Ruth H & Warren A Ellsworth Foundation

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: $923,000 (2024)
Total Assets: $15.96 million (2024)
Grant Range: $500 - $101,500
Median Grant: $15,000
Number of Grants: 48-65 grants annually
Geographic Focus: Greater Worcester, MA area
Application Deadline: June 1

Contact Details

Address: 100 Front Street, 5th Floor, Worcester, MA 01608 (also listed as 370 Main Street, 12th Floor)
Phone: (508) 459-8000
Contact Person: Sumner B. Tilton, Jr. (Trustee)
Website: None publicly available
Email: None publicly available

Overview

The Ruth H & Warren A Ellsworth Foundation is a private family foundation established in 1964 in Massachusetts and granted tax-exempt status by the IRS in September 1966. With approximately $16 million in assets, the foundation distributes roughly $900,000-$1 million annually to nonprofit organizations in the Greater Worcester area.

The foundation is part of Worcester's strong philanthropic tradition, working alongside other major local funders such as the George I. Alden Trust, Stoddard Charitable Trust, and the Fletcher Foundation. These foundations have been described as "cornerstones of Worcester's civic life and progress." The foundation focuses on supporting health, educational, cultural, and human service organizations that serve the Worcester community, with particular emphasis on education, social services, and youth agencies.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation provides various types of support including:

Annual/General Support: Ongoing operational funding
Matching Gifts: Support to leverage other funding
Financial Aid: Student assistance programs
Capital Improvements: Facility upgrades and renovations
Capital Campaigns: Major project funding
Visiting Nurse Programs: Healthcare service support

Grant amounts range from $500 to over $100,000, with a median grant of $15,000.

Priority Areas

Education: Higher education institutions, independent schools, educational enrichment programs
Health: Healthcare organizations, hospitals, visiting nurse services
Cultural Organizations: Museums, arts organizations
Human Services: Social service agencies, youth programs
Community Development: Organizations serving the Greater Worcester community

What They Don't Fund

Organizations not based in the Worcester area
Organizations not exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code
Likely: Individuals (standard for private foundations)

Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees

The foundation is governed by five trustees:

Sumner B. Tilton, Jr. - Primary Trustee and Contact ($227,028 compensation)
- Attorney and Shareholder at Fletcher Tilton PC
- Chairman of Fletcher Tilton's Investment Committee
- Specializes in estate planning, trust administration, and foundation administration
- Life Trustee and former Chairman of Clark University's Board of Trustees
- Honorary Trustee of Worcester Art Museum and EcoTarium
- Received the 2008 Isaiah Thomas Award for civic leadership in Worcester
- Holds honorary doctorates from Clark University, Assumption College, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, and Becker College
Todd H. Wetzel - Trustee ($18,000 compensation)
Joyce W. Hall - Trustee ($18,000 compensation)
Mark R. Wetzel - Trustee ($18,000 compensation)
Robert F. Wetzel - Trustee ($18,000 compensation)

Mr. Tilton has noted that "the glue that holds a lot of this stuff together are the foundations" and that "Worcester is blessed to have these private family foundations."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The foundation accepts grant applications through a letter-based process. According to the foundation's guidelines:

Application Requirements:

Submit a proposal in letter form
Include the goals and objectives of the request
Provide a plan for accomplishing the stated goals
Include a project budget
Provide evidence of 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status

Deadline: All submissions must be made prior to June 1

Submit to: Sumner B. Tilton, Jr. Ruth H & Warren A Ellsworth Foundation 100 Front Street, 5th Floor Worcester, MA 01608

Or contact via phone: (508) 459-8000

Decision Timeline

The foundation operates on an annual cycle with a June 1 deadline. Decisions are typically made following the deadline, though specific notification timelines are not publicly documented.

Success Rates

Specific success rates are not publicly available. However, with 48-65 grants made annually from what is likely a larger pool of applicants, competition for funding can be expected.

Reapplication Policy

No formal reapplication policy is publicly documented. Organizations that have been declined may consider contacting the foundation directly to discuss future opportunities.

Recent Grant Recipients (2024)

Recipient	Amount	Type
Clark University	$100,500	Higher Education
UMass Memorial Health Care	$100,000	Healthcare
EcoTarium	$51,500	Cultural/Science Education
Nativity School of Worcester	$50,000	Education
Greater Worcester Community Foundation	Various	Community Foundation
Worcester Art Museum	Various	Cultural

The foundation was part of a group of Worcester foundations that collectively awarded $2 million to Clark University for the new Center for Media Arts, Computing, and Design, which opened in August 2023.

Application Success Factors

Alignment with Worcester Focus

The foundation maintains a strong geographic focus on the Greater Worcester area. Applicants should clearly demonstrate:

Physical presence in or service to Greater Worcester
Understanding of local community needs
Connection to the Worcester community

Types of Support Most Commonly Funded

Based on grant patterns, the foundation appears to favor:

Established institutions with proven track records (Clark University, UMass Memorial, Worcester Art Museum)
Educational organizations at all levels
Healthcare and human service providers
Capital campaigns and facility improvements

Strong Proposal Elements

Clear, concise letter format (not lengthy narrative proposals)
Specific, measurable goals and objectives
Detailed project budget
Clear plan for implementation
Documentation of 501(c)(3) status

Relationship Building

Given that the primary trustee, Sumner Tilton, is deeply embedded in Worcester's civic and nonprofit community, organizations may benefit from:

Maintaining visibility within Worcester's nonprofit sector
Participating in collaborative initiatives with other Worcester organizations
Building relationships with institutions where trustees serve (Clark University, Worcester Art Museum, EcoTarium)

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

Geographic Focus is Essential: Only 501(c)(3) organizations based in or serving the Greater Worcester area are eligible. Organizations outside this region should not apply.
Letter-Based Application: Keep proposals concise and in letter format. Include goals, objectives, implementation plan, budget, and proof of tax-exempt status.
June 1 Deadline: Mark this date clearly - all applications must be submitted prior to June 1 for consideration.
Diverse Funding Interests: The foundation supports education, health, culture, and human services - a broad range of causes within the Worcester community.
Established Organizations Preferred: Major grants tend to go to well-established institutions. Smaller or newer organizations may want to start with more modest requests.
Local Connections Matter: The trustees are deeply connected to Worcester's civic life. Understanding the local philanthropic landscape and the foundation's relationships with other Worcester institutions may be beneficial.
Contact Directly: For questions about eligibility or application process, contact Sumner Tilton at (508) 459-8000.

References

Information compiled December 2025 from publicly available sources including IRS Form 990-PF filings and foundation directories.