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Salem Foundation

Annual Giving
$0.5M
Grant Range
$1K - $0.1M
00

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $492,050 (2024 fiscal year)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available (invitation-only grantmaking)
  • Decision Time: Not applicable (no public application process)
  • Grant Range: $1,000 - $100,000
  • Geographic Focus: Primarily Massachusetts and Rhode Island, with some national and international focus
  • Total Assets: $72.2 million (2024)

Contact Details

Address: 50 Kennedy Plaza, 18th Floor, Providence, RI 02903

Phone: (401) 457-1700

Contact: Paul J. Salem, Trustee

Note: This foundation does not have a public application process or website for grant seekers.

Overview

The Salem Foundation is a private family foundation established in 2000 and associated with Paul J. Salem, founder of Salem Capital Management and former senior managing director at Providence Equity Partners. With total assets of approximately $72.2 million as of 2024, the foundation distributed $492,050 in charitable grants during its most recent fiscal year. The foundation focuses on three primary areas: essential needs for children and families in developing countries, closing the opportunity gap for teens and young adults in the U.S., and innovations to reverse climate change and preserve environmental assets. Paul Salem's extensive nonprofit leadership—including serving as former national chairman of Year Up, board chair of Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, and board member of organizations like Edesia Global Nutrition—reflects the foundation's strategic philanthropic approach centered on youth opportunity, education, environmental conservation, and global nutrition.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Salem Foundation does not operate formal grant programs with published guidelines. Based on recent grantmaking patterns (2024 data), grants typically range from $1,000 to $100,000, with a median grant of approximately $38,000.

Priority Areas

Education & Youth Development: Support for programs closing the opportunity gap for underserved youth, including educational access, workforce development, and youth enrichment programs. Representative partners include Year Up and SquashBusters.

Essential Needs & Global Nutrition: Food security and nutrition programs for vulnerable populations, particularly children and families in developing countries. Representative partner: Edesia Nutrition.

Climate Change & Environmental Conservation: Innovations to reverse climate change and preserve environmental and ocean assets. Representative partner: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.

Health & Human Services: Support for cancer research, veterans' services, and community health initiatives.

Higher Education: Support for institutions such as Harvard Business School and other educational institutions.

Geographic Focus

  • Primary focus: Massachusetts and Rhode Island
  • Secondary focus: National (U.S.-based programs)
  • International: Select programs addressing global nutrition and essential needs

What They Don't Fund

As a private foundation without published guidelines, specific exclusions are not publicly documented. However, grantmaking appears focused on established organizations with proven track records in the foundation's priority areas.

Governance and Leadership

Paul J. Salem, Trustee: Founder of Salem Capital Management and former senior managing director at Providence Equity Partners (served 28 years). Currently serves as Chairman of the Board of MGM Resorts International. Previously served as national chairman of Year Up, where he helped grow the organization from its Boston founding to more than 28 locations serving over 40,000 young adults. Currently serves as Board Chair of Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and has served on the boards of Edesia Global Nutrition and other organizations. Salem participated in Harvard's Advanced Leadership Initiative and has been recognized for leadership in private equity and nonprofit board service.

The foundation is structured as a private family foundation, with Paul J. Salem serving as trustee. No officer compensation is reported in public filings.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Salem Foundation does not have a public application process. Grants appear to be made through trustee discretion, based on Paul Salem's philanthropic priorities and board affiliations. The foundation primarily supports organizations with which the trustee has established relationships.

Getting on Their Radar

Based on Paul Salem's known affiliations and the foundation's grantmaking patterns:

Board Connections: The foundation has supported organizations where Paul Salem serves or has served in leadership roles, including Year Up, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, and Edesia Global Nutrition. Building relationships with these anchor organizations may provide visibility.

Focus Area Alignment: Organizations working in the foundation's three core areas—youth opportunity (especially workforce development for underserved teens and young adults), global nutrition and essential needs, and climate/ocean conservation—align with documented giving patterns.

Geographic Presence: Organizations with operations or impact in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, particularly the Providence and Boston areas, receive the majority of grants.

Established Track Record: Recent grants show a preference for established institutions and proven programs rather than startup initiatives.

Application Success Factors

Since this foundation operates on an invitation-only basis, the following factors appear important based on grantmaking patterns:

Mission Alignment with Salem's Priorities: Organizations that align with Paul Salem's documented philanthropic interests—particularly workforce development for opportunity youth, global nutrition security, and ocean/climate conservation—are most likely to receive support.

Institutional Credibility: Recent grants favor established organizations with strong track records, including major educational institutions (Harvard Business School), established youth development programs (SquashBusters, Year Up), and recognized research institutions (Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution).

Geographic Connection: Strong preference for organizations based in or serving Massachusetts and Rhode Island, with particular concentration in the Providence and Boston metropolitan areas.

Board Leadership Connections: Organizations where Paul Salem or his close associates serve in leadership roles have received significant support.

Measurable Impact on Opportunity Gap: Based on Salem's leadership at Year Up and stated priorities, programs demonstrating concrete outcomes in closing the opportunity gap for underserved populations appear to be prioritized.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No Public Application: This foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals; grants are made through trustee discretion and established relationships
  • Relationship-Driven: Focus on building authentic connections with the foundation's anchor partner organizations or board members
  • Three Clear Priorities: Youth opportunity/workforce development, global nutrition/essential needs, and climate/environmental conservation
  • Geographic Focus: Strong preference for Massachusetts and Rhode Island organizations, particularly Boston and Providence areas
  • Range and Scale: Grants typically range $1,000-$100,000, with median around $38,000—suitable for both program support and larger initiatives
  • Track Record Matters: Established organizations with proven impact appear to be strongly preferred over newer or unproven initiatives
  • Long-term Partnership Approach: Salem's multi-decade commitment to organizations like Year Up suggests preference for sustained relationships over one-time grants

References

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