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Education Comes First Inc at a glanceAlso receives grants: funding profile →

· Public charity

Education Comes First Inc

Furthering the education of children outside of the classroom by enhancing their performance in the areas of mathematics, reading, and social development

$1.0M
Granted FY2024still arriving
24
Grants FY2024still arriving
5
States reached
$53k
Largest
01What it fundsRead
02The needRead
03Its granteesRead
04Its fieldRead
05Through PlinthRead
01What it funds
01100% classified

What it funded, over time

Every grant placed by its stated purpose and the recipient’s mission, by year, FY2022 to 2024.

Youth Development$848kEducation$78kHuman Services$53kReligion$48kCrime & Legal$43kRecreation & Sports$10k
02FY2024 · 24 grants

Where the money goes

Grants by size, and the largest recipients.

How this is measured
The 24 grants below total $920,000, the rows itemized in this filing. The $1,022,500 headline is the total grant expense on the return; the other $102,500 is giving the schedule does not break out (grants under the $5,000 itemization floor, grants to individuals, grants on other schedules). Every figure below describes the itemized rows only.

By grant size · FY2024

  • $10k–50k21 grants · $765k
  • $50k–250k3 grants · $155k
$37,500
Median grant
5
States reached
$541k
Total assets
Largest grants
RecipientAmount
LAWRENCE BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB$52,500
BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF LYNN$52,500
BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF LOWELL$50,000
GIRLS INC OF LYNN$45,000
BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF GREATER HAVERHILL$45,000
GLEN COVE BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB$45,000
PRIVATE JEWELS BOXING CLUB$45,000
GRENVILLE BAKER BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB$45,000
BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF LMV$45,000
FRIENDS OF THE CHILDREN NEW YORK$42,500
THE REAL PROGRAM$40,000
SALEM BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB$37,500
BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF OYSTER BAY$37,500
YMCA SAUGUS$37,500
BUILDING BRIDGES THROUGH MUSIC$37,500
02The need
03

Does the money reach high-need areas?

Each grant placed by the hardship in its grantee’s ZIP, against the area’s typical level.

show:

Its human-services grants (FY24–24, $53k) land where the poverty rate runs at 10%, against an area that typically sits at 7%. 100% of those dollars go to grantees based in above-average-need neighborhoods. Most of its grants land in higher-need ZIPs.

area typical 7%DEMAKES FAMILY YMCA OF LYNN: $15k → 10%YMCA SAUGUS: $38k → 10%0%20%40%50%more need →
grant to an above-average-need area below average· circle size = grant amount
How this is measured
Matched: human-services grants are those whose grantee’s IRS cause code is Human Services. Placed by people below the poverty line in the grantee’s ZIP, averaged from the tracts in that ZIP.
How this is measured
US grants placed by each grantee’s ZIP, which can differ from where services are delivered. Need from public data (U.S. Census/ACS, CDC PLACES, Eviction Lab, USDA), shown as context about the area, never attributed to the funder’s giving.
03Its grantees
repeat funding

Who it funds again

Organizations funded in more than one year, against those funded once.

48%of every dollar goes to organizations it has funded before.
$523k · 8 repeat orgs$555k to everyone else

Grantees it renews have grown median revenue +41% since the first grant, against 0% for those funded once.

8 repeat relationships: 8 still active in FY2024, 0 since wound down; 15 grantees were first funded in FY2024 (too recent to call).

How the two cohorts compare

Re-uppedFunded once

Organizations

8
15

Total granted

$523k
$555k

Median revenue growth · since first grant

+41%
0%

Still filing today

88%
87%

New vs renewed · share of each year

In FY2024, 40% of grant dollars renewed an existing relationship; $555k went to new ones.

50%100%’22’24
RenewedFirst-time

Where new relationships form · theme of each grantee’s first grant

’22’24
Youth DevelopmentEducationReligionHuman ServicesCrime & LegalRecreation & SportsOther
How this is measured
First-time means a grantee’s first year in the filing window; renewed means funded in an earlier year too. The renewed share climbs naturally as a portfolio matures, so the signal is a year that bucks it (a wave of new grantees). The earliest year is left-censored: relationships that predate the data read as new. Theme is the grantee’s IRS cause.

