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Mystic River Watershed Association Inc at a glanceMostly funded, not a grantmaker: see who funds it →

· Public charity

Mystic River Watershed Association Inc

The mystic river watershed is a network of rivers, streams and ponds that all flow into the mystic river and ultimately boston harbor.

$398k
Granted FY2025still arriving
14
Grants FY2025still arriving
1
States reached
$130k
Largest
01What it fundsRead
02The needRead
03Its granteesRead
04Its fieldRead
01What it funds
01100% classified

What it funded, over time

Every grant placed by its stated purpose and the recipient’s mission, by year, FY2020 to 2025.

Environment$1.1MPublic Benefit$689kCommunity Improvement$480kHuman Services$287kFood & Nutrition$220kHousing & Shelter$173kCivil Rights$120kArts & Culture$56kOther$0
02FY2025 · 14 grants

Where the money goes

Grants by size, and the largest recipients.

How this is measured
The 14 grants below total $355,902, the rows itemized in this filing. The $398,381 headline is the total grant expense on the return; the other $42,479 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 · FY2025

  • Under $10k4 grants · $24k
  • $10k–50k8 grants · $134k
  • $50k–250k2 grants · $198k
$15,000
Median grant
1
States reached
$11M
Total assets
Largest grants
RecipientAmount
CITY OF BOSTON$130,000
EVERETTE COMMUNITY GROWERS$67,796
FRIENDS OF BELLE ISLE MARCH$22,934
CHINESE CULTURE CONNECTION INC$22,250
TRUSTEES OF TUFTS COLLEGE$20,000
GREENROOTS INC$15,146
CAMBRIDGE HEALTH ALLIANCE$15,000
GROUNDWORK SOMERVILLE INC$14,113
CITY OF MEDFORD$12,213
FIELD OF GREEN (VIA ARTHUR KURTZ)$12,100
WEST MEDFORD COMMUNITY CENTER INC$6,350
THE ISLAMIC CENTER OF BURLINGTON$6,000
STEELE COMMUNITY HOUSE TENANT ASSOC$6,000
KNOW YOUR NEIGHBOR WOBURN INC$6,000
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 (FY21–25, $259k) land where the poverty rate runs at 12%, against an area that typically sits at 8%. 97% of those dollars go to grantees based in above-average-need neighborhoods. Most of its grants land in higher-need ZIPs.

area typical 8%COHASSET CENTER FOR STUDENT RES: $7k → 7%SELF HELP INC: $45k → 8%SELF HELP INC: $45k → 8%SELF HELP INC: $32k → 8%LA COLORORATIVE INC: $50k → 16%LA COLORORATIVE INC: $50k → 16%LA COLORORATIVE INC: $25k → 16%WEST MEDFORD COMMUNITY CENTER INC: $6k → 8%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.

66%of every dollar goes to organizations it has funded before.
$2.2M · 19 repeat orgs$1.1M to everyone else

Grantees it renews have grown median revenue +38% since the first grant, against 0% for those funded once.

19 repeat relationships: 7 still active in FY2025, 12 since wound down; 7 grantees were first funded in FY2025 (too recent to call).

How the two cohorts compare

Re-uppedFunded once

Organizations

19
13

Total granted

$2.2M
$909k

Median revenue growth · since first grant

+38%
0%

Still filing today

74%
77%

New vs renewed · share of each year

In FY2025, 46% of grant dollars renewed an existing relationship; $191k went to new ones.

50%100%’20’21’22’23’24’25
RenewedFirst-time

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

’20’21’22’23’24’25
EnvironmentCommunity ImprovementHuman ServicesArts & CultureEducationCrime & LegalOther
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

  • LC
    LA COMUNIDAD INC
    6× · 2020–2025 · $287k · revenue +38%
  • GI
    GREENROOTS INC
    5× · 2020–2025 · $253k · revenue +50%
  • MB
    MY BROTHER'S TABLE INC
    4× · 2020–2023 · $175k · revenue +113%

Funded once

  • CO
    CITY OF MALDEN
    one grant, 2024 · $600k
  • TO
    TOWN OF WINCHESTER
    one grant, 2021 · $106k
  • CS
    CHARLESTOWN SPROUTS INC
    one grant, 2021 · $45k · revenue -81% · 31% of their budget
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
Groundwork Southcoast Inc

To bring about the sustained regeneration, improvement, and management of the physical environment by developing community-based partnerships that empower people, businesses, and organizations to promote environmental, economic, and social…

—
2
Conservation Law Foundation Inc

Conservation law foundation, inc. (clf) protects new england's environment for the benefit of all people and future generations. we use the law, science, and markets to create solutions that preserve and restore our natural resources,…

Environment
3
Massachusetts Outdoor Heritage Foundation Inc Attn Susan Sacco
—
4
Jones River Watershed Associnc

To protect, enhance and restore the quality of the natural resources in southeastern massachusetts, in particular the jones river and cape cod bay, for present and future generations. as well as, cultivating effective stewardship of our…

Environment
5
Wentworth Watershed Association

To protect and preserve the Wentworth-Crescent Watershed through initiatives that enhance water quality, land conservation and community education.

