG
$531FOR OPERATING SUPPORT
BIRTHDAY WISHES
$515FOR OPERATING SUPPORT
MEMORIAL SLOAN KETTERING CANCER CENTER
$500FOR OPERATING SUPPORT
BOSTON BULLPEN PROJECT
$500FOR OPERATING SUPPORT
US CHALLENGE CUP
$500FOR OPERATING SUPPORT
PAULA DAMOURA
$375FOR OPERATING SUPPORT
DANA FARBER JIMMY FUND
$268FOR OPERATING SUPPORT
JO MOORESTOWN NJ
$260FOR OPERATING SUPPORT
RODMAN FOR KIDS
$256FOR OPERATING SUPPORT
MICHIGAN GATEWAY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
$209FOR OPERATING SUPPORT
JEWISH COMMUNAL FUND OF NEW YORK
$207FOR OPERATING SUPPORT
HELP BRING THEM HOME - ISRAEL
$180FOR OPERATING SUPPORT
FALMOUTH ROAD RACE
$110FOR OPERATING SUPPORT
COMM FIREFIGHTER ASSOCIATION
$100FOR OPERATING SUPPORT
ITHACA UNIVERSITY
$250,000FOR OPERATING SUPPORT
ALZHEIMER'S ASSOCIATION
$166,916FOR OPERATING SUPPORT
SALT LICK INCUBATOR INC
$75,000FOR OPERATING SUPPORT
BRIGHT HORIZONS FOUNDATION FOR CHILDREN
$11,000FOR OPERATING SUPPORT
NETWORK FOR GOOD
$5,000FOR OPERATING SUPPORT
TEMPLE BETH SHALOM
$5,000FOR OPERATING SUPPORT
UNITED NATIONS ASSOCIATION OF GREATER BOSTON
$2,000FOR OPERATING SUPPORT
METRO WEST COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
$1,080FOR OPERATING SUPPORT
HILLEL INTERNATIONAL
$1,036FOR OPERATING SUPPORT
WOMEN AND INFANTS HOSPITAL
$500FOR OPERATING SUPPORT
BOSTON BULLPEN PROJECT
$500FOR OPERATING SUPPORT
BOSTON MARATHON JIMMY FUND WALK
$250FOR OPERATING SUPPORT
MIGHTYCAUSE FOUNDATION - HEBREW COLLEGE
$108FOR OPERATING SUPPORT