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Liberty Mutual Foundation Inc

Annual Giving
$52.2M
Grant Range
$1K - $9.2M
Decision Time
3mo

Liberty Mutual Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $52,239,174 (2023)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: 6-12 weeks
  • Grant Range: $1,000 - $9,200,000
  • Median Grant: $10,000
  • Average Grant: $25,000
  • Geographic Focus: Greater Boston (MA), Greater Puget Sound & select Washington State counties

Contact Details

Website: https://www.libertymutualgroup.com/about-lm/giving-back/liberty-mutual-foundation

Email: Foundation@LibertyMutual.com

Application Portal: Online through CyberGrants system

Address: Boston, MA

Overview

Founded in 2003, Liberty Mutual Foundation has awarded more than $400 million in grants to approximately 1,300 nonprofit organizations. In 2023, the Foundation distributed $52.2 million through 724 grants. The Foundation's mission centers on helping "people feel secure" by supporting organizations that empower individuals struggling to thrive amid challenging situations. Under founding president Melissa MacDonnell's 25-year leadership (retiring October 2025), Liberty Mutual and its employees contributed nearly $1 billion to more than 8,700 nonprofit organizations. The Foundation operates through a strategic grantmaking framework focusing on advancing security and building resilience for people and communities, with particular emphasis on serving low-income youth and young adults. In 2024, the Foundation launched its innovative Impact Driven Collaboration (IDC) program, representing an evolution toward multi-organization partnerships to maximize community impact.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Strategic Initiative Grants ($15,000 - $1,000,000+)

  • Multi-year grants through competitive RFPs in priority areas
  • Education Initiative: Opens March 17, 2025 (closes April 18, 2025)
  • Housing Stability Initiative: Opens June 2, 2025 (closes July 14, 2025) - Greater Boston only
  • Youth Workforce Development Initiative: Opens June 2, 2025 (closes July 14, 2025) - Greater Boston only, three-year funding commitment
  • Basic Services and Climate Resiliency initiatives reopening in 2027

Impact Driven Collaboration (IDC) Grants (up to $1,500,000 over three years)

  • Strategic partnerships involving three or more nonprofits working collaboratively
  • Two-phase process: planning grants followed by implementation grants
  • December 2024 inaugural cohort included over 60 nonprofit partners across 16 strategic partnerships
  • Phase two launching 2025, funding minimum of three projects

Climate Mini Grants (up to $15,000)

  • Support for partners, staff, and communities to create greater climate consciousness, behaviors, and plans

Discretionary Fund ($15,000 - $1,000,000)

  • Rolling basis applications accepted year-round
  • General operating and programmatic support
  • 8-12 week review timeline

Priority Areas

Advancing Security

  • Basic services access (food, emergency shelter, clothing, health for homeless)
  • Housing stability for families and individuals experiencing economic challenges
  • Youth experiencing homelessness (focusing on making homelessness "rare, brief, and non-recurring")

Building Resilience for People

  • Education: improving educational achievement of underserved youth
  • Youth and young adult workforce development: preparing disconnected youth for post-secondary career success
  • Access to living-wage jobs supporting upward economic mobility

Building Resilience for Communities

  • Climate Initiative: nature-based climate solutions in economically challenged neighborhoods
  • Access to affordable, locally grown food
  • Increased green space and decarbonization of neighborhoods
  • Training/skill development for Green Jobs of the Future

Accessibility and Inclusion

  • Programs supporting inclusion of people with disabilities in all aspects of life
  • Opportunities for people of all abilities to learn, live, work, and play together

What They Don't Fund

  • Individuals
  • Foundations that are primarily grantmaking agencies
  • Religious organizations and/or sectarian activities
  • Fraternal, social, or political organizations
  • Trips, tours, or transportation
  • Deficit spending or debt liquidation
  • Conferences, forums, or special events
  • Non-functionally integrated supporting organizations (IRS classification)
  • Organizations that have submitted a proposal within the past 12 months
  • Sponsorships (separate application process through Liberty Mutual)
  • Capital grants (awarded selectively to current partners only; inquiries to Foundation@libertymutual.com)

Governance and Leadership

Melissa M. MacDonnell - Founder and President (retiring October 2025), Senior Vice President of Community Investments

MacDonnell founded the Liberty Mutual Foundation in 2003 and led it for 25 years. She has emphasized a collaborative approach to corporate philanthropy, stating: "It's such an exciting moment for corporate philanthropy. When I started nearly 25 years ago, philanthropy was more of an offshoot. The company was always deeply committed to the community, but there was a desire to keep the philanthropy separate. That desire came from a really good place; however, it left some of our potential for impact off the table."

