The Mellen Charitable Foundation concentrates giving on community revitalization, health care, reproductive health access, and workforce pathways—often funding intermediaries and service providers that scale job training and youth/adult transitions to stable employment. Their awards include major place-based investment through a large grant to the Jerome Avenue Fund, multi-million support for cancer care and hospital capacity, and repeated grants to workforce and reproductive health organizations. There is also a visible thread of Jewish-affiliated philanthropy and vocational training initiatives in their portfolio.
A single place-based award defines much of this foundation’s recent profile: $25,047,906 to the Jerome Avenue Fund Co the Boston Foundation for general purpose support. From there, the giving pattern widens into health care, reproductive health, workforce pathways, education, and Jewish-affiliated philanthropy. The foundation has backed major hospital and cancer-care institutions, but it also supports intermediaries and service providers that move people into jobs and education. That mix is visible in repeat support for Upstream USA, Year Up Inc, and St Vincent's Medical Center, alongside grants for local public schools and career-training organizations. The portfolio also shows a strong preference for larger, often program-focused gifts rather than scattered small awards. Some grants are designed for direct service or initiatives, while others provide general purpose support or matching-gift support through philanthropic intermediaries. In workforce-related giving, the foundation has funded organizations tied to healthcare and biotech career pathways, and it has also supported young adults receiving LifeSet services. In health-related grantmaking, cancer care and gynecologic oncology appear alongside critical care capacity and reproductive health access.
In reproductive health, the foundation made three $1,000,000 grants to Upstream USA across 2023, 2024, and 2025 to support its mission to expand opportunity by reducing unplanned pregnancy. In workforce development, it gave $1,000,000 to Social Finance in 2025 to support training for the unemployed or underemployed to gain access to high-demand jobs that pay family-sustaining wages. Healthcare and biomedical career pathways appear as a separate thread. The foundation gave $500,000 to Jewish Vocational Service in 2023 to support the work of JVS in establishing and operating Arlab Healthcare and Biotechnology Career Institute. It also supported young adults through $500,000 grants to Youth Villages in 2024 and 2025 for LifeSet services. Education-related grants include $445,500 to Milford Public Schools and $402,750 to Waltham Public Schools in 2025 for evidence-based 1:1 virtual tutoring through Ignite Reading for 1st and 2nd grade students in high-poverty settings.
$35.7M
$307.9M
$220.8M
$37.8M
Most grants fall between $250K and $533K, with a median of $463K.
25th Percentile
$250K
Median
$463K
75th Percentile
$533K
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Concentrated giving with a few very large grants that account for most dollars (notably a single multi-million place-based fund), alongside a set of repeat mid-size grants to workforce, health, and Jewish-affiliated service organizations; mixes multi-year/program support and capacity-building investments rather than many small one-off gifts.
Notable grantees: Jerome Avenue Fund (via The Boston Foundation), Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Upstream USA, Year Up, Jewish Vocational Service (JVS)
Typical awards are large: p25 is $250,000, the median is $462,500, and p75 is $532,500. The foundation also makes occasional very large grants, including one multi-million-dollar award. Repeated gifts to the same organizations appear across multiple years, including recurring support for the same health, reproductive health, and workforce grantees. The pattern suggests a regular funder rather than a DAF-style pass-through. Grants are often purpose-specific, with many framed as general purpose support, direct service, initiatives, or matching-gift campaigns.
Giving is regional, with 50% of grants to recipients in Massachusetts and the top giving state by count in California. Recent recipients are concentrated in Boston, with additional awards in Bridgeport, Waltham, Milford, Los Angeles, and New York. The country distribution is entirely domestic: all 41 grants in the dataset went to US recipients. The pattern also shows place-based support outside Massachusetts, including East Haven and Bridgeport in Connecticut.
Its typical grant size is substantial: p25 is $250,000, the median is $462,500, and p75 is $532,500. The recent record also includes a $25,047,906 award and several $1,000,000 grants, so the portfolio includes both mid-six-figure and much larger commitments.
The clearest threads are health care, reproductive health, workforce development, education, and Jewish-affiliated philanthropy. Specific grants support cancer care and critical care capacity, reducing unplanned pregnancy, job training for unemployed or underemployed adults, tutoring for young students, and vocational-service matching campaigns.
Yes. Several grantees appear across multiple years, including Upstream USA in 2023, 2024, and 2025; Year Up Inc in 2023, 2024, and 2025; and St Vincent's Medical Center in 2023, 2024, and 2025. That pattern points to recurring relationships rather than one-time awards.