Environment
6
Massachusetts Rivers Alliance Inc

The mission of our organization is to protect and restore Massachusetts rivers and streams.

Environment
7
Green Cambridge Inc

Green Cambridge strives to create a more sustainable city protect the environment and educate youth and adults about the importance of environmental issue.

Environment
8
Boston Harbor Now Inc

Our mission is to ensure that the people of greater boston benefit from a vibrant, resilient, and inclusive waterfront, harbor, and islands; these spaces are equitable, accessible, and adapted to climate change; and to ensure our public,…

Environment
9
Woonasquatucket River Watershed

The council creates positive environmental, social and economic change by revitalizing the woonasquatucket river, its greenway and its communities.

Environment
10
Mystic River Watershed Association Inc

The mystic river watershed is a network of rivers, streams and ponds that all flow into the mystic river and ultimately boston harbor. home to 600,000 residents, the mystic river watershed association is the only organization working to…

Environment
11
Southwest Boston Community Development Corporation and Affiliates

The southwest boston community development corporation is led by principles of racial equity and inclusion, to alleviate social and economic disparities that impact people's quality of life and future opportunities. it shall be led by and…

Community Improvement
12
Sustainable Business Network of Massachu

To engage massachusetts business and community leaders in building economies that are local, green and fair through educational programs, networking, and special events.

Community Improvement
How this is measured
The grantee most central to the portfolio’s shape is Greenroots Inc; the most unlike its peers is Know Your Neighbor Woburn. 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

29 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. 29 of the 39 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.

3
Load-bearing (≥25% of a budget)
4
Early backer (in before they grew)
28/29
Grantees still filing
17/29
Grew since first funded

Where the money sits, by cause and then by grantee

CITY OF MALDEN: $600,000 · OtherCITY OF MALDENLA COMUNIDAD INC: $286,682 · OtherLA COMUNIDAD INCMY BROTHER'S TABLE INC: $175,000 · OtherMY BROTHER'S TABLE INCUNIVERSITY SYSTEM OF NEW HAMPSHIRE: $159,137 · OtherUNIVERSITY SYSTEM OF NEW HAMPSHIREBoston Redevelopment Authority: $130,000 · OtherBoston Redevelopment AuthorityTOWN OF WINCHESTER: $105,545 · OtherTOWN OF WINCHESTER+9 more: $211,375 · Other+9 moreGarrison Trotter Neighborhood Association Inc: $179,000 · Community ImprovementGarrison Trotter Neighb…CODMAN SQUARE NEIGHBORHOOD DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION: $173,433 · Community ImprovementCODMAN SQUARE NEIGHBORH…Groundwork Lawrence Inc: $150,000 · Community ImprovementGroundwork Lawrence IncDORCHESTER BAY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION: $90,000 · Community ImprovementDORCHESTER BAY ECONOMIC…EVERETT COMMUNITY GROWERS INC: $78,549 · Community ImprovementEVERETT COMMUNITY GROWE…+1 more: $14,113 · Community ImprovementGREENROOTS INC: $252,906 · EnvironmentGREENROOTS INCBETTER FUTURE PROJECT INC: $63,800 · EnvironmentBETTER FUTURE …CHARLESTOWN SPROUTS INC: $45,000 · EnvironmentCHARLESTOWN SP…PANGEASEED FOUNDATION: $15,500 · Environment+5 more: $49,002 · Environment+5 moreLA COLABORATIVA INC: $125,000 · Human ServicesLA COLABO…SELF HELP INC: $120,720 · Human ServicesSELF HELP…+2 more: $13,165 · Human ServicesAUTHENTIC CARIBBEAN FOUNDATION INC: $88,660 · Public BenefitMUSEUM OF SCIENCE: $40,040 · Arts & CultureCHINESE CULTURE CONNECTION INC: $22,250 · Arts & CultureKNOW YOUR NEIGHBOR WOBURN: $6,000 · Arts & CultureBOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF BOSTON INC: $54,600 · Youth Development
Other$1,667,739Community Improvement$685,095Environment$426,208Human Services$258,885Public Benefit$88,660Arts & Culture$68,290Youth Development$54,600

