General Purposes and Limitations

The primary interest of the Trust is to focus on those institutions that are involved with the education of indigent or otherwise disadvantaged youth in the city of Boston. Where gifts are made for current operations, they should not constitute a significant part of the applicant’s total expenses. As we expect continued pressure on our grant-making ability, applicants should also be able to demonstrate how their institutions can replace Schrafft funding in future years.

Most grants from the Schrafft Trust are for those institutions that have been operating for at least three years with a record of service to the community. It is not the policy of the Trustees to concentrate on one or a very few charities or to make specific pledges for more than one year. When reapplying for funds, the applicant should provide evidence of the program’s effectiveness by completing the “Common Report Form.”

Under the terms of the Trust, gifts may be made only to charitable corporations organized under the laws of Massachusetts and operating exclusively for charitable purposes. Grants may be made from principal as well as income, but the policy of the trustees is to limit grants and expenses to about 5% of average appraised value. Also, as a matter of policy, distributions have been largely confined to the inner city of Boston.