Ruth H & Warren a Ellsworth Foundation
Worcester, MA · EIN 04-6113491. Reported 268 grants totalling $3,712,900 to 90 organizations across tax years 2021-2024. This foundation did not tell the IRS it funds only preselected organizations.
Does this foundation accept applications?
Yes -- on its own tax return. Form 990-PF asks every private foundation whether it makes grants only to organizations it selects itself. Of the 91,758 foundations in our data that made a grant and answered, 78% said yes -- and applying to those is wasted effort. Ruth H & Warren a Ellsworth Foundation did not check that box on its most recent filing, which puts it in the minority that is at least open to being approached.
How big are its grants?
The median grant is $10,000. Half of everything it gave fell between $3,000 and $20,000; the smallest was $500 and the largest $100,500. If you are asking for materially more than the top of that range, you are asking the wrong foundation.
Every organization it funded
This is the complete list from its filings, largest first. Years funded is the number of separate tax years in which the organization received money -- more than one means a real relationship rather than a one-off.
| Organization | Location | Total received | Grants | Years funded | Last |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clark University | Worcester, MA | $388,400 | 13 | 4 | 2024 |
| Worcester Art Museum | Worcester, MA | $206,750 | 9 | 4 | 2024 |
| United Way of Central Massachusetts | Worcester, MA | $147,000 | 14 | 4 | 2024 |
| YMCA of Central Massachusetts | Worcester, MA | $136,500 | 12 | 4 | 2024 |
| Bottom Line | Jamaica Plain, MA | $125,000 | 6 | 4 | 2024 |
| Ecotarium | Worcester, MA | $120,750 | 9 | 4 | 2024 |
| Nativity School of Worcester Inc | Worcester, MA | $100,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Umas Memorial Health Care Inc | Worcester, MA | $100,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Abby Kelley Foster House Inc | Worcester, MA | $95,000 | 5 | 4 | 2024 |
| Centro Inc | Worcester, MA | $95,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Seven Hills Foundation | Worcester, MA | $95,000 | 6 | 2 | 2022 |
| American Antiquarian Society | Worcester, MA | $93,000 | 8 | 4 | 2024 |
| Boys & Girls Club of Worcester | Worcester, MA | $90,000 | 5 | 3 | 2024 |
| CASA Project Inc (the) | Worcester, MA | $85,000 | 5 | 4 | 2024 |
| Devereux Massachusetts | Rutland, MA | $84,000 | 7 | 4 | 2024 |
| St John's Food for the Poor Progra | Worcester, MA | $75,000 | 4 | 3 | 2023 |
| Regional Environmental Council | Worcester, MA | $70,000 | 5 | 4 | 2024 |
| Music Worcester Inc | Worcester, MA | $66,000 | 10 | 4 | 2024 |
| Vna Care Network & Hospice Inc | Worcester, MA | $65,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Worcester Youth Center | Worcester, MA | $65,000 | 5 | 4 | 2024 |
| Main South Community Development Co | Worcester, MA | $60,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Barton Center for Diabetes Educatio | North Oxford, MA | $54,500 | 4 | 2 | 2023 |
| Assumption University | Worcester, MA | $54,000 | 4 | 3 | 2024 |
| Community Harvest Project Inc | North Grafton, MA | $53,000 | 5 | 4 | 2024 |
| Guild of St Agnes | Worcester, MA | $50,000 | 2 | 1 | 2022 |
| Umass Memorial Health Care Inc | Worcester, MA | $50,000 | 2 | 1 | 2021 |
| You Inc- Seven Hills Foundatio | Worcester, MA | $50,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Girls Inc of Worcester | Worcester, MA | $46,000 | 3 | 2 | 2022 |
| Hanover Theatre and Conservatory Fo | Worcester, MA | $45,000 | 2 | 1 | 2022 |
| Straight Ahead Ministries Inc | Worcester, MA | $45,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Mechanics Hall | Worcester, MA | $41,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Easterseals Massachusetts | Worcester, MA | $40,000 | 4 | 3 | 2023 |
| Mcphs University | Worcester, MA | $40,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| You Inc Fa Seven Hills Foundation | Worcester, MA | $40,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| YWCA of Central Massachusetts | Worcester, MA | $36,000 | 3 | 2 | 2024 |
| Mechaincs Hall | Worcester, MA | $35,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Barton Center for Diabetes Education Inc | North Oxford, MA | $31,750 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central | Worcester, MA | $30,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Worcester State College | Worcester, MA | $27,500 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts | Worcester, MA | $26,500 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Planned Parenthood League of Mass | Boston, MA | $25,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Worcester Polytechnic Institute-Wpi | Worcester, MA | $25,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Appalachian Mountain Club | Boston, MA | $23,000 | 6 | 4 | 2024 |
