Alternatives for Youth Foundation Inc
Alternatives for Youth Foundation, Inc. (AYF) is a public charity based in Marlborough, Massachusetts, formed in 1996. It is Key Program, Inc.’s supporting foundation and provides funding for activities aligned with Key’s mission, including grants to organizations and scholarships for young people.
Key facts about Alternatives for Youth Foundation Inc
In short: Alternatives for Youth Foundation Inc gave $160K across 16 grants in 2025 (avg $10K), mostly in Massachusetts. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- EIN
- 04-3276173
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025
- Annual giving (2025)
- $160,000
- Grants made (2025)
- 16
- Average grant
- $10,000
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $44,730,231
- Primary geography
- Massachusetts (88% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- How to apply
- The available information describes the WJW scholarship application route as contacting a high school guidance counselor, state agency social worker, or Key clinician. Full details ↓
- Deadline
- The WJW scholarship deadline is annually in April or May; the 2026 deadline has passed.
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026. Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990 · View filing
Total Assets
$44.7M
+12.5% YoY
Annual Giving
$160K
-20.0% YoY
Grant Count
16
-20.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$10K
+0.0% YoY
How Alternatives for Youth Foundation Inc gives
- 0% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Mission & Focus Areas
AYF’s stated mission is to support programs and activities consistent with the mission of Key Program, Inc. Its 2024 filing describes four funding purposes: start-up support for new and innovative projects in juvenile justice, child welfare, and mental health; general operating support for nonprofits with a demonstrated record of advancing those systems; project support for work addressing significant problems in those fields with potential for replication; and academic scholarships.
AYF’s 2025 grants were designated for general support. The grantees’ stated missions illustrate the range of organizations supported. For example, Worcester Youth Center says it provides services for disadvantaged youth; Catie’s Closet says it provides children in need with clothing and basic necessities; and Housing Assistance Corporation says it works to promote safe, affordable housing on Cape Cod and the Islands. Independence House says it supports domestic and sexual assault victims, survivors, and children.
AYF also supports scholarships. Key’s website describes the William J. Wolfe Scholarship for young people aged 25 or younger who have received services from Key or specified Massachusetts or Rhode Island state agencies, demonstrate academic performance and commitment to personal development, and intend to pursue a degree or vocational certification. Awards are made by the AYF Board once each June. The stated annual application deadline is in April or May; the 2026 cycle is past.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, AYF reported 16 grants totaling $160,000. Each was $10,000. The filing identifies the grants as general support. In 2024, AYF reported 20 grants totaling $200,000.
Review Cycle
The WJW scholarship deadline is annually in April or May; the 2026 deadline has passed.
Ready to take the next step with Alternatives for Youth Foundation Inc?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2025, 88% of AYF’s grant dollars went to recipients in Massachusetts and 12% to recipients in Rhode Island. The WJW Scholarship also identifies eligible recipients served by Massachusetts and Rhode Island state agencies.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 16 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $6K (2023) to $1.0M (2021). In 2025 it made 16 grants totaling $160K.
Hatched bars: grants paid as reported on the IRS filing, which lists no individual grants for that year.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Berkshire Dream Center ($10K). Together the top 10 received $100K.
Grant Size Distribution
37 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 36 grants of 37 (97%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Berkshire Dream Center Pittsfield, MA | General Support | $10,000 |
| Catie's Closet Dracut, MA | General Support | $10,000 |
| Community Giving Tree Boxford, MA | General Support | $10,000 |
| Fishing Friends Westfield, MA | General Support | $10,000 |
| Groundwork Southcoast New Bedford, MA | General Support | $10,000 |
| Housing Assistance Corp Hyannis, MA | General Support | $10,000 |
| Immigrants Assistance Center New Bedford, MA | General Support | $10,000 |
| Independence House Hyannis, MA | General Support | $10,000 |
| Lazarus House Ministries Lawrence, MA | General Support | $10,000 |
| Love Your Labels Worcester, MA | General Support | $10,000 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $44,730,231 | $1,570,492 | $749,658 | $160,000 (16 grants) |
| 2024 | $39,771,641 | $1,875,402 | $599,059 | $200,000 (20 grants) |
| 2023 | $34,352,326 | $622,527 | $332,990 | 0 grants |
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $44,730,231 | $39,771,641 | $34,352,326 |
| Revenue | $1,570,492 | $1,875,402 | $622,527 |
| Expenses | $749,658 | $599,059 | $332,990 |
| Net Investment Income | $776,642 | $1,364,402 | $622,527 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 12, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS December 6, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 14, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 13, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS November 12, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2025
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Tammy Mello as President and CEO; Edward Feldstein, Esq., as Chairman; Howard Corey as Treasurer; and James Musgrove as Clerk. Directors listed are Marie Ahern, Ronald Ardine, Michael C. Cuscia (through December 2024), Joseph Imbriani, Esq., CPA, Dino Mancini, and Hope Haslam Straughan.
Alternatives for Youth Foundation Inc is led by Tammy Mello, President & CEO since 2023 (on filings since 2022); none of the 13 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Tammy Mello
President & CEO
President → President & CEO, 2023
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Edward Feldstein Esq.
Chairman
Chairman & Clerk → Chairman, 2025
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Hope Haslam Straughan
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Joseph Imbriani Esq. CPA
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Marie Ahern
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michael C. Cuscia
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ronald Ardine
Director
Director of Administrator & Finance → Director, 2024
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Dino Mancini
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michael Woronka
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Paula Stahl
Director of Childrens Charter
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
David Burke
Chief Financial Officer
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Howard Corey
Treasurer
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
James Musgrove
Clerk
Director → Clerk, 2025
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (4)
- Former: William Lyttle (2021–2024) — Director
- Former: Allison Bernier (2023–2024) — Director
- Former: Michael Kan (2021) — Treasurer
- Former: Susan P. Luz (2021) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Contact
Mailing address: 2000 West Park Drive 250, Marlborough, MA 01581
Phone: (508) 877-3690
Website: https://key.org
Frequently asked questions about Alternatives for Youth Foundation Inc
How much does Alternatives for Youth Foundation Inc give each year?
Alternatives for Youth Foundation Inc gave $160K across 16 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $200K across 20 grants.
What is Alternatives for Youth Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
Alternatives for Youth Foundation Inc's median grant in 2025 was $10,000, and its average grant was $10,000, across 16 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Where does Alternatives for Youth Foundation Inc give grants?
Alternatives for Youth Foundation Inc gives mostly in Massachusetts: 88% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest state was Rhode Island (13%). The most frequent recipient cities were Worcester, MA (3 grants), New Bedford, MA (2 grants), Hyannis, MA (2 grants) and Providence, RI (2 grants).
Does Alternatives for Youth Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Alternatives for Youth Foundation Inc's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (16 of 16) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Who are Alternatives for Youth Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
Alternatives for Youth Foundation Inc's largest 2025 grantees include Berkshire Dream Center ($10,000), Catie's Closet ($10,000) and Community Giving Tree ($10,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 19% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Alternatives for Youth Foundation Inc?
Alternatives for Youth Foundation Inc reported $44.7M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $1.6M.
What does Alternatives for Youth Foundation Inc fund?
AYF’s stated mission is to support programs and activities consistent with the mission of Key Program, Inc. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Alternatives for Youth Foundation Inc?
The available information describes the WJW scholarship application route as contacting a high school guidance counselor, state agency social worker, or Key clinician. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Alternatives for Youth Foundation Inc's EIN?
Alternatives for Youth Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 04-3276173. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Here's the math on researching Alternatives for Youth Foundation Inc by hand.
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