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George C. Wadleigh Foundation, Inc.

Annual Giving
$0.9M
Grant Range
$10K - $0.1M
Decision Time
5mo

George C. Wadleigh Foundation, Inc.

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $949,237 (2024)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available
  • Decision Time: ~5 months (August deadline to December awards)
  • Grant Range: Estimated $10,000 - $50,000+
  • Average Grant: ~$30,620 (2024)
  • Number of Awards: 31 (2024), 29 (2023)
  • Geographic Focus: Haverhill, MA and Greater Haverhill area (Groveland, West Newbury, Merrimac)
  • Total Assets: $21,279,441

Contact Details

Address: P.O. Box 791, Haverhill, MA 01831 Phone: 978-556-5506 Email: admin@wadleighfoundation.com Website: http://wadleighfoundation.com Contact: Joanne Sulis, Administrator

Overview

The George C. Wadleigh Foundation, Inc. is a private foundation established in honor of George Clinton Wadleigh (1846-1922), a lifelong Haverhill resident and shoe last manufacturer. With total assets exceeding $21 million, the foundation distributed nearly $950,000 in grants to 31 organizations in 2024. The foundation's mission is focused exclusively on providing financial assistance to nonprofit organizations serving the aged indigent and indigent populations in Haverhill, Massachusetts, and the Greater Haverhill area, which includes Groveland, West Newbury, and Merrimac. The foundation operates on a straightforward annual funding cycle with a clear geographic focus and well-defined funding priorities that explicitly rank support for the aged indigent as its primary concern. Grant sizes have ranged from approximately $10,000 to over $30,000 based on documented examples, with recent support directed toward essential services including transportation, housing, clothing assistance, and digital literacy programs for vulnerable populations.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates a single annual grant program with funding requests due August 1 and awards distributed in late December. Grant amounts vary based on project scope and alignment with foundation priorities, with documented grants ranging from $20,000 to $30,000+.

Priority Areas

The foundation has three clearly defined funding priorities, ranked in order of importance:

FIRST PRIORITY: The aged indigent of Haverhill, Massachusetts

SECOND PRIORITY: The aged indigent of the Greater Haverhill area (Groveland, West Newbury, and Merrimac), Massachusetts

THIRD PRIORITY: The indigent of Haverhill, Massachusetts and the Greater Haverhill area

Funded Program Types:

  • Senior transportation services (e.g., medical appointment transportation)
  • Affordable senior housing development
  • Basic needs assistance (clothing, heating, meals)
  • Digital literacy and technology access programs for seniors
  • Emergency assistance and supportive services for indigent populations
  • Community-based programs serving vulnerable residents

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated on their website, the foundation's geographic restriction is firm: only organizations serving Haverhill and the Greater Haverhill area (Groveland, West Newbury, and Merrimac) are eligible. Organizations must be 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofits.

Based on their priorities, grants are unlikely to support:

  • Programs outside the specified geographic area
  • Organizations not serving aged indigent or indigent populations
  • Programs without direct service delivery to beneficiaries
  • Individuals (only 501(c)(3) organizations are eligible)
  • Capital campaigns unrelated to serving the foundation's priority populations

Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors

Scott Cote, Director James Traver, Director Michael Hart, Director

The Board of Directors reviews all funding requests submitted by the August 1 deadline and makes final funding decisions by the end of December.

Foundation History

The foundation honors George Clinton Wadleigh, who was born in Haverhill, Massachusetts on December 1, 1846, and resided in the city for his entire life. He began his business career at age 18 working for his father's shoe last manufacturing business, L.C. Wadleigh & Sons, located at 18 Granite Street, Haverhill. Upon his father's death, George became the sole owner of the business. On July 24, 1889, at age 42, Mr. Wadleigh married Alma Laura Hodgdon, age 29—the first marriage for both. At the time of George Wadleigh's death on December 9, 1922, the Wadleighs resided at 3 Richmond Street, Haverhill, Massachusetts. The foundation continues his legacy of supporting Haverhill's most vulnerable residents.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Application Method: Contact the foundation directly for application materials and guidelines

Deadline: August 1 (annual deadline for funding requests)

Submission Requirements:

  • Organizations must be 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofits
  • Must serve the aged indigent or indigent populations of Haverhill or Greater Haverhill area
  • Contact admin@wadleighfoundation.com or call 978-556-5506 for specific application requirements

Pre-Application Contact: Potential applicants are encouraged to contact Joanne Sulis at admin@wadleighfoundation.com or 978-556-5506 to discuss eligibility and application requirements before submitting.