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

25%50%75%100%$100k$1.0M$10M$100Mgrantee revenue →↑ funder's share of their budgetLA COMUNIDAD INC: $286,682 over 6y, 7.9% of budgetGREENROOTS INC: $252,906 over 5y, 1.8% of budgetMY BROTHER'S TABLE INC: $175,000 over 4y, 2.1% of budgetCODMAN SQUARE NEIGHBORHOOD DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION: $173,433 over 4y, 0.9% of budgetGroundwork Lawrence Inc: $150,000 over 3y, 1.6% of budgetLA COLABORATIVA INC: $125,000 over 3y, 0.7% of budgetSELF HELP INC: $120,720 over 3y, 0.1% of budgetDORCHESTER BAY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION: $90,000 over 2y, 0.4% of budgetAUTHENTIC CARIBBEAN FOUNDATION INC: $88,660 over 3y, 16% of budgetEVERETT COMMUNITY GROWERS INC: $78,549 over 2y, 34% of budgetBETTER FUTURE PROJECT INC: $63,800 over 2y, 3.3% of budgetBOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF BOSTON INC: $54,600 over 2y, 0.1% of budgetCHARLESTOWN SPROUTS INC: $45,000 over 1y, 31% of budgetFRIENDS OF BELLE ISLE MARSH INC: $43,262 over 2y, 18% of budgetMUSEUM OF SCIENCE: $40,040 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetTrustees of Tufts College: $40,000 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetSELF HELP INC: $35,000 over 1y, 11% of budgetCHINESE CULTURE CONNECTION INC: $22,250 over 1y, 2.7% of budgetPANGEASEED FOUNDATION: $15,500 over 1y, 4.0% of budgetCHARLES RIVER WATERSHED ASSOCIATION INC: $10,827 over 1y, 0.5% of budgetNeponset River Watershed Association: $10,471 over 1y, 0.9% of budgetNORTH & SOUTH RIVERS WATERSHED ASSOCIATION INC: $9,884 over 1y, 0.8% of budgetOARS INC: $8,927 over 1y, 1.6% of budgetNASHUA RIVER WATERSHED ASSOC INC: $8,893 over 1y, 0.7% of budgetCohasset Center For Student Coastal Research Inc: $6,815 over 1y, 2.4% of budgetKNOW YOUR NEIGHBOR WOBURN: $6,000 over 1y, 32% 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.

Eastern Bank Foundati…Boston Foundation IncHealth Resources in A…Rockland Trust Charit…Fidelity FoundationAmerican Tower Corpor…PatagoniaorgLawrence & Lillian So…Merck Family FundProject Bread-The Wal…Barr FoundationUnited Way Of Massach…
Eastern Bank FoundationMA26.1× affinity12 shared granteesties to 11 of 11Hover any node to trace its alignments.Compare side by side →

Open a dossier: Eastern Bank Foundation · Boston Foundation Inc · Health Resources in Action Inc · Rockland Trust Charitable Foundation Inc · Fidelity Foundation · American Tower Corporation Foundation Inc · Patagoniaorg · Lawrence & Lillian Solomon Foundation Inc · Merck Family Fund · Project Bread-The Walk for Hunger Inc · Barr Foundation · United Way Of Massachusetts Bay 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 Mystic River Watershed Association Inc funds: left to right is the share of its income from government, bottom to top the share from Mystic River Watershed Association Inc. Bigger dots raise more.

2024
’20’21’22’23’24’25
no gov · 40%3%10%23%40%funder's share of their income ↑0%25%50%75%100%share of the org’s income from government →median 12%
  • Oars Inc: 100% of income from government
  • Nashua River Watershed Assoc Inc: 54% of income from government
  • Friends of Belle Isle Marsh Inc: 43% of income from government
  • La Colaborativa Inc: 34% of income from government
  • Self Help Inc: 27% of income from government
  • Trustees of Tufts College: 13% of income from government
  • Groundwork Somerville Inc: 12% of income from government
  • West Medford Community Center Inc: 12% of income from government
  • Neponset River Watershed Association: 8% of income from government
  • Charles River Watershed Association Inc: 8% of income from government
  • Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston Inc: 2% of income from government
  • Chinese Culture Connection Inc: 2% of income from government
  • Authentic Caribbean Foundation Inc: 1% of income from government
  • Greenroots Inc: 1% of income from government
  • Museum of Science: 0% of income from government
no gov moneyreceives it· size = income
4get no government money at all
6report government grants on their 990 we could not trace to a source (not plotted)
2rely on government for over half their income
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.

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 39 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 2025, released 2025. Filings run roughly 12 to 24 months behind; figures are dated accordingly.

Source object · view filing

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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