Melvin S Cutler Charitable Foundation

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: $1,080,000+ (FY 2024)
Total Assets: $14.2 million (FY 2024)
Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
Grant Range: $2,500 - $300,000 (based on documented awards)
Geographic Focus: Primarily Worcester, MA and Central Massachusetts; some national and international (Israel) giving
Application Process: No public application process - operates through trustee discretion and personal networks

Contact Details

Address: 306 Main St, Suite 400, Worcester, MA 01608

Phone: (508) 791-0901

EIN: 042733957

Note: This is a private family foundation that does not accept unsolicited grant applications. The foundation makes grants through trustee discretion based on recommendations from the founder's network of business associates, friends, employees, and customers.

Overview

The Melvin S Cutler Charitable Foundation was established in 1981 by Mel Cutler, a Worcester-area design-build entrepreneur and philanthropist. With total assets of approximately $14.2 million and annual grantmaking exceeding $1 million, the foundation operates as a private family foundation that supports a diverse range of causes "from medical research to helping the poor and needy to caring for underprivileged children." The foundation's trustees include Mel Cutler's son Doug, daughter Liz, granddaughter Kelly, and non-family members Rob Adler and Fred Mulligan. Reflecting Cutler's upbringing in a Socialist/Zionist family in the Bronx, the foundation maintains strong support for Jewish community organizations and Israel-related causes, while also demonstrating significant commitment to local Worcester organizations serving at-risk populations, veterans, the arts, and higher education. Mel Cutler received the Worcester State College Community Service Award in 2009 for his extraordinary leadership in philanthropy and business.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not operate formal grant programs but makes awards across several consistent areas of interest. Recent grants have ranged from $2,500 to $300,000, with most grants falling in the $10,000 to $50,000 range.

Grant Examples (Recent Years):

Friends of United Hatzalah Inc: $146,500
PEF Israel Endowment Funds: $72,000
American Friends of Natal: $33,600
Young Emissary Program (Jewish Federation of Central Massachusetts): $300,000 endowment
Massachusetts Veterans Shelter: $15,000
Abby's House: $10,000
Worcester Youth Center: $2,500

Priority Areas

Economic Advancement: Programs that assist at-risk populations to achieve economic advancement, including financial literacy programs in women's shelters or halfway houses, community college access as a gateway for economic mobility, and business education for artists.

Veterans Services: Strong commitment to the Massachusetts Veterans Shelter in Worcester, which provides emergency shelter and transitional housing for men and women veterans and has served more than 40,000 veterans and their families in Central Massachusetts since 1991.

Services for Women and Children: Support for organizations serving homeless and battered women and children, such as Abby's House in Worcester.

Jewish Community and Israel: Substantial support for Jewish Federation of Central Massachusetts, Worcester Jewish Community Center, Holocaust education at Clark University, Yad Vashem, Jewish National Fund, Anti-Defamation League, and Israel-related emergency medical and mental health services.

Arts and Culture: Support for the local arts community through ARTS Worcester, particularly business education programs for artists.

Higher Education and Research: Support for community colleges, endowed the Melvin S. and Sandra L. Cutler Chair in Biomedical Research at UMass Medical School, and support for Clark University's Holocaust and Genocide Studies programs.

Youth Services: Support for programs serving young people ages 14-24, including the Worcester Youth Center.

What They Don't Fund

The foundation's exclusions are not publicly documented, though as a private family foundation, they appear to focus on organizations with which they have personal connections or knowledge, particularly in the Worcester area and Jewish community.

Governance and Leadership

Mel Cutler (Founder and Chair): Multi-talented businessman and deeply committed philanthropist who moved to Worcester in 1964. Raised in the Bronx in a Socialist/Zionist family, he made his first significant gift to the Jewish Federation in 1967. In 1972, he founded Cutler Associates, a design-build construction firm specializing in senior living, educational, healthcare, and corporate facilities. He developed approximately 35 elder care and assisted living facilities. In 2003, he co-founded Cutler Capital Management LLC, and also founded Flagship Bank and Madison Banc Shares. Now lives in Florida but continues his commitment to Worcester-area philanthropy.

Board of Trustees:

Doug Cutler (son)
Liz Cutler (daughter)
Kelly Cutler (granddaughter)
Rob Adler
Fred Mulligan

Philanthropic Philosophy: Mel Cutler's approach to giving is notably inclusive and educational. On his 70th birthday, he sent $1,000 to 70 friends asking them to donate to their favorite charities. Each December, he writes letters to business associates and friends asking them to nominate their favorite charities, to which he then contributes. Through the foundation, employees and customers are involved in charitable decisions. Worcester State College President Dr. Janelle Ashley said of Cutler: "His incredible generosity and keen business sense makes him an honoree that is sure to inspire our graduates."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. The Melvin S Cutler Charitable Foundation is a private family foundation that makes grants based on trustee discretion. Grants are typically made to organizations that come to the foundation's attention through:

Personal connections and knowledge of the trustees
Annual solicitation of recommendations from business associates and friends
Involvement of employees and customers in charitable decision-making
Longstanding relationships with recipient organizations

The foundation does not maintain a website, does not publish application guidelines, and does not accept unsolicited grant proposals.