Decision Timeline

Application Deadline: August 1 Board Review Period: August - November Funding Decisions: End of December Total Timeline: Approximately 5 months from submission to award

Funding requests accepted by the Board of Directors are funded at the end of December, following the board's review and deliberation process.

Success Rates

With 31 awards made in 2024 and 29 in 2023, the foundation demonstrates consistent annual grantmaking. Specific application numbers and acceptance rates are not publicly disclosed. However, the foundation's clear geographic focus and well-defined priorities suggest that organizations aligned with their mission and serving the target populations have favorable prospects, particularly those focused on the aged indigent of Haverhill (the foundation's first priority).

Historical grant activity shows steady growth:

  • 2024: 31 awards
  • 2023: 29 awards
  • 2022: 26 awards
  • 2021: 24 awards
  • 2020: 25 awards

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication policy is stated. Organizations may submit funding requests annually by the August 1 deadline. Several documented recipients (such as Ruth's House) have received multiple grants over different years, suggesting that repeat applications from successful grantees are welcomed.

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's stated priorities and documented grant awards, successful applications likely share these characteristics:

1. Geographic Alignment: Organizations must serve Haverhill or the Greater Haverhill area (Groveland, West Newbury, Merrimac). This is a firm requirement.

2. Clear Service to Priority Populations: Applications should explicitly demonstrate how the program serves:

  • First: Aged indigent residents of Haverhill
  • Second: Aged indigent residents of Greater Haverhill
  • Third: Indigent residents of Haverhill/Greater Haverhill

3. Direct Service Delivery: Documented grants support programs with direct, tangible benefits to beneficiaries:

  • AgeSpan's CareRide provides transportation to medical appointments for seniors
  • Ruth's House offers clothing, meals, and emergency assistance
  • Bethany Community Services created affordable senior housing
  • Digital access programs provide tablets and training to seniors

4. Essential Services Focus: The foundation appears to prioritize basic needs and quality-of-life services including transportation, housing, food, clothing, and access to resources.

5. Established Organizations: While not explicitly required, documented recipients are established nonprofits with track records of service in the community.

6. 501(c)(3) Status: Organizations must meet IRS requirements for tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3).

Strategic Considerations:

  • Applications serving aged indigent populations in Haverhill proper align with the foundation's highest priority
  • Programs addressing multiple basic needs or filling critical service gaps may be particularly competitive
  • Clear demonstration of how grant funds will directly benefit vulnerable community members is essential
  • Given the five-month timeline, plan ahead for December funding if your program operates on a calendar year budget

Recent Grant Examples

AgeSpan - CareRide Program (2022): $29,545 Enabled expansion of transportation services into Haverhill, providing seniors ages 65+ with rides to non-emergency medical appointments.

Ruth's House (multiple years):

  • 2020: $20,000
  • 2019: $25,500 Supports clothing distribution (2,000+ articles per month), community meals, heating assistance, and other supportive services for Greater Merrimack Valley residents in need.

Bethany Community Services - Merrimack Place Project (2023): Financial support for development of 48 new affordable senior apartments in Haverhill—the first major Water Street housing development in 50 years.

These examples demonstrate the foundation's commitment to practical, high-impact programs addressing essential needs of vulnerable seniors and low-income residents in the Haverhill area.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Geographic specificity is essential: Only organizations serving Haverhill and the three surrounding Greater Haverhill communities (Groveland, West Newbury, Merrimac) are eligible—this is non-negotiable.

  • Prioritize aged indigent focus: Applications serving elderly low-income residents of Haverhill specifically receive highest priority; clearly articulate how your program benefits this population.

  • Plan for the timeline: With an August 1 deadline and December funding, factor in the 5-month waiting period when planning your program calendar and budget.

  • Emphasize direct service impact: The foundation funds tangible programs that deliver essential services—transportation, housing, food, clothing, technology access—to vulnerable community members.

  • One shot per year: The foundation operates on an annual cycle with a single deadline, so ensure your application is complete and compelling before the August 1 cutoff.

  • Contact before applying: Reach out to Administrator Joanne Sulis at admin@wadleighfoundation.com or 978-556-5506 to confirm eligibility and discuss your proposal before investing time in a formal application.

  • Repeat applications are viable: Organizations have received multiple grants across different years, indicating that strong performers may return for continued support.

References

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