The Devonshire Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: $3.1 - $3.6 million
Total Assets: ~$37 million (endowment ~$50 million)
Grant Range: $500 - $728,000 (typical multi-year grants $100,000 - $728,000)
Number of Awards: 41-61 grants per year
Geographic Focus: Metro Boston area primarily; occasional New England grants; no funding outside New England

Contact Details

Website: www.thedevonshirefoundation.org
Email: info@thedevonshirefoundation.org
Address: 75 Federal Street, Suite 1100, Boston, MA 02110
EIN: 04-6004808

Overview

The Devonshire Foundation is a private family foundation established in 1949 as Devonshire Associates by Weston "Dusty" and Melita Howland with an initial capital of just $45,000. The name changed to The Devonshire Foundation in 2003. Following the deaths of both founders (Melita in 1998, Dusty in 2009), a substantial bequest expanded the endowment to approximately $50 million.

The foundation seeks to create measurable and sustainable impact by supporting "ready-for-growth" programs addressing social and environmental issues. Their strategic approach emphasizes multi-year capacity-building funding that helps organizations achieve greater reach, better outcomes, and sustainable futures. The foundation distributes approximately $3.1-3.6 million annually across 40-60 grants, with a primary focus on metro Boston organizations working in youth development (63% of giving), environmental sustainability (23%), and nonprofit sector impact (14%).

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation awards grants in three categories:

Capacity Building Grants (Primary Focus)

Multi-year grants (typically 3-5 years) ranging from $100,000 to $728,000+
Support hiring new staff, increasing earned revenue, launching pilot programs, and generating new donations through matching grants
Examples: Tech Goes Home ($728,000 three-year grant), Bikes Not Bombs ($625,000 three-year grant)

Introductory Grants

Smaller grants to newer grantee relationships
Example: Science Club for Girls ($5,000)

General Operating Grants

Extremely limited and provided only on a discretionary basis

Priority Areas

Youth (63% of giving)

Programs serving economically disadvantaged children and young adults
Out-of-school programming
Intervention and preventative programming
Examples: College Bound Dorchester, Chica Project, Louis D. Brown Peace Institute, Fathers' UpLift

Environmental Sustainability (23% of giving)

Climate change initiatives
Environmental justice
Community building and research programming
Examples: Boston Food Forest Coalition, Conservation Law Foundation, GreenRoots Inc., Lowell Parks and Conservation Trust

Impact (14% of giving)

Organizations improving nonprofit sector effectiveness
Intermediaries and leadership development
Examples: Social Innovation Forum, WBUR

What They Don't Fund

Policy advocacy-focused organizations
"Bricks and mortar" capital projects
Scholarships
Operating foundations
Hardship grants
Organizations outside New England
Annual general operating support (extremely limited)

Governance and Leadership

Staff

Kate Grundy - Executive Director (since 2014)

Also serves as Vice President of Foundation Services at Howland Capital Management
Former consultant at Social Innovation Forum
Previous roles at Rosie's Place and National Center on Family Homelessness
MBA from Yale School of Management; BA from Mount Holyoke College
Board member of Philanthropy Massachusetts

Quote from Kate Grundy on the foundation's approach during COVID-19: "Organizations are making tough decisions in this period, and we are going to help sustain them through the decision making."

Kayla Wiggin - Grants Manager (since 2019)

Oversees information systems and long-term projects
Former program manager at Santander Bank (Corporate Social Responsibility)
Previous program officer at Tufts Health Plan Foundation
Bachelor's degree from Harvard University

Board of Trustees

Tony Howland - Trustee and Board President

Chairman & CEO of Howland Capital Management
Son of founders Dusty and Melita Howland
Also serves on boards of Social Innovation Forum, YouthConnect, Lincoln Land Conservation Trust, and Manomet

Charlie Clapp - Trustee and Board Treasurer

President of Howland Capital Management
Olympic silver medalist in rowing (1984)
25-year Pan-Mass Challenge participant

Susan Davidson - Trustee (joined 2022)

Daughter of founders Dusty and Melita Howland
Founded Westchester Senior Home Care
Former board member of Squam Lakes Association

Jennifer Geyer - Trustee (joined 2023)

Business Consultant at Workability since 2003

Kit Howland - Trustee (joined 2023)

Next-generation family member
Designer/fabricator specializing in sculptural furniture

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Important: The Devonshire Foundation does not appear to have a public open application process. The foundation identifies and cultivates potential grantees through relationships, referrals, and proactive research rather than accepting unsolicited applications.

