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Boston Celtics Shamrock Foundation Inc

Annual Giving
$2.0M
Grant Range
$5K - $0.5M
Decision Time
2mo

Boston Celtics Shamrock Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $2,023,479 (2023)
  • Success Rate: Highly competitive; few new grantees break in annually
  • Decision Time: Minimum 6 weeks (applicants notified at least 2 weeks before event date)
  • Grant Range: $5,000 - $500,000 (typical range $5,000 - $50,000)
  • Geographic Focus: New England region (Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Vermont)

Contact Details

Overview

Established in 1993, the Boston Celtics Shamrock Foundation (BCSF) is the philanthropic arm of the Boston Celtics NBA basketball team. The foundation's mission is to extend the Boston Celtics championship legacy into the New England community through initiatives that benefit children in need.

The foundation has total assets of $6.3 million (2023) and distributed over $2 million in grants in 2023 across 35 awards. Since 2017, BCSF has awarded 159 individual grants totaling $7.6 million. The organization has experienced strong growth, increasing revenue by an average of 11.6% annually over the past six years, reaching $4.26 million in total revenue for 2023.

BCSF holds a 3-star rating (85%) from Charity Navigator with a program expense ratio of 95.91%, indicating that nearly all funds directly support programs. The foundation is currently in the midst of a 10-year, $25 million commitment through its "Boston Celtics United for Social Justice" initiative addressing racial injustice and social inequities in Greater Boston.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Community Grants ($5,000 - $50,000)

  • Core program supporting New England nonprofits serving children and youth
  • Focus on healthcare, shelter, and vital services for children in need
  • Rolling application process through online portal

Major Strategic Grants (up to $500,000)

  • Larger commitments to strategic partners (e.g., $1.5 million to Boston Medical Center for Curbside Care over 3 years; $500,000 to NBA Foundation in 2023)

Boston Celtics United for Social Justice Grants

  • Part of $25 million, 10-year commitment
  • Six focus pillars:
    1. Voting & Civic Engagement
    2. Criminal Justice & Law Enforcement
    3. Equity in Healthcare
    4. Breaking Down Barriers & Building Bridges Across Communities
    5. Economic Opportunity & Empowerment
    6. Equity in Education

Power Forward Small Business Grant Program ($25,000 per award)

  • Partnership with VistaPrint and NAACP
  • Supports Black-owned small businesses across New England
  • Recipients also receive marketing support and brand consultations
  • Nearly 60 businesses supported with $1.5 million since 2021

Community Ticket Program

  • In-kind donation of game tickets to deserving organizations
  • Focused on youth initiatives throughout New England
  • First-come, first-served basis; subject to availability

License Plate Program

  • Raises funds for Boston Children's Hospital
  • Co-branded Massachusetts license plates with portion of proceeds donated

Priority Areas

  • Youth services and children in need
  • Youth homelessness
  • Special Olympics and adaptive sports
  • Children's health and disease treatment
  • Food banks and hunger relief
  • Sports-related programming for youth
  • Racial justice and social equity initiatives
  • Economic empowerment of Black-owned businesses

What They Don't Fund

  • Organizations outside New England
  • Requests submitted with less than 6 weeks notice
  • Multiple requests from same organization within one calendar year
  • Incomplete application forms

Governance and Leadership

Key Officers

Wycliffe "Wyc" Grousbeck - Director & CEO

  • Lead owner and Governor of the Boston Celtics (2002-2025), now co-lead owner and CEO
  • Co-founded the Boston Celtics Shamrock Foundation
  • Former Chair of Mass Eye and Ear; raised over $250 million for the institution
  • Quote: "I feel like I am operating at my best when I am all-in, full power, as part of a team that is competing for championships, or on a team that is doing good work in the community."

