About Us - The Melville Foundation

At The Melville Family Foundation, giving is part of who we are. It has been woven into our family’s life for generations. My father rang the Salvation Army bell, my mother led a Girl Scout troop and worked for the council, my mother-in-law spent her life teaching and serving her community, and my father-in-law never missed a chance to help someone in need. Serving others has always been our way of life.

When we started this foundation almost eight years ago, we thought giving would be simple—sharing resources where they were needed most. But we quickly learned that real giving begins with listening. My husband and I spent a year on a listening tour, talking with people in communities where opportunity was limited. We wanted to hear their stories, feel their struggles, and understand what was truly needed.

One story has stayed with me from those early days. On a cold morning, we were handing out food. A woman came in without a coat, and I asked if she had one. She replied, “It’s my husband’s day to have the coat.” That answer broke my heart. It also opened my eyes. Giving is not just about food or clothing—it’s about compassion, dignity, and love. That moment, and many like it, shaped how we serve today.

We know what it feels like to face barriers. As parents raising African-American sons, even with education and resources, we faced challenges. We asked ourselves: if it’s this hard for us, how much harder is it for families with fewer resources and less access? That question became our call to action.

Our foundation was created to organize giving in a way that brings real change—by listening first, then serving with love, purpose, and respect. At the heart of everything we do is God’s command: “Love one another as I have loved you.”

To our donors, volunteers, and partners: your support makes this mission possible. Together, we are more than a foundation—we are a community lifting families, opening doors, and creating hope. Thank you for walking with us, listening with us, and giving with us.

-- Rev. Dr. Lael C. Melville

#LetsMakeADifferenceTogether