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The 1434 Foundation Inc

Annual Giving
$3.5M
Grant Range
$3K - $0.6M

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $3,457,079 (2023)
  • Success Rate: Not applicable (invitation-only)
  • Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
  • Grant Range: $2,500 - $639,000
  • Grant Median: $40,000
  • Geographic Focus: Greater Boston and Merrimack Valley, Massachusetts (with some out-of-state grants)

Contact Details

Address: 160 Commonwealth Avenue, Suite L10, Boston, MA 02116-2749

Phone: 617-589-3865

Website: No public website

EIN: 47-2480352

Note: The foundation does not accept unsolicited funding requests.

Overview

The 1434 Foundation Inc was established in 2015 as a private grantmaking foundation based in Boston, Massachusetts. With total assets of approximately $83 million and annual distributions of approximately $4 million, the foundation operates with a focused mission centered on three primary areas: arts and culture, food and agriculture, and education and mentoring. The foundation's grantmaking is primarily concentrated in Greater Boston and the Merrimack Valley regions. Led by President Fotene J. Demoulas, the foundation emphasizes what it calls its "core values – heartfelt, vibrant, practical, and organic" approach to creating meaningful results for youth and families in local communities. The foundation's largest single initiative is the Efrosini Demoulas Scholars Program, which provides four-year scholarships and mentoring to first-generation college students from eastern Massachusetts.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates several distinct funding streams:

  • Efrosini Demoulas Scholars Program (administered through Stephen Phillips Memorial Scholarship Fund): $639,000 annually - Four-year scholarships and mentoring for first-generation college students from select Massachusetts counties
  • EDS Hardship Grants: $233,089 - Emergency assistance for scholarship recipients
  • Education Grants: $100,000 - $120,000 - Support for educational institutions serving low-income communities
  • Arts and Culture Grants: Variable amounts - Support for arts organizations and cultural programming
  • Food and Agriculture Grants: Variable amounts - Support for nutrition, food security, and agriculture initiatives
  • Social Services Grants: Variable amounts - Support for organizations serving families and youth

Priority Areas

Education and Mentoring: The foundation places strong emphasis on supporting first-generation college students and educational institutions serving low-income communities. Recent grantees include One Family Inc ($120,000), Esperanza Academy ($100,000), and Catie's Closet ($100,000).

Arts and Culture: The foundation employs a dedicated Arts Program Officer and actively supports arts organizations, particularly in Greater Boston and the Merrimack Valley.

Food and Agriculture: The foundation has demonstrated commitment to nutrition, healthy eating, and food security initiatives. It has funded programs such as Teaching Cafés and emergency grocery card programs.

Youth Development: Long-term mentoring programs are of particular interest to the foundation, especially those providing consistent relationships with caring adults.

What They Don't Fund

The foundation only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations. There is no indication of specific exclusions beyond the foundation's stated focus areas.

Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors (all uncompensated):

  • Fotene J. Demoulas, President and Director (26 hours/week) - Founder and Executive Director of the foundation, with deep connections to the Efrosini Demoulas Scholars Program
  • Thomas P. Cote, Treasurer, Clerk, and Director (10 hours/week)
  • Charles Anton, Director (10 hours/week)

Staff:

  • Kyla Sullivan, Arts Program Officer (30 hours/week, $98,417) - Manages the foundation's arts and culture portfolio
  • Anna C. Harmison, Office Associate (40 hours/week, $80,726) - Provides administrative support

Darcy Brownell, representing the foundation, has stated: "We believe deeply in the power and importance of relationships," highlighting the foundation's relational approach to philanthropy.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. The foundation has indicated it "only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds."

Grants are awarded through:

  • Trustee discretion and existing relationships
  • Pre-existing partnerships with organizations
  • The foundation's proactive identification of organizations aligned with its mission

Exception: The Efrosini Demoulas Scholars Program accepts applications from eligible students through the Stephen Phillips Memorial Scholarship Fund application process.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed. Decisions are made at the discretion of the board of trustees.

Success Rates

Not applicable for organizational grants, as the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications.

For the Efrosini Demoulas Scholars Program, the average scholar has a high school GPA of 3.85, indicating competitive selection.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable, as the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications.

Application Success Factors

Since the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, traditional application success factors do not apply. However, the foundation's documented values and approach provide insight into what they seek in partners:

Relationship-Centered: The foundation has explicitly stated it believes "deeply in the power and importance of relationships." Organizations that develop authentic, long-term partnerships with the foundation are most likely to receive support.

Aligned Values: The foundation seeks organizations that embody its core values of being "heartfelt, vibrant, practical, and organic."

Long-Term Impact: The foundation has shown particular interest in organizations with long-term commitment to the communities they serve. For example, they were "drawn to Friends of the Children–Boston because of their extraordinary commitment to providing youth with a long-term, nurturing relationship with a consistent and caring adult."

Serving Low-Income Communities: Recent grants demonstrate clear focus on organizations serving families and youth experiencing poverty, homelessness, and financial need. Examples include Catie's Closet (serving 80,000 students experiencing poverty), Esperanza Academy (requiring students to qualify for free or reduced lunch), and One Family Inc (supporting families experiencing homelessness).

Geographic Focus: Organizations based in or serving Greater Boston and the Merrimack Valley are strongly preferred, though the foundation does make occasional grants outside these areas.

Practical, Results-Oriented Programming: The foundation values organizations that create "meaningful results for youth and families" with practical interventions. Examples include the Teaching Café at Friends of the Children–Boston and emergency grocery card programs.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No public application process exists - This foundation funds only preselected organizations through trustee discretion and existing relationships
  • Relationship building is essential - The foundation's explicit emphasis on the "power and importance of relationships" suggests that authentic, long-term partnerships are the pathway to potential funding
  • Geographic concentration - Focus is heavily on Greater Boston and Merrimack Valley; organizations outside these areas receive limited support
  • Three primary focus areas - Arts and culture, food and agriculture, and education and mentoring are the foundation's core priorities
  • Commitment to low-income communities - Recent grants show strong preference for organizations serving families and youth experiencing poverty and financial hardship
  • Long-term, sustained impact - The foundation values organizations with multi-year commitments to the communities they serve rather than one-time interventions
  • Student scholarship opportunity - While organizational grants are invitation-only, the Efrosini Demoulas Scholars Program is open to eligible high school students through the Stephen Phillips Memorial Scholarship application

References

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