A small private family foundation (est. 1999) dedicated to supporting projects in arts education and general education, primarily for pre-school through high school students.
The Ramsey Mccluskey Family Foundation has backed arts education for pre-school through high school students since 1999, with much of its giving organized around projects that expand access to music, theater, literacy, and youth enrichment. Recent awards show a consistent pattern of support for Boston-area arts and education groups, alongside scholarship funds that help children and families participate in programs. Among the larger recent grants, South Shore Conservatory received $15,000 for community engagement, while Conservatory Lab Foundation also received $15,000 for its El Sistema daily music work. The foundation has also supported in-school arts programming through Company One, which received $15,000 for Stage One. These grants fit a broader portfolio that includes youth arts enterprises, theater access, and school-based arts enrichment. The foundation’s active grant programs include multi-year Trilogy Grants for organizations with prior Single Year support, Single Year Grants for specific projects, and Scholarship Fund Grants that start or expand organizational scholarship funds. Across those programs, the emphasis is on direct service, measurable project support, and access for students and families.
In music education, the foundation supported Conservatory Lab Foundation with $15,000 for El Sistema daily music, Project Step with $10,000 for a string training program, and Zumix with $10,000 for Adventures in Music. These grants point to sustained support for structured music instruction and youth ensembles. Theater and performing arts also appear in the portfolio. Company One received $15,000 for Stage One: in-school arts work, Actors Shakespeare Project received $10,000 for Shakespeare Inside and Out, and The Wang Center for the Performing Arts received $10,000 for Boch Center City Spotlights. Literacy and school-based enrichment are another thread. The Sandra Feinstein-Gamm Theatre received $10,000 for promoting literacy and arts, while Write Boston received $10,000 for program support and Cristo Rey Boston High School received $10,000 for arts education enhancement.
Typical gifts cluster tightly around the lower end of the foundation’s range: p25 is $5,000, the median is $7,500, and p75 is $7,500. Recent grants also show several $10,000 awards and a smaller set at $15,000. The foundation operates as a private family foundation and makes both one-year project grants and three-year Trilogy Grants. Trilogy recipients must already have a history of Single Year support, which points to repeated relationships rather than one-off awards. Single Year Grants are open to unsolicited applications; Trilogy Grants and Scholarship Fund Grants are tied to MetroWest Boston.
$323K
$6.6M
$1.7M
$427K
Most grants fall between $5K and $8K, with a median of $8K.
25th Percentile
$5K
Median
$8K
75th Percentile
$8K
About 0% of grants go to recipients in MA.
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Grantmaking is regional and concentrated in Massachusetts, with the top state by grant count in MA. Recent recipients cluster in Boston, plus nearby communities such as Hingham, Jamaica Plain, Cambridge, Charlestown, East Boston, West Roxbury, Roxbury, Lynn, and Groton. Outside Massachusetts, one recent grant went to Warwick, Rhode Island. The foundation gives 0% of grants to recipients in Delaware, its headquarters state.
Its stated focus areas are arts education and general education for pre-school through high school students, plus scholarship funds for participation in arts education programs. Recent grants also show support for music education, theater access, early literacy, youth leadership, and workforce readiness.
Yes. Its Trilogy Grants provide three-year support totaling $35,000, with $15,000 in year one and $10,000 in each of years two and three. Trilogy Grants are limited to organizations with an established history of Single Year grants from the foundation.
For Single Year Grants and Scholarship Fund Grants, yes: both are listed as accepting unsolicited applications. Trilogy Grants do not accept unsolicited applications and are reserved for organizations with prior Single Year support.
The foundation’s grant-size distribution is centered at relatively modest awards: p25 is $5,000, median grant size is $7,500, and p75 is $7,500. Recent awards also include several $10,000 grants and a smaller number at $15,000.
The foundation gives most often in Massachusetts, especially in Boston and nearby communities such as Hingham, Jamaica Plain, Cambridge, Charlestown, East Boston, Roxbury, Lynn, West Roxbury, and Groton. Its grants also include a recent award in Warwick, Rhode Island.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Current and upcoming funding from Ramsey Mccluskey Family Foundation that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Organizations new to the Foundation should submit a Letter of Inquiry before beginning a full application. The Foundation supports nonprofits in the Eastern Massachusetts area.
Deadline: 2026-2027 applications are due by midnight on Thursday, October 1, 2026.
Who can apply: Organizations new to the Foundation should submit a Letter of Inquiry before beginning a full application. The program is accessed through the Foundation's application portal.
Deadline: 2026-2027 applications are due by midnight on Thursday, October 1, 2026.
