Massachusetts Charitable Mechanic
Massachusetts Charitable Mechanic Association is a private foundation based in Quincy, Massachusetts. Founded in 1795, with Paul Revere as its first president, and incorporated in 1806, it supports Massachusetts organizations working in the mechanical arts and trades, vocational training, and employment opportunities for people with disabilities.
Massachusetts Charitable Mechanic at a glance
In short: Massachusetts Charitable Mechanic gave $261K across 35 grants in 2024 (avg $7K), mostly in Massachusetts. 23% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $260,616
- +14.2% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 35
- +25.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $7,446
- -8.7% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $6,640
- Total assets
- $4,701,182
- +4.2% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 23% first-time grantees (8 of 35, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Massachusetts (94% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Massachusetts Charitable Mechanic
- How to Apply
-
The association accepts written requests; no formal application is required. Requests should clearly explain the need for the item and how it will be used to benefit those served. The association says it does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. It rarely makes cash grants and generally provides equipment or tools for a specific purpose or program. Its website says grants are made once per calendar year and requests are accepted January 1 through March 31. The 2024 filing lists no deadline and no restrictions on awards.
- Contact
Application contact: Kurt Hanson
Mailing address: 353 Southern Artery, Quincy, MA 02169
Phone: (617) 479-1795
Website: https://www.mcma1795.us
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Massachusetts Charitable Mechanic
Who Massachusetts Charitable Mechanic funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was North Bennett Street School ($32K). Together the top 10 received $139K.
Grant Size Distribution
132 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 131 grants of 132 (99%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The association’s stated grant qualifications are for Massachusetts organizations. In 2024, 94% of grant dollars went to recipients in Massachusetts, 4% to Illinois, and 2% to New Hampshire.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 35 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Massachusetts Charitable Mechanic open to new grantees?
23%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 8 of 35 grantees (23%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $5K; repeat grants $8K. How we count
Medians: $5K first-time, $7K repeat.
- 66% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (−4%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 134% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). 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 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $148K (2020) to $277K (2022). In 2024 it made 35 grants totaling $261K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| North Bennett Street School Boston, MA | Trade Related Equipment and Support | $31,962 |
| Northeast Arc Danvers, MA | Trade Related Equipment and Support | $17,000 |
| The Carroll Center for the Blind Newton, MA | Trade Related Equipment and Support | $15,600 |
| Old Sturbridge Village Sturbridge, MA | Trade Related Equipment and Support | $12,000 |
| Just-a-Start Cambridge, MA | Trade Related Equipment and Support | $11,400 |
| Gloucester Marine Genomics Institut Gloucester, MA | Trade Related Equipment and Support | $10,709 |
| South Shore Arc Weymouth, MA | Trade Related Equipment and Support | $10,089 |
| National Braille Press Boston, MA | Trade Related Equipment and Support | $10,010 |
| Horse Senseability Sherborn, MA | Trade Related Equipment and Support | $10,007 |
| Challenge Unlimited Alton, IL | Trade Related Equipment and Support | $9,960 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $4,701,182 | $659,525 | $467,072 | $260,616 | 35 | $310,215 | $476,050 | $231,191 |
| 2023 | $4,510,797 | $684,229 | $512,016 | $228,294 | 28 | $275,159 | $389,507 | $214,842 |
| 2022 | $4,217,778 | $571,570 | $493,087 | $276,860 | 21 | $321,353 | $371,816 | $236,822 |
| 2021 | $4,186,500 | $833,377 | $531,217 | $270,193 | 26 | $362,694 | $565,592 | $261,219 |
| 2020 | $3,846,509 | $219,297 | $282,791 | $147,732 | 22 | — | $120,029 | $228,512 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Massachusetts Charitable Mechanic reported a distributable amount of $231K for 2024 — 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 association’s continuing focus is the promotion of mechanical arts and trades. Its charitable support is for Massachusetts organizations that teach mechanical arts, provide employment opportunities for people with disabilities, or use vocational training and workshops to develop the potential of people with physical or mental challenges or to work with troubled youth. Applicants must be 501(c)(3) nonprofits, and requests must explain the need for the requested item and how it will be used to benefit those served.
