The Boston Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $175+ million
• Success Rate: 15-20% (for competitive grant programs)
• Decision Time: Varies by program; quarterly discretionary grants throughout the year
• Grant Range: $5,000 - $50,000 (typical competitive grants)
• Geographic Focus: Greater Boston (Essex, Middlesex, Norfolk, Suffolk, and Plymouth counties)

Contact Details

Website: www.tbf.org Phone: 617-338-1700 Email: info@tbf.org Grants Portal: bostonfoundation.smartsimple.com

Program-Specific Contacts:

• Equality Fund: scott.knox@tbf.org
• Safety Net Grants: safetynetgrants@tbf.org

Overview

Founded in 1915 by Charles E. and Charles M. Rogerson as the Permanent Charity Fund, The Boston Foundation is the third-oldest community foundation in the United States and one of the largest, with net assets of approximately $1.9 billion. Renamed The Boston Foundation in 1985, it has grown to manage nearly 1,000 separate charitable funds established by donors. In fiscal year 2023, the Foundation and its donors distributed $175.4 million in grants to nonprofits across Greater Boston and the United States, making 2,058 awards. Under President & CEO M. Lee Pelton's leadership since June 2021, the Foundation has centered equity as its defining ambition, working to eliminate structural causes of outcome disparities for historically marginalized communities. The Foundation's mission is to build and sustain a vital, prosperous Greater Boston where justice and opportunity are extended to everyone through grantmaking, donor partnerships, and civic leadership. A signature initiative is the Racial Wealth Gap Partnership, established in late 2022 to close wealth gaps by expanding homeownership in underserved communities.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Safety Net Grants

• Amount: $50,000 over two years for general operating support
• Focus: Social service organizations serving essential needs for marginalized communities including immigrants, LGBTQ+ people, people with disabilities, and seniors
• Process: 100% community-led review process with diverse nonprofit leaders making final recommendations
• Competition: Approximately 4% success rate (20 grantees selected from 500+ applications in recent rounds)

Equality Fund

• Amount: Varies
• Focus: Nonprofits serving and strengthening the LGBTQ+ community in Greater Boston
• Status: Endowed fund created in 2012; received $1 million grant from Point32Health Foundation in 2024
• Application: Annual cycle with specific deadlines

Latino Equity Fund

• Focus: Systemic change for the Latino community through partnerships with nonprofits, funders, government, and private sector
• Status: Received $1 million grant from Point32Health Foundation in 2024

Asian Community Fund

• Amount: $5,000 - $15,000 grants
• Scale: $450,000 distributed to 52 AAPI-serving nonprofits in 2024
• Status: Received $1 million grant from Point32Health Foundation in 2024

Impact Areas Competitive Grants

• Amount: $10,000 - $50,000 (average request ~$40,000; average award ~$25,000)
• Type: Both project support and general operating support available
• Volume: Approximately 450 applications per year with 15-20% success rate
• Process: Staff evaluation using published rubric; quarterly decisions

Live Arts Boston

• Amount: $1+ million in grants annually
• Focus: Performing and visual artists, with particular commitment to BIPOC and immigrant artists

Priority Areas

The Boston Foundation organizes its work around four interconnected pathways:

1. Nurturing Strong Beginnings (Child Well-Being)

   • Equitable early education and healthcare ecosystems
   • Addressing racial disparities in healthcare and social supports for mothers and birthing people
   • High-quality education advancement
   • Early mental and behavioral healthcare

2. Building Economic Opportunity

   • Continuum of education and career support
   • Workforce development
   • Economic mobility pathways

3. Advancing Community Wealth

   • Closing the racial wealth gap
   • Expanding homeownership in underserved communities
   • Asset building for marginalized communities

4. Amplifying Community Leadership

   • Civic leadership development
   • Community-defined issues and needs
   • Supporting grassroots organizations

Cross-Cutting Priorities:

• Racial equity and social justice
• Climate and environmental initiatives
• Food security and sustaining families
• Supporting historically marginalized groups (BIPOC, immigrants, LGBTQ+, people with disabilities, seniors)

What They Don't Fund

Geographic Limitations: Funding is generally limited to organizations serving communities in Greater Boston's five counties (Essex, Middlesex, Norfolk, Suffolk, Plymouth). Organizations with statewide or national reach must focus their application on work within this catchment area.