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Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CONSERVATORY LAB FOUNDATION | BOSTON, MA | $15,000 | 2026 | EL SISTEMA DAILY MUSIC |
| SOUTH SHORE CONSERVATORY | HINGHAM, MA | $15,000 | 2026 | COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT |
| SUMMER SEARCH | JAMAICA PLAIN, MA | $15,000 | 2026 | SUMMER SEARCH'S HIGH SCHOOL |
| COMPANY ONE | BOSTON, MA | $15,000 | 2026 | STAGE ONE: IN-SCHOOL AT |
| BERKLEE COLLEGE OF MUSIC INC | BOSTON, MA | $10,000 | 2026 | ABLE FEST |
| WRITE BOSTON INC | JAMAICA PLAIN, MA | $10,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| MAKING MUSIC MATTERS | WEST ROXBURY, MA | $10,000 | 2026 | MAKING MUSIC MATTERS |
| COMMUNITY MUSIC CENTER OF BOSTON | BOSTON, MA | $10,000 | 2026 | YOUTH LEADERSHIP PROGRAMS |
| ENROOT INC | CAMBRIDGE, MA | $10,000 | 2026 | ENROOT FY25 EXPLORE, |
| MASS POETRY | BOSTON, MA | $10,000 | 2026 | LIFTING TEEN VOICES THROUGH |
| ACTORS SHAKESPEARE PROJECT | CHARLESTOWN, MA | $10,000 | 2026 | SHAKESPEARE INSIDE AND OUT |
| THEATER OFFENSIVE INC | BOSTON, MA | $10,000 | 2026 | TRUE COLORS TROUPE |
| WORCESTER YOUTH CENTER INC | WORCESTER, MA | $10,000 | 2026 | CREATIVE EXPRESSION AND |
| HANDEL AND HAYDN SOCIETY | BOSTON, MA | $10,000 | 2026 | SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIPS PROGRAM |
| ZUMIX INC | EAST BOSTON, MA | $10,000 | 2026 | ADVENTURES IN MUSIC |
| PHOENIX CHARTER ACADEMY LAWRENCE | BOSTON, MA | $10,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| HYDE SQUARE TASK FORCE | JAMAICA PLAIN, MA | $10,000 | 2026 | JOVENES EN ACCION/YOUTH IN |
| SOUTH SHORE CHILDRENS CHORUS | QUINCY, MA | $8,000 | 2026 | K-6TH GRADE PROGRAM |
| BOCH CENTER | BOSTON, MA | $7,500 | 2026 | BOCH CENTER CITY SPOTLIGHTS |
| CELEBRITY SERIES OF BOSTON | BOSTON, MA | $7,500 | 2026 | NEIGHBORHOOD ARTS |
| ARTS FOR LEARNING MASSACHUSETTS | BOSTON, MA | $7,500 | 2026 | EXPANDED ARTS ACCESS |
| OPEN DOOR ARTS | BOSTON, MA | $7,500 | 2026 | CAREERCREATE PROGRAM |
| CAMBRIDGE CAMPING ASSOCIATION | CAMBRIDGE, MA | $7,500 | 2026 | PERFORMANCE ART PROGRAMMING |
| NOTRE DAME CRISTO REY HIGH SCHOOL | METHEUN, MA | $7,500 | 2026 | CORPORATE WORK STUDY |
| MERRIMACK REPERTORY THEATRE | LOWELL, MA | $7,500 | 2026 | MRT'S PARTNERS IN EDUCATION |
| ARTISTS FOR HUMANITY | BOSTON, MA | $7,500 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| SAFEBAE ORG INC | CAPE ELIZABETH, ME | $7,500 | 2026 | ART-DRIVEN ADVOCAY FOR |
| GAMM THEATRE | WARWICK, RI | $7,500 | 2026 | PROMOTING LITERACY & ARTS |
| APOLLINAIRE THEATRE COMPANY | CHELSEA, MA | $7,500 | 2026 | APOLLINAIRE PLAY LAB |
| GROTON HILL MUSIC CENTER | GROTON, MA | $7,500 | 2026 | COMMUNITY BASED MUSIC |
| BOSTON YOUTH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA | BOSTON, MA | $7,500 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| PROJECT STEP | BOSTON, MA | $7,500 | 2026 | TRAINING PROGRAM FOR |
| THE CABOT PERFORMING ARTS CENTER | BEVERLY, MA | $5,000 | 2026 | IN FOCUS YOUTH FILMMAKING |
| HUNTINGTON THEATRE COMPANY | BOSTON, MA | $5,000 | 2026 | THE HUNTINGTON THEATRE ARTS |
| CONCORD CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC | CONCORD, MA | $4,900 | 2026 | BOY & GIRLS CLUB OF ASSABET |
