Thee Mustard Seed Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $2,774,218 (2023)
• Success Rate: N/A - Invitation only
• Decision Time: N/A - Trustee discretion
• Grant Range: Median $95,000
• Geographic Focus: United States and International

Contact Details

• Phone: 617-262-5979
• Address: 38 Newbury Street, Boston, MA 02116
• Management: c/o Ten Mountain Capital
• Note: Does not accept unsolicited applications

Overview

Thee Mustard Seed Foundation is a private family foundation established in 2014 with assets of approximately $29 million. The foundation distributes roughly $2.8 million annually through invitation-only grants to preselected charitable organizations. Operating under the direction of Arthur S. Demoulas, the foundation is managed through Ten Mountain Capital, the family office founded in 2001 that manages the Demoulas Market Basket fortune. The foundation's philanthropic approach follows patterns consistent with other Demoulas family foundations, with a particular focus on Greek Orthodox institutions and community organizations. In 2023, the foundation made 23 grants with a median size of approximately $95,000, showing growth from 16 grants in 2022.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation makes discretionary grants through trustee selection only:

• Typical Grant Size: Median $95,000
• Number of Annual Grants: 23 (2023), 16 (2022)
• Application Method: Invitation only - no public application process

Priority Areas

Based on available grant data:

• Greek Orthodox churches and affiliated organizations
• Educational institutions
• Community organizations
• Organizations with Greek heritage connections
• Both domestic (U.S.) and international programs

What They Don't Fund

The foundation explicitly does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.

Governance and Leadership

Director: Arthur S. Demoulas (serves without compensation)

• Associated with the Market Basket grocery chain family
• Operates through Ten Mountain Capital family office

The foundation operates with minimal administrative overhead, with all leadership serving without compensation.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. The foundation "only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds." Grants are awarded at the sole discretion of the trustee based on pre-existing relationships and trustee knowledge of organizations.

Getting on Their Radar

Based on the foundation's giving patterns and leadership connections, organizations most likely to receive consideration are those with:

• Existing relationships with Arthur S. Demoulas or Ten Mountain Capital
• Connections through Greek Orthodox church networks in the Boston area
• Previous funding relationships with other Demoulas family foundations
• Board members or leadership with connections to the Market Basket business community

Decision Timeline

N/A - Grants are made at trustee discretion without a formal application timeline.

Success Rates

N/A - The foundation does not accept applications.

Reapplication Policy

N/A - Organizations cannot apply unless preselected by the foundation.

Application Success Factors

Since this foundation does not accept applications, traditional success factors do not apply. Organizations receiving funding from Thee Mustard Seed Foundation typically:

• Have pre-existing relationships with foundation leadership
• Align with the foundation's focus on Greek Orthodox and community organizations
• Demonstrate impact in areas historically supported by the Demoulas family philanthropic network
• Are identified through trustee networks rather than application processes

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Do not submit unsolicited applications - they will not be considered
• This is a relationship-based funder operating through trustee discretion
• Focus grant-seeking efforts on foundations with open application processes unless your organization has existing connections
• The foundation makes substantial grants (median $95,000) but only to preselected organizations
• Greek Orthodox institutions and organizations with Greek heritage connections appear to receive priority
• The foundation has been increasing its grantmaking activity (from 16 to 23 grants between 2022-2023)

References

• Cause IQ Foundation Profile - Thee Mustard Seed Foundation (accessed March 2024)
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - EIN 26-0873247 (accessed March 2024)
• IRS Form 990-PF filed November 14, 2024 (Tax Year 2023)
• IRS Form 990-PF filed November 13, 2023 (Tax Year 2022)
• Candid Foundation Directory Online (accessed March 2024)
• GuideStar Profile - Thee Mustard Seed Foundation (accessed March 2024)
• Grantmakers.io Foundation Profile (accessed March 2024)