The Robert J. Mullen Charitable Trust was established in 1998 and initiated grantmaking activities in 2022. It operates under the management of Bank of America's Philanthropic Solutions division. The Trust is committed to supporting nonprofit organizations that provide aid or assistance to disabled children, the elderly, or infirm individuals, as well as organizations dedicated to the care and protection of animals. Services must be delivered within communities in Massachusetts, aligning with the Trust’s geographical restrictions.

The primary objectives of the Robert J. Mullen Charitable Trust include supporting programs that assist children with physical or mental disabilities, providing aid to older adults or adults with disabilities, and promoting the care and protection of animals. Applicants may seek funding for general operating support, program-specific funding, and modest capital expenses that are directly program-related. However, nonprofits with organizational budgets exceeding $10 million are discouraged from applying for general operating support unless their entire operation specifically addresses one of the three core program areas mentioned.

The grant application deadline for the Trust is June 1. Applicants can expect notification of grant decisions by the end of September. The majority of awarded grants have a one-year term, although multi-year grants are occasionally approved. Typical grant awards range between $20,000 and $50,000 per grant year. Applications must be submitted through Bank of America’s online grant portal, and applicants may reference procedural guidance provided in PDF or Microsoft Word formats available through the Trust’s website.

Eligibility is limited to nonprofit organizations serving Massachusetts communities. To maintain alignment with the Trust’s mission, applicants should focus on physical or mental health assistance programs for disabled children and older adults, or initiatives geared toward animal care and protection. Applicants are advised to review the detailed procedural documents and contact the Massachusetts grantmaking office with any questions at ma.grantmaking@bofa.com, clearly identifying the foundation name in the subject line.

Important disclosures highlight that Bank of America, N.A. manages banking products and trust services, and that investment products offered are not FDIC insured. The Philanthropic Solutions division of Bank of America Private Bank oversees the Trust, and further assistance with investment or brokerage services may be provided through their affiliates, including Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated.