The Ruth & Peter Metz Family Foundation concentrates its giving through a small number of large, repeat grants. It funds philanthropic intermediaries to regrant to local nonprofits (via Greater Worcester Community Foundation) and provides repeated operating support to a single direct-service organization (Generator Inc). The foundation appears to favor flexible, anonymized local impact and sustained core support over many small, issue-specific gifts.
A defining feature of RUTH & PETER METZ FAMILY FOUNDATION co THOMAS PHELAN is its use of a philanthropic intermediary: the largest recent grants go to Greater Worcester Community Foundation for anonymous distributions to local, qualified nonprofits within the year funds are received. That pass-through structure appears alongside repeated operating support for a small set of organizations, including Generator Inc in South Burlington and Burlington City Arts Foundation in Burlington. The pattern points to a funder that favors flexible local support and core funding rather than many small, program-specific awards. Recent grants also show a steady presence in Vermont and central Massachusetts, with occasional support in Philadelphia and other Massachusetts communities. The foundation’s recent activity includes both sizable grants in the hundreds of thousands and a longer tail of operating gifts around the $10,000 to $15,000 range. Some awards are explicitly unrestricted, while others support named projects such as memorial endowments or a geodesic dome. Overall, the foundation’s grantmaking is built around local intermediaries, repeat grantees, and practical operating support.
One clear theme is intermediary regranting. In 2024, the foundation gave $230,000 to Greater Worcester Community Foundation for anonymous distributions to local, qualified nonprofits within the year of receipt of funds, continuing a 2023 grant of $240,000 for the same purpose. Another theme is sustained operating support for community infrastructure and arts organizations. Generator Inc received $100,000 in 2023, $77,000 in 2024, and $91,000 in 2025 for operating funds, while Burlington City Arts Foundation received operating support in 2023, 2024, and 2025. The foundation also backs civic and community-serving programs. Examples include $12,500 to UMass Memorial Health for support of the CANDO Clinic, $15,000 to YMCA of Central MA for operating funds, and $10,000 to Lexington Community Farm for the 2023 geodesic dome.
Typical awards are modest but consistent: the p25 grant size is $2,000, the median is $4,000, and the p75 is $5,000. The recent grant list also shows several larger operating gifts and pass-through awards, indicating a mixed pattern of smaller grants with a limited number of much larger commitments. Repeated recipients appear across multiple years, especially for operating support and intermediary distributions, which suggests ongoing relationships rather than one-off funding. The foundation does not fund individuals and does not make program-related investments. The 990 record is current through 2025.
$596K
$9.2M
$860K
$786K
Most grants fall between $2K and $5K, with a median of $4K.
25th Percentile
$2K
Median
$4K
75th Percentile
$5K
About 1% of grants go to recipients in VT.
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Highly concentrated: few, large grants; repeat funding to the same two recipients; mix of pass-through regranting and direct operating support rather than broad, diversified small grants.
Notable grantees: Greater Worcester Community Foundation (anonymous local regranting), Generator Inc (multiple unrestricted operating grants), Local qualified nonprofits in Worcester (recipients of anonymous distributions)
Giving is concentrated in the Northeast. Vermont appears most often among recipients, with multiple grants to organizations in Burlington and South Burlington, including Generator Inc, Burlington City Arts Foundation, Btv Ignite, Launch Vt, and United Way of Northwest Vermont. Massachusetts is another major destination, with Worcester, Boston, Lincoln, Lenox, Needham, Lexington, and West Stockbridge all appearing in the recent grants list. Philadelphia also shows up through grants to Project Home and Schuylkill River Park Fund. All recent grants in the provided data are to US recipients.
It funds local nonprofits, community arts and innovation groups, health providers, and community-serving organizations. Recent examples include operating support for Generator Inc and Burlington City Arts Foundation, pass-through grants through Greater Worcester Community Foundation, and support for UMass Memorial Health’s CANDO Clinic.
Yes. Two of the largest recent grants went to Greater Worcester Community Foundation, including $240,000 in 2023 and $230,000 in 2024, both for anonymous distributions to local, qualified nonprofits within the year funds are received.
The stated size profile is relatively small: p25 is $2,000, median grant size is $4,000, and p75 is $5,000. The recent grants list also includes larger operating and pass-through awards above that range.
Yes. Several grantees appear across multiple years, including Generator Inc, Burlington City Arts Foundation, Project Home, Schuylkill River Park Fund, Olin College, and United Way of Northwest Vermont. The repeated awards are often labeled operating funds or endowment support.
