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Amelia Peabody Foundation

Annual Giving
$6.3M
Grant Range
$15K - $0.1M
Decision Time
3mo

Amelia Peabody Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $6,333,000 (2023)
  • Number of Awards: 158 (2023)
  • Average Grant: ~$40,000
  • Grant Range: $15,000 - $100,000+ (capital grants can be higher)
  • Total Assets: ~$135-143 million
  • Decision Time: ~3 months from deadline
  • Geographic Focus: Massachusetts (priority outside Greater Boston)
  • Application Method: Fixed deadlines (3 cycles per year)

Contact Details

Address: 10 S. Main St, #103, Topsfield, MA 01983

Phone: 781-237-6468

Website: https://ameliapeabody.org/

Key Staff Contacts:

Pre-Application Support: Limited pre-application submission sessions are available via Calendly to discuss fit or scope of potential applications.

Overview

The Amelia Peabody Foundation was established in 1942 by Amelia Peabody, the sole surviving heir of Frank Everett Peabody, an early partner in the brokerage house of Kidder, Peabody & Company. The Foundation has administered a portion of those funds since her death in 1984, and absorbed a share of the assets of The Eaton Foundation, MA, in 1985.

With total assets of approximately $135-143 million, the Foundation distributed $6.3 million across 158 grants in 2023. Its primary mission is "to increase the number, range, and depth of positive learning experiences available to materially disadvantaged young people living in the cities and towns of Massachusetts."

The Foundation provides support to nonprofit organizations that enhance the vitality of the community and strengthen the lives of children and families. Reflecting the founder's philosophy—"If I ever do take up a charity, I intend to do it, and not half do it"—the Foundation demonstrates a bias toward capacity building through flexible funding mechanisms and building lasting relationships with nonprofit partners.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

General Operating Grants: $15,000 - $50,000

  • Support for day-to-day organizational operations
  • One-year duration

Programmatic Grants: $15,000 - $50,000

  • Support for specific programs
  • Staff time to run programs is eligible
  • One-year duration

Capital Grants: $50,000 - $100,000+

  • Construction, facility improvements, equipment purchases
  • Can extend up to three years
  • Current priorities:
    1. Increasing access to childcare for low-income families
    2. Increasing access to healthcare through community health centers
    3. Creating shelter/affordable housing

Challenge Grants: Variable amounts

  • Require matching funds from specified sources (board members, new donors, etc.)
  • Issued periodically

Priority Areas

Youth Development:

  • Pre-school through secondary education enrichment programs
  • Work preparedness
  • Education persistence and enrichment
  • Mentoring and youth guidance
  • Increased opportunities for youth
  • Facility and technology improvements
  • Expansions in number of youth or communities served

Family Stabilization:

  • Homelessness prevention and services
  • Food insecurity programs
  • Workforce development training

Geographic Priority:

  • Trustees increasingly prioritize funding organizations outside Greater Boston
  • Focus on under-resourced communities including gateway cities
  • Areas with limited access to other philanthropic support

What They Don't Fund

  • Direct grants to individuals
  • Vehicles
  • Promotional videos
  • Conferences
  • Endowments
  • Independent research
  • Seed money
  • Advertisements
  • Sponsorships for events
  • Fundraising events
  • Lobbying

Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees

TrusteeCommittee
Joseph E. KellyExecutive Committee
Vincent J. MarturanoExecutive Committee
Margaret N. St. ClairInvestment Committee
David H. CarlsonInvestment and Grantmaking Committees
Michael D. WeekesGrantmaking Committee

Staff

  • Joseph Kelly - Executive Director & CIO
  • Corinne Lippie - Director of Grantmaking
  • Nicole Lania - Grants Associate (technical questions contact)

The Foundation emphasizes the importance of organizational leadership, stating: "We look at many factors, including the leadership of organizations that apply. Experience has taught us that the people who lead and staff the organization are most instrumental in bringing about positive changes in the lives of the youth and families in the communities they serve."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

