The Nancy Sayles Day Foundation concentrates its giving on a small number of large, place-based investments focused on Nantucket. Grants are directed primarily to local conservation and cultural/historic organizations, often to support capital campaigns and major institutional needs. Their giving signals a preference for sustaining long-term local assets rather than broad, diverse funding portfolios.
Highly concentrated giving: very few, large grants (multiple six-figure awards) with repeat funding to the same Nantucket-focused organizations and an emphasis on capital/campaign support rather than many small grants.
The Nancy Sayles Day Foundation’s largest recent grants all center on Nantucket conservation, including a $505,000 general-support grant to Nantucket Conservative Foundation in 2024 and a $400,000 capital-campaign grant to Nantucket Conservation Foundation in 2025. That pattern points to a funder that backs a small set of place-based institutions rather than spreading resources broadly. Its recent giving also reaches into Nantucket’s civic and cultural life, with support for organizations such as St Paul's Church, Nantucket Cottage Hospital Foundation, and Nantucket Land Council. The foundation’s portfolio includes both major institutional gifts and smaller operating grants, suggesting a mix of long-horizon capital support and ongoing annual help for local nonprofits. Recent grant purposes include general support, capital campaign funding, and annual giving, along with research and education support through Lahey Clinic. The foundation also appears to administer at least one gift for a named research purpose through Dr. Bruce Campbell, indicating some grants are structured for specific program or research use. Across the recent record, Nantucket organizations receive the clearest share of attention, with conservation and local community institutions appearing repeatedly.
Nantucket land conservation is a core theme. In 2025, the foundation gave $266,000 to Nantucket Conservation Foundation for a capital campaign and another $25,000 for general support, reinforcing its interest in land stewardship and institutional capacity. Cultural and historic support also appears in the record: Prospect Hill Cemetery Association received $26,000 in 2024, a grant that fits the foundation’s local preservation pattern. Community services on Nantucket receive regular operating support as well. A Safe Place was funded in three recent years, including $15,000 in 2023, $10,000 in 2024, and $10,000 in 2025, while Nantucket Food Fuel and Rental Assistance received $35,000 in 2023 and $25,000 in 2024. The foundation also supported St Paul's Church with $50,000 in 2025 and smaller earlier grants, showing attention to community institutions beyond conservation.
Typical grants are in the $5,000 to $20,000 range, with a median of $10,000 and a 75th percentile of $20,000. That said, the distribution includes a handful of much larger awards for institutional support and capital needs. The same organizations often appear across multiple years: A Safe Place, St Paul's Church, Nantucket Cottage Hospital Foundation, Nantucket Conservation Foundation, and Nantucket Land Council all recur in the recent record. The foundation gives only to organizations, not individuals, and makes no program-related investments. Its recent pattern is strongly place-based and continuity-oriented, with repeated support for the same Nantucket institutions over time.
$914K
$13M
$979K
$1.1M
Most grants fall between $5K and $20K, with a median of $10K.
25th Percentile
$5K
Median
$10K
75th Percentile
$20K
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Notable grantees: Nantucket Conservation Foundation, Nantucket 'Conservative' Foundation (local Nantucket conservation/cultural group), Nantucket-based conservation and cultural institutions (collective)
Grantmaking is overwhelmingly concentrated in Massachusetts, which accounts for 76% of grants. Nantucket is the main recipient city, appearing repeatedly across conservation, health, faith-based, and community-service recipients. Other Massachusetts locations include Burlington, where Lahey Clinic appears, and Whitinsville, where Prospect Hill Cemetery Association received support. Outside Massachusetts, the recent record includes a grant to Washington, DC, and one to Walnut, CA. The recipient-country distribution is entirely U.S.-based.
The recent record is dominated by Nantucket-based nonprofits, especially conservation and stewardship groups, along with local cultural, historic, health, and community-service organizations. Examples in the data include Nantucket Conservation Foundation, Nantucket Land Council, Nantucket Cottage Hospital Foundation, and St Paul's Church.
Yes. Capital support is a clear part of the pattern. In 2025 the foundation gave $400,000 and $266,000 to Nantucket Conservation Foundation for capital campaign purposes, showing that large institutional fundraising needs are part of its grantmaking.
Typical grants cluster at modest levels: the 25th percentile is $5,000, the median is $10,000, and the 75th percentile is $20,000. The recent record also includes several much larger awards, including six-figure grants for Nantucket conservation work.