Vermont is the top state by grant count. Recent grants cluster in Burlington and South Burlington, with additional awards in Worcester, Philadelphia, Boston, and other Massachusetts communities.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GENERATOR INC | S BURLINGTON, VT | $91,000 | 2025 | PROVIDE OPERATING FUNDS |
| BURLINGTON CITY ARTS FDN | BURLINGTON, VT | $35,000 | 2025 | PROVIDE OPERATING FUNDS |
| BTV IGNITE | BURLINGTON, VT | $32,500 | 2025 | PROVIDE OPERATING FUNDS |
| MUSIC WORCESTER | WORCESTER, MA | $15,500 | 2025 | PROVIDE OPERATING FUNDS |
| YMCA of CENTRAL MA | WORCESTER, MA | $15,000 | 2025 | PROVIDE OPERATING FUNDS |
| PROJECT HOME | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $14,000 | 2025 | PROVIDE OPERATING FUNDS |
| SCHUYKILL RIVER PARK FUND | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $14,000 | 2025 | PROVIDE OPERATING FUNDS |
| UMASS MEMORIAL HEALTH | WORCESTER, MA | $12,500 | 2025 | SUPPORT OF THE CANDO CLINIC |
| MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF THE BERKSHIRES | LENOX, MA | $10,300 | 2025 | PROVIDE OPERATING FUNDS |
| WORCESTER CHAMBER MUSIC STY | WORCESTER, MA | $10,000 | 2025 | PROVIDE OPERATING FUNDS |
| MA AUDOBON SOCIETY | LINCOLN, MA | $10,000 | 2025 | PROVIDE OPERATING FUNDS |
| W STOCKBRIDGE HIST SOCIETY | WEST STOCKBRIDGE, MA | $10,000 | 2025 | PROVIDE OPERATING FUNDS |
| CASA PROJECT WORCESTER CTY | WORCESTER, MA | $10,000 | 2025 | PROVIDE OPERATING FUNDS |
| OLIN COLLEGE | NEEDHAM, MA | $10,000 | 2025 | HOOVER MEMORIAL ENDOWMENT FUND |
| BOSTON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA | BOSTON, MA | $10,000 | 2025 | PROVIDE OPERATING FUNDS |
| VT ACADEMY OF SCIENCE ENG | BURLINGTON, VT | $10,000 | 2025 | PROVIDE OPERATING FUNDS |
| LAUNCH VT | BURLINGTON, VT | $10,000 | 2025 | PROVIDE OPERATING FUNDS |
| AMER ACAD OF CHILD ADOLESCENT PSYCH | WASHINGTON, DC | $10,000 | 2025 | PROVIDE OPERATING FUNDS |
| GOULD FARM | MONTEREY, MA | $9,500 | 2025 | PROVIDE OPERATING FUNDS |
| LEXINGTON COMMUNITY FARM | LEXINGTON, MA | $7,500 | 2025 | 2023 GEODESIC DOME |
| APPALACHIAN MOUNTAIN CLUB | BOSTON, MA | $7,000 | 2025 | PROVIDE OPERATING FUNDS |
| FRIENDS OF THE LENOX MEETING HOUSE | LENOX, MA | $6,500 | 2025 | PROVIDE OPERATING FUNDS |
| WIKIMEDIA FOUNDATION INC | WASHINGTON, DC | $6,050 | 2025 | PROVIDE OPERATING FUNDS |
| ROOM TO GROW | BOSTON, MA | $6,000 | 2025 | PROVIDE OPERATING FUNDS |
| UNITED WAY OF NW VERMONT | SOUTH BURLINGTON, VT | $5,000 | 2025 | PROVIDE OPERATING FUNDS |
| JCC OF WORCESTER | WORCESTER, MA | $5,000 | 2025 | PROVIDE OPERATING FUNDS |
| WORCESTER COUNTY FOOD BANK | SHREWSBURY, MA | $5,000 | 2025 | PROVIDE OPERATING FUNDS |
| GBH BEACON CIRCLE | BOSTON, MA | $5,000 | 2025 | PROVIDE OPERATING FUNDS |
| UNITED WAY OF CENTRAL MA | WORCESTER, MA | $5,000 | 2025 | PROVIDE OPERATING FUNDS |
| ANTI-DEFAMATION LEAGUE | NEW YORK, NY | $5,000 | 2025 | PROVIDE OPERATING FUNDS |
| BERKSHIRE SOUTH REG COMM | GREAT BARRINGTON, MA | $5,000 | 2025 | PROVIDE OPERATING FUNDS |
| PLANNED PARENTHOOD OF MA | BOSTON, MA | $5,000 | 2025 | PROVIDE OPERATING FUNDS |
| STERN CENTER | WILLISTON, VT | $5,000 | 2025 | PROVIDE OPERATING FUNDS |
| SPECTRUM YOUTH FAMILY SERVICES | BURLINGTON, VT | $5,000 | 2025 | PROVIDE OPERATING FUNDS |
