William J. and Lia G. Poorvu Foundation
/OVERVIEW: The William J. and Lia G. Poorvu Foundation supports higher education, arts and culture, youth and health in Boston, Massachusetts.
FUNDING AREAS: Higher education, arts and culture, youth, health
IP TAKE: This real estate funder tends to stick to the same nonprofit grantees and causes year after year, and it is known for awarding quite a lot of grants each calendar year. It’s not a particularly accessible funder, making it a tough nut to crack.
PROFILE: Established in 1978, the William J. and Lia G. Poorvu Foundation is a family foundation based in Cambridge, Massachusetts. William (Bill) Poorvu co-founded Baupost Group and has served on the boards of multiple public real estate investment trusts. The Poorvu couple moves much of their philanthropy through this foundation. It funds local efforts for higher education, arts and culture, youth and health.
The William J. and Lia G. Poorvu Foundation does not have a website to guide grantseekers. However, past tax records indicate that this funder is a big supporter of arts and culture and regularly awards grants to museums, orchestras, festivals and public radio stations. It also prioritizes the needs of youth and funds education causes for libraries and colleges. Meanwhile, health grants typically go to well-established local organizations such as hospitals, cancer institutes and Planned Parenthood. Grantmaking typically follows the family’s personal interests.
Grants range between about $1,000 and $150,000. The foundation has awarded over $8.5 million in annual grants in recent years. Learn more about this funder’s local giving by examining its recent tax records. Grantmaking primarily focuses on the Boston region of Massachusetts, with some grants extending to other parts of New England as well. Past local grantees include the Boston Lyric Opera, Boston Medical Center’s Grow Clinic and the Boston Book Festival.
This foundation does not accept unsolicited grant applications from nonprofits and only funds pre-selected organizations. Direct general questions to the staff at 617-576-1010.
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