Melvoin Foundation
Historical FunderCambridge, Massachusetts · EIN 36-6047994 · Private foundation
Grants paid (2024)$205K
Organizations funded55
Typical grant$2,500
Total assets$5.9M
Half of its grants to organizations were between $1,000 and $5,000.
From the return
How to apply
The foundation filed the following application information (Form 990-PF Part XV, tax year 2024):
| Contact | RICHARD MELVOIN |
|---|---|
| Address | 1 GARDEN LANE, CAMBRIDGE MA 02138 |
| Phone | 6172404722 |
| Form and materials | THERE IS NO STANDARD APPLICATION FORM. A LETTER REQUESTING A CONTRIBUTION IS SUFFICIENT. |
| Deadlines | THERE ARE NO SUBMISSION DEADLINES. |
| Restrictions | ORGANIZATIONS MUST BE EDUCATIONAL, RELIGIOUS OR CHARITABLE AS DEFINED BY IRC SECTION 170(C). |
Copied as filed. Deadlines on a tax return describe the foundation's usual process; they are not confirmation of a current open cycle.
What it funds
Share of grant lines on the latest return, classified from the purpose each grant states.
Where it gives
74% of grants went outside Massachusetts.
Grants paid in tax year 2024
| Recipient | Location | 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 |
| Belmont Hill | Belmont, MA | Unrestricted | $5,000 |
| Big Sunday | Los Angeles, CA | Unrestricted | $5,000 |
| Field Museum | Chicago, IL | Unrestricted | $5,000 |
| Harvard College Fund | Boston, MA | Unrestricted | $5,000 |
| Henry's Fork Foundation | Ashton, ID | Unrestricted | $5,000 |
| Les Turner Als Foundation | Highland Park, IL | Unrestricted | $5,000 |
| United in Harmony | Los Angeles, CA | Unrestricted | $5,000 |
| Weinberg Center for Elder Justice | Bronx, NY | Unrestricted | $5,000 |
| Jewish Federation of Greater Ls | Los Angeles, CA | Unrestricted | $5,000 |
| North Shore Senior Center | Northfield, IL | Unrestricted | $4,769 |
| Everybody Dance LA | Los Angeles, CA | Unrestricted | $3,000 |
| Jewish Agency for Israel | New York, NY | Unrestricted | $3,000 |
| Children in Conflict | New York, NY | Unrestricted | $2,500 |
| Doctors Withour Borders | New York, NY | Unrestricted | $2,500 |
| Harvardwood | Los Angeles, CA | Unrestricted | $2,500 |
| Judaism Your Way | Denver, CO | Unrestricted | $2,500 |
| Mccarthy's Brothers Bond | Greenfield, MA | Unrestricted | $2,500 |
| The Film Collaborative | Los Angeles, CA | Unrestricted | $2,500 |
| United Way of Franklin & Hampshire Region | Northampton, MA | Unrestricted | $2,500 |
| Gould Academy | Bethel, ME | Unrestricted | $2,000 |
| Karsh Family Social Service Center | Los Angeles, CA | Unrestricted | $2,000 |
| Karsh Family Social Service Center | Los Angeles, CA | Unrestricted | $2,000 |
| The Braid | Santa Monica, CA | Unrestricted | $2,000 |
| United in Harmony | Los Angeles, CA | Unrestricted | $2,000 |
| National Immigrant Justice Ctr | Chicago, IL | Unrestricted | $1,500 |
| The Brigid Alliance | New York, NY | Unrestricted | $1,500 |
| Writers Guild Foundation | Los Angeles, CA | Unrestricted | $1,500 |
| Anti-Defamation League | New York, NY | Unrestricted | $1,000 |
| Cambridge Community Foundation | Cambridge, MA | Unrestricted | $1,000 |
| Cambridge Insight Meditation Ctr | Cambridge, MA | Unrestricted | $1,000 |
| Center for Environmental Health (Ceh) | Oakland, CA | Unrestricted | $1,000 |
| Combined Jewish Philanthropy (Cjp) | Boston, MA | Unrestricted | $1,000 |
| Cohen Brain Tumor Research Fund | Los Angeles, CA | Unrestricted | $1,000 |
| Friends of Harriman State Park | Island Park, ID | Unrestricted | $1,000 |
| Harvard Hillel | Cambridge, MA | Unrestricted | $1,000 |
| Harvard Hillel | Cambridge, MA | Unrestricted | $1,000 |
| Inst for Therapy Through Arts (Ita) | Evanston, IL | Unrestricted | $1,000 |
| Jewish Family Service LA | Los Angeles, CA | Unrestricted | $1,000 |
| Lakes Environmental Assoc (Lea) | Bridgton, ME | Unrestricted | $1,000 |
| National World War II Museum | New Orleans, LA | Unrestricted | $1,000 |
| Rett Syndrome Research Trust | Trumbull, CT | Unrestricted | $1,000 |
| Soteni | Cincinnati, OH | Unrestricted | $1,000 |
| The Jester & Pharley Fund | Palos Verde Estates, CA | Unrestricted | $1,000 |
| Writers Guild Foundation | Los Angeles, CA | Unrestricted | $1,000 |
| Yellowstone Forever | Bozeman, MT | Unrestricted | $1,000 |
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Grant lines |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $205,269 | 55 |
| 2023 | $160,000 | 47 |
Sources
- IRS Form 990-PF, tax year 2024, filed May 8, 2025 - IRS e-file batch, object ID 202531289349102038
- IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search for EIN 36-6047994
- Profile updated Nov 5, 2026
Facts on this page come from the foundation's own IRS Form 990-PF filings as published by the IRS. Grantvello does not know whether a foundation is accepting proposals right now: a past grant is not an open opportunity. Always confirm current guidelines with the funder before applying.