The Sidney A Swensrud Foundation
This organization is a private foundation dedicated to supporting various causes, primarily focusing on education, health, public policy, and environmental issues. Its mission reflects a commitment to enhancing educational opportunities, advancing health initiatives, and promoting environmental conservation. The foundation serves a diverse range of populations through its funding of charities and nonprofit organizations that align with these values. It has demonstrated a significant interest in health-related causes, particularly in cancer research and Alzheimer's disease, as well as in educational institutions and public policy advocacy. While it operates primarily in Massachusetts, its funding extends to organizations across multiple states.
Source: Zeffy Agent · Mar 2026
Ideal Applicant
Established charities working in education, health, environment, or public policy with capacity to manage mid-size to large grants and an existing relationship or credible referral into the foundation's network.
Good Fit
- • Clear program alignment with education, health, environment, or public policy priorities.
- • Organizational scale and financial systems suitable for grants in the $50K–$500K range.
- • Existing or provable relationship with a trustee, current grantee, or intermediary.
- • Operations or projects in the foundation's frequent states (notably Massachusetts, California, Florida, or DC).
Geography
Grants in the latest year reached six states including MA, CA, FL, DC, NY, and OR, with roughly one-third of dollars to the home state and the remainder spread across multiple states.
Recipient Variety
The latest year funded 23 distinct recipients (and prior years funded 28–29), covering multiple independent charities across education, health, environment, and public policy, indicating a broad recipient set for the foundation's size.
New Applicants
Direct evidence shows a small number of new recipients each year (three in the latest year), but the foundation's stated policy of funding only preselected applicants, combined with no visible public submission route, makes it unlikely an unfamiliar organization could enter the portfolio without a referral.
Source: Zeffy Agent · Mar 2026
