Fletcher Foundation

OVERVIEW: The Fletcher Foundation primarily funds grantmaking related to education, the arts, community development, and human services.

IP TAKE: The foundation does not maintain a website, which restricts transparency about grantmaking strategies and guidelines. It also doesn’t encourage contact, but will accept grant application as outlined below under Important Grant Details.

PROFILE: Established in 1981, the Fletcher Foundation is steered by businessman Allen W. Fletcher and family. Allen worked as general contractor, designer, and builder in Northern California. He returned home to Massachusetts and founded Worcester Publishing Ltd., publisher of several local newspapers and magazines. The foundation does not maintain a website, which makes it difficult to locate further information on its priority areas and grantmaking strategies. Tax filings suggest that Fletcher Foundation primarily funds grantmaking related to education, the arts, community development, and human services.

Grants for Arts and Culture

Fletcher Foundation’s tax filings suggest that arts grantmaking is a top priority. Allen developed the Worcester Public Market. His late sister Pat, meanwhile, served on the boards of Worcester Historical Museum, the Audio Journal and the Dublin School of Dublin, New Hampshire.

Grants for Community Development

The Fletcher Foundation’s community development grantmaking focuses on local Worcester organizations like Oak Hill Community Development Corporation, Main South Community Development Corporation, and United Way of Central Massachusetts.

Important Grant Details:

Grants range from $2,000 to $200,000. In a recent year, the foundation gave away $1.9 million. Learn more about this funder’s local giving by examining its recent tax records. Grantmaking focuses on Worcester County, Massachusetts, with an emphasis on the city of Worcester. Past grantees include Worcester Historical Museum, Worcester Center for the Performing Arts, Y.O.U., Inc., and Bancroft School, of which several Fletcher family members are alumni.

The foundation keeps a low profile and does accept contact. Applicants should submit the following five copies of the following: descriptive literature about their organization, their IRS Determination Letter, and a detailed description of project and amount of funding requested. Deadlines are June 1 and Dec 1.

PEOPLE:

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CONTACT:

Warner S. Fletcher
370 Main Street, 12th Floor
Worcester, MA 01608
(508) 459-8000