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Telemachus and Irene Demoulas Family Foundation

Annual Giving
$3.1M
Grant Range
$15K - $3.0M

Telemachus and Irene Demoulas Family Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $3,062,500 (2023); $5,027,413 (2022)
  • Total Assets: $200.8 million
  • Grant Range: $15,000 - $3,050,000
  • Number of Awards: 11 (2023); 14 (2022); 17 (2021)
  • Geographic Focus: Massachusetts and New York, with emphasis on Greater Boston and Lowell areas
  • Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed

Contact Details

  • Address: 286 Chelmsford Street, Chelmsford, MA 01824-2403
  • Phone: 978-244-1024
  • Website: None
  • Email: Not publicly available

Overview

The Telemachus and Irene Demoulas Family Foundation is a private family foundation established in January 2002, named after the late parents of Arthur T. Demoulas, the prominent owner of the Market Basket supermarket chain. Telemachus "Mike" Demoulas (1920-2003) and Irene Psoinos Demoulas (1925-2020) were the founders of the modern Market Basket enterprise, building it from a single store in Lowell, Massachusetts into a major New England grocery chain.

With approximately $200.8 million in assets, the foundation is one of the larger family foundations in the region. Annual giving has ranged from approximately $3 million to $5 million in recent years. The foundation maintains a low public profile, consistent with the Demoulas family's preference for quiet philanthropy over publicized giving. Revenue derives primarily from investment income, with dividends comprising over 90% of annual revenue. The foundation reflects the family's Greek-American heritage and deep roots in the Lowell, Massachusetts community.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation concentrates funding on three primary areas with the following approximate breakdown from recent filings:

  • Hospitals & Health Organizations: $3,200,000 (largest allocation)

    • Major multi-year commitments to academic medical centers
    • Support for specialty healthcare programs

  • Churches, Temples & Religious Organizations: $949,913

    • Strong preference for Greek Orthodox institutions

  • Schools, Colleges & Universities: $402,500

    • Private and Catholic schools
    • Institutions with Greek or Greek Orthodox connections

Priority Areas

Healthcare: The foundation has made transformational gifts to major medical institutions. Massachusetts General Hospital received $3.0 million in 2022, and the foundation established the Telemachus & Irene Demoulas Family Foundation Center for Cardiac Arrhythmias at MGH. Other healthcare recipients include Lowell General Hospital and Lawrence General Hospital.

Higher Education: Boston College has received significant support ($500,000+), with the family recently honored with the naming of "Demoulas Commons" in Stokes Hall. Other supported institutions include Bentley University ($1 million historically).

Religious Organizations: Greek Orthodox churches receive priority, reflecting the founders' heritage. Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church of Lowell has received substantial support ($950,000 in a single year).

Community Development: The Lowell Plan, an economic development organization, has been one of the largest cumulative beneficiaries, receiving over $10 million over the past decade.

Youth Organizations: Boys & Girls Clubs, including Boys & Girls Club of Greater Lowell ($200,000 in 2023) and Boys & Girls Club of Lower Merrimack Valley, as well as Camp Harbor View ($50,000).

What They Don't Fund

Based on giving patterns, the foundation does not appear to fund:

  • Organizations outside Massachusetts and the immediate New England region
  • Organizations without established track records
  • Individual scholarships or direct assistance
  • Political organizations or campaigns
  • General operating support for organizations without existing relationships

Governance and Leadership

Trustees

  • Arthur T. Demoulas - Trustee (unpaid); CEO of Market Basket and son of the foundation's namesakes
  • Frances I. Demoulas - Trustee (unpaid); daughter of Telemachus and Irene
  • Glorianne Demoulas - Trustee (unpaid); daughter of Telemachus and Irene
  • Caren L. Demoulas - Trustee (unpaid); daughter of Telemachus and Irene

Staff

  • Susan M. Dufresne - Administrator ($37,500 compensation in 2023)

The foundation is governed entirely by family members with no paid trustees. All four children of the founders serve as trustees, with Arthur T. Demoulas being the most publicly prominent due to his leadership of Market Basket. The Demoulas family is known for maintaining close personal relationships with both employees and community members, and this personal approach extends to their philanthropic activities.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a formal public application process or published guidelines. There is no website, online application portal, or published application materials.