Stephen Pagliuca - President & Director

  • Co-owner and Managing General Partner of the Boston Celtics
  • Co-founder and President of the Boston Celtics Shamrock Foundation
  • President of Boston Celtics United for Social Justice
  • Chairman of the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (MSPCC)
  • Board member of Bain Capital Children's Charity

Richard "Rich" Gotham - Executive Clerk

  • President of the Boston Celtics (22nd season; 18th as team President)
  • Succeeded Arnold "Red" Auerbach as Celtics team President
  • Board member of the Shamrock Foundation
  • Serves on the NBA Board of Governors

William "Bill" Reissfelder - Treasurer

  • CFO of the Boston Celtics organization
  • Treasurer of the Boston Celtics Shamrock Foundation
  • Member of the Steering Committee of Boston Celtics United for Social Justice
  • Active in non-profit fundraising activities for the Shamrock Foundation

Current Partner Organizations

  • Berklee City Music Network
  • Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston
  • Boston Children's Hospital
  • Boch Center
  • Horizons for Homeless Children
  • Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children
  • Perkins School for the Blind
  • Positive Coaching Alliance
  • The3PointFoundation
  • Massachusetts Project 351
  • Lawyers for Civil Rights
  • Anti-Defamation League
  • Louis D. Brown Peace Institute

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

  1. Register and log in at the foundation's portal: https://shamrockfoundation.smapply.io/
  2. Submit a formal request for support through the online system
  3. Contact administrators at shamrockrequests@Celtics.com for questions
  4. General inquiries: 617-854-8000

Key Requirements

  • Geographic eligibility: Only New England organizations may apply
  • Lead time: Requests MUST be received at least 6 weeks prior to event/fulfillment date
  • Limit: Organizations may only receive one donation per calendar year
  • Completeness: Incomplete forms will not be considered
  • Focus: Must serve children in need with healthcare, shelter, or vital services

Decision Timeline

  • Applications reviewed on rolling basis
  • The foundation does NOT verbally deny or commit to donation requests
  • All correspondence will be via mail
  • Organizations will be notified at least 2 weeks before the date of their event

Success Rates

  • 35 awards made in 2023
  • 41 awards made in 2022
  • Highly competitive: "The Shamrock Foundation typically funds the same nonprofits each year, and its grantmaking space is crowded and competitive, allowing few new grantseekers to break in." (Inside Philanthropy)

Reapplication Policy

  • Organizations may apply once per calendar year
  • Can reapply in subsequent years if unsuccessful
  • Strong relationships with existing grantees suggest multi-year funding is common for established partners

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's documented priorities and patterns, successful applicants should consider:

Alignment with Current Strategic Priorities

  • The foundation is in the midst of its 10-year commitment to address racial justice and social inequity. Organizations may consider positioning their proposal among one or more of the Boston Celtics United initiative's six pillars.

Focus on Children and Youth

  • Core mission is serving "children in need" with direct, tangible impact
  • Recent grants support Boys & Girls Clubs, Children's Hospital, youth homelessness programs

New England Geographic Connection

  • Must demonstrate clear service to New England communities
  • Boston and Massachusetts-based organizations appear to receive preference

Recent Funded Projects Include:

  • NBA Foundation ($500,000)
  • Massachusetts Project 351 ($100,000)
  • Boston Bruins Foundation ($50,000)
  • Power Forward Small Business grants ($25,000 each)

What the Foundation Values:

  • Programs providing "year-round academic and developmental support"
  • Organizations that "provide healthcare, shelter, and vital services for children in need"
  • Demonstrated community impact
  • Clear vision for how funds will be used

Note on Accessibility Inside Philanthropy characterizes the foundation as "not a particularly accessible funder" that does "consider unsolicited requests for support" but with limited transparency about giving scope. Building relationships and demonstrating alignment with strategic priorities may improve chances for new applicants.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  1. Highly competitive environment: The foundation typically funds the same nonprofits each year, making new entry difficult. Focus on differentiation and strong mission alignment.

  2. Six-week minimum lead time: Submit requests well in advance; late applications will not be considered.

  3. One chance per year: Organizations can only receive one donation annually, so make your request count.

  4. Align with Boston Celtics United pillars: Given the $25 million, 10-year commitment to racial justice, proposals connecting to equity in education, healthcare, criminal justice, civic engagement, economic empowerment, or community bridge-building may have stronger positioning.

  5. Children-focused mission essential: The core mission is serving children in need; organizations must demonstrate clear impact on youth populations.

  6. New England only: National organizations should focus requests on New England-specific programs or chapters.

  7. Build relationships: The foundation has limited transparency and favors established partners. Consider attending Celtics community events, participating in the CommUNITY Crew volunteer program, or connecting through board members' networks.

References

Information compiled December 2025. Grant writers should verify current application requirements directly with the foundation.

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