Massachusetts Charitable Mechanic Association

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: $228,294 (2023)
Number of Awards: 28 grants (2023)
Average Grant: ~$8,150
Grant Type: Equipment and tools (not cash)
Application Window: January 1 - March 31 annually
Geographic Focus: Massachusetts only
Total Assets: $4.5 million

Contact Details

Address: 353 Southern Artery, Quincy, MA 02169 Phone: 617-479-1795 Email: mcma1795@aol.com Website: http://www.mcma1795.us/

Overview

Founded in 1795 by Paul Revere, who served as its first president, the Massachusetts Charitable Mechanic Association (MCMA) is one of America's oldest charitable organizations. Incorporated in 1806, this private foundation has total assets of $4.5 million and distributed $228,294 in grants during 2023. The MCMA's unique mission focuses on promoting the mechanical arts and providing support to Massachusetts nonprofits that teach mechanical trades, provide employment opportunities for people with disabilities, or use vocational training as a key component of their programs for physically or mentally challenged individuals or at-risk youth. The organization's distinctive approach involves providing equipment and tools rather than cash grants, with particular attention to smaller organizations where their assistance can have the greatest impact. The MCMA maintains its headquarters in Quincy and operates with an all-volunteer leadership structure, with trustees and officers serving without compensation.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Equipment and Tools Grant Program: Rolling applications accepted January 1 - March 31 annually

The MCMA makes approximately 28-31 grants per year, averaging around $8,000-$10,000 per award. Recent examples include a $10,000 grant to The Arc of the South Shore for its Pathways to Employment project. The organization specifically provides equipment or tools designated for a specific purpose or program rather than unrestricted cash grants.

Priority Areas

The MCMA provides charitable support exclusively to Massachusetts organizations in three key areas:

Mechanical Arts Education: Organizations that teach mechanical arts and skilled trades including vocational schools, trade training programs, and hands-on educational institutions (e.g., North Bennet Street School, Essex Shipbuilding Museum)
Employment for People with Disabilities: Organizations that provide employment opportunities for people with physical or developmental disabilities, particularly through trade-based work (e.g., The Arc of the South Shore, Northeast Arc, Boston Higashi School)
Vocational Training Programs: Organizations that use vocational training and workshops as key program components for developing the potential of physically or mentally challenged individuals or working with at-risk youth (e.g., Artists for Humanity, Just A Start, Gloucester Biotechnology Academy)

The foundation emphasizes supporting smaller organizations "for whom their assistance is potentially more sorely needed," though they also support well-established organizations that align with their mission.

What They Don't Fund

Cash grants for general operating expenses (rarely provided)
Organizations outside of Massachusetts
Non-501(c)(3) organizations
Programs without a clear connection to mechanical arts, trades education, or vocational training for their target populations

Governance and Leadership

Officers

President: Thomas R. Crowdis III
Vice President: Steven D. Stickney
Secretary: Martin F. Joyce
Treasurer: Kurt E. Hanson
Legal Counsel: Paul Revere III (descendant of founder)

Board of Trustees

The organization maintains an expansive trustee structure including Steven W. Anderson Sr., Richard H. Peterson, Barry Williams, Anthony Sammarco, Harry M. Dodakian, Thomas F. Carroll, Paul Lohnes, Bryan Murphy, Gregory Davidian, Eugene Capobianco, Robert A. Boucher, Joseph MacLaughlin, Richard Stewart, and all past presidents.

Committees

The MCMA operates through specialized committees:

Education Committee (Chairman: Joseph MacLaughlin)
Membership Committee (Chairman: Glenn Tocci)
History & Preservation (Chairman: Anthony Sammarco)
Relief & Aid (Chairman: Joseph F. Bellomo)
Finance, Planning, Building, and Functions committees with designated leadership roles

All trustees and officers serve without compensation, demonstrating the organization's commitment to maximizing charitable impact.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Applications are accepted January 1 through March 31 each calendar year. All requests for assistance must be submitted in writing to:

Massachusetts Charitable Mechanic Association 353 Southern Artery Quincy, MA 02169

Application Requirements:

Written requests must:

Clearly explain the need for the requested item(s)
Identify how the equipment or tools will be used
Demonstrate how it will benefit those being served
Include proof of 501(c)(3) status
Show alignment with the MCMA's mission (mechanical arts education, employment for disabled, or vocational training)

Important: Applications should focus on specific equipment or tool needs with clear programmatic purposes, not general operating funds or cash grants.