Grantees’ stated missions illustrate the range of organizations receiving support. The Carroll Center for the Blind says it provides rehabilitation, skills training, and educational opportunities to help blind and visually impaired people achieve independence. National Braille Press says it promotes literacy for blind children through Braille and provides access to information for blind people. Just-A-Start says it promotes equity through access to stable housing and pathways to economic opportunity.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the association gave 35 grants totaling $260,616. Grant amounts ranged from $100 to $31,962, with a median of $6,640. In 2023, it gave 28 grants totaling $228,294; in 2022, it gave 21 grants totaling $276,860.
Among the largest 2024 grants were $31,962 to North Bennet Street School, $17,000 to Northeast Arc, $15,600 to the Carroll Center for the Blind, $12,000 to Old Sturbridge Village, and $11,400 to Just-A-Start. The stated purpose for each was “trade related equipment and support.”
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Charles S. Sulkala as president and Martin F. Joyce as secretary. Trustees listed are Gregory Davidian, Joseph MacLaughlin, Richard Stewart, Barry Williams, Richard D. Ryan, Bryan Murphy, Paul Lohnes, and Philip Fuller.
Massachusetts Charitable Mechanic is led by Charles S. Sulkala, President since 2022 (on filings since 2020); none of the 18 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Charles S. Sulkala
President
Vice President → President, 2022
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Barry Williams
Trustee
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Harold Dodakian
Trustee
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Paul Lohnes
Trustee
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Richard D. Ryan
Trustee
Trustee → Vice President, 2022
Vice President → Trustee, 2024
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Richard H. Peterson
Trustee
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Steven W. Anderson
Trustee
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Thomas F. Carroll
Trustee
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Eugene Capobianco
Trustee
On filings since 2022
No compensation reported
Gregory Davidian
Trustee
On filings since 2022
No compensation reported
Joseph Maclaughlin
Trustee
On filings since 2022
No compensation reported
Richard Stewart
Trustee
On filings since 2022
No compensation reported
Robert A. Boucher
Trustee
On filings since 2022
No compensation reported
Bryan Murphy
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
No compensation reported
Philip Fuller
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
No compensation reported
Kurt E. Hanson
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Martin F. Joyce
Secretary
On filings since 2020
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Thomas Crowdis III
Vice President
Trustee → Vice President, 2024
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (7)
- Former: Peter J. Lemonias (2020–2023) — Treasurer
- Former: Stephen Stickney (2020–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Paul Revere III (2021–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Frederick Arrowsmith (2020–2021) — Trustee
- Former: John P. Moriarty (2020–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Russell Johnson (2020–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Joseph F. Bellomo (2020) — Trustee
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about Massachusetts Charitable Mechanic
How much does Massachusetts Charitable Mechanic give each year?
Massachusetts Charitable Mechanic gave $261K across 35 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $228K across 28 grants.
What is Massachusetts Charitable Mechanic's typical grant size?
Massachusetts Charitable Mechanic's median grant in 2024 was $6,640, and its average grant was $7,446, across 35 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Massachusetts Charitable Mechanic that year got $5K on average.
Where does Massachusetts Charitable Mechanic give grants?
Massachusetts Charitable Mechanic gives mostly in Massachusetts: 94% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Boston, MA (7 grants), Newton, MA (2 grants), Beverly, MA (2 grants) and Randolph, MA (2 grants).
Does Massachusetts Charitable Mechanic give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 35 grants with a stated purpose on Massachusetts Charitable Mechanic's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Trade Related Equipment and Support" (35 grants).
Who are Massachusetts Charitable Mechanic's largest grantees?
Massachusetts Charitable Mechanic's largest 2024 grantees include North Bennett Street School ($31,962), Northeast Arc ($17,000) and The Carroll Center for the Blind ($15,600), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 25% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Massachusetts Charitable Mechanic?
Massachusetts Charitable Mechanic reported $4.7M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $310K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $231K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Massachusetts Charitable Mechanic fund?
The association’s continuing focus is the promotion of mechanical arts and trades. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Massachusetts Charitable Mechanic?
The association accepts written requests; no formal application is required. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Massachusetts Charitable Mechanic's EIN?
Massachusetts Charitable Mechanic's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 04-2023566. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Massachusetts Charitable Mechanic's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Massachusetts Charitable Mechanic funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 13, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/massachusetts-charitable-mechanic-morg_2ed131c2515e4b478e4cd2fd5ef52ace
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_042023566_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Massachusetts Charitable Mechanic funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/massachusetts-charitable-mechanic-morg_2ed131c2515e4b478e4cd2fd5ef52ace},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-13. 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 Massachusetts Charitable Mechanic'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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