Based on the pattern established by the related Demoulas Foundation, the family accepts letter requests from nonprofits. Letters should:

  • Be addressed to the foundation at 286 Chelmsford Street, Chelmsford, MA 01824-2403
  • Clearly identify the charitable need
  • Describe how funding would be used
  • Include organizational background and financial information

There are no published submission deadlines. The foundation operates on a rolling basis.

Getting on Their Radar

The Telemachus and Irene Demoulas Family Foundation makes relatively few grants annually (11-17 awards per year), typically providing $100,000 or more to each recipient. The foundation appears to favor organizations with:

  • Existing relationships with the Demoulas family or Market Basket
  • Connection to the Lowell/Greater Boston area where the family business operates
  • Greek Orthodox or Greek-American connections reflecting family heritage
  • Established track records in healthcare, education, or community development

Organizations seeking funding should consider:

  • Whether there are personal or professional connections to Demoulas family members or Market Basket executives
  • Participation in community events in Lowell and the Merrimack Valley where the family is active
  • Visibility at Greek Orthodox community functions and events
  • Prior relationships with other Demoulas family foundations (Demoulas Market Basket Foundation)

Decision Timeline

The foundation does not publish decision timelines. Given the small number of annual grants (11-17) and the family governance structure, decisions likely follow trustee meeting schedules. Applicants should be prepared for an extended timeline as the foundation does not maintain substantial administrative staff.

Success Rates

With only 11-17 awards made annually and significant assets, this is a highly selective foundation. The foundation typically makes large grants to a small number of established recipients rather than numerous smaller awards to diverse applicants.

Reapplication Policy

No formal reapplication policy is published. Given the foundation's preference for ongoing relationships with established grantees, unsuccessful initial applicants may face challenges gaining consideration.

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's giving patterns and family background, successful applicants typically demonstrate:

Strong Local Roots: The vast majority of grants go to organizations in the Greater Boston area, particularly Lowell and communities served by Market Basket stores. Organizations with deep ties to these communities are strongly preferred.

Healthcare Excellence: Major medical institutions, particularly those with specialized centers or programs that can carry the family name, have received the largest grants. The foundation appears interested in legacy-building healthcare investments.

Educational Quality: Private schools, Catholic institutions, and those with Greek or Greek Orthodox connections receive education funding. Boston College's receipt of major support suggests appreciation for Catholic higher education.

Greek Heritage Connection: Organizations connected to Greek Orthodox churches or Greek-American culture align with the founders' heritage and receive priority consideration.

Relationship Building: The family's low-profile approach and lack of formal application process suggests that personal relationships and introductions matter significantly. Organizations unknown to the trustees face substantial barriers.

Significant Impact: With typical grants of $100,000+ and some reaching several million dollars, the foundation seeks transformational investments rather than modest program support.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • This is a relationship-driven foundation with no public application process. Cold applications face significant barriers to success.

  • Geographic alignment is essential: Focus on Massachusetts, particularly the Greater Boston and Lowell areas where Market Basket operates.

  • Large grants to few recipients: The foundation makes 11-17 awards annually averaging $200,000-$450,000 each. This is not a foundation for small project grants.

  • Healthcare is the top priority: Hospitals and medical centers receive the largest allocations, especially for named centers or programs.

  • Greek Orthodox and educational connections matter: The family's heritage influences giving to religious and educational institutions with Greek connections.

  • Patience and persistence required: Without formal processes or timelines, building a relationship with this foundation requires long-term cultivation rather than a single application.

  • Consider the sister foundation: The Demoulas Market Basket Foundation (separate entity) makes more grants (206 in 2023) at smaller amounts ($2,500-$10,000 typical) and may be more accessible for initial relationship building.

References

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