New Englanders are likely familiar with the Market Basket supermarket chain, which originated with a first store in Lowell, Massachusetts and has been serving customers since 1917. The chain was founded by the Demoulas family, which immigrated from Greece in the nearly 1900s and still has a strong local presence today. Arthur Telemachus Demoulas and his family created the Demoulas Market Basket Foundation (DMBF) in 1964 as a way to give back to local communities and serve New England residents in need.
Here are the basics on the Demoulas Market Basket Foundation and how to get in touch about grant opportunities.
The Foundation Maintains a Low Profile
DMBF’s low profile makes it an often-overlooked source of grant funding. The foundation does not have its own website and grantseekers will not find easily accessible guidelines and application materials online. Arthur T. Demoulas serves as the sole trustee of the foundation, while D. Harold Sullivan is the foundation’s fiscal officer on record. It does not appear that the foundation employs full-time staff.
Five Major Areas of Interest
DMBF has broad grantmaking interests, but most grants fall into one of five categories: churches, civic/culture, healthcare, education/schools and youth. Annual grantmaking is split fairly evenly among the five categories, with between $200,000 and $400,000 going to each one per year. Past grantees include Lowell General Hospital, the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Haverhill, House of Seven Gables and Greater Lowell Technical School.
Grants Stay Local
DMBF keeps its grantmaking very focused on New England. The foundation often awards grants in the vicinity of Lowell, Massachusetts, where the grocery store chain first began, and Chelmsford, Massachusetts, where the foundation is based. Market Basket stores are scattered throughout Massachusetts and New Hampshire, and grantseekers can view a map of store locations to get a better sense of the foundation’s geographic interests.
DMBF Accepts Unsolicited Requests
Although DMBF keeps a low profile, recent tax records indicate it is open to receiving unsolicited requests for funding. Local nonprofits should submit grant requests by mail to the attention of Arthur T. Demoulas in the form of a letter that describes their need for the contribution. There are typically no submission deadlines or restrictions on grant awards.
Learn more about this foundation and others that give locally in the region in IP’s Boston and New England funding guide.