Backed again, and grew

  • BG
    BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF LYNN INC
    2× · 2022–2024 · $78k · revenue +78%
  • GB
    GRENVILLE BAKER BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB INC
    2× · 2022–2024 · $70k · revenue +139%
  • BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF GREATER HAVERHILL INC
    2× · 2022–2024 · $68k · revenue +9%

Funded once

  • LAWRENCE BOYS & GIRLS CLUB INC
    one grant, 2024 · $53k · revenue +14%
  • YM
    YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION OF METRO NORTH INC
    one grant, 2024 · $53k · revenue +12%
  • GC
    GLEN COVE BOYS & GIRLS CLUB AT LINCOLN HOUSE INC
    one grant, 2024 · $45k · revenue 0%
How this is measured

Repeat means funded in two or more distinct years. Growth and survival are read from each grantee’s own subsequent IRS filings.

04Its field

Closest unfunded matches

The nonprofits that most resemble its grantees but are not funded by it, scored along the direction from the rest of the field toward the portfolio. A resemblance in what they say they do, not a recommendation.

1
Boys & Girls Club of Greater Billerica Inc

To enable all young people, especially those that need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, and responsible citizens.

Youth Development
2
Boys Girls Club
—
3
Boys and Girls Club of Augusta/Waynesboro

To enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring and responsible citizens.

Youth Development
4
Boys & Girls Club of Fitchburg and Leominster - a Nonprofit Educational

To inspire and enable all young people, especially those from disadvantaged circumstances, to realize their full potential as productive, responsible, and caring citizens.

Youth Development
5
Boys & Girls Clubs of the Northwoods Inc

To empower all youth, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, and responsible citizens.

Youth Development
6
Boys & Girls Club of Greater New Bedford Inc

The boys & girls club of greater new bedford, inc. is dedicated to providing a stimulating and wholesome environment which promotes social, educational, character and physical development for children and young adults ages 7 - 18 years.…

Youth Development
7
Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston Inc

Boys & girls clubs of boston (bgcb) stands as a transformative force in boston and chelsea, where high expectations unlock greatness. we believe that every young person who walks through our doors carries limitless potential. through our…

Youth Development
8
Boys and Girls Clubs of Metrowest Inc

To provide guidance social, educational, physical and cultural programming for boys and girls in the greater metrowest, massachusetts area. the intent of these programs is to enhance development during the growth years of children and to…

Youth Development
9
The Boys & Girls Clubs Inc

To inspire and enable all young people, especially those most in need of our services, to realize and develop their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens in a global society.

—
10
Boys & Girls Club the Northern Neck

To inspire and to enable all young people to reach their full potential as productive, caring and responsible citizens

Youth Development
11
Boys & Girls Club of Meriden Inc

Provide opportunities for positive and healthy growth for youth in our communities.

Youth Development
12
The Boys and Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Baltimore

To inspire and enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to realize their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens

Youth Development
How this is measured
The grantee most central to the portfolio’s shape is Boys & Girls Club of Greater Lowell Inc; the most unlike its peers is The Real Program Inc. Resemblance is measured on each organization’s own IRS 990 mission text; it reflects how work is described, not its quality or impact.
04the grantee network

20 grantees tracked through their own filings, 2017–2025.

Each grant beside the grantee’s revenue from every source, year by year.

How this is measured

Counted here: distinct organizations funded across 2017 to 2025, not grant rows in a single year, so this will not match the grant count on the cover. 20 of the 23 grantees resolved in that span have returns of their own we could reconcile.

Each grantee is resolved to its own IRS returns. Association, dated; never a causal claim.

0
Load-bearing (≥25% of a budget)
2
Early backer (in before they grew)
20/20
Grantees still filing
11/20
Grew since first funded