The giving is regional, and 50% of grants go to recipients in Massachusetts. By count, California is the top state for recipient organizations, while the recent grant list also includes recipients in Connecticut, New York, and Massachusetts cities such as Boston, Waltham, and Milford.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JEROME AVENUE FUND CO THE BOSTON FOUNDATION | EAST HAVEN, CT | $25,047,906 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE - 90,885 SH VTI BOOK VALUE $19,385,886MEAN FMV USED FOR DEDUCTION |
| DANA-FARBER INC | BOSTON, MA | $4,060,000 | 2025 | DANA-FARBER CANCER INSTITUTE PROJECTS AND INITIATIVES |
| UPSTREAM USA | BOSTON, MA | $1,000,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT UPSTREAM USA'S MISSION TO EXPAND OPPORTUNITY BY REDUCING UNPLANNED PREGNANCY |
| SOCIAL FINANCE | BOSTON, MA | $1,000,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT TRAINING FOR THE UNEMPLOYED OR UNDEREMPLOYED TO GAIN ACCESS TO HIGH-DEMAND JOBS THAT PAY FAMILY SUSTAINING WAGES |
| YEAR UP INC | BOSTON, MA | $540,000 | 2025 | DIRECT SERVICE PROGRAMS AND NEW PILOTS AND INITIATIVES |
| FOCUSING PHILANTHROPY | SANTA MONICA, CA | $537,000 | 2025 | JEWISH VOCATIONAL SERVICE / FOCUSING PHILANTHROPY MATCHING GIFT CAMPAIGN |
| YOUTH VILLAGES | WOBURN, MA | $500,000 | 2025 | PROVIDE YOUNG ADULTS WITH LIFESET SERVICES |
| MILFORD PUBLIC SCHOOLS | MILFORD, MA | $445,500 | 2025 | SUPPORT EVIDENCE BASED 1:1 VIRTUAL TUTORING THROUGH IGNITE READING TO SUPPORT 1ST AND 2ND GRADE STUDENTS IN HIGH POVERTY |
| ST VINCENT'S MEDICAL CENTER | BRIDGEPORT, CT | $425,000 | 2025 | ESTABLISH THE NEIL AND DIANE MELLEN CRITICAL CARE FUND |
| WALTHAM PUBLIC SCHOOLS | WALTHAM, MA | $402,750 | 2025 | SUPPORT EVIDENCE BASED 1:1 VIRTUAL TUTORING THROUGH IGNITE READING TO SUPPORT 1ST AND 2ND GRADE STUDENTS IN HIGH POVERTY |
| DUET INC | BOSTON, MA | $300,000 | 2025 | PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR POST-SECONDARY DEGREES THAT ARE DESIGNED FOR AFFORDABILITY AND CAREER ADVANCEMENT |
| TEACH FOR AMERICA - MA | NEW YORK, NY | $250,000 | 2025 | COMMITMENT TO A FUTURE WHERE EVERY CHILD HAS AN EQUAL CHANCE IN LIFE |
| HORIZONS FOR HOMELESS CHILDREN | ROXBURY, MA | $250,000 | 2025 | FUND THE INCREMENTAL COSTS OF EDUCATING 50 ADDITIONAL CHILDREN IN THE EARLY EDUCATION PROGRAM |
| CEDARS-SINAI MEDICAL CENTER | LOS ANGELES, CA | $250,000 | 2025 | FURTHER THE AREA OF GYNECOLOGIC ONCOLOGY AT CEDARS-SINAI |
| NEW ENGLAND AQUARIUM | BOSTON, MA | $250,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT THE HIRING OF CONSERVATION FIELD STAFF WITHIN THE ANDERSON CABOT CENTER FOR OCEAN LIFE |
| TEACH FOR AMERICA - RI | NEW YORK, NY | $200,000 | 2025 | COMMITMENT TO A FUTURE WHERE EVERY CHILD HAS AN EQUAL CHANCE IN LIFE |
| TEACH FOR AMERICA - CT | NEW YORK, NY | $200,000 | 2025 | COMMITMENT TO A FUTURE WHERE EVERY CHILD HAS AN EQUAL CHANCE IN LIFE |
| UPSTREAM USA | BOSTON, MA | $1,000,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT UPSTREAM USA'S MISSION TO EXPAND OPPORTUNITY BY REDUCING UNPLANNED PREGNANCY |