| THE MARIA L BALDWIN COMMUNITY CENTER (AGAZZIS) | CAMBRIDGE, MA | $2,500 | 2026 | EQUITY AND ACCESS |
| HOPKINTON CENTER FOR THE ARTS | HOPKINTON, MA | $2,500 | 2026 | MAKING ARTS EDUCATION |
| GROTON HILL MUSIC CENTER | GROTON, MA | $10,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY BASED MUSIC |
| THE SANDRA FEINSTEIN-GAMM THEATRE | WARWICK, RI | $10,000 | 2025 | PROMOTING LITERACY & ARTS |
| OPEN DOOR ARTS | BOSTON, MA | $10,000 | 2025 | CAREERCREATE PROGRAM |
| THE WANG CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ART | BOSTON, MA | $10,000 | 2025 | BOCH CENTER CITY SPOTLIGHTS |
| CATHLEEN STONE ISLAND OUTWARD BOUND SC | BOSTON, MA | $7,500 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| KIPP ACADEMY LYNN | LYNN, MA | $7,500 | 2025 | PROJECT AND PLAY BASED |
| SUMMER SEARCH | JAMAICA PLAIN, MA | $7,500 | 2025 | SUMMER SEARCH'S HIGH SCHOOL |
| SOCIEDAD LATINA INC | ROXBURY, MA | $7,500 | 2025 | YOUTH ARTS MASTERY |
| ACTORS SHAKESPEARE PROJECT | CHARLESTOWN, MA | $7,500 | 2025 | SHAKESPEARE INSIDE AND OUT |
| ARTISTS FOR HUMANITY | BOSTON, MA | $7,500 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF METRO SOUTH | TAUNTON, MA | $7,500 | 2025 | FINE ARTS EDUCATION |
| PROJECT STEP | BOSTON, MA | $7,500 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| BOSTON YOUTH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA | BOSTON, MA | $7,500 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
CONSERVATORY LAB FOUNDATION
$15,000EL SISTEMA DAILY MUSIC
SOUTH SHORE CONSERVATORY
$15,000COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
COMPANY ONE
$15,000STAGE ONE: IN-SCHOOL AT
BERKLEE COLLEGE OF MUSIC INC
$10,000ABLE FEST
PROGRAM SUPPORT
MAKING MUSIC MATTERS
$10,000MAKING MUSIC MATTERS
MASS POETRY
$10,000LIFTING TEEN VOICES THROUGH
WORCESTER YOUTH CENTER INC
$10,000CREATIVE EXPRESSION AND
HANDEL AND HAYDN SOCIETY
$10,000SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIPS PROGRAM
ZUMIX INC
$10,000ADVENTURES IN MUSIC
PHOENIX CHARTER ACADEMY LAWRENCE
$10,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
SOUTH SHORE CHILDRENS CHORUS
$8,000K-6TH GRADE PROGRAM
ARTS FOR LEARNING MASSACHUSETTS
$7,500EXPANDED ARTS ACCESS
OPEN DOOR ARTS
$7,500CAREERCREATE PROGRAM
SAFEBAE ORG INC
$7,500ART-DRIVEN ADVOCAY FOR
GAMM THEATRE
$7,500PROMOTING LITERACY & ARTS
APOLLINAIRE THEATRE COMPANY
$7,500APOLLINAIRE PLAY LAB
GROTON HILL MUSIC CENTER
$7,500COMMUNITY BASED MUSIC
PROJECT STEP
$7,500TRAINING PROGRAM FOR
THE CABOT PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
$5,000IN FOCUS YOUTH FILMMAKING
CONCORD CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC
$4,900BOY & GIRLS CLUB OF ASSABET
THE MARIA L BALDWIN COMMUNITY CENTER (AGAZZIS)
$2,500EQUITY AND ACCESS
HOPKINTON CENTER FOR THE ARTS
$2,500MAKING ARTS EDUCATION
GROTON HILL MUSIC CENTER
$10,000COMMUNITY BASED MUSIC
OPEN DOOR ARTS
$10,000CAREERCREATE PROGRAM
THE WANG CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ART
$10,000BOCH CENTER CITY SPOTLIGHTS
CATHLEEN STONE ISLAND OUTWARD BOUND SC
$7,500PROGRAM SUPPORT
KIPP ACADEMY LYNN
$7,500PROJECT AND PLAY BASED
PROJECT STEP
$7,500PROGRAM SUPPORT