Organizational Requirements:

• Must have 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status or operate under fiscal sponsorship of a tax-exempt nonprofit
• Must demonstrate capacity to manage funds effectively and report on project progress

Governance and Leadership

President & CEO: M. Lee Pelton (since June 2021)

• Former president of Emerson College
• Focused on centering equity in programs, grantmaking, and civic leadership
• Key quote: "How can the Boston Foundation improve lives and strengthen communities today?" is his guiding daily question
• On philanthropy: "You have my word that we will, within the next several months, launch a historic initiative to direct more philanthropy than ever into our communities to advance equity"

Board Chair: Dwight Poler (appointed 2024)

• Founder and CEO of Accelr8
• Longtime executive with Bain Capital
• Director since 2018

Recent Board Appointments (July 2024):

• Raja Bobbili, Managing Director at Abrams Capital
• Elaine Zecher, Senior Rabbi of Temple Israel of Boston

Key Senior Staff:

• Leigh Gaspar: Vice President and Special Assistant to the President & CEO
• Kate Guedoj: Senior Vice President and Chief Philanthropy Officer
• Jennifer W. Aronson: Deputy Vice President for Programs
• Ted McEnroe: Associate Vice President, Communications and Digital Media

Governance Structure: 20-member Board of Directors

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

1. Register or Login: Access The Boston Foundation's Grants Portal at bostonfoundation.smartsimple.com

   • First-time users: Try the "Password Reset" link if you may already be in their database
   • New users: Click "Register" button underneath the Login box

2. Advance Preparation: Activate your account well in advance of submitting your grant application

3. Application Steps:

   • Open Funding Opportunities section in the portal
   • Select the appropriate fund/program
   • Complete application form
   • Attach required documents (typically including organizational operating budget)
   • Submit by deadline

4. Staff Evaluation: Applications are reviewed using a published rubric (available online for transparency)

Decision Timeline

Quarterly Discretionary Grants: The Foundation makes discretionary grants throughout the year on a quarterly basis.

Program-Specific Timelines:

• Safety Net Grants: Community-led review process; final decisions approved by board
• Various programs have different application and decision cycles
• Applicants can reach out for feedback on their applications after each grant cycle

Success Rates

Overall: In 2023, the Foundation made 2,058 awards from significantly more applications

Competitive Programs:

• Impact Areas Grants: 15-20% success rate (approximately 68-90 awards from 450 applications annually)
• Safety Net Grants: Approximately 4% success rate (recent round selected 20 from 500+ applications)

Historical Volume:

• 2023: 2,058 awards
• 2022: 2,425 awards
• 2021: 2,275 awards

Reapplication Policy

Applicants can reach out to program staff after each grant cycle to receive feedback on application strengths and opportunities for improvement. The Foundation encourages contact with staff members and provides accessible support for grant seekers. Specific waiting periods for reapplication were not documented, but the Foundation maintains multiple funding cycles throughout the year, providing various opportunities to apply.

Application Success Factors

Evaluation Criteria

Applications are evaluated based on:

• Feasibility: Clear project planning and realistic implementation strategy
• Sustainability: Long-term viability beyond grant period
• Alignment: Strong connection with TBF's mission and priority pathways
• Community Impact: Demonstrated understanding of local needs and significant potential for community benefit
• Organizational Capacity: Ability to manage funds effectively and report on progress
• Geographic Service: Primary service to Greater Boston catchment area
• Equity Focus: Commitment to serving racial, ethnic, and historically marginalized groups

What Makes Applications Stand Out

Strong Community Connection: The Foundation particularly values organizations with deep roots in and understanding of the communities they serve. The 100% community-led review process for Safety Net Grants demonstrates their commitment to community voices in decision-making.