Yes. Several recipients recur across years, including A Safe Place, St Paul's Church, Nantucket Cottage Hospital Foundation, Nantucket Conservation Foundation, and Nantucket Land Council. That pattern suggests ongoing relationships rather than one-time grants.
Massachusetts receives the overwhelming share of awards, with 76% of grants going to recipients in the state. Nantucket is the most visible recipient location, while smaller numbers go to Burlington, Whitinsville, Washington, DC, and Walnut, CA.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NANTUCKET CONSERVATION FOUNDATION | NANTUCKET, MA | $400,000 | 2025 | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| NANTUCKET CONSERVATION FOUNDATION | NANTUCKET, MA | $266,000 | 2025 | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| ST PAUL'S CHURCH | NANTUCKET, MA | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| LAHEY CLINIC | BURLINGTON, MA | $50,000 | 2025 | TO BE ADMINISTERED BY DR BRUCE CAMPBELL FOR RESEARCH AND EDUCATION. |
| NANTUCKET COTTAGE HOSPITAL FOUNDATION | NANTUCKET, MA | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| NANTUCKET CONSERVATION FOUNDATION | NANTUCKET, MA | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| NANTUCKET LAND COUNCIL | NANTUCKET, MA | $15,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| PALLIATIVE & SUPPORTIVE CARE NANTUCKET FDN | NANTUCKET, MA | $10,000 | 2025 | ANNUAL GIVING |
| NANTUCKET COMMUNITY SAILING | NANTUCKET, MA | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| NANTUCKET FOOD FUEL AND RENTAL ASSISTANCE | NANTUCKET, MA | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ADDICTION SOLUTIONS OF NANTUCKET INC | NANTUCKET, MA | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| A SAFE PLACE | NANTUCKET, MA | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| NANTUCKET CENTER FOR ELDER AFFAIRS | NANTUCKET, MA | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| NANTUCKET SHELLFISH ASSOCIATION | NANTUCKET, MA | $5,000 | 2025 | ANNUAL GIVING |
| NANTUCKET HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION | NANTUCKET, MA | $5,000 | 2025 | 1800 HOUSE |
| BOSTON MEDFLIGHT | BEDFORD, MA | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| PHILLIPS EXETER ACADEMY | EXETER, NH | $2,500 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| THE HILL SCHOOL | POTTSTOWN, PA | $2,500 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MISS PORTER'S SCHOOL | FARMINGTON, CT | $2,500 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| NANTUCKET CONSERVATIVE FOUNDATION | NANTUCKET, MA | $505,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| LAHEY CLINIC | BURLINGTON, MA | $50,000 | 2024 | RESEARCH AND EDUCATION |
| PROSPECT HILL CEMETERY ASSOCIATION | WHITINSVILLE, MA | $26,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| NANTUCKET FOOD FUEL AND RENTAL ASSISTANCE | NANTUCKET, MA | $25,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| NANTUCKET COTTAGE HOSPITAL FOUNDATION | NANTUCKET, MA | $25,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ST PAUL'S CHURCH | NANTUCKET, MA | $15,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| NANTUCKET CENTER FOR ELDER AFFAIRS | NANTUCKET, MA | $10,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| A SAFE PLACE | NANTUCKET, MA | $10,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ADDICTION SOLUTIONS OF NANTUCKET INC | NANTUCKET, MA | $10,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| NANTUCKET LAND COUNCIL | NANTUCKET, MA | $10,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| NANTUCKET COMMUNITY SAILING | NANTUCKET, MA | $10,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MARIA MITCHELL ASSOCIATION | NANTUCKET, MA | $5,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| NANTUCKET SHELLFISH ASSOCIATION | NANTUCKET, MA | $5,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| BOSTON MEDFLIGHT | BEDFORD, MA | $5,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| NANTUCKET HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION | NANTUCKET, MA | $5,000 | 2024 | 1800 HOUSE |
