The Christopher W Schlesinger
This organization is a private foundation focused on supporting a variety of charitable causes. Its mission emphasizes community development, education, and assistance for vulnerable populations, particularly children in poverty and disadvantaged youth. The foundation also prioritizes environmental conservation, public service journalism, and health equity. It serves a diverse range of recipients, including food banks, educational institutions, and organizations dedicated to protecting clean water and supporting the arts. The foundation primarily operates within Massachusetts, with some contributions extending to organizations in neighboring states.
Source: Zeffy Agent · Mar 2026
Ideal Applicant
A small or local nonprofit (especially in Massachusetts or nearby states) running community development, food security, youth education, or environmental projects that typically need modest, one‑off grants and can be introduced through local networks or prior grantees.
Good Fit
- • Based in Massachusetts or serving a nearby community
- • Project focused on community development, food access, youth programs, or land/water conservation
- • Budget or request size in the small grant range (roughly a few thousand dollars)
- • Existing relationship or warm introduction from a trustee, prior grantee, or local intermediary
Geography
Giving is regionally concentrated: about three quarters of dollars went to one state (Massachusetts) but grants were also made to organizations in five other states, for a six‑state footprint in the latest year.
Recipient Variety
The latest year shows a broad recipient set (18 distinct grantees) across many issue areas such as community development, food banks, youth education, and conservation, indicating diverse institutional spread for a micro foundation.
New Applicants
Although the foundation does add new recipients each year (about seven new grantees in the latest year), it explicitly declares it funds only preselected recipients and does not publish an open application route, so an unfamiliar applicant is unlikely to enter the portfolio without a referral.
Source: Zeffy Agent · Mar 2026
