The Lynch Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $7,723,164 (2023)
• Total Assets: $130,010,432
• Grant Range: $250 - $2,115,000
• Number of Grants: 105 awards (2023)
• Decision Time: 6-9 months
• Geographic Focus: Massachusetts (primarily Greater Boston)
• Application Method: Rolling (online concept paper)

Contact Details

• Address: 109 State Street, Suite 404, Boston, MA 02109-2909
• Phone: (617) 639-1280
• Email: victoria@thelynchfoundation.com
• Website: https://thelynchfoundation.com

Overview

The Lynch Foundation was established in 1988 by Carolyn and Peter Lynch. Peter Lynch is the former manager of the Magellan Fund at Fidelity Investments. Both founders were children of educators who attended public schools and college on scholarships. The Foundation supports nonprofits primarily in Massachusetts, with a focus on education, healthcare, housing, cultural preservation, and Catholic institutions.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programmes

The Foundation offers several types of grants:

• Challenge Grants: Designed to leverage additional donor support
• Multi-Year Grants: Sustained partnerships for organizational growth
• Capacity-Building Grants: Strengthen organizational infrastructure
• Programme and Operating Grants: Support ongoing work
• Endowment Grants: Long-term sustainability investments

Priority Areas

The Foundation focuses on five main areas:

1. Education: K-12 education is a top priority, with particular focus on public education in Boston and Catholic schools.

2. Health Care and Wellness: Including social determinants of health, medical research, and community health programmes.

3. Housing and Homelessness: Supporting organizations addressing housing insecurity.

4. Cultural and Historic Preservation: Access to cultural assets, historic sites, and open spaces.

5. Religious and Educational Efforts of the Roman Catholic Church: Supporting Catholic schools, parishes, and religious programming.

What They Don't Fund

According to the Foundation's website:

• Organisations outside Massachusetts (with rare exceptions)
• Emergency or immediate funding requests
• Short-term needs without long-term impact potential

Leadership

Board of Trustees

• Peter S. Lynch - President and Chairman, Co-Founder
• Nancy R. Coolidge - Founding Trustee
• Ralph C. Sweetland, MD - Founding Trustee

Additional trustees serve on the board; current composition can be verified through the Foundation's most recent IRS Form 990.

The Foundation employs staff to manage grant-making operations and investment activities.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Lynch Foundation operates a rolling application process that welcomes concept papers from nonprofits throughout the year.

Step 1: Submit Concept Paper Submit an electronic concept paper through the Foundation's website via their online portal. The concept paper should include:

• Concise overview of the organisation
• Relevant programme information
• Description of how your work creates sustainable social change
• Alignment with the Foundation's focus areas

Step 2: Initial Review The Foundation reviews concept papers and responds with either an invitation to submit a full application or a decline. Site visits may occur at this stage.

Step 3: Full Application Review Once a complete application is received, thorough research and review takes place.

Step 4: Site Visit Foundation staff and trustees may conduct site visits. Do not call to schedule; staff will contact you if a visit is needed.

Step 5: Decision The entire process from initial approach to grant-making decision takes approximately 6-9 months.

Reapplication Policy

According to the Foundation's website:

• If your concept paper is rejected due to mission mismatch, do not reapply
• Other reapplication timelines vary based on the circumstances of the decline

Application Success Factors

What the Lynch Foundation Looks For

The Foundation seeks:

• Innovative ideas with potential to spread and be replicated
• Strong leadership at all levels of the organisation
• Long-term impact rather than addressing short-term needs
• Mission alignment with their five core focus areas
• Organisational strength and sustainability potential

Geographic Focus

The Foundation primarily supports organisations based in Massachusetts, with particular focus on Greater Boston. According to their website, they rarely fund organisations outside Massachusetts.

Key Success Factors

1. Demonstrate long-term vision: The Foundation focuses on strengthening organisations and achieving long-term effects, not emergency funding.

2. Show strong leadership: They invest in people as much as programmes.

3. Prove multiplication potential: The Foundation favours ideas that can spread beyond their initial implementation.

4. Align with Massachusetts focus: Most recipients are Boston-based.

5. Be prepared for relationship building: The Foundation seeks long-term partnerships.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

1. Education is a top priority: K-12 education, particularly in Boston, receives significant attention. Catholic schools are also a significant focus.

2. Plan for a long timeline: The entire process takes 6-9 months. Do not expect emergency or immediate funding.

3. Build for partnership, not transaction: The Foundation seeks long-term relationships with grantees.

4. Massachusetts focus is firm: With rare exceptions, the Foundation funds only Massachusetts-based organisations serving Massachusetts communities.

5. Demonstrate scalability: Show how your work could be replicated or expanded beyond the initial project.

References

• The Lynch Foundation Official Website: https://thelynchfoundation.com
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer: https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/043017940