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BOSTON FOUNDATION

Boston Foundation

Contact information:

75 Arlington Street, 10th Floor
Boston, MA 02116
Phone: 617-338-1700
Fax: 617-338-1604

Website: http://www.bostonfoundation.org

Type of foundation: Community

Types of grants: Project, general operating, special opportunity grants, program-related investments.

Description: Competitive grants are made through the Foundation's Permanent Fund for Boston. The Foundation makes targeted grants in the areas of:

  • Education.
  • Health and wellness.
  • Increasing the livability, safety and affordability of Boston neighborhoods.
  • Civic/cultural vibrancy.
  • Job growth.

A significant amount of the Foundation's grants funds are distributed through initiatives, which seek to address a well-defined issue or need. These funds are often distributed through competitive Requests for Proposals (RFPs).

The Foundation also makes Vision Fund Grants to support activities and organizations that advance the Foundation's mission and keep the Foundation informed of the work of a broad range of organizations, especially those that may not currently be competitive for larger grants. These grants of up to $7,500 are awarded to organizations for special projects, programs and activities or for work that builds the management capacity of the applicant.

Each year, the Boston Foundation devotes some of its resources to supporting special events mounted by nonprofit organizations, such as luncheons, dinners or other fundraising opportunities. These sponsorships are another way for the Foundation to support nonprofit organizations of all sizes in Greater Boston. All Greater Boston area nonprofit organizations are eligible to submit sponsorship requests.

Sample grants:

  • $100,000 to WGBH Educational Foundation from the Permanent Fund for Boston as well as numerous donor-advised grants to WGBH (2007).
  • $50,000 to WBUR Radio from the Permanent Fund for Boston as well as numerous donor-advised grants (2007).

Fit for public broadcasting: The Foundation supports public media in Boston. Numerous grants to public media, both in and outside Boston, are also made through donor-advised funds.

Eligibility: Organizations must be tax-exempt or have a tax-exempt fiscal sponsor. The organization must primarily serve the people of Greater Boston. In some cases, they may be regional, statewide or national public policy efforts that benefit people in the Greater Boston area.

The Foundation does not make grants to:

  • Capital construction projects.
  • Endowments.
  • Scholarships.
  • Individuals.

Deadline: None. The Board meets in March, June, September and December.

How to apply: Applicants should begin by reviewing grant guidelines. The first step is to submit a letter of inquiry. If interested, the Foundation will request a full proposal. The Foundation also runs informational sessions for interested applicants. Donor-advised funds are not open to application or inquiry.

Giving range: Operating grants usually range up to $150,000. Project grants are usually between $25,000 – $100,000. Special Opportunity grants may support either the general operations of the applicant organization or a specific project and are typically one-year investments in the $15,000 to $50,000 range.

Assets: $900+ million (2008)

Total giving: A total of $79 million was given in fiscal year 2008. Of that, approximately $16 million was made in discretionary grants.

View 2008 Annual Report.