Savage Family Foundation

## Approach Strategy

The Savage Family Foundation is a Needham, Massachusetts private foundation run by the Savage family — James B. Savage (President/Director), Thomas W. Savage (Vice President/Director), Michael T. Savage (Treasurer/Director), Sally B. Savage, Jennifer S. McLean, Priscilla B. Savage, Andrew T. Savage, and Julie A. Savage as directors. This is a multi-generation family foundation with deep roots in both suburban Boston and coastal Maine.

The grantee portfolio reveals a family with two geographic hearts: Greater Boston (healthcare, arts, community services) and Waldo County, Maine (Belfast area, with grants to Maine Central Institute, Waldo County YMCA, University of Maine, Northern Light Health, Penobscot Marine Museum). This dual focus suggests the Savages have significant family ties to coastal Maine — possibly a family camp or generational summer home connection.

The foundation has been operating since 2000 and receives $94,701/year in contributions consistently (likely a family pledge or trust distribution). It is a preselected foundation — all grants go to organizations the Savage family personally selects.

Key insight: The consistent annual contribution of exactly $94,701 every year for at least 10 years suggests this comes from a trust or estate arrangement. The portfolio has diversified from Boston-area focus toward more Lynn, MA arts organizations in recent years (Girls Inc, Raw Arts), suggesting changing family interests toward underserved urban youth arts.

No open applications. Personal relationships with the Savage family or board members are required.

## Funding Patterns

The Savage Family Foundation distributes $140,000-$250,000 annually with consistent annual incoming contributions of $94,701.

Historical giving: - 2024: $218,667 (18 grants) - 2023: $184,167 - 2022: $150,000 - 2021: $170,000 - 2020: $146,500 - 2019: $150,500 - 2018: $140,000 - 2017: $167,500 - 2016: $249,500 — peak year - 2013: $217,000

The consistent $94,701/year inflow (same exact amount every year) likely represents a trust distribution or committed family giving pledge. Current assets of $4.5M reflect investment growth on top of this steady income stream.

Grant structure (FY2024): 18 grants. Maximum $50,000 (Maine Central Institute). Most grants $5,000-$20,000. Only one grant exceeded $25,000. Median $6,750. This is a spread-distribution model — supporting many organizations at modest levels.

Maine Central Institute ($50,000 in 2024) stands out as the singular large commitment — possibly reflecting a board member's personal connection to this rural Maine boarding/day school (Pittsfield, ME), which serves students from across Maine and internationally.

## Peer Comparison

The Savage Foundation's dual Massachusetts/Maine focus places it in a unique overlap. For Massachusetts healthcare, arts, and community organizations, the broader Boston-area foundation community (Cummings Foundation, Yawkey Foundation, Boston Foundation) are more accessible. For Maine coastal organizations, the Maine Community Foundation and Island Institute are the regional alternatives.

The concentration of Lynn, MA arts grants (Girls Inc, Raw Arts) alongside Maine coastal institutions is notable — Lynn is one of Boston's most economically challenged communities, and these grants suggest a board member may have personal ties to Lynn nonprofits.

## Recent Activity

FY2024 grantees: - Maine Central Institute (Pittsfield ME): $50,000 — education - Waldo County YMCA (Belfast ME): $20,000 - University of Maine (Orono): $20,000 - New England Baptist Hospital (Boston): $20,000 - Northern Light Health (Brewer ME): $20,000 - Boston Medical Center: $16,667 - Bellforge Arts Center (Medfield MA): $12,500 - Girls Inc (Lynn MA): $7,500 - Raw Arts (Lynn MA): $7,500 - Community Art Center (Cambridge MA): $6,000 - Families First (Watertown MA): $6,000 - Penobscot Marine Museum (Searsport ME): $5,000 - Project STEP (Boston): $5,000 - Charles River Watershed Association: $5,000 - Project Home: $5,000 - North Shore Medical Center: $5,000 - Katie Brown Educational Program: $2,500 - Oasis Free Clinics: $2,500

Assets: $4,492,668 (FY2024). Contributions: $94,701 (consistent annual pledge). Foundation established 2000.

## Application Tips

Bottom line: Do not apply cold. The Savage Family Foundation is fully preselected with no application process. The website domain (savagefamily.org) belongs to an unrelated personal blog from 2016 — the foundation has no public web presence.

For organizations that may be in the Savage family's network:

1. Waldo County / coastal Maine nonprofits: Belfast, ME and surrounding Waldo County organizations are a priority. The YMCA, hospital system (Northern Light Health), Penobscot Marine Museum, and Maine Central Institute all received grants. Organizations serving Belfast or coastal Maine communities should cultivate relationships through local community channels.

2. Lynn, MA arts organizations: Girls Inc, Raw Arts, and similar youth arts and community organizations in Lynn have received growing support. If your organization serves underserved youth in Lynn through arts, education, or wraparound services, you may be in the family's awareness through the Lynn arts community.

3. Boston healthcare institutions: New England Baptist Hospital, Boston Medical Center, and North Shore Medical Center are recurrent grantees. Healthcare organizations in Greater Boston serving underserved populations (particularly affiliated with major hospital systems) may have indirect access through development offices at these hospitals.

4. Charles River watershed / environmental conservation: The Charles River Watershed Association received a 2024 grant. Environmental organizations in the Boston metro watershed area may be adjacent to the family's interests.

5. Music education: Project STEP (Boston Symphony Orchestra youth strings program) and Bellforge Arts Center suggest interest in classical music and community arts. Youth music education programs in Boston or Maine may align.

The most effective approach is attending community events in the Needham, MA, Watertown/Cambridge, MA, or Belfast/Searsport, ME areas and building genuine personal relationships with Savage family members.