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Wellington Management Foundation

Annual Giving
$12.7M
Grant Range
$30K - $1.0M
Decision Time
3mo

Wellington Management Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $12,695,000 (2022); $5,870,000 (2024)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: September to December (annual cycle)
  • Grant Range: $30,000 - $1,026,000
  • Geographic Focus: Eastern Massachusetts, greater Philadelphia, Chicago, San Francisco Bay area, Toronto, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Sydney

Contact Details

Executive Director: Karen Pfefferle

Grant Application Contact:

Website: Wellington Management Foundation

Office Location: Boston, MA

Overview

The Wellington Management Foundation was established in 1992 as an independent corporate foundation funded by Wellington Management Company and its current and former employees. The Foundation operates on the belief that "education is a critical lever in creating opportunities for equitable outcomes." In 2022, the Foundation contributed $12,695,000 in grants to nonprofit organizations, supporting 92 domestic organizations and 16 foreign organizations. By 2023, it funded 84 domestic organizations and 16 foreign organizations with grants ranging from $30,000 to $1,026,000. In 2024, the Foundation distributed $5.87 million across various grant mechanisms. The Foundation has a distinctive employee-driven model, with Wellington Management staff volunteering to conduct due diligence on applications and build long-term relationships with funded organizations. Wellington Management Company provides operating expenses, office space, investment advisory services, and administrative support to the Foundation at no charge.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Foundation operates four distinct funding mechanisms:

1. Annual Grants ($4.02M to 67 North American organizations; $700K to 13 Asia-Pacific organizations in 2024)

  • Year-round support for growth-oriented organizations
  • Grant range: $30,000 - $1,026,000
  • Typically supports organizations with budgets under $3 million
  • Applied through annual application process (currently paused for new applicants until May 2026)

2. Catalyst Gifts ($200K to 1 organization in 2024)

  • Major gifts for organizations demonstrating strong academic outcomes
  • Support for significant organizational expansion or capacity building
  • Example: $250,000 Catalyst Gift to Boston Scores to leverage their new facility

3. Strategic Partnerships ($500K to 4 organizations in 2024)

  • Long-term collaborations for systemic change
  • Current partners include: Bottom Line, City Year, Duet, Institute for Nonprofit Practice, Social Innovation Forum, and Year Up

4. FinLitPAC ($450K to 9 organizations in 2024)

  • Financial literacy education partnerships

Priority Areas

The Foundation supports programs addressing:

  • Academic improvement: Tutoring, mentoring, study skills, mental health support
  • Educational transitions: School readiness, college access and success
  • Extended learning time: After-school programs, extended-hours schools
  • Career readiness: Technical training, workforce development programs

Approximately 70% of program participants must be from traditionally underserved, low-income communities and under age 26.

What They Don't Fund

  • Scholarship programs
  • Organizations outside Wellington's metropolitan service areas (eastern Massachusetts, greater Philadelphia, Chicago, San Francisco Bay area, Toronto, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Singapore, Sydney)
  • Organizations with discriminatory practices
  • Organizations with budgets typically over $3 million (for annual grants)

Governance and Leadership

Executive Director: Karen Pfefferle

Advisory Board:

  • Chair: Danielle Williams
  • Vice-Chair: John Valentino
  • All advisory board members are current or former Wellington Management employees

The Foundation is run by an advisory board consisting of Wellington employees and alumni. Wellington Management Company pays all operating expenses and provides office space, investment advisory services, and administrative support valued at over $309,000 annually at no charge to the Foundation.

Karen Pfefferle has stated: "We are helping to provide life changing educational opportunities and helping to open up pathways for young people to succeed in school and in life."

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Pfefferle noted: "This is a firm-wide effort, and it speaks to the culture here at Wellington," emphasizing the Foundation's counter-cyclical approach to supporting community organizations during challenging times.

On the Boston Scores Catalyst Gift, she remarked: "We are delighted to deepen our support for Boston Scores through this Catalyst Gift," noting the grant would help the organization leverage their new facility to serve substantially more youth.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Current Status (2025): The Foundation will not be considering new organizations for Annual Grants in 2025. Organizations interested in applying for an Annual Grant should check back in May 2026 for more information.