| Planned Parenthood League of Massac | Worcester, MA | $22,000 | 2 | 1 | 2022 |
| Dismas House of Massachusetts Inc | Worcester, MA | $20,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Habitat for Humanity Merto West | Worcester, MA | $20,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Hanover Theatre for the Performing | Worcester, MA | $20,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| New Garden Park - Fiscal Agent for | Worcester, MA | $20,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Rachel's Table | Worcester, MA | $20,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Vna Care Network and Hospice Inc | Worcester, MA | $20,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Willard House and Clock Museum Inc | North Grafton, MA | $20,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Worcester Regional Research Bureau | Worcester, MA | $20,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Worcester Historical Museum | Worcester, MA | $15,750 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| American Red Cross of Central Massa | Worcester, MA | $15,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Mass | Worcester, MA | $15,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Habitat for Humanity Metrowestworcester | Worcester, MA | $15,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Jeremiah's Inn | Worcester, MA | $15,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Southeast Asian Coalition of Centra | Worcester, MA | $15,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| You Inc - Seven Hills | Worcester, MA | $15,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| You Inc-Seven Hills Foundation | Worcester, MA | $15,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Bancroft School | Worcester, MA | $13,000 | 3 | 2 | 2024 |
| Massachusetts Symphony Orchestra | Worcester, MA | $11,000 | 4 | 3 | 2024 |
| College of the Holy Cross | Worcester, MA | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Detectogether | Westborough, MA | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Easter Seals Massachusetts | Worcester, MA | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Habitat for Humanity | Worcester, MA | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Literacy Volunteers of Greater Worc | Worcester, MA | $10,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Literacy Volunteers of Greater Worcester | Worcester, MA | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Museum of Russian Icons | Clinton, MA | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| National Education for Assistance D | Princeton, MA | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Pride Productions Inc | Worcester, MA | $10,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Science From Scientists | Bedford, MA | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Southeast Asian Coalition | Worcester, MA | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Joy of Music Program Inc | Worcester, MA | $5,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Massachusetts Audubon Society | Worcester, MA | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Massachusetts Audubon Society - Wor | Worcester, MA | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Worcester Chamber Music Society | Worcester, MA | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| YWCA of Central Massachusettss | Worcester, MA | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Pakachoag Music School of Greater W | Worcester, MA | $4,000 | 2 | 1 | 2022 |
| All Saints Episcopal Church | Worcester, MA | $3,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| The First Unitarian Church of Worcester | Worcester, MA | $3,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| New England Botanic Garden at Tower | Boylston, MA | $1,750 | 2 | 1 | 2022 |
| Tower Hill Botanic Garden | Boylston, MA | $1,750 | 2 | 1 | 2021 |
| First Unitarian Church | Worcester, MA | $1,500 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Worcester Horticultural | Boylston, MA | $1,250 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Greater Worcester Land Trust | Worcester, MA | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Mcauley Nazareth Inc | Leicester, MA | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| New England Botanic Garden | Boylston, MA | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Greater Worcester Community Foundat | Worcester, MA | $750 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Greater Worcester Community Foundation I | Worcester, MA | $500 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
45 of 90 (50%) received money in more than one year over the 4 years we hold.