| JEROME AVENUE FUND CO THE BOSTON FOUNDATION | EAST HAVEN, CT | $700,000 | 2024 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| YEAR UP INC | BOSTON, MA | $540,000 | 2024 | DIRECT SERVICE PROGRAMS AND NEW PILOTS AND INITIATIVES |
| DANA-FARBER INC | BOSTON, MA | $530,000 | 2024 | DANA-FARBER CANCER INSTITUTE PROJECTS AND INITIATIVES |
| YOUTH VILLAGES | WOBURN, MA | $500,000 | 2024 | PROVIDE YOUNG ADULTS WITH LIFESET SERVICES |
| FOCUSING PHILANTHROPY | SANTA MONICA, CA | $500,000 | 2024 | JEWISH VOCATIONAL SERVICE / FOCUSING PHILANTHROPY MATCHING GIFT CAMPAIGN |
| ST VINCENT'S MEDICAL CENTER | BRIDGEPORT, CT | $425,000 | 2024 | ESTABLISH THE NEIL AND DIANE MELLEN CRITICAL CARE FUND |
| NEW ENGLAND AQUARIUM | BOSTON, MA | $250,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT THE HIRING OF CONSERVATION FIELD STAFF WITHIN THE ANDERSON CABOT CENTER FOR OCEAN LIFE |
| HORIZONS FOR HOMELESS CHILDREN | ROXBURY, MA | $250,000 | 2024 | FUND THE INCREMENTAL COSTS OF EDUCATING 50 ADDITIONAL CHILDREN IN THE EARLY EDUCATION PROGRAM |
| CEDARS-SINAI MEDICAL CENTER | LOS ANGELES, CA | $250,000 | 2024 | FURTHER THE AREA OF GYNECOLOGIC ONCOLOGY AT CEDARS-SINAI |
| TEACH FOR AMERICA - MA | NEW YORK, NY | $250,000 | 2024 | COMMITMENT TO A FUTURE WHERE EVERY CHILD HAS AN EQUAL CHANCE IN LIFE |
| TEACH FOR AMERICA - CT | NEW YORK, NY | $200,000 | 2024 | COMMITMENT TO A FUTURE WHERE EVERY CHILD HAS AN EQUAL CHANCE IN LIFE |
| TEACH FOR AMERICA - RI | NEW YORK, NY | $200,000 | 2024 | COMMITMENT TO A FUTURE WHERE EVERY CHILD HAS AN EQUAL CHANCE IN LIFE |
| UPSTREAM USA | BOSTON, MA | $1,000,000 | 2023 | SUPPORT UPSTREAM USA'S MISSION TO EXPAND OPPORTUNITY BY REDUCING UNPLANNED PREGNANCY |
| ST VINCENT'S MEDICAL CENTER | BRIDGEPORT, CT | $675,000 | 2023 | ESTABLISH THE NEIL AND DIANE MELLEN CRITICAL CARE FUND |
| YEAR UP INC | BOSTON, MA | $540,000 | 2023 | DIRECT SERVICE PROGRAMS AND NEW PILOTS AND INITIATIVES |
| DANA-FARBER INC | BOSTON, MA | $530,000 | 2023 | DANA-FARBER CANCER INSTITUTE PROJECTS AND INITIATIVES |
| JEWISH VOCATIONAL SERVICE | BOSTON, MA | $500,000 | 2023 | SUPPORT THE WORK OF JVS IN ESTABLISHING AND OPERATING ARLAB HEALTHCARE AND BIOTECHNOLOGY CAREER INSTITUTE |
| FOCUSING PHILANTHROPY | SANTA MONICA, CA | $500,000 | 2023 | JEWISH VOCATIONAL SERVICE / FOCUSING PHILANTHROPY MATCHING GIFT CAMPAIGN |
| JEROME AVENUE FUND CO THE BOSTON FOUNDATION | EAST HAVEN, CT | $290,000 | 2023 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| UNITED STATES FUND FOR UNICEF | NEW YORK, NY | $250,000 | 2023 | TO SUPPORT UNICEF'S WORK ON BEHALF OF UKRAINIAN CHILDREN AND FAMILIES |
| CEDARS-SINAI MEDICAL CENTER | LOS ANGELES, CA | $250,000 | 2023 | FURTHER THE AREA OF GYNECOLOGIC ONCOLOGY AT CEDARS-SINAI |
| HORIZONS FOR HOMELESS CHILDREN | ROXBURY, MA | $250,000 | 2023 | FUND THE INCREMENTAL COSTS OF EDUCATING 50 ADDITIONAL CHILDREN IN THE EARLY EDUCATION PROGRAM |
| NEW ENGLAND AQUARIUM | BOSTON, MA | $250,000 | 2023 | SUPPORT THE HIRING OF CONSERVATION FIELD STAFF WITHIN THE ANDERSON CABOT CENTER FOR OCEAN LIFE |
JEROME AVENUE FUND CO THE BOSTON FOUNDATION
$25,047,906GENERAL PURPOSE - 90,885 SH VTI BOOK VALUE $19,385,886MEAN FMV USED FOR DEDUCTION