| ST LUKE'S CHURCH | SMITHFIELD, VA | $5,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MISS PORTER'S SCHOOL | FARMINGTON, CT | $2,500 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| THE HILL SCHOOL | POTTSTOWN, PA | $2,500 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| PHILLIPS EXETER ACADEMY | EXETER, NH | $2,500 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| NANTUCKET CONSERVATIVE FOUNDATION | NANTUCKET, MA | $415,000 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| LAHEY CLINIC | BURLINGTON, MA | $50,000 | 2023 | RESEARCH AND EDUCATION |
| NANTUCKET FOOD FUEL AND RENTAL ASSISTANCE | NANTUCKET, MA | $35,000 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| PLANNED PARENTHOOD | WASHINGTON, DC | $30,000 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| NANTUCKET COTTAGE HOSPITAL FOUNDATION | NANTUCKET, MA | $25,000 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| COMMUNITY FOUNDATION FOR NANTUCKET | NANTUCKET, MA | $25,000 | 2023 | JOHN DAVIS FUND |
| PALLIATIVE & SUPPORTIVE CARE NANTUCKET FDN | NANTUCKET, MA | $20,000 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ADDICTION SOLUTIONS OF NANTUCKET INC | NANTUCKET, MA | $15,000 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ST PAUL'S CHURCH | NANTUCKET, MA | $15,000 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| A SAFE PLACE | NANTUCKET, MA | $15,000 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| OPEN COLLECTIVE FOUNDATION | WALNUT, CA | $11,500 | 2023 | 1K PROJECT - CRISIS IN UKRAINE |
| NANTUCKET LAND COUNCIL | NANTUCKET, MA | $10,000 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
ST PAUL'S CHURCH
$50,000GENERAL SUPPORT
LAHEY CLINIC
$50,000TO BE ADMINISTERED BY DR BRUCE CAMPBELL FOR RESEARCH AND EDUCATION.
NANTUCKET COTTAGE HOSPITAL FOUNDATION
$25,000GENERAL SUPPORT
GENERAL SUPPORT
NANTUCKET LAND COUNCIL
$15,000GENERAL SUPPORT
PALLIATIVE & SUPPORTIVE CARE NANTUCKET FDN
$10,000ANNUAL GIVING
NANTUCKET COMMUNITY SAILING
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
NANTUCKET FOOD FUEL AND RENTAL ASSISTANCE
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
ADDICTION SOLUTIONS OF NANTUCKET INC
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
A SAFE PLACE
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
NANTUCKET CENTER FOR ELDER AFFAIRS
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
NANTUCKET SHELLFISH ASSOCIATION
$5,000ANNUAL GIVING
BOSTON MEDFLIGHT
$5,000GENERAL SUPPORT
PHILLIPS EXETER ACADEMY
$2,500GENERAL SUPPORT
MISS PORTER'S SCHOOL
$2,500GENERAL SUPPORT
NANTUCKET CONSERVATIVE FOUNDATION
$505,000GENERAL SUPPORT
LAHEY CLINIC
$50,000RESEARCH AND EDUCATION
PROSPECT HILL CEMETERY ASSOCIATION
$26,000GENERAL SUPPORT
NANTUCKET FOOD FUEL AND RENTAL ASSISTANCE
$25,000GENERAL SUPPORT
NANTUCKET COTTAGE HOSPITAL FOUNDATION
$25,000GENERAL SUPPORT
ST PAUL'S CHURCH
$15,000GENERAL SUPPORT
NANTUCKET CENTER FOR ELDER AFFAIRS
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
A SAFE PLACE
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
ADDICTION SOLUTIONS OF NANTUCKET INC
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
NANTUCKET LAND COUNCIL
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
NANTUCKET COMMUNITY SAILING
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
MARIA MITCHELL ASSOCIATION
$5,000GENERAL SUPPORT
NANTUCKET SHELLFISH ASSOCIATION
$5,000GENERAL SUPPORT
BOSTON MEDFLIGHT
$5,000GENERAL SUPPORT
ST LUKE'S CHURCH
$5,000GENERAL SUPPORT
MISS PORTER'S SCHOOL
$2,500GENERAL SUPPORT
PHILLIPS EXETER ACADEMY
$2,500GENERAL SUPPORT
NANTUCKET CONSERVATIVE FOUNDATION
$415,000GENERAL SUPPORT
NANTUCKET FOOD FUEL AND RENTAL ASSISTANCE
$35,000GENERAL SUPPORT
NANTUCKET COTTAGE HOSPITAL FOUNDATION
$25,000GENERAL SUPPORT
PALLIATIVE & SUPPORTIVE CARE NANTUCKET FDN
$20,000GENERAL SUPPORT
ADDICTION SOLUTIONS OF NANTUCKET INC
$15,000GENERAL SUPPORT
ST PAUL'S CHURCH
$15,000GENERAL SUPPORT
A SAFE PLACE
$15,000GENERAL SUPPORT
NANTUCKET LAND COUNCIL
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT