Fuller Trust Inc.

## Approach Strategy

The Fuller Foundation, Inc. (EIN 04-2104243, Boston MA) is a New England family foundation inspired by Alvan T. Fuller (Massachusetts governor 1925-1929, pioneering automobile dealer, and philanthropist). The foundation supports arts, wildlife/environment, and youth-at-risk programs in Seacoast New Hampshire and Boston metro (Route 128 towns), with typical grants of $5,000-$7,500.

The foundation is currently in a strategic planning year (2026), having paused open grant applications. Applications in 2026 are by trustee invitation only. This pause is explicitly framed as positioning the foundation to be "a stronger, more focused partner moving forward," suggesting the programs and geographic focus may evolve when open applications resume.

For organizations in Seacoast NH or Route 128 MA suburbs working on arts, wildlife/environment, or youth-at-risk, this foundation has been a reliable source of program support grants in the $5K-$7.5K range. The preference for program support over general operations and for program budgets under $500K makes this ideal for discrete, bounded projects.

The separate Fuller Gardens program in NH (supporting public horticulture/education) reflects the broader family legacy — Alvan Fuller was a significant figure in New England cultural and civic life.

## Funding Patterns

• Asset Base: ~$2.48 million (EIN 04-2104243, Boston MA)
• Founded by: Alvan T. Fuller (MA Governor 1925-1929, automobile dealer philanthropist)
• Focus Areas: Arts, Wildlife/Endangered Species/Environment, Youth-at-Risk
• Typical Grant: $5,000 - $7,500
• Program Size Preference: Organizations with program budgets under $500,000
• Geographic Scope:
• - Arts + Youth-at-Risk: Seacoast NH AND towns/cities within Route 128 MA
• - Wildlife: Limited geographic focus (specific wildlife program guidelines apply)
• Grant Types: Program support only (not general operations); no multi-year grants; no grants to individuals; no capital grants (except significant impact)
• Annual Payout: ~$125K estimated; actual distributions reported at $181,615/year
• 2026 Status: PAUSED — trustee invitation only during strategic planning year
• Fuller Gardens: Also funds Fuller Foundation of NH for horticulture/education programs at Fuller Gardens (Rye, NH)

## Peer Comparison

New England foundation peers in arts/environment/youth categories:

• New Hampshire Charitable Foundation — Statewide NH funder; much larger; overlapping geographic scope
• Boston Foundation — Major Boston area funder; broader mandate; overlapping geography
• Lowell Five Cent Savings Bank Foundation — MA Route 128 corridor community funder; similar geography
• Agnes M. Lindsay Trust — New England rural community funder; overlapping youth/education focus
• Millipore Foundation — MA/NH environment and education; geographic peer
• Seacoast Science Center (NH) — Potential Fuller grantee; environmental education in seacoast area

What distinguishes Fuller: (1) the Route 128/Seacoast NH dual geography gives it unusual cross-state reach; (2) the Alvan Fuller legacy creates specific organizational culture around arts and civic engagement; (3) the $5K-$7.5K typical grant range is accessible to smaller nonprofits that can't compete for six-figure foundation grants; (4) the 2026 strategic pause suggests a thoughtful foundation that actively evaluates its own effectiveness rather than running on autopilot.

## Recent Activity

• January 2026: Paused open application process for strategic planning year; trustee invitation only during 2026
• 2025: Awarded grants to organizations throughout Greater Boston and Seacoast NH (specific amounts not disclosed on website)
• Annual Distribution: ~$181,615/year in program grants (from IRS filings)
• Website: fullerfoundation.org active with strategic planning announcement and online portal for existing grantee reporting
• 2025 Grantees: Organizations that received 2025 grants must submit final reports through online portal by award letter deadline
• Fuller Gardens: Fuller Foundation of NH continues supporting horticultural/educational programs at Fuller Gardens, Rye NH
• Strategic Planning: Trustees undertaking planning process in 2026 to refine mission and focus; expect updates on future funding guidelines when process concludes

## Application Tips

2026 Status: CLOSED for open applications. Trustee invitation only during strategic planning year.

For Future Cycles (Expected 2027+):

Geographic Eligibility Check (Essential First Step): - Arts programs: Must operate in Seacoast NH OR towns/cities within Route 128 of Massachusetts - Youth-at-Risk programs: Same geographic restriction (Seacoast NH or Route 128 MA) - Wildlife/Environment programs: Separate and more limited geographic requirements — check website when open applications resume

What Fuller Foundations Likes: 1. Program support (not general operations or multi-year grants) 2. Program budgets under $500,000 (preference) 3. Projects incorporating multiple focus areas (arts + youth, wildlife + environment, etc.) 4. Organizations with established track records in their focus areas

Ideal Application Profile: - A specific, bounded program (not an organizational operating budget) - Clear outcomes aligned with arts, wildlife, OR youth-at-risk mission - Budget under $500K for the program being funded - Located in Seacoast NH or Route 128 MA suburbs (arts and youth programs)

Grant Range: $5,000-$7,500 per award

To Stay Informed: Monitor fullerfoundation.org/apply/ for updates when strategic planning concludes and open applications resume (expected 2027).

Note: If you received a 2025 grant, submit your final report through the online portal by the deadline in your award letter.