SUPPORT UPSTREAM USA'S MISSION TO EXPAND OPPORTUNITY BY REDUCING UNPLANNED PREGNANCY
SUPPORT TRAINING FOR THE UNEMPLOYED OR UNDEREMPLOYED TO GAIN ACCESS TO HIGH-DEMAND JOBS THAT PAY FAMILY SUSTAINING WAGES
DIRECT SERVICE PROGRAMS AND NEW PILOTS AND INITIATIVES
JEWISH VOCATIONAL SERVICE / FOCUSING PHILANTHROPY MATCHING GIFT CAMPAIGN
MILFORD PUBLIC SCHOOLS
$445,500SUPPORT EVIDENCE BASED 1:1 VIRTUAL TUTORING THROUGH IGNITE READING TO SUPPORT 1ST AND 2ND GRADE STUDENTS IN HIGH POVERTY
ST VINCENT'S MEDICAL CENTER
$425,000ESTABLISH THE NEIL AND DIANE MELLEN CRITICAL CARE FUND
WALTHAM PUBLIC SCHOOLS
$402,750SUPPORT EVIDENCE BASED 1:1 VIRTUAL TUTORING THROUGH IGNITE READING TO SUPPORT 1ST AND 2ND GRADE STUDENTS IN HIGH POVERTY
PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR POST-SECONDARY DEGREES THAT ARE DESIGNED FOR AFFORDABILITY AND CAREER ADVANCEMENT
COMMITMENT TO A FUTURE WHERE EVERY CHILD HAS AN EQUAL CHANCE IN LIFE
HORIZONS FOR HOMELESS CHILDREN
$250,000FUND THE INCREMENTAL COSTS OF EDUCATING 50 ADDITIONAL CHILDREN IN THE EARLY EDUCATION PROGRAM
FURTHER THE AREA OF GYNECOLOGIC ONCOLOGY AT CEDARS-SINAI
SUPPORT THE HIRING OF CONSERVATION FIELD STAFF WITHIN THE ANDERSON CABOT CENTER FOR OCEAN LIFE
COMMITMENT TO A FUTURE WHERE EVERY CHILD HAS AN EQUAL CHANCE IN LIFE
TEACH FOR AMERICA - CT
$200,000COMMITMENT TO A FUTURE WHERE EVERY CHILD HAS AN EQUAL CHANCE IN LIFE
SUPPORT UPSTREAM USA'S MISSION TO EXPAND OPPORTUNITY BY REDUCING UNPLANNED PREGNANCY
JEROME AVENUE FUND CO THE BOSTON FOUNDATION
$700,000GENERAL PURPOSE
YOUTH VILLAGES
$500,000PROVIDE YOUNG ADULTS WITH LIFESET SERVICES
JEWISH VOCATIONAL SERVICE / FOCUSING PHILANTHROPY MATCHING GIFT CAMPAIGN
ST VINCENT'S MEDICAL CENTER
$425,000ESTABLISH THE NEIL AND DIANE MELLEN CRITICAL CARE FUND
SUPPORT THE HIRING OF CONSERVATION FIELD STAFF WITHIN THE ANDERSON CABOT CENTER FOR OCEAN LIFE
HORIZONS FOR HOMELESS CHILDREN
$250,000FUND THE INCREMENTAL COSTS OF EDUCATING 50 ADDITIONAL CHILDREN IN THE EARLY EDUCATION PROGRAM
FURTHER THE AREA OF GYNECOLOGIC ONCOLOGY AT CEDARS-SINAI
COMMITMENT TO A FUTURE WHERE EVERY CHILD HAS AN EQUAL CHANCE IN LIFE
COMMITMENT TO A FUTURE WHERE EVERY CHILD HAS AN EQUAL CHANCE IN LIFE
COMMITMENT TO A FUTURE WHERE EVERY CHILD HAS AN EQUAL CHANCE IN LIFE
SUPPORT UPSTREAM USA'S MISSION TO EXPAND OPPORTUNITY BY REDUCING UNPLANNED PREGNANCY
ST VINCENT'S MEDICAL CENTER
$675,000ESTABLISH THE NEIL AND DIANE MELLEN CRITICAL CARE FUND
SUPPORT THE WORK OF JVS IN ESTABLISHING AND OPERATING ARLAB HEALTHCARE AND BIOTECHNOLOGY CAREER INSTITUTE
JEWISH VOCATIONAL SERVICE / FOCUSING PHILANTHROPY MATCHING GIFT CAMPAIGN
JEROME AVENUE FUND CO THE BOSTON FOUNDATION
$290,000GENERAL PURPOSE
TO SUPPORT UNICEF'S WORK ON BEHALF OF UKRAINIAN CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
FURTHER THE AREA OF GYNECOLOGIC ONCOLOGY AT CEDARS-SINAI
HORIZONS FOR HOMELESS CHILDREN
$250,000FUND THE INCREMENTAL COSTS OF EDUCATING 50 ADDITIONAL CHILDREN IN THE EARLY EDUCATION PROGRAM
SUPPORT THE HIRING OF CONSERVATION FIELD STAFF WITHIN THE ANDERSON CABOT CENTER FOR OCEAN LIFE