Allen W. Fletcher

SOURCE OF WEALTH: Harding Green LLC; Worcester Magazine

FUNDING AREAS: Arts & Culture, Education & Youth, Community

OVERVIEW: Allen Fletcher and family move philanthropy through the Fletcher Foundation, whose grantmaking is laser-focused on Central Massachusetts. Top interests include arts and culture, and education.

BACKGROUND: Born in Worcester, Massachusetts, Allen W. Fletcher graduated from Harvard in 1969. He served as Peace Corps volunteer and later earned a master’s in architecture from U.C. Berkeley in 1984. Fletcher worked as general contractor, designer, and builder in Northern California. He returned home and founded Worcester Publishing Ltd., publisher of several local newspapers and magazines.

ISSUES:

ARTS & CULTURE: Fletcher is active in his local Worcester community. He developed the Worcester Public Market, Other Fletcher family members have deep ties to the region include his late sister Pat, who served on the boards of Worcester Historical Museum, the Audio Journal and the Dublin School of Dublin, New Hampshire. Grantees have included Worcester Historical Museum, Worcester Center for the Performing Arts, American Antiquarian Society, and Music Worcester. A component of philanthropy also touches arts education organizations like Joy of Music Program.

EDUCATION & YOUTH: The family have supported places like Y.O.U., Inc., a leading child welfare, behavioral health and education agencies in Massachusetts, YWCA Central Massachusetts, and Bancroft School, from where several Fletcher family members graduated.

COMMUNITY: The Fletcher family support local community organizations like Greater Worcester Community Foundation, United Way of Central Massachusetts, and Main South Community Development Corporation, which is “dedicated to providing affordable housing and the improvement of Main South.” Fletcher is president of the board of Greater Worcester Land Trust, another grantee.

LOOKING AHEAD: Expect this funder’s Central Massachusetts focus to continue.

CONTACT:

The Fletcher Foundation
370 Main St., 12th Fl.
Worcester, MA 01608