Melvin S Cutler Charitable Foundation
The Melvin S Cutler Charitable Foundation is a private family foundation established in 1981 by Mel Cutler, a Worcester-area design-build entrepreneur and philanthropist. Based in Worcester, Massachusetts, the foundation operates with approximately $14.2 million in total assets and distributes over $1 million annually to support a diverse range of charitable causes.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$14.2M
+0.5% YoY
Annual Giving
$629K
-42.1% YoY
Grant Count
46
-22.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$14K
-25.8% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Melvin S Cutler Charitable Foundation reported a distributable amount of $717K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation supports causes "from medical research to helping the poor and needy to caring for underprivileged children." Primary funding areas include:
- Education
- Health organizations
- Human services
- Jewish community organizations and Israel-related causes
- Local Worcester organizations serving at-risk populations
- Veterans support
- The arts
- Higher education
The foundation's commitment to Jewish causes and Israel reflects founder Mel Cutler's upbringing in a Socialist/Zionist family in the Bronx.
Grantmaking
The foundation made approximately 30 grants totaling $440,314 in documented awards during the most recent reporting period.
Grant Range
** $2,500 to $300,000
How to Apply
** The foundation does not accept unsolicited grant applications. It operates as a private family foundation that makes grants through trustee discretion based on recommendations from the founder's network of business associates, friends, employees, and customers.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily supports organizations in Worcester, Massachusetts and Central Massachusetts, with some national and international giving, particularly to Israel-related causes.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of FY 2024:
- Total Assets: $14.2 million
- Total Revenues: $1,606,894
- Total Expenses: $1,200,854
- Annual Giving: $1,080,000+
Revenue Breakdown (FY 2024):
- Grants and contributions: $1,326,125
- Investment income and dividends: $526,147
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $14,245,856 | $14,168,283 | $13,762,243 |
| Revenue | $796,150 | $1,606,894 | $2,065,822 |
| Expenses | $726,056 | $1,200,854 | $582,328 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $629,383 | $1,087,773 | $471,600 |
| Net Investment Income | $776,795 | $432,675 | $450,726 |
| Distributable Amount | $717,115 | $684,101 | $630,761 |
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 2025
Grant Size Distribution
246 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2025 grants, the largest include Jewish National Fund ($82,600), Friends of United Hatzalah ($70,000), Jewish Federation of Central Mass ($69,600).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 194 SMALL GRANTS EACH UNDER 1000 ALL TO PUBLIC CHARITIES WORCESTER, MA | GENERAL | $26,625 |
| ABBY'S HOUSE WORCESTER, MA | GENERAL | $12,000 |
| ADOPT A STUDENT PROGRAM - DIOCESE WORCESTER WORCESTER, MA | GENERAL | $1,500 |
| AISH CAMPUS BOSTON BRIGHTON, MA | GENERAL | $18,000 |
| AMERICAN FRIENDS OF NATAL INC RENSSELAER, NY | GENERAL | $24,000 |
| AMERICAN JEWISH COMMITTEE NEW YORK, NY | GENERAL | $6,800 |
| AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR YAD VASHEM NEW YORK, NY | GENERAL | $18,000 |
| ANTI-DEFAMATION LEAGUE NE REGION BOSTON, MA | GENERAL | $30,000 |
| ARTS WORCESTER WORCESTER, MA | GENERAL | $7,200 |
| ARTSWAVE CINCINNATI, OH | GENERAL | $8,858 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Foundation trustees include:
- Mel Cutler (founder)
- Doug Cutler (son)
- Liz Cutler (daughter)
- Kelly Cutler (granddaughter)
- Rob Adler (non-family trustee)
- Fred Mulligan (non-family trustee)
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
From 2025 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| MELVIN S CUTLER | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| FREDERIC MULLIGAN | TRUSTEE | 1 | $1,720 |
| DOUGLAS CUTLER | TRUSTEE | 1 | $1,720 |
| ELIZABETH J CUTLER | TRUSTEE | 1 | $1,720 |
| ROBERT ADLER | TRUSTEE | 1 | $1,720 |
| BARBARA CROSBIE | BOARD SECRETARY | 1 | $4,000 |
| KELLY CUTLER | TRUSTEE | 1 | $1,720 |
| JACOB CUTLER | TRUSTEE | 1 | $1,000 |
Contact Information
Address: 306 Main Street, Suite 400, Worcester, MA 01608
Phone: (508) 791-0901
EIN: 04-2733957
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Melvin S Cutler Charitable Foundation fund?
The foundation supports causes "from medical research to helping the poor and needy to caring for underprivileged children." Primary funding areas include: • Education • Health organizations • Human services • Jewish community organizations and Israel-related causes • Local Worcester organizations serving at-risk populations • Veterans support • The arts • Higher education The foundation's commitment to Jewish causes and Israel reflects founder Mel Cutler's upbringing in a Socialist/Zionist fam…
How do I apply for a grant from Melvin S Cutler Charitable Foundation?
**Grant Range:** $2,500 to $300,000 **Annual Giving:** $1.08 million+ (FY 2024) **Application Process:** The foundation does not accept unsolicited grant applications. It operates as a private family foundation that makes grants through trustee discretion based on recommendations from the founder's network of business associates, friends, employees, and customers. **Recent Grant Activity (FY 2024):** • Friends of United Hatzalah Inc.: $146,500 • PEF Israel Endowment Funds: $72,000 • American Fr…
Where does Melvin S Cutler Charitable Foundation make grants?
The foundation primarily supports organizations in Worcester, Massachusetts and Central Massachusetts, with some national and international giving, particularly to Israel-related causes.
What size grants does Melvin S Cutler Charitable Foundation award?
In 2025, Melvin S Cutler Charitable Foundation awarded 46 grants totaling $629K — an average of about $14K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Melvin S Cutler Charitable Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2025, Melvin S Cutler Charitable Foundation reported a distributable amount of $717K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Melvin S Cutler Charitable Foundation's EIN?
Melvin S Cutler Charitable Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 04-2733957. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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