Melvoin Foundation
The Melvoin Foundation is a private foundation based in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Its 2024 filing says it awards contributions to organizations that are educational, religious, or charitable as defined by IRC Section 170(c).
Melvoin Foundation at a glance
In short: Melvoin Foundation gave $205K across 55 grants in 2024 (avg $4K), top state Massachusetts. 47% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $205,269
- +28.3% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 55
- +17.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $3,732
- +9.6% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $2,500
- Total assets
- $2,710,829
- +3.7% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 47% first-time grantees (24 of 51, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Massachusetts (39% 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 Melvoin Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- Yes
- How to Apply
-
The foundation accepts unsolicited requests. There is no standard application form; a letter requesting a contribution is sufficient. Organizations must be educational, religious, or charitable as defined by IRC Section 170(c).
- Review Cycle
- There are no submission deadlines.
- Deadline
- There are no submission deadlines.
- Contact
Application contact: Richard Melvoin
Mailing address: 1 Garden Lane, Cambridge, MA 02138
Phone: (617) 240-4722
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Melvoin Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Temple Shir Tikva ($20K). Together the top 10 received $102K.
Grant Size Distribution
341 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 340 grants of 341 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, Massachusetts organizations received 39% of grant dollars and California organizations received 34%. Illinois and New York each accounted for 8%, and Virginia accounted for 3%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 55 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Melvoin Foundation open to new grantees?
47%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 24 of 51 grantees (47%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $3K; repeat grants $5K. How we count
Medians: $2K first-time, $5K repeat.
- 51% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (−20%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 76% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. 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 $160K (2023) to $290K (2022). In 2024 it made 55 grants totaling $205K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Temple Shir Tikva Wayland, MA | Unrestricted | $20,000 |
| The Steppingstone Foiundation Boston, MA | Unrestricted | $15,000 |
| Epiphany School Dorchester, MA | Unrestricted | $10,000 |
| Facing History and Ourselves Boston, MA | Unrestricted | $10,000 |
| Laist Pasadena, CA | Unrestricted | $10,000 |
| Wilshire Boulevard Temple Los Angeles, CA | Unrestricted | $9,000 |
| Jewish Center for Justice Los Angeles, CA | Unrestricted | $7,500 |
| The Nature Conservancy Arlington, VA | Unrestricted | $7,000 |
| Para Los Ninos Los Angeles, CA | Unrestricted | $6,000 |
| Beacon Academy Boston, MA | Unrestricted | $5,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Melvoin Foundation?
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 | $2,710,829 | $349,912 | $252,830 | $205,269 | 55 | $208,058 | $305,140 | $275,209 |
| 2023 | $2,613,845 | $150,011 | $204,360 | $160,000 | 47 | $162,470 | $112,473 | $209,993 |
| 2022 | $2,667,569 | $311,748 | $330,437 | $289,690 | 73 | $290,802 | $276,209 | $218,973 |
| 2021 | $2,686,258 | $275,901 | $302,983 | $255,375 | 76 | $256,225 | $236,207 | $275,781 |
| 2020 | $2,713,340 | $428,914 | $253,986 | $212,003 | 90 | — | $384,681 | $220,762 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Melvoin Foundation reported a distributable amount of $275K 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
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants included organizations with varied missions. For example, Jewish Center for Justice describes its work as empowering current and future leaders to build a more compassionate and just society; Beacon Academy says it uses education and advocacy to support Greater Boston students; and The Nature Conservancy states that its mission is to conserve the lands and waters on which all life depends. These are the grantees’ descriptions of their own work.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation made 55 grants totaling $205,269. Grants ranged from $1,000 to $20,000, with a median of $2,500. It made 47 grants totaling $160,000 in 2023 and 73 grants totaling $289,690 in 2022.
Among its largest 2024 grants were $20,000 to Temple Shir Tikva, $15,000 to The Steppingstone Foundation, and $10,000 each to Epiphany School, Facing History and Ourselves, and LAist. These grants were listed as unrestricted. Other 2024 recipients included Jewish Center for Justice ($7,500), The Nature Conservancy ($7,000), Para Los Niños ($6,000), Beacon Academy ($5,000), and Big Sunday ($5,000).
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Richard I Melvoin as vice president and treasurer, Jeffrey D Melvoin as vice president and secretary, and Martha Hartnett Melvoin and Barbara Glass Melvoin as directors.
