Demoulas Foundation

Foundation · Grantmaker CHELMSFORD, MA EIN: 04-2723441

The Demoulas Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation established in 1964 and based in Chelmsford, Massachusetts. The foundation serves as the philanthropic vehicle of Arthur T. Demoulas and his family. Arthur Telemachus Demoulas, raised in Lowell, Massachusetts, built the family business through Demoulas Super Markets in the Boston area. The foundation accepts unsolicited nonprofit applications for funding.

Key facts about Demoulas Foundation

EIN: 04-2723441
Latest 990 filing: Form 990-PF, 2024
Annual giving (2024): $1,103,703
Grants made (2024): 209
Average grant: $5,281
Median grant: $5,000
Total assets: $23,915,899
Primary geography: Massachusetts (86% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
Accepts unsolicited proposals: Yes
How to apply: The foundation accepts mailing address requests for grant proposals, though it operates with minimal staff.

Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated June 2026. Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.

Who Demoulas Foundation funds

By grant dollars, the top recipient states for Demoulas Foundation's 209 itemized 2024 grants were Massachusetts (86%) and New Hampshire (10%). The most frequent recipient cities were Lowell, MA (43 grants), Lawrence, MA (14 grants), Boston, MA (9 grants) and Andover, MA (7 grants). None of its 209 grants with a stated purpose were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Civic, Cultural & Other" (60 grants), "Churches, Temples, & Religious" (48 grants) and "Youth Organizations" (40 grants).

Financial Overview

From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

$23.9M

+0.6% YoY

Annual Giving

$1.1M

-2.7% YoY

Grant Count

209

+1.5% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$5K

-4.1% YoY

Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Demoulas Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.1M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated April 2026.

Mission & Focus Areas

The foundation does not publicly disclose a formal mission statement. However, based on recent grantmaking activity, the foundation supports organizations in the following areas:

Civic and Cultural Organizations — The foundation's largest giving area, including support for performing arts and community organizations
Educational Organizations — The foundation's second largest giving area, with emphasis on K-12 education
Health Organizations — Including hospitals and health-related institutions
Churches, Temples and Religious Organizations — Support for religious institutions
Human Services — Community development and social services

Grantmaking

The foundation maintains a low profile and does not publicly disclose detailed funding priorities or grant guidelines. However, it is known to accept unsolicited nonprofit applications.

How to Apply

** The foundation accepts mailing address requests for grant proposals, though it operates with minimal staff. Prospective applicants are advised to persist with follow-up calls if needed.

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Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

The foundation primarily funds organizations in Massachusetts, with particular emphasis on the Boston area and Greater Lowell region.

Grant Distribution by State

Massachusetts $944K (86%)

New Hampshire $113K (10%)

New York $31K (3%)

Rhode Island $7K (1%)

Florida $5K (0%)

All other $5K (0%)

Share of all 209 itemized 2024 grant dollars.

States

Florida Massachusetts Maine New Hampshire New York Pennsylvania Rhode Island Texas

Cities

LowellLawrenceBostonAndoverConcordSalemBrooklineHaverhillNashuaNew BedfordMethuenNewburyportManchesterWatertownLynnWalthamBillericaWoburnWestonDracut

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

As of 2023 (most recent filing):

Total Assets: $23,763,244
Total Giving: $1,134,077
Revenue: $819,000
Expenses: $1,250,000
Total Liabilities: $20,700

The foundation ranks in the top 2% of nonprofits nationally by assets and in the top 3% of organizations in Massachusetts.

Revenue

Expenses

Qualifying Distributions

Net Investment Income

Metric	2024	2023	2022
Total Assets	$23,915,899	$23,763,244	$23,398,263
Revenue	$995,482	$819,411	$780,037
Expenses	$1,214,275	$1,245,726	$1,213,851
Qualifying Distributions	$1,158,453	$1,156,327	$1,144,650
Net Investment Income	$937,410	$756,762	$716,836
Distributable Amount	$1,148,316	$1,185,779	$1,176,263

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2024

Grant Size Distribution

1,023 grants across all recorded years

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest recipients include Metropolitan Opera ($30,653), Academy of Notre Dame ($25,000), Lowell Plan ($25,000).

Recipient	Purpose	Amount
METROPOLITAN OPERA NEW YORK, NY	CIVIC, CULTURAL & OTHER	$30,653
ACADEMY OF NOTRE DAME TYNGSBORO, MA	SCHOOLS, COLLEGES, UNIVERSITIES	$25,000
LOWELL PLAN LOWELL, MA	CIVIC, CULTURAL & OTHER	$25,000
MIDDLESEX SCHOOL CONCORD, MA	SCHOOLS, COLLEGES, UNIVERSITIES	$25,000
ROMAN & RUTH DESANCTIS FAMILY ENDOWED FUND BOSTON, MA	HOSPITAL & HEALTH ORGANIZATIONS	$25,000
LOWELL GENERAL HOSPITAL LOWELL, MA	HOSPITAL & HEALTH ORGANIZATIONS	$20,000
SHORE COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL BEVERLY, MA	SCHOOLS, COLLEGES, UNIVERSITIES	$20,000
D'YOUVILLE FOUNDATION LOWELL, MA	HOSPITAL & HEALTH ORGANIZATIONS	$15,000
STS CONSTANTINE & HELEN GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH ANDOVER, MA	CHURCHES, TEMPLES, & RELIGIOUS	$13,000
LAZARUS HOUSE LAWRENCE, MA	CIVIC, CULTURAL & OTHER	$12,000

Leadership & Key People

Officers and directors from IRS filings

Compensation Overview

From 2024 IRS filing

From 2024 filing

Name	Title	Hours	Compensation
ARTHUR T DEMOULAS	TRUSTEE	4	—
SUSAN M DUFRESNE	FISCAL OFFICER	6	$37,500

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Demoulas Foundation fund?

The foundation does not publicly disclose a formal mission statement. However, based on recent grantmaking activity, the foundation supports organizations in the following areas: • **Civic and Cultural Organizations** — The foundation's largest giving area, including support for performing arts and community organizations • **Educational Organizations** — The foundation's second largest giving area, with emphasis on K-12 education • **Health Organizations** — Including hospitals and health-rela…

How do I apply for a grant from Demoulas Foundation?

The foundation maintains a low profile and does not publicly disclose detailed funding priorities or grant guidelines. However, it is known to accept unsolicited nonprofit applications. **Recent Grantees** include: • Metropolitan Opera • Boston Symphony Orchestra • Greater Lowell Family YMCA • Boys and Girls Club of Greater Lowell • Whistler House Museum of Art • D'youville Senior Care • Academy of Notre Dame at Tyngsboro • Middlesex School **Application Process:** The foundation accepts mailin…

Where does Demoulas Foundation make grants?

The foundation primarily funds organizations in Massachusetts, with particular emphasis on the Boston area and Greater Lowell region.

What size grants does Demoulas Foundation award?

In 2024, Demoulas Foundation awarded 209 grants totaling $1.1M — an average of about $5K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.

How much is Demoulas Foundation required to give away each year?

Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Demoulas Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.1M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

What is Demoulas Foundation's EIN?

Demoulas Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 04-2723441. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.

Does Demoulas Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?

Yes, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. The foundation accepts mailing address requests for grant proposals, though it operates with minimal staff.