The Fletcher Foundation
The Fletcher Foundation is a private foundation based in Worcester, Massachusetts. Its 2024 filing reports grants to organizations including arts, education, environmental, animal-welfare, and community organizations.
The Fletcher Foundation at a glance
In short: The Fletcher Foundation gave $3.3M across 66 grants in 2024 (avg $50K), mostly in Massachusetts. 77% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $3,304,500
- Grants made (2024)
- 66
- Average grant
- $50,068
- Median grant
- $10,500
- Total assets
- $30,619,521
- -7.0% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 77% first-time grantees (51 of 66, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Massachusetts (99% 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 The Fletcher Foundation
- How to Apply
-
The 2024 filing names Warner S. Fletcher as the contact and refers to footnotes for application materials, deadlines, and award restrictions. The filing also states that the foundation does not restrict giving to preselected organizations.
- Contact
Application contact: Warner S Fletcher
Mailing address: 100 Front Street 5Th Floor, Worcester, MA 01608
Phone: (508) 459-8000
Website: https://thefletcherfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Fletcher Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Ecotarium ($500K). Together the top 10 received $2.2M.
Grant Size Distribution
317 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 248 grants of 317 (78%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, 99% of grant dollars went to recipients in Massachusetts, 1% to recipients in California, and less than 1% to recipients in Maine.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 66 itemized grants.
Cities
Is The Fletcher Foundation open to new grantees?
77%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 51 of 66 grantees (77%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $58K; repeat grants $25K. How we count
Medians: $12K first-time, $10K repeat.
- Giving grew 28% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 104% 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 $2.2M (2020) to $3.3M (2024). In 2024 it made 66 grants totaling $3.3M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Ecotarium Worcester, MA | GRANTS | $500,000 |
| Regional Environmental Council Inc 2024 September Grant Worcester, MA | GRANTS | $410,000 |
| Quinsigamond Community College 2024 June Grant Worcester, MA | GRANTS | $253,000 |
| Creative Hub Worcester Worcester, MA | GRANTS | $250,000 |
| New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill Boylston, MA | GRANTS | $150,000 |
| Anna Maria College Paxton, MA | GRANTS | $150,000 |
| Worcester Regional Strategic Opportunities Foundation Worcester, MA | GRANTS | $150,000 |
| Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts Worcester, MA | GRANTS | $150,000 |
| Greater Worcester Land Trust 2024 Unsolicited Grant Worcester, MA | GRANTS | $105,000 |
| Worcester Animal Rescue League Worcester, MA | GRANTS | $103,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The Fletcher 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 | $30,619,521 | $1,941,232 | $3,913,094 | $3,304,500 | 66 | $3,530,050 | $1,492,041 | $3,408,407 |
| 2023 | $32,932,561 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2022 | $34,317,301 | $2,463,579 | $3,776,230 | $3,060,773 | 91 | $3,247,715 | $1,967,702 | $3,119,003 |
| 2021 | $35,920,118 | $3,968,758 | $3,020,599 | $2,573,359 | 84 | $2,750,125 | $3,252,992 | $3,204,556 |
| 2020 | $34,985,599 | $301,024 | $2,705,304 | $2,246,548 | 76 | — | $1,075,072 | $2,565,818 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Fletcher Foundation reported a distributable amount of $3.4M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement for the Worcester foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants show support for organizations working in a range of areas. For example, Creative Hub Worcester says its mission is to provide accessible arts programs, community outreach, culturally focused events, and a welcoming platform for arts and community organizations. Worcester Animal Rescue League says it promotes humane animal welfare, while Worcester Center for Crafts says it sustains craft as a vital part of the community. Other recipients describe work in affordable housing and economic development, English-language education, public radio, youth development, and transitional housing and support services.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 66 grants totaling $3,304,500. Grants ranged from $1,000 to $500,000, with a median of $10,500. Its largest reported grants included $500,000 to Ecotarium, $410,000 to Regional Environmental Council Inc., $253,000 to Quinsigamond Community College, and $250,000 to Creative Hub Worcester. It also gave $150,000 each to New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill, Anna Maria College, Worcester Regional Strategic Opportunities Foundation, and Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts.