Where the money sits, by cause and then by grantee

BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF LYNN INC: $77,500 · Youth DevelopmentBOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF LYNN INCGRENVILLE BAKER BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB INC: $70,000 · Youth DevelopmentGRENVILLE BAKER BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB INCBOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF GREATER HAVERHILL INC: $67,500 · Youth DevelopmentBOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF GREATER HAVERHILL INCBOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF THE LOWER MERRIMACK VALLEY INC: $65,000 · Youth DevelopmentBOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF THE LOWER MERRIMACK VALLEY INCGIRLS INCORPORATED OF BOSTON AND LYNN: $65,000 · Youth DevelopmentGIRLS INCORPORATED OF BOSTON AND LYNNBOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF GREATER LOWELL INC: $60,000 · Youth DevelopmentBOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF GREATER LOWELL INCLAWRENCE BOYS & GIRLS CLUB INC: $52,500 · Youth DevelopmentLAWRENCE BOYS & GIRLS CLUB INCGLEN COVE BOYS & GIRLS CLUB AT LINCOLN HOUSE INC: $45,000 · Youth DevelopmentGLEN COVE BOYS & GIRLS CLUB AT LINCOLN HOUSE INCBOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF OYSTER BAY - EAST NORWICH: $37,500 · Youth DevelopmentBOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF OYSTER BAY - EAST NORWICHBOYS AND GIRLS CLUBS OF MIDDLE TENNESSEE: $35,000 · Youth DevelopmentNORTH SHORE ALLIANCE OF GAY LESBIAN BISEXUAL AND TRANSGENDER YOUTH (NAGLY): $35,000 · Youth DevelopmentCAMP FIRE NORTH SHORE INC: $35,000 · Youth DevelopmentJAMES L MCKEOWN BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF WOBURN INC: $25,000 · Youth DevelopmentPRIVATE JEWELS BOXING CLUB: $70,000 · OtherPRIVATE JEWELS …BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF TROY: $35,000 · OtherBOYS & GIRLS CL…B&GC OF TABULA RASA: $35,000 · OtherB&GC OF TABULA …WORCESTER SPORTS FOUNDATION INC: $10,000 · OtherWORCESTER SPORT…THE REAL PROGRAM INC: $40,000 · EducationLEAP for Education Inc: $37,500 · EducationYOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION OF METRO NORTH INC: $52,500 · Human ServicesBUILDING BRIDGES THROUGH MUSIC INC: $47,500 · ReligionFRIENDS OF THE CHILDREN- NEW YORK: $42,500 · Crime & LegalBOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF GREATER SALEM INC: $37,500 · Recreation & Sports
Youth Development$670,000Other$150,000Education$77,500Human Services$52,500Religion$47,500Crime & Legal$42,500Recreation & Sports$37,500

Each grantee by its size and the funder’s share of it; top left is load-bearing

25%50%75%100%$1.0M$10Mgrantee revenue →↑ funder's share of their budgetBOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF LYNN INC: $77,500 over 2y, 0.5% of budgetGRENVILLE BAKER BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB INC: $70,000 over 2y, 1.0% of budgetBOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF GREATER HAVERHILL INC: $67,500 over 2y, 1.9% of budgetBOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF THE LOWER MERRIMACK VALLEY INC: $65,000 over 2y, 4.0% of budgetGIRLS INCORPORATED OF BOSTON AND LYNN: $65,000 over 2y, 1.0% of budgetBOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF GREATER LOWELL INC: $60,000 over 2y, 0.6% of budgetLAWRENCE BOYS & GIRLS CLUB INC: $52,500 over 1y, 1.2% of budgetYOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION OF METRO NORTH INC: $52,500 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetBUILDING BRIDGES THROUGH MUSIC INC: $47,500 over 2y, 7.1% of budgetGLEN COVE BOYS & GIRLS CLUB AT LINCOLN HOUSE INC: $45,000 over 1y, 2.8% of budgetFRIENDS OF THE CHILDREN- NEW YORK: $42,500 over 1y, 1.6% of budgetTHE REAL PROGRAM INC: $40,000 over 1y, 16% of budgetBOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF GREATER SALEM INC: $37,500 over 1y, 2.5% of budgetBOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF OYSTER BAY - EAST NORWICH: $37,500 over 1y, 1.4% of budgetLEAP for Education Inc: $37,500 over 1y, 1.3% of budgetBOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF TROY: $35,000 over 1y, 2.6% of budgetBOYS AND GIRLS CLUBS OF MIDDLE TENNESSEE: $35,000 over 1y, 0.6% of budgetNORTH SHORE ALLIANCE OF GAY LESBIAN BISEXUAL AND TRANSGENDER YOUTH (NAGLY): $35,000 over 1y, 8.6% of budgetCAMP FIRE NORTH SHORE INC: $35,000 over 1y, 1.3% of budgetJAMES L MCKEOWN BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF WOBURN INC: $25,000 over 1y, 1.0% of budget
Grantee by grantee: a decade per organization, before and after funding

A decade per grantee: revenue shaded, grants as bars, all rows on one timeline.

Co-funders

Grantmakers whose grantees overlap with this funder’s far more than size alone predicts. Closer means stronger alignment; arcs show where they also fund each other. Here they form a tightly interlocked group: most of these funders back each other's grantees too.

