David E Retik and Christopher D Mello
The David E. Retik Christopher D. Mello Foundation is a private foundation based in Boston, Massachusetts. It supports nonprofit charitable organizations and describes its purpose as carrying forward David Retik and Christopher Mello’s passion and dedication for humanity.
David E Retik and Christopher D Mello at a glance
In short: David E Retik and Christopher D Mello gave $304K across 29 grants in 2025 (avg $10K), top state Massachusetts. 17% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $304,000
- +26.7% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 29
- +16.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $10,483
- +9.2% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $7,500
- Total assets
- $2,331,066
- -1.3% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 17% first-time grantees (5 of 29, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Massachusetts (44% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to David E Retik and Christopher D Mello
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- Invitation Only
-
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests. Its website says the Retik and Mello families consider new organizations from time to time and that interested organizations should submit a brief letter of interest. The 2023 filing says there is no specific application process or form and that potential grantees must send a letter of interest. The filing states no restrictions or limitations, while noting a focus on youth development and leadership; the website says grants are limited to 501(c)(3) charitable organizations and that awards outside stated parameters are occasionally made by invitation.
- Review Cycle
- The website asks interested organizations to submit a brief letter of interest by December 1 and says funding decisions are made annually in the spring. The 2023 filing lists no deadline and also says grants are awarded annually in the spring.
- Deadline
- The website asks interested organizations to submit a brief letter of interest by December 1 and says funding…
- Contact
Application contact: Jeanne D'Agostino
Mailing address: C/O Nutter Mcclennen Fish Llp 155, Seaport Blvd, Boston, MA 02210
Phone: (617) 956-1318
Email: jeanne@retikmellofoundation.org
Website: https://www.retikmellofoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who David E Retik and Christopher D Mello funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Mercy Learning Center of Bridgeport Inc ($35K). Together the top 10 received $200K.
Organizations only. It also paid 1 individual scholarship ($1,000), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
126 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 126 grants of 126 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2025, grant dollars went to recipients in Massachusetts (44%), Florida (25%), New York (15%), Connecticut (15%), and California (1%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 29 itemized grants.
Cities
Is David E Retik and Christopher D Mello open to new grantees?
17%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 5 of 29 grantees (17%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $8K; repeat grants $11K. How we count
Medians: $5K first-time, $10K repeat.
- 76% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving grew 52% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 174% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $190K (2020) to $304K (2025). In 2025 it made 29 grants totaling $304K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Mercy Learning Center of Bridgeport Inc Bridgeport, CT | Program Support | $35,000 |
| Child Care Resources of Indian River Vero Beach, FL | Program Support | $25,000 |
| Hope for Families Center Vero Beach, FL | Program Support | $25,000 |
| Boston Bullpen Project Inc Needham, MA | Program Support | $20,000 |
| Bridge Over Troubled Water Boston, MA | Program Support | $20,000 |
| Redlands Christian Migrant Association Immokalee, FL | Program Support | $20,000 |
| Type Media Center New York, NY | Management and General EXP | $20,000 |
| Rosie's Place Boston, MA | Program Support | $15,000 |
| Food for Free Committee Inc Somerville, MA | Program Support | $10,000 |
| Horizons Bridgeport Bridgeport, CT | Program Support | $10,000 |
Ready to take the next step with David E Retik and Christopher D Mello?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $2,331,066 | $335,237 | $365,700 | $304,000 | 29 | $332,447 | $309,587 | $191,178 |
| 2024 | $2,362,952 | $291,327 | $297,090 | $240,000 | 25 | $271,332 | $266,650 | $182,101 |
| 2023 | $2,368,398 | $283,334 | $255,063 | $201,000 | 24 | $228,029 | $261,037 | $176,258 |
| 2022 | $2,340,135 | $260,958 | $260,364 | $200,000 | 23 | $236,757 | $168,708 | $180,669 |
| 2021 | $2,338,492 | $73,326 | $260,079 | $200,000 | 25 | — | $34,523 | $179,406 |
| 2020 | $2,525,245 | $44,850 | $246,750 | $190,000 | 30 | — | $51,776 | $155,837 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, David E Retik and Christopher D Mello reported a distributable amount of $191K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation was established to honor David Retik and Christopher Mello through charitable giving. Its stated priorities include organizations that positively affect the development of future leaders; its 2023 filing describes its focus as youth development and leadership.
