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Nordblom Family Foundation

Annual Giving
$2.0M
Grant Range
$0K - $0.6M

Nordblom Family Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $1,950,514 (2023)
  • Total Assets: $36.9 million (2023)
  • Grant Range: $256 - $550,000
  • Median Grant: $25,000
  • Number of Grants: 46 (2023)
  • Geographic Focus: Greater Boston area (primarily), with occasional consideration for programs elsewhere in the United States
  • Application Method: Invitation-only

Contact Details

Mailing Address: 71 Third Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803

Staff (via GMA Foundations):

Fax: (617) 426-7087

Website: https://www.nordblomfamilyfoundation.org/

Overview

The Nordblom Family Foundation was established in 1999 by Rodger and Mary Nordblom "for the purpose of knitting their family together through acts of collective generosity." The foundation was significantly endowed in 2013 following the sale of 50 Congress Street, a property the Nordblom family had owned and managed for over 60 years. Following the endowment, the foundation began operating as an active family philanthropy under the guidance of Rodger and Mary's descendants.

The foundation's mission is to inspire parents, caregivers, and family members to build self-awareness and the essential capabilities required to nurture positive family interactions. A secondary initiative supports mentoring programs that develop social and emotional skills to empower families. The foundation operates on evidence-based principles from child development science, believing that families strengthen through supportive relationships, reduced stress, and enhanced life skills.

With approximately $36.9 million in assets, the foundation distributed approximately $2 million in 2023 across 46 grants to organizations working in Greater Boston. The foundation is managed by GMA Foundations, a philanthropic services company based in Boston.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation makes one-year grants with potential for renewal. Based on 2023 data:

  • Majority of grants: $25,000 - $99,999 (26 grants)
  • Smaller grants: $500 - $24,999 (18 grants)
  • Larger grants: $100,000+ (2 grants, including one at $550,000)

Priority Areas

The foundation considers a wide range of approaches to family wellbeing. Successful programs will:

  • Build parent/caregiver awareness of being role models
  • Provide opportunities for building core capabilities such as self-regulation and executive skills
  • Promote strong intra-family communication and respect
  • Support families to work together to set and achieve goals
  • Apply scientifically-credible methods with measurement systems
  • Reduce family stress while enhancing life skills

Target populations include:

  • Low-income families
  • Communities of color
  • Immigrant populations
  • Foster youth
  • Young parents

What They Don't Fund

  • Individuals
  • Other private foundations
  • Organizations not aligned with their family-focused mission

Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees

  • Greta Nordblom - Co-managing Trustee
  • Lee Nordblom - Co-managing Trustee (M. Lee Nordblom received $22,917 compensation in 2023)
  • Carolyn Los
  • Pete Nordblom
  • Win Nordblom

The trustees are descendants of founders Rodger and Mary Nordblom. Rodger Nordblom (1927-2013) was President of Nordblom Company for 25 years and, together with his wife Mary, raised five children in Concord, MA, instilling in them their love of the outdoors, sports, and family values. Mary passed away in 2001 after 52 years of marriage, and the foundation was endowed following Rodger's death in 2013.

Foundation Administration

The foundation is administered by GMA Foundations, a philanthropic services company that provides grantmaking and administrative support.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation uses an invitation-only grantmaking model. Interested organizations must first receive an invitation from foundation staff before they can apply. The foundation has indicated it only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.

Once invited:

  1. Submit a Letter of Inquiry (LOI)
  2. If approved, submit a full proposal through the online portal at https://www.grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=nordblomfamilyfoundation

Note: An invitation to apply does not guarantee funding approval.

Eligibility Requirements

  • Must be a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization
  • Work must align with the foundation's mission around family wellbeing
  • Focus on programs benefiting parents, families, and communities
  • Primary geographic focus is Greater Boston, though programs elsewhere in the United States may be considered if they strongly align with the mission

Getting on Their Radar

Given the invitation-only nature of this foundation, proactive relationship building is essential:

  • Contact foundation staff directly: Reach out to Chaletta Huertas (Senior Program Officer) or Katy Fyrberg (Senior Program Associate) to introduce your organization and its work. Their contact information is publicly available on the foundation website.
  • Demonstrate evidence-based approaches: The foundation explicitly values "scientifically-credible methods with measurement systems" - organizations with strong outcome data may be more likely to attract attention.
  • Align with existing grantees: Many organizations funded by the foundation work collaboratively. Building partnerships with current grantees may provide pathways to introduction.
  • Focus on Greater Boston: The foundation's primary geographic focus is Greater Boston, making local organizations more likely to be considered.

Decision Timeline

Specific decision timelines are provided to invited applicants upon invitation.

Grant Duration

One-year grants with potential for renewal. The foundation's past grants page shows several multi-year relationships with organizations like Families First Parenting Programs, Care Dimensions, and Friends of the Children – Boston.

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's stated priorities and grant history:

Align with their specific framework: The foundation looks for programs that:

  • Build parent/caregiver awareness of being role models
  • Develop self-regulation and executive skills
  • Promote strong intra-family communication and respect
  • Support families in setting and achieving goals collaboratively

Demonstrate evidence-based practice: The foundation explicitly values programs that "apply scientifically-credible methods with measurement systems." Examples of funded evidence-based programs include:

  • Parenting Journey
  • Positive Solutions for Families
  • Cognitive behavioral therapy interventions

Serve their target populations: Recent grants demonstrate focus on:

  • Chinese immigrant families (Boston Chinatown Neighborhood Center)
  • Young mothers (Roca, Inc. - cognitive behavioral therapy serving 300+ participants)
  • Foster youth (Friends of the Children – Boston)
  • Low-income families throughout Greater Boston

Consider both program and general operating support: The foundation provides both program-specific grants and general operating support (e.g., Boston Food Forest Coalition received general operating support).

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Invitation-only process: This foundation does not accept unsolicited applications. Focus on building relationships with foundation staff before expecting to apply.
  • Contact staff proactively: Reach out to Chaletta Huertas or Katy Fyrberg at GMA Foundations to introduce your organization's work.
  • Evidence-based programs preferred: The foundation explicitly values scientifically-credible methods with measurement systems.
  • Family wellbeing focus is essential: All grants align with their mission around parenting, family strengthening, and social-emotional development.
  • Greater Boston priority: While they consider programs elsewhere, Greater Boston organizations receive the vast majority of funding.
  • Typical grants are $25,000-$50,000: Most grants fall in the $25,000-$99,999 range, with larger grants available for established relationships.
  • Multi-year relationships valued: Many organizations receive funding across multiple years, suggesting the foundation values sustained partnerships.

References

Information compiled December 2025

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