| ECOTARIUM | WORCESTER, MA | $5,000 | 2025 | PROVIDE OPERATING FUNDS |
| NE BOTANIC GARDEN at TOWER HILL | BOYLSTON, MA | $5,000 | 2025 | PROVIDE OPERATING FUNDS |
| ARLINGTON COMMUNITY FDN | ARLINGTON, VA | $5,000 | 2025 | PROVIDING OPERATING FUNDS |
| STEVENSON SCHOOL | NEW YORK, NY | $5,000 | 2025 | PROVIDE OPERATING FUNDS |
| JOURNALISM FUNDING PARTNERS | SACRAMENTO, CA | $5,000 | 2025 | PROVIDE OPERATING FUNDS |
| KENYON COLLEGE | GAMBIER, OH | $5,000 | 2025 | PROVIDE OPERATING FUNDS |
| SEABA EXHIBITIONS | BURLINGTON, VT | $5,000 | 2025 | PROVIDE OPERATING FUNDS |
| WORCESTER ART MUSEUM | WORCESTER, MA | $5,000 | 2025 | PROVIDE OPERATING FUNDS |
| CHAMPLAIN COLLEGE | BURLINGTON, VT | $4,000 | 2025 | PROVIDE OPERATING FUNDS |
| VERMONT ARTS COUNCIL | MONTPELIER, VT | $4,000 | 2025 | PROVIDE OPERATING FUNDS |
| BERKSHIRE UNITED WAY | PITTSFIELD, MA | $4,000 | 2025 | PROVIDE OPERATING FUNDS |
| ECHO - LEAHY CENTER | BURLINGTON, VT | $4,000 | 2025 | PROVIDE OPERATING FUNDS |
| INTERVALE CENTER | BURLINGTON, VT | $4,000 | 2025 | PROVIDE OPERATING FUNDS |
| ARTSWORCESTER | WORCESTER, MA | $4,000 | 2025 | PROVIDE OPERATING FUNDS |
| DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS | NEW YORK, NY | $4,000 | 2025 | PROVIDE OPERATING FUNDS |
| THE JANET MUNT FAMILY ROOM | BURLINGTON, VT | $4,000 | 2025 | PROVIDE OPERATING FUNDS |
BTV IGNITE
$32,500PROVIDE OPERATING FUNDS
MUSIC WORCESTER
$15,500PROVIDE OPERATING FUNDS
YMCA of CENTRAL MA
$15,000PROVIDE OPERATING FUNDS
PROVIDE OPERATING FUNDS
SCHUYKILL RIVER PARK FUND
$14,000PROVIDE OPERATING FUNDS
UMASS MEMORIAL HEALTH
$12,500SUPPORT OF THE CANDO CLINIC
MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF THE BERKSHIRES
$10,300PROVIDE OPERATING FUNDS
WORCESTER CHAMBER MUSIC STY
$10,000PROVIDE OPERATING FUNDS
MA AUDOBON SOCIETY
$10,000PROVIDE OPERATING FUNDS
W STOCKBRIDGE HIST SOCIETY
$10,000PROVIDE OPERATING FUNDS
CASA PROJECT WORCESTER CTY
$10,000PROVIDE OPERATING FUNDS
OLIN COLLEGE
$10,000HOOVER MEMORIAL ENDOWMENT FUND
BOSTON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
$10,000PROVIDE OPERATING FUNDS
VT ACADEMY OF SCIENCE ENG
$10,000PROVIDE OPERATING FUNDS
LAUNCH VT
$10,000PROVIDE OPERATING FUNDS
AMER ACAD OF CHILD ADOLESCENT PSYCH
$10,000PROVIDE OPERATING FUNDS
GOULD FARM
$9,500PROVIDE OPERATING FUNDS
LEXINGTON COMMUNITY FARM
$7,5002023 GEODESIC DOME
FRIENDS OF THE LENOX MEETING HOUSE
$6,500PROVIDE OPERATING FUNDS
WIKIMEDIA FOUNDATION INC
$6,050PROVIDE OPERATING FUNDS
ROOM TO GROW
$6,000PROVIDE OPERATING FUNDS
UNITED WAY OF NW VERMONT
$5,000PROVIDE OPERATING FUNDS
JCC OF WORCESTER
$5,000PROVIDE OPERATING FUNDS
GBH BEACON CIRCLE
$5,000PROVIDE OPERATING FUNDS
BERKSHIRE SOUTH REG COMM
$5,000PROVIDE OPERATING FUNDS
STERN CENTER
$5,000PROVIDE OPERATING FUNDS
ECOTARIUM
$5,000PROVIDE OPERATING FUNDS
NE BOTANIC GARDEN at TOWER HILL
$5,000PROVIDE OPERATING FUNDS
ARLINGTON COMMUNITY FDN
$5,000PROVIDING OPERATING FUNDS
STEVENSON SCHOOL
$5,000PROVIDE OPERATING FUNDS
SEABA EXHIBITIONS
$5,000PROVIDE OPERATING FUNDS
CHAMPLAIN COLLEGE
$4,000PROVIDE OPERATING FUNDS
VERMONT ARTS COUNCIL
$4,000PROVIDE OPERATING FUNDS
ECHO - LEAHY CENTER
$4,000PROVIDE OPERATING FUNDS
ARTSWORCESTER
$4,000PROVIDE OPERATING FUNDS
DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS
$4,000PROVIDE OPERATING FUNDS