Its grantees work in a range of areas. For example, Mercy Learning Center of Bridgeport says it empowers women through free education, while Horizons Bridgeport says it develops students’ academic, social, and emotional skills. Food for Free describes its work as improving access to healthy food, and Pine Street Inn says its mission is to end homelessness. These are the grantees’ stated missions.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation reported 29 grants totaling $304,000. Grants ranged from $1,000 to $35,000, with a median of $7,500. The largest listed awards were $35,000 to Mercy Learning Center of Bridgeport and $25,000 each to Child Care Resources of Indian River and Hope for Families Center. Other awards included $20,000 each to Boston Bullpen Project, Bridge Over Troubled Water, Redlands Christian Migrant Association, and Type Media Center. The stated purpose for the Type Media Center grant was management and general expenses; the other listed purposes were program support.
Additional 2025 grants included $15,000 to Rosie’s Place and $10,000 each to Food for Free, Horizons Bridgeport, ParentChild, Pine Street Inn, Women’s Lunch Place, and The Food Project. Community Servings received $5,000.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Eileen M. Toti as treasurer/director; Edward Gatta Jr. as president/director; Susan Retik, Doug Mello, Ellen Mello, Kathy Flaherty, Dr. James Mandell, and Bob Emmert as directors; Jeanne D’Agostino as executive director; and Johanna Wise Sullivan as clerk/director.
David E Retik and Christopher D Mello is led by Jeanne D'agostino, Executive Director on every filing since 2020; none of the 11 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Jeanne D'agostino
Executive Director
On filings since 2020
10 hrs/week
$20K (2020) → $0 (2025)
Edward Gatta Jr.
President & Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Bob Emmert
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Doug Mello
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Eileen M. Toti
Treasurer & Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ellen Mello
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
James Mandell
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Johanna Wise Sullivan
Clerk & Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kathy Flaherty
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Susan Retik
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Benjamin Retik
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (2)
- Former: Alan Retik (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Karen Voci (2020–2023) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $20K, to Jeanne D'Agostino (Executive Director).
Frequently asked questions about David E Retik and Christopher D Mello
How much does David E Retik and Christopher D Mello give each year?
David E Retik and Christopher D Mello gave $304K across 29 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $240K across 25 grants.
What is David E Retik and Christopher D Mello's typical grant size?
David E Retik and Christopher D Mello's median grant in 2025 was $7,500, and its average grant was $10,483, across 29 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from David E Retik and Christopher D Mello that year got $8K on average.
Where does David E Retik and Christopher D Mello give grants?
David E Retik and Christopher D Mello's top state is Massachusetts, with 44% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were Florida (25%) and New York (15%). The most frequent recipient cities were Boston, MA (9 grants), Vero Beach, FL (2 grants), Bridgeport, CT (2 grants) and New York, NY (2 grants).
Does David E Retik and Christopher D Mello give general operating support?
Occasionally: 7% of David E Retik and Christopher D Mello's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (2 of 29) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Program Support" (20 grants).
Who are David E Retik and Christopher D Mello's largest grantees?
David E Retik and Christopher D Mello's largest 2025 grantees include Mercy Learning Center of Bridgeport Inc ($35,000), Child Care Resources of Indian River ($25,000) and Hope for Families Center ($25,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 1 individual scholarship ($1,000), which are not listed by name. Together they received 28% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is David E Retik and Christopher D Mello?
David E Retik and Christopher D Mello reported $2.3M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $332K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $191K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does David E Retik and Christopher D Mello fund?
The foundation was established to honor David Retik and Christopher Mello through charitable giving. Its stated priorities include organizations that positively affect the development of future leaders; its 2023 filing describes its focus as youth development and leadership. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from David E Retik and Christopher D Mello?
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is David E Retik and Christopher D Mello's EIN?
David E Retik and Christopher D Mello's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 04-3576803. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Does David E Retik and Christopher D Mello accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS April 14, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS January 18, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS January 24, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS January 16, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS January 16, 2025)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS February 2, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). David E Retik and Christopher D Mello funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 11, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/david-e-retik-and-christopher-d-mello-morg_8c40d8751c994419b9c621c2d23a6d08
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_043576803_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{David E Retik and Christopher D Mello funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/david-e-retik-and-christopher-d-mello-morg_8c40d8751c994419b9c621c2d23a6d08},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-11. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from David E Retik and Christopher D Mello's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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