Equity-Centered Approach: Applications should clearly articulate how the project addresses structural inequities and serves historically marginalized communities. President Pelton has made equity the Foundation's "defining ambition."

Clear Budget and Outcomes: Detailed proposals with specific goals, target populations, anticipated outcomes, budget breakdowns, and implementation timelines perform better in the evaluation process.

General Operating Support: The Foundation genuinely supports both project-specific and general operating support requests. Don't hesitate to apply for unrestricted funding if that's what your organization needs most.

Recent Grant Examples

Safety Net Grants Recipients:

• Asian American Service Association: $50,000 (two-year) for work with Asian elders age 60+
• Boston Home, Inc.: $50,000 (two-year) for housing and care for seniors and individuals with physical disabilities

Asian Community Fund 2024:

• Boston Chinese Photography Association: $5,000
• CHUANG Stage, Inc.: $10,000
• Southeast Asian Coalition of Central Massachusetts: $15,000

Direct Advice from the Foundation

On General Operating Support: "The Foundation provides both project support and general operating support, and truly invites people to apply for either." This represents a shift toward more flexible, trust-based philanthropy.

On Accessibility: The Foundation's website states they are "accessible" and "encourages grant seekers to contact staff members with questions." Don't hesitate to reach out before applying.

On Transparency: The Foundation publishes the evaluation rubric online so applicants "know what's being considered" during review. Study this rubric carefully when preparing your application.

On Feedback: "After the grant cycle, all applicants can reach out for feedback on their application strengths and opportunities to improve." Take advantage of this learning opportunity regardless of outcome.

Key Language and Terminology

• Pathways to Equity: The organizing framework for all Foundation work
• Community-led: Emphasis on community voices in decision-making
• Historically marginalized communities: Preferred terminology for populations experiencing inequity
• General operating support: Unrestricted funding for organizational sustainability
• Systemic, systems-level change: Focus on addressing root causes, not just symptoms
• Racial wealth gap: Central focus area for closing disparities

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

1. Equity Must Be Central: The Boston Foundation's "defining ambition" under President Pelton is achieving equity. Applications must clearly demonstrate how your work addresses structural inequities and serves historically marginalized communities, not just provide services.

2. Know Your Numbers and Community: With success rates of 4-20% depending on the program, competition is intense. Applications need detailed evidence of community need, clear understanding of local context, and specific, measurable outcomes. Generic proposals won't stand out.

3. Leverage the Rubric and Feedback Loop: The Foundation publishes their evaluation rubric online for transparency. Study it carefully before applying, and definitely reach out for feedback after each cycle whether you're successful or not. This is intelligence for your next application.

4. Don't Shy Away from Operating Support: Unlike many funders, TBF genuinely welcomes general operating support requests. If that's what your organization needs most, ask for it. They distribute $50,000 two-year general operating grants through Safety Net Grants.

5. Geographic Focus Matters Intensely: You must serve communities within the five Greater Boston counties (Essex, Middlesex, Norfolk, Suffolk, Plymouth). If you have broader reach, frame your application specifically around your work in this catchment area.

6. Build Relationships Before You Need Them: Staff are accessible and encourage questions. Contact program officers before applying, attend information sessions, and engage with the Foundation's civic leadership work. Community foundations value relationship-building.

7. Choose Your Program Strategically: With multiple funding streams (Safety Net Grants, Equality Fund, Latino Equity Fund, Asian Community Fund, Impact Areas, etc.), some may be better fits than others. Safety Net Grants have a 4% success rate but offer substantial two-year support. Impact Areas grants are 15-20% but typically smaller. Match your organization to the right opportunity.

