Foundation received $155 million in new 2007 gifts

The Boston Foundation said it received more than $155 million in new gifts in the 2007 calendar year, more than double the amount in the previous year.

The foundation describes itself as Greater Boston's community foundation, and its website says its grant-making and other activities are designed to promote innovation across a broad range of community issues, including educational excellence, affordable housing, work force development, and the arts.

In a press release, the foundation said the value of its assets rose to $964 million, up from $830 million at the start of the year.

More than $92 million in grants, the largest distribution in the foundation’s history, were made to nonprofit organizations during calendar 2007, the foundation said.
(By Chris Reidy, Globe staff)