  1. Verify Eligibility: Confirm your organization is a Massachusetts-based 501(c)(3) with an IRS determination letter showing a Massachusetts address
  2. Access the Portal: Log into https://www.grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=ameliapeabody (create account if needed)
  3. Review Application: Applications become available two months prior to each deadline
  4. Submit Proposal: Clearly explain your organization, proposed activities, implementation methods, and populations served

Fiscal Sponsorship: Organizations may apply under fiscal sponsorship if the sponsor is a 501(c)(3) with a Massachusetts address. A signed Fiscal Sponsor Statement and copy of sponsor's determination letter are required.

Pre-Application Sessions: Limited pre-application submission sessions are available via Calendly to discuss fit or scope. Technical questions should be directed to Nicole Lania at nlania@ameliapeabody.org.

Grant Cycles (2026)

CycleDeadlineDecision
Round 1February 3, 2026~May 2026
Round 2May 12, 2026~September 2026
Round 3September 1, 2026~December 2026

Decision Timeline

  • Grant proposals are reviewed at one of three yearly trustee meetings
  • All applications first reviewed for eligibility and completeness
  • Site visits may be arranged as part of the review process (not all applications require site visits)
  • Notification via email within approximately three months of the application deadline

Reapplication Policy

  • Only one application per organization per calendar year
  • If declined, must wait until the same grant cycle the following year before reapplying
  • Previous grant recipients cannot receive new funding until prior final reports are filed and all contract requirements are satisfied

Application Success Factors

What the Foundation Looks For

Leadership Quality: The Foundation places significant weight on organizational leadership, believing that "the people who lead and staff the organization are most instrumental in bringing about positive changes."

Clarity and Specificity: With a small staff and high volume of proposals, the Foundation emphasizes: "In their application review, they are looking for a clear understanding of what you're proposing, why, and how they can support it. Be as specific as possible."

Community-Based Organizations: Priority given to organizations that:

  • Leverage additional funds
  • Employ members from populations they serve
  • Are rooted in the communities they serve

Geographic Reach: Strong priority for organizations serving communities outside Greater Boston, particularly gateway cities and areas with limited philanthropic support.

What NOT to Include

The Foundation explicitly advises against including:

  • Letters of support
  • Lengthy program descriptions
  • Extensive organizational histories
  • Publicity materials
  • Brochures

Right-Sizing Your Request

"Request amounts should correspond to the requirements of the proposal, the size of the organization and its capacity to accomplish the grant purpose."

Recent Grant Examples

  • Family Services of Central Massachusetts (Seven Hills Foundation affiliate): $45,000 for Summer Literacy Initiative serving 1,250+ youth in Worcester County (April 2023)
  • Typical recipients include Boys & Girls Clubs, YMCAs, community health centers, and education enrichment programs

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  1. Massachusetts Address Required: Your 501(c)(3) determination letter must show a Massachusetts address—this is strictly enforced. Fiscal sponsorship is an option if needed.

  2. Geographic Advantage Outside Boston: Trustees increasingly prioritize organizations serving communities outside Greater Boston, especially gateway cities and under-resourced areas.

  3. Keep Applications Concise: The Foundation has a small staff processing high volumes. Be clear and specific; avoid supplementary materials like letters of support or lengthy histories.

  4. Leadership Matters: Demonstrate strong organizational leadership—the Foundation believes this is the most important factor in creating impact.

  5. One Shot Per Year: You can only submit one application per calendar year. If declined, you must wait for the same grant cycle the following year.

  6. Capital Grants Have Specific Priorities: For capital requests, align with their three priority areas: childcare access, healthcare access through community health centers, or shelter/affordable housing.

  7. Utilize Pre-Application Sessions: Take advantage of the Calendly pre-application sessions to discuss fit and scope before investing time in a full application.

References

Information compiled December 2025

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