References

1. The Boston Foundation Official Website - Homepage and Mission. https://www.tbf.org/ (Accessed November 2024)

2. The Boston Foundation - Geographic Area Served. https://www.tbf.org/nonprofits/geographic-area-served (Accessed November 2024)

3. The Boston Foundation - Grant-Making Initiatives. https://www.tbf.org/nonprofits/grant-making-initiatives (Accessed November 2024)

4. The Boston Foundation - Safety Net Grants. https://www.tbf.org/nonprofits/grant-making-initiatives/safety-net-grants (Accessed November 2024)

5. The Boston Foundation - Safety Net Grants FAQs and Funding Considerations. https://www.tbf.org/nonprofits/grant-making-initiatives/safety-net-grants/safety-net-grants-faqs-and-funding-considerations (Accessed November 2024)

6. The Boston Foundation - Impact Areas Grants Guidelines. https://www.tbf.org/nonprofits/funding-opportunities/impact-areas-grants-guidelines (Accessed November 2024)

7. The Boston Foundation - People (Board and Staff). https://www.tbf.org/who-we-are/people (Accessed November 2024)

8. The Boston Foundation - Board of Directors. https://www.tbf.org/who-we-are/people/board-of-directors (Accessed November 2024)

9. The Boston Foundation - Senior Management. https://www.tbf.org/who-we-are/people/senior-management (Accessed November 2024)

10. The Boston Foundation - "This is our promise to you. There is no other way." (Lee Pelton statement). https://www.tbf.org/blog/2024/november/our-promise-to-you (Accessed November 2024)

11. The Boston Foundation Press Release - "TBF names Dwight Poler Chair of the Board of Directors; adds two new Directors" (June 2024). https://www.tbf.org/news-and-insights/press-releases/2024/june/zecher-bobbili-board-announcements (Accessed November 2024)

12. The Boston Foundation Press Release - "$3.1 million in grants, including $1.2 million as part of community-led Safety Net Grants program" (June 2023). https://www.tbf.org/news-and-insights/press-releases/2023/june/q4-fy23-grants-release (Accessed November 2024)

13. The Boston Foundation Press Release - "$1 million in grants to 20 organizations, opens new application period for Safety Net Grants program" (January 2024). https://www.tbf.org/news-and-insights/press-releases/2024/january/safety-net-grants-grantee-announcement-20240129 (Accessed November 2024)

14. The Boston Foundation Press Release - "Asian Community Fund announces $450,000 in funding to 52 AAPI-serving nonprofits" (July 2024). https://www.tbf.org/news-and-insights/press-releases/2024/july/acf-grants-july-2024 (Accessed November 2024)

15. The Boston Foundation - Pathways to Equity: The 2023 Annual Report. https://www.tbf.org/news-and-insights/reports/2023/november/2023-annual-report (Accessed November 2024)

16. The Boston Foundation - Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Boston_Foundation (Accessed November 2024)

17. Boston Magazine - "The Wealth-Gap Mission of Boston Foundation Head Lee Pelton" (December 2023). https://www.bostonmagazine.com/news/2023/12/03/lee-pelton-wealth-gap/ (Accessed November 2024)

18. The Boston Foundation - "A Conversation with Lee Pelton" (July 2021). https://www.tbf.org/news-and-insights/newsletters/2021/july/a-conversation-with-lee-pelton (Accessed November 2024)

19. The Boston Foundation - "Opening the door to greater opportunity" (Open Door Grants Q&A, November 2018). https://www.tbf.org/blog/2018/november/open-door-grants-q-and-a (Accessed November 2024)

20. Inside Philanthropy - Boston Foundation Profile. https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/find-a-grant-places/massachusetts-grants/boston-foundation (Accessed November 2024)

21. Instrumentl - Boston Foundation Inc 990 Report. https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/boston-foundation-inc (Accessed November 2024)

22. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Boston Foundation Inc. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/42104021 (Accessed November 2024)

23. The Boston Foundation - Grants Portal. https://bostonfoundation.smartsimple.com/ (Accessed November 2024)