Measured the way we measure every foundation -- what share of one year's grantees are funded again the next -- this one retains 62%, across 3 year-to-year transitions. The median foundation retains about 67%, so this one is about typical. A high number means its list is close to settled and a newcomer has to displace someone; a low one means it is still moving money around, which is where an opening is.
What the money was for
Taken verbatim from the purpose field of its filings. This is the closest thing to a statement of what this foundation cares about, in its own words.
- Worcester Art Museum
200,000 OVER 5 YEARSCAPITAL IMPROVE - Clark University
MENTAL HEALTH INITIATIVEAPPROVED 30 - Ecotarium
USUAL ANNUALEDUCATION PROGRAMS AND O - Nativity School of Worcester
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT BUILDINGS - Abby Kelley Foster House Inc
CAPITAL PROJECT RENOVATE 21-23 CROWN - American Antiquarian Society
CAPITAL CAMPAIGNAPPROVED 200,000 PA
What kind of organizations it funds
By the recipient's own IRS classification, for the 160 grants where we could identify the organization. These are assigned categories, not our guesses.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants | Total | Median grant |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 69 | $946,000 | $10,000 |
| 2022 | 94 | $1,024,500 | $5,000 |
| 2023 | 57 | $819,400 | $10,000 |
| 2024 | 48 | $923,000 | $15,000 |
Tax years, not calendar years, and the most recent year is usually incomplete -- filings arrive about a year late, so a low final year means late paperwork rather than a foundation winding down.
Already committed for future years
Form 990-PF has a separate schedule for grants approved but not yet paid. Ruth H & Warren a Ellsworth Foundation has 24 of them, worth $1,500,000. This is the one part of the filing that looks forward rather than back -- and it also tells you how much of the next year's budget is already spoken for.
| Organization | Location | Approved |
|---|---|---|
| Clark University | Worcester, MA | $425,000 |
| Ecotarium | Worcester, MA | $140,000 |
| Nativity School of Worcester | Worcester, MA | $140,000 |
| Worcester Art Museum | Worcester, MA | $120,000 |
| Worcester Art Museum | Worcester, MA | $80,000 |
| Mechanics Hall | Worcester, MA | $65,000 |
| Clark University | Worcester, MA | $60,000 |
| Centro Inc | Worcester, MA | $50,000 |
| You Inc- Seven Hills Foundatio | Worcester, MA | $50,000 |
| Regional Environmental Council | Worcester, MA | $40,000 |
| Music Worcester Inc | Worcester, MA | $40,000 |
| American Antiquarian Society | Worcester, MA | $40,000 |
| Music Worcester Inc | Worcester, MA | $30,000 |
| YMCA of Central Massacjhusetts | Worcester, MA | $30,000 |
| YWCA of Central Massachusetts | Worcester, MA | $30,000 |
Where its money goes
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Funders that support the same organizations
These funders gave to organizations this one also funded -- some private foundations, some community foundations and other grantmaking charities. Shared grantees are the strongest available signal that two funders have overlapping priorities, and a funder already backing your peers is a far warmer prospect than one that merely lists your cause.
How to approach this foundation
- Check you are its size. The median grant is $10,000. Asking for ten times that is the most common way small organizations waste a submission.
- Check you are in its geography. Its giving is concentrated in Massachusetts.
- Read the recipient list above for organizations like yours. If nothing on it resembles your work, that is a real answer, and a cheap one to get.
- Look up the current filing before writing. The 990-PF names the foundation's officers and, where one exists, its application procedure. We link it below.
Related guides
Where these numbers come from
Everything above is taken from Ruth H & Warren a Ellsworth Foundation's own Form 990-PF filings, which the IRS publishes in bulk. We used 4 returns (tax years 2021-2024). Nothing here is scraped, inferred, or estimated.
Address of record on the latest return: 100 Front Street 5TH Floor, Worcester, MA, 01608. This is the address the foundation gave the IRS; many small foundations file through an accountant or a bank trust department, so it may not be where post to a programme officer should go.
EIN 04-6113491 · See the original filings on ProPublica · How we build this
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