Melvoin Foundation's 2024 filing lists 4 officers; none of the 4 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Barbara Glass Melvoin
Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Martha Hartnett Melvoin
Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Jeffrey D. Melvoin
Vice President & Secretary
Vice President & Director → Vice President & Secretary, 2022
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Richard I. Melvoin
Vice President & Treasurer
Vice President & Director → Vice President & Treasurer, 2022
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Lois G. Melvoin (2020–2021) — President
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 Melvoin Foundation
How much does Melvoin Foundation give each year?
Melvoin Foundation gave $205K across 55 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $160K across 47 grants.
What is Melvoin Foundation's typical grant size?
Melvoin Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $2,500, and its average grant was $3,732, across 55 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Melvoin Foundation that year got $3K on average.
Where does Melvoin Foundation give grants?
Melvoin Foundation's top state is Massachusetts, with 39% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were California (34%) and Illinois (8%). The most frequent recipient cities were Los Angeles, CA (16 grants), Boston, MA (5 grants), New York, NY (5 grants) and Cambridge, MA (4 grants).
Does Melvoin Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Melvoin Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (55 of 55) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Melvoin Foundation's largest grantees?
Melvoin Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Temple Shir Tikva ($20,000), The Steppingstone Foiundation ($15,000) and Epiphany School ($10,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 22% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Melvoin Foundation?
Melvoin Foundation reported $2.7M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $208K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $275K (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does Melvoin Foundation fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants included organizations with varied missions. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Melvoin Foundation?
The foundation accepts unsolicited requests. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Melvoin Foundation's EIN?
Melvoin Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-6047994. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Melvoin Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
Yes, 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
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS September 9, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS June 7, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 9, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 28, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 8, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Melvoin Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Aetna Foundation Inc
Hartford, CT
Aetna Foundation supported health and wellness, access to health care, and related community needs; its 2021 grants ranged from $5,000 to $1 million, with a median of $40,000, and went to organizations across multiple states, especially in D.C. and Connecticut. Its 2021 filing was marked final, so it appears to have ended or be winding down grantmaking; that filing said there were no restrictions on who could apply and pointed applicants to its website for application materials.
Assets
—
Grants
65
Total Given
$7.2M
AbbVie Foundation
North Chicago, IL
The AbbVie Foundation funds health equity, access to care, cancer care, community health, and related community-led programs through partnerships and employee initiatives. Its 2025 grants ranged from $8,000 to $15 million, with a median of $25,000; it supports work worldwide, with the largest share of recent grants going to Illinois. It makes grants only to preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$265.6M
Grants
65
Total Given
$47.1M
United Way Worldwide
Alexandria, VA
United Way Worldwide funds community programs focused on youth opportunity, health, financial security, education, and disaster relief, with 2024 grants made across multiple U.S. states and internationally. Its 209 reported grants ranged from $5,100 to $736,333, with a median of $22,675. It does not state whether it accepts unsolicited grant requests.
Assets
$68.0M
Grants
209
Total Given
$11.4M
Circle of Service Foundation
Chicago, IL
The foundation funds community services, education, Jewish community, and medical research, with grantmaking concentrated in Cook and Lake Counties, Illinois, though it also funds organizations elsewhere. Its 2024 grants had a median of $25,000 and ranged from $50 to about $1.74 million; it accepts unsolicited pre-applications for community services and for Jewish community requests in Cook or Lake County, but not for the other stated categories or out-of-area Jewish community requests.
Assets
$592.0M
Grants
637
Total Given
$37.0M
Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago
Chicago, IL
The Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago funds human services, Jewish education and community programs, crisis response, and support for Israel and Jewish communities worldwide, primarily through Chicago-area agencies and initiatives. In 2025, its grants had a median of about $20,000, though awards ranged widely; the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$1.1B
Grants
896
Total Given
$166.6M
Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA
The Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles supports human services, health, education, Jewish life, arts and culture, Israel-related work, and nonprofit capacity and capital projects, with a focus on Los Angeles and also giving in Israel and beyond. Its 2024 itemized grants had a median of $25,000, though amounts varied widely. General Community grants are by invitation only and do not accept unsolicited applications; current procedures should be verified.
Assets
$1.2B
Grants
1,063
Total Given
$142.2M
More similar funders
More Funders in Massachusetts
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Melvoin Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 15, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/melvoin-foundation-morg_2aee75fedf0442418efa5a6f01d939ba
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_366047994_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Melvoin Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/melvoin-foundation-morg_2aee75fedf0442418efa5a6f01d939ba},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-15. 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 Melvoin Foundation'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.
Melvoin Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?