Getting on Their Radar

Note: The following information is specific to this foundation's documented practices.

Annual Charitable Solicitation: Each December, Mel Cutler writes letters to his business associates and friends asking them to nominate their favorite charities. This is a primary mechanism through which new organizations come to the foundation's attention. Being in Cutler's business or social network, or being recommended by someone in that network, appears to be the most direct path to consideration.

Community Involvement in Worcester: The foundation has demonstrated consistent support for Worcester-area organizations. Organizations deeply embedded in the Worcester community, particularly those addressing economic advancement, veterans' needs, or serving vulnerable populations, align with documented funding patterns.

Connection to Jewish Community: Organizations connected to the Jewish Federation of Central Massachusetts or the broader Jewish community in Central Massachusetts have received substantial support. The foundation's commitment to Jewish causes reflects Mel Cutler's upbringing and early involvement with the Jewish Federation dating back to 1967.

Business and Educational Partnerships: Cutler Associates has undertaken construction projects at numerous institutions including Bancroft School, Assumption College, University of New Hampshire, Clark University, and WPI. Relationships formed through these business connections may provide pathways to the foundation's attention.

Worcester State College Connection: Mel Cutler has volunteered as a supporter and guest lecturer for Worcester State College's Upward Bound Program. His wife Sandra graduated from Worcester State College in 1976. Educational initiatives, particularly those supporting access and opportunity, align with the foundation's values.

Application Success Factors

Since this foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, traditional application success factors do not apply. However, understanding the foundation's documented values and patterns may be valuable for organizations seeking to build long-term relationships in the Worcester community.

Alignment with Core Values: The foundation's giving reflects Mel Cutler's personal journey and values - economic advancement for at-risk populations, support for veterans, Jewish community and Israel, and educational access. Organizations whose missions align with these values and can demonstrate meaningful community impact have received support.

Worcester and Central Massachusetts Focus: While the foundation makes some grants to national and international organizations (particularly Israel-related), there is strong emphasis on Worcester and Central Massachusetts organizations. Local presence and local impact matter.

Economic Advancement Model: The foundation has articulated support for "programs that assist certain populations to achieve economic advancement." Organizations that can demonstrate how their work creates pathways to economic self-sufficiency (whether through education, skills training, financial literacy, or other means) align with this priority.

Organizational Sustainability: The foundation has made both program grants and endowment gifts (notably the $300,000 endowment for the Young Emissary Program). Organizations able to engage in longer-term strategic conversations about sustainability may find alignment.

Connection to Founder's Network: Organizations connected to Cutler's business enterprises (Cutler Associates, Cutler Capital Management, Flagship Bank), educational institutions where he has been involved (Worcester State College), or organizations within the Jewish Federation network have established relationships.

Veterans Services: The foundation has demonstrated "strong commitment to the Veterans' Shelter in Worcester." Organizations serving veterans in Central Massachusetts, particularly those providing transitional services and pathways to stability, align with documented priorities.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

This is a private family foundation that operates through trustee discretion and does not accept unsolicited proposals - traditional grant seeking approaches will not be effective
Being recommended by someone in Mel Cutler's network of business associates and friends (particularly through the annual December solicitation) is the primary pathway to consideration
Worcester and Central Massachusetts geographic focus is strong, though some national and international (Israel) grants are made
Economic advancement for at-risk populations is a clearly articulated priority across multiple program areas
Strong commitment to veterans services, services for women and children, Jewish community, arts education, and higher education access
The foundation reflects Mel Cutler's personal values and life journey, including his Socialist/Zionist upbringing and commitment to the Worcester community since 1964
Organizations seeking long-term relationships should focus on community presence in Worcester, alignment with core values, and connection to the Jewish Federation or business community networks

References

Cause IQ: Melvin S Cutler Charitable Foundation Profile. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/melvin-s-cutler-charitable-foundation,042733957/ (Accessed January 2025)
ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer: Melvin S Cutler Charitable Foundation. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/42733957 (Accessed January 2025)
Jewish Federation of Central Massachusetts: Melvin S. Cutler Planned Giving Profile. https://www.jewishcentralmass.org/ways-to-give/planned-giving/melvin-s-cutler (Accessed January 2025)
Worcester State University News: "WSC to Honor Community Leaders at 2009 Commencement." https://news.worcester.edu/wsc-to-honor-community-leaders-at-2009-commencement/ (Accessed January 2025)
Massachusetts Jewish Ledger: "Mel Cutler Foundation Grants $300,000 to Young Emissaries." August 2014. https://www.wmassjewishledger.com/2014/08/mel-cutler-foundation-grants-300000-to-young-emissaries/ (Accessed January 2025)
High-Profile Monthly: "Melvin S. Cutler Charitable Foundation Announces Recent Gifts to Community Organizations." December 6, 2010. https://www.high-profile.com/melvin-s-cutler-charitable-foundation-announces-recent-gifts-to-community-organizations/ (Accessed January 2025)
GuideStar Profile: Melvin S Cutler Charitable Foundation. https://www.guidestar.org/profile/04-2733957 (Accessed January 2025)