However, the foundation does engage in a collaborative proposal process with prospective grantees. According to their grant guidelines: "Our partnership starts with the proposal process. We collaborate with prospects to better understand needs and provide feedback."

To initiate contact:

Email: info@thedevonshirefoundation.org
Address: 75 Federal Street, Suite 1100, Boston, MA 02110

Getting on Their Radar

The Devonshire Foundation has specific pathways through which they identify potential grantees:

Social Innovation Forum Connection: The foundation has been an SIF funder for over nine years and is a Lead Sponsor for their Social Innovator cohorts. Organizations selected for SIF's programs gain visibility with the foundation. Tony Howland serves on the SIF board.
Howland Capital Network: Given the foundation's connection to Howland Capital Management and the broader Boston philanthropic community, organizations known to these networks may receive consideration.
Grantee Referrals: The foundation maintains deep relationships with current grantees who may provide referrals for organizations doing complementary work.
Direct Inquiry: While not openly soliciting applications, the foundation provides contact information for inquiries. Organizations that closely align with their mission areas and demonstrate readiness for capacity-building support may reach out to explore partnership possibilities.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed. Multi-year grants suggest careful due diligence and relationship-building before funding decisions.

Success Rates

Not publicly available. The foundation makes approximately 41-61 grants per year from an unknown pool of prospects.

Reapplication Policy

The foundation explicitly notes: "Our multi-year funding is intended to give partners the time needed to achieve organizational growth. Our grantees understand that we will not become annual general operating donors when the grant period ends."

Application Success Factors

What the Foundation Looks For (Based on Their Stated Criteria):

Readiness for Growth: Organizations must be "appropriately sized and prepared for expansion." The foundation specifically seeks "ready-for-growth" programs.
Measurable Outcomes: They require organizations that "can demonstrate measurable outcomes" and ask grantees to "define reporting requirements that are not overly burdensome, but provide a clear measure of progress and impact."
Clear Long-Term Vision: The foundation asks prospective grantees to "share their vision for long-term growth" and have a plan for sustainability beyond the grant period.
Capacity-Building Focus: Successful grants support organizational infrastructure—hiring staff, building development capacity, increasing earned revenue—not direct program costs.
Collaborative Engagement: They value organizations that "embrace collaboration and deep engagement" with funders.
Geographic Fit: Strong preference for metro Boston-based organizations, particularly for youth and impact work.

Examples of Successful Projects:

College Bound Dorchester: Three-year grant to pilot the "Boston Uncornered" model, including matching grant opportunities
Bikes Not Bombs: $625,000 over three years for new staff positions to expand programs
Tech Goes Home: $728,000 three-year grant to expand development and earned revenue teams
Young Man with a Plan: Three-year grant supporting 70% fundraising increase and 60% growth in youth served
InnerCity Weightlifting: Three-year grant to double students served and quadruple client base

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

Invitation-Based Process: This is not a foundation that accepts unsolicited applications through an open process. Building relationships through the Social Innovation Forum or other Boston philanthropic networks is the most reliable pathway to consideration.
Capacity-Building Focus is Non-Negotiable: The foundation explicitly funds organizational growth infrastructure (staff, systems, fundraising capacity) rather than direct program delivery or capital projects. Frame any potential approach around how support would build sustainable organizational capacity.
Metro Boston Priority: While they occasionally fund elsewhere in New England, the strongest alignment is with Boston-area organizations, particularly for youth and sector-impact work.
Multi-Year Commitment: Expect to present a 3-5 year growth vision. The foundation makes multi-year commitments and expects grantees to achieve sustainable growth, not ongoing dependence.
Matching Grant Strategy: The foundation founder Dusty Howland prioritized grants with "multiplier effects," and current grants often include matching components. Organizations with strong individual donor bases may be particularly attractive.
Family Foundation Values: Despite professional management, this remains a family foundation with personal interests. Environmental causes and youth programs reflect founder priorities that continue today.
Social Innovation Forum Connection: Tony Howland serves on the SIF board, and the foundation has been a lead sponsor for nine+ years. Organizations in SIF programs have a direct visibility pathway to the foundation.

References

Research conducted December 2025