The 2023 filing reported zero grants. In 2022, the foundation reported 91 grants totaling $3,060,773. Its 2024 filing, the latest on this page, reports 66 grants totaling $3.3 million.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Allen W. Fletcher as trustee and chairman; Warner S. Fletcher as trustee, treasurer, and secretary; and Mary F. Fletcher, Andrew Fletcher, Ethan Fletcher, Justin Fletcher, Matthew Fletcher, and Megan Fletcher as trustees.
The Fletcher Foundation is led by Allen W. Fletcher, Trustee & Chairman since 2024 (on filings since 2020); none of the 8 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Allen W. Fletcher
Trustee & Chairman
Trustee & Chai → Trustee & Chairman, 2024
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Andrew Fletcher
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ethan Fletcher
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Justin Fletcher
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mary F. Fletcher
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Matthew Fletcher
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Megan Fletcher
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Warner S. Fletcher
Trustee, Treasurer & Secretary
Trustee, Treasurer & S → Trustee, Treasurer & Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
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 The Fletcher Foundation
How much does The Fletcher Foundation give each year?
The Fletcher Foundation gave $3.3M across 66 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
What is The Fletcher Foundation's typical grant size?
The Fletcher Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $10,500, and its average grant was $50,068, across 66 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Fletcher Foundation that year got $58K on average.
Where does The Fletcher Foundation give grants?
The Fletcher Foundation gives mostly in Massachusetts: 99% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Worcester, MA (43 grants), Boston, MA (3 grants), Oakland, CA (3 grants) and Southbridge, MA (2 grants).
Does The Fletcher Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 66 grants with a stated purpose on The Fletcher Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Grants" (66 grants).
Who are The Fletcher Foundation's largest grantees?
The Fletcher Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Ecotarium ($500,000), Regional Environmental Council Inc 2024 September Grant ($410,000) and Quinsigamond Community College 2024 June Grant ($253,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 35% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Fletcher Foundation?
The Fletcher Foundation reported $30.6M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $3.5M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $3.4M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Fletcher Foundation fund?
No mission statement for the Worcester foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants show support for organizations working in a range of areas. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Fletcher Foundation?
The 2024 filing names Warner S. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Fletcher Foundation's EIN?
The Fletcher Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 04-6470890. 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 October 2026.
Data update history
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 13, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Other open foundation grants in Massachusetts
Massachusetts Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
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Browse active grant opportunities in The Fletcher Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
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Stoddard Charitable Trust reported one grant of $5,625,200 in 2024, to a recipient in Worcester, Massachusetts; its 2022 filing reported 152 grants totaling $4,870,649, so typical grant size is not specified. It does not restrict giving to preselected organizations, and the filing directs applicants to contact Warner S Fletcher; whether unsolicited requests are accepted is not stated.
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Ruth H & Warren a Ellsworth Foundation
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Greater Worcester Community Foundation Inc
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The Foundation supports nonprofits working in arts and creativity, basic needs, economic opportunity, health and wellbeing, youth development, and other local priorities across Worcester County, Massachusetts. In 2025, grants ranged from $5,100 to $565,464, with a median of $15,875. It offers online applications for listed grant programs; whether it accepts unsolicited requests is not stated.
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The Fred Harris Daniels Foundation
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The foundation funds sustainable programs and operating costs, capital projects, and initiatives for girls ages 10–14, primarily addressing social challenges in Worcester, Massachusetts. In 2025, grants ranged from $1,500 to $160,000, with a median of $7,500. It states that it funds preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Fletcher Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 21, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-fletcher-foundation-morg_6375f469413748c894bfde61d14023f3
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_046470890_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Fletcher Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-fletcher-foundation-morg_6375f469413748c894bfde61d14023f3},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-21. 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 The Fletcher 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.
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