When Applications Reopen:

  • Organizations must be 501(c)(3) nonprofits within Wellington's metropolitan service areas
  • Approximately 70% of participants must qualify as low-income and be under age 26
  • Organizations must have budgets typically under $3 million
  • Must demonstrate leadership strength, measurable track record of success, and organizational growth trajectory
  • Must affirm non-discriminatory practices in recruiting, hiring, training, and promotion

Contact for Application Information: Angela McIntosh at GMA Foundations (amcIntosh@gmafoundations.com / 617-391-3082)

Decision Timeline

Annual Grant Cycle:

  • Grant Recommendation Committee (GRC) begins review process in September
  • Employee volunteers conduct due diligence on each new applicant and long-term grantee
  • Decisions made in December
  • Typical timeline: Approximately 3 months from review start to decision

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly disclosed. However, the Foundation's grant activity shows:

  • 2022: 92 domestic organizations and 16 foreign organizations funded
  • 2023: 84 domestic organizations and 16 foreign organizations funded
  • 2024: 67 North American organizations, 13 Asia-Pacific organizations, plus strategic partnerships

The Foundation supports more than 125 nonprofit community organizations overall, indicating a selective but substantial portfolio.

Reapplication Policy

Annual grant recipients must reapply each year. Multi-year grant recipients do not need to reapply during their grant period. The Foundation maintains long-term relationships with grantees, with employee volunteers building ongoing connections beyond the application process.

Application Success Factors

Demonstrate Measurable Outcomes: The Foundation prioritizes organizations with a "measurable track record of success." Applicants should provide specific data on program outcomes and participant achievement.

Emphasize Organizational Growth Trajectory: The Foundation seeks "growth-oriented organizations" with an "upward organizational trajectory." Show how your organization has expanded impact, improved programs, or increased capacity over time.

Right-Size Your Budget: The Foundation is "primarily interested in organizations with budgets under US$3 million." They focus on smaller, emerging organizations where grants create substantial impact rather than established large-scale nonprofits.

Align with Geographic Focus: Organizations must be "within the greater metropolitan area of one of Wellington's North American or Asia/Pacific offices." Ensure your service area clearly falls within eastern Massachusetts, greater Philadelphia, Chicago, San Francisco Bay area, Toronto, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Singapore, or Sydney.

Focus on Youth from Underserved Communities: Approximately 70% of program participants must qualify as low-income and be under age 26. Clearly document participant demographics and income qualifications.

Highlight Leadership Strength: The Foundation looks for organizations that can "demonstrate the strength of their leadership." Include information about executive leadership, board composition, and organizational management.

Show Meaningful Community Connections: The Foundation values organizations with deep community roots. Demonstrate authentic relationships with the communities you serve.

Leverage the Employee Volunteer Review: The Grant Recommendation Committee engages employee volunteers who conduct thorough due diligence and build long-term relationships. Applications are reviewed by Wellington staff who may become ongoing partners, so build a compelling case for partnership beyond just funding.

Consider Multi-Year Opportunities: While annual grants require yearly reapplication, the Foundation also offers multi-year grants that don't require reapplication during the grant period. Organizations demonstrating strong outcomes may be candidates for this deeper commitment.

Target Specific Program Areas: Align proposals with the Foundation's four priority areas: academic improvement, educational transitions, extended learning time, or career readiness. Use this language when describing your programs.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Timing is critical: Applications are currently closed for 2025; new organizations should prepare to apply when applications reopen in May 2026. The review cycle runs September through December.

  • Size matters: This funder specifically targets smaller organizations (under $3 million budgets) where their grants of $30,000-$1,026,000 can have transformational impact.

  • Employee engagement model: Your application will be reviewed by Wellington employee volunteers who may become long-term partners. Write for an engaged audience that will conduct thorough due diligence and potentially visit your organization.

  • Multiple pathways to funding: Beyond annual grants, explore Catalyst Gifts for major capacity building, Strategic Partnerships for long-term collaboration, or FinLitPAC for financial literacy programs.

  • Data-driven approach: The Foundation emphasizes measurable outcomes and track records. Prepare concrete evidence of program effectiveness and organizational growth.

  • Geographic specificity required: You must operate in one of Wellington's office locations. Don't apply if you're outside these specific metropolitan areas.

  • Counter-cyclical funding philosophy: During challenging economic times, the Foundation has demonstrated commitment to maintaining and even increasing support, as evidenced by their COVID-19 response.

References

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