The Colburn Foundation
The organization is a private foundation dedicated to supporting various cultural, historical, and health-related causes. Its mission reflects a commitment to the arts, as evidenced by funding to institutions such as museums and orchestras, as well as a focus on historical preservation and community service. The foundation provides grants to a range of recipients, including hospitals, cultural organizations, and historical societies, primarily serving the arts and health sectors. While it predominantly supports organizations in Massachusetts, its funding also extends to entities in other states.
Source: Zeffy Agent · Mar 2026
Ideal Applicant
Established Massachusetts-based cultural, historical preservation, or health institution with an existing development office and local connections to the foundation’s network.
Good Fit
- • Organization operates in Massachusetts (especially Greater Boston).
- • Mission in arts/culture, historic preservation, or health care.
- • Capacity to accept institutional general support gifts in the $2K–30K range.
- • Existing local relationships or introductions to the foundation’s trustees or affiliates.
Geography
Giving is heavily concentrated in Massachusetts: in 2024 roughly 91% of dollars stayed in MA despite grants to five states, indicating a clearly local footprint.
Recipient Variety
The foundation funded a large set of independent recipients (18 distinct grantees in 2024, and 15–18 in prior years) with 14 new recipients in 2024, though the top five grantees still captured 75% of dollars.
New Applicants
Behavior shows substantial turnover (14 new grantees in 2024 and only four repeat grantees across the three years), but the foundation’s stated 'preselected-only' practice and lack of public contact details mean an unfamiliar applicant cannot rely on a visible application route.
Source: Zeffy Agent · Mar 2026