Boys & Girls Clubs of…Boys & Girls Clubs of…Cummings Foundation G…Eastern Bank Foundati…United Way Of Massach…Salem Five Charitable…Health Resources in A…Essex County Communit…Amelia Peabody Founda…The Mark Wahlberg You…Rockland Trust - East…Rockland Trust Charit…
Boys & Girls Clubs of America (Group Return)GA31.7× affinity13 shared granteesties to 11 of 11Hover any node to trace its alignments.Compare side by side →

Open a dossier: Boys & Girls Clubs of America (Group Return) · Boys & Girls Clubs of America · Cummings Foundation Grants Inc (Fka Oneworld Boston Inc) · Eastern Bank Foundation · United Way Of Massachusetts Bay Inc · Salem Five Charitable Foundation Inc · Health Resources in Action Inc · Essex County Community Foundation Inc · Amelia Peabody Foundation · The Mark Wahlberg Youth Foundation Inc · Rockland Trust - East Boston Savings Bank Foundation Inc · Rockland Trust Charitable Foundation Inc

How this is measured
Affinity is a Gamma-Poisson posterior co-funding rate, re-centered on the typical rate, so thin evidence shrinks toward no signal. Overlap is association, not proof of shared intent.

How much its grantees rely on government

Each dot is one organization Education Comes First Inc funds: left to right is the share of its income from government, bottom to top the share from Education Comes First Inc. Bigger dots raise more.

2024
’20’21’22’23’24’25
no gov · 20%1%5%11%20%funder's share of their income ↑0%8%15%22%30%share of the org’s income from government →median 9%
  • Girls Incorporated of Boston and Lynn: 28% of income from government
  • Boys & Girls Club of Greater Lowell Inc: 27% of income from government
  • Building Bridges Through Music Inc: 19% of income from government
  • Leap for Education Inc: 9% of income from government
  • Boys & Girls Club of Greater Salem Inc: 4% of income from government
  • Boys & Girls Club of Greater Haverhill Inc: 1% of income from government
  • Boys & Girls Club of Lynn Inc: 0% of income from government
no gov moneyreceives it· size = income
2get no government money at all
10report government grants on their 990 we could not trace to a source (not plotted)
0rely on government for over half their income
⤢ axis zoomed · 0–30%
typical government reliance, FY20–25
How this is measured
Government income is each org’s traced federal awards (USASpending grants and contracts) plus state payments (open checkbooks) as a share of its total revenue (IRS Form 990); the self-reported government-grant line (990 line 1e) is carried for cross-check: a grantee that reports government grants we could not trace to a source is left off the chart rather than shown as receiving none. An association, not a claim that a grant caused the public funding. Coverage is precision-first, a floor rather than a census; state records exist for 9 states, so a grantee outside them shows no state figure (dimmed) rather than a false zero. Federal award amounts are obligations, which can span years, so a single-year share is indicative. 990 filings lag 12 to 24 months.
05Through Plinth

Warm introductions · Powered by PlinthPlus

How do I get to Education Comes First Inc?

Find your warmest path to Education Comes First Inc through trustees and officers whose names appear on both boards. Search for your organization and Plinth traces the shortest route it can evidence.

Each link is a name appearing on two organizations’ public IRS 990 filings, matched on that name and, where the filings support it, on location. A same-state match has geographic support, which is a second matching feature rather than confirmation that the two are one person; a cross-state one is the likeliest to be two people who share a name. Every hop shows its tier, low-confidence and distant paths are held back rather than guessed, and it is worth confirming the person before you use the introduction.

On method. Every financial figure here is read from IRS e-file XML, the funder’s own 990/990-PF, and from the multi-year returns of the 23 grantees we resolved, each linked to its source. Grantee outcomes are each organization’s own program-service reporting (Form 990, Part III), read as association with funding, never as caused by it. Low-confidence name matches are suppressed rather than guessed. How we build these →

How this is measured
Each figure carries one of six labels. Filed is what the funder reported on its return. Official is another government record about an organization, such as a federal award or a charity register, joined by name where no shared identifier exists. Resolved is an identity we worked out where the filing named a recipient without an EIN, kept only above a measured confidence threshold. Computed is arithmetic over those, like themes, portfolio clusters and co-funder strength. Context is a statistic about a place rather than about an organization, which is what the need overlay is: it describes the area a grantee’s address sits in, not where its work lands. Inferred is drawn by a model from text, like the partnerships read out of public news and organization websites. Each is labeled where it appears.

Generated from the IRS Form 990 e-file return for fiscal year 2024, released 2024. Filings run roughly 12 to 24 months behind; figures are dated accordingly.

Source object · view filing

Play a game based on Education Comes First’s filings →

More from the funding graph

The unnamed billions
grants reported with no recipient in the public record
The regranting layer
51% of grant dollars land in the regranting layer
The DAF merry-go-round
$9.7B circulates between donor-advised funds
The endowment market
who holds foundation money, and what just moved
The camps
funders cluster by geography, not ideology
By state
where grant money is based, and what stays home