Decision Timeline

Application Window: January 1 - March 31
Review Period: Applications reviewed after March 31 deadline
Decision Schedule: Grants made once per calendar year
Notification: Applicants notified of decisions (timing not publicly specified)

Success Rates

With approximately 28-31 grants awarded annually from total giving of $228,294, the MCMA operates a selective but accessible program. The foundation explicitly states that while they support well-known organizations, "their attention is particularly devoted to smaller organizations for whom their assistance is potentially more sorely needed," suggesting that smaller, lesser-known applicants with strong mission alignment may have competitive chances.

Reapplication Policy

Information about reapplication policies and waiting periods for unsuccessful applicants is not publicly specified. Interested organizations should contact the MCMA office directly at 617-479-1795 or mcma1795@aol.com for guidance.

Application Success Factors

1. Request Equipment, Not Cash

The MCMA's most distinctive requirement is that they "rarely make cash grants; their practice is to provide equipment or tools designated for a specific purpose or program." Applications must focus on tangible equipment needs with clear programmatic applications rather than general operating support.

2. Demonstrate Clear Need and Impact

Applications must "clearly explain the need for the requested item and identify how it will be put to use and benefit those being served." Successful applications likely provide specific details about:

Why this particular equipment is needed
How it will be used in daily operations
The number of people who will benefit
The specific outcomes expected from having this equipment

3. Align with Massachusetts Trade and Vocational Training

The MCMA's mission centers on promoting the mechanical arts and supporting vocational training. Successful applicants demonstrate how their work connects to:

Teaching skilled trades and mechanical arts
Providing trade-based employment for people with disabilities
Using hands-on vocational training to develop potential in challenged individuals or at-risk youth

4. Emphasize Service to Smaller Organizations

While the MCMA does fund established organizations, they explicitly state their particular devotion to "smaller organizations for whom their assistance is potentially more sorely needed." Smaller organizations should emphasize how MCMA support would have outsized impact on their capacity to serve their mission.

5. Show 501(c)(3) Status and Massachusetts Location

Basic eligibility requires proof of 501(c)(3) status and location/operation in Massachusetts. Applications should clearly establish these credentials.

6. Connect to Historical Mission

Founded by Paul Revere and operating since 1795, the MCMA has deep roots in Boston's mechanical arts heritage. Applications that connect their work to the historical tradition of skilled trades and craftsmanship may resonate with the organization's identity, though this should be authentic to your mission rather than manufactured.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

Equipment-focused applications only: Do not request cash grants; focus exclusively on specific equipment or tools with clear programmatic purposes
Timing is critical: Mark your calendar for the January 1 - March 31 application window; grants are made only once annually
Mission alignment is essential: Your organization must demonstrate clear connection to mechanical arts education, employment for people with disabilities, or vocational training for challenged individuals
Massachusetts-only: Geographic restriction is absolute; only organizations operating in Massachusetts are eligible
Smaller organizations have an advantage: The MCMA explicitly prioritizes smaller organizations where their support will have greater impact
Be specific and clear: Applications must clearly explain need, usage, and benefit of requested equipment
Relatively accessible: With ~28 grants from approximately $228,000 annual giving, average awards around $8,000 make this a realistic target for appropriately aligned organizations

References

Massachusetts Charitable Mechanic Association official website - Grants page. http://www.mcma1795.us/qualifications (Accessed November 2025)
Massachusetts Charitable Mechanic Association official website - Organization page. http://www.mcma1795.us/organization (Accessed November 2025)
Massachusetts Charitable Mechanic Association official website - Home page. http://www.mcma1795.us/ (Accessed November 2025)
ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Massachusetts Charitable Mechanic Association (EIN 04-2023566). https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/42023566 (Accessed November 2025)
Cause IQ - Massachusetts Charitable Mechanic Association profile. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/massachusetts-charitable-mechanic-association,042023566/ (Accessed November 2025)
Foundation Directory Online - Massachusetts Charitable Mechanic Association. https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile/?key=MASS005 (Accessed November 2025)
Paul Revere Museum - The Massachusetts Charitable Mechanics Association. https://paulreveremuseum.org/the-massachusetts-charitable-mechanics-association/ (Accessed November 2025)
Massachusetts Charitable Mechanic Association Wikipedia entry. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Massachusetts_Charitable_Mechanic_Association (Accessed November 2025)
CityBiz - "The Arc of the South Shore Receives $10,000 Grant from Massachusetts Charitable Mechanic Association." https://www.citybiz.co/article/631538/ (Accessed November 2025)