On her personal mission, MacDonnell shared: "Leading the philanthropy at Liberty Mutual is bigger than a job, it's a privilege."

Regarding the Foundation's collaborative approach to youth homelessness, MacDonnell stated: "We work collaboratively to make youth homelessness rare, brief, and non-recurring" and emphasized that "You'll find us at tables with public officials, researchers, community leaders, and most importantly, young people with lived experience."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Step 1: Review Eligibility

  • Complete the brief eligibility quiz on the Foundation's website
  • Ensure alignment with at least one of the Foundation's RFP initiatives
  • Confirm geographic eligibility
  • Verify that your organization has not received Foundation funding within the past 12 months

Step 2: Subscribe for RFP Announcements

  • Sign up for the Foundation's newsletter to receive notifications when RFPs open
  • Links to applications become available only when RFPs are active

Step 3: Submit Online Application

  • Applications submitted through CyberGrants online platform
  • Begin with brief eligibility quiz
  • Complete proposal narrative
  • Required materials include:
    • Organization's budget
    • Most recent audited financial statements
    • Other philanthropic contributors and their levels of support
    • Description of relevant experience serving target populations/communities

Step 4: Await Confirmation

  • Upon successful submission, receive email confirmation from CyberGrants

Application Methods

  • Strategic initiatives: Fixed deadlines (RFPs issued throughout the year)
  • Discretionary Fund: Rolling basis year-round
  • Monthly reviews for discretionary applications

Decision Timeline

  • Discretionary Fund: 6-8 weeks from submission; maximum 12 weeks
  • Strategic Initiative RFPs: Varies by program; typically announced 2-3 months after deadline
    • Example: Youth Workforce Development Initiative proposals due July 14, 2025; awards announced August/September 2025
  • Notification Method: Email notification regardless of outcome
  • Contact if No Response: If no response after 12 weeks, contact Foundation@LibertyMutual.com

Success Rates

Specific success rates are not publicly disclosed. The Foundation awarded 724 grants in 2023, compared to 1,249 in 2022 and 617 in 2021, indicating variability in annual grant-making volume based on strategic priorities and available funds.

Reapplication Policy

  • Organizations that have received funding within the past 12 months are not eligible to apply
  • Unsuccessful applicants may reapply in subsequent RFP cycles
  • Applicants reapplying from a prior cycle are highly recommended to complete Year Two impact reports
  • No explicit waiting period stated for declined applications

Application Success Factors

Strategic Alignment is Critical

The Foundation emphasizes that prospective applicants should thoroughly familiarize themselves with the Foundation's eligibility guidelines and Purpose and Impact Report before applying to ensure strong alignment with focus areas. Generic proposals unlikely to succeed; demonstrate deep understanding of Foundation's strategic priorities.

Five Key Outcomes for Youth Homelessness Initiatives

For organizations working on youth homelessness, President Melissa MacDonnell identified five critical outcomes the Foundation seeks to achieve:

  1. Identification: accurately identifying youth and young adults experiencing homelessness and housing instability
  2. Stable Housing: finding a home that allows for consistent self-care and lowers barriers to education and employment
  3. Health and Wellbeing: providing access to quality physical health, mental health, and substance use services and support
  4. Education and Employment: finding living-wage jobs that support upward economic mobility and sustainable exits from homelessness
  5. Permanent Connections: forming lifelong connections with emotionally secure adults who provide love, a sense of belonging, advice, mentorship

Demonstrate Funding Diversification

The Foundation gives preference to organizations and programs with varied funding streams. Foundation funding is not intended to be the sole support of any proposed program. Show multiple revenue sources and sustainable funding model.

Emphasize Accessibility and Inclusion

Strong preference for organizations and programs with thoughtful and clearly articulated plans for the inclusion of people at all levels of physical, cognitive, and emotional abilities. Don't just mention accessibility; detail specific strategies.

Highlight Relevant Experience

Applications must describe relevant experience of your organization and any collaborating partners in serving target populations/communities and addressing their needs. Provide concrete examples with measurable outcomes.

Serve Priority Geographies

Geographic eligibility is strictly enforced. Organizations must serve individuals and communities in:

  • Greater Boston: Boston, Brockton, Cambridge, Chelsea, Quincy, Randolph, Somerville
  • Greater Puget Sound and select Washington State counties: King, Pierce, Snohomish, Thurston, Kitsap, Spokane

Consider Collaborative Approaches

The Foundation's 2024 launch of Impact Driven Collaboration grants signals strong interest in multi-organization partnerships. If your work could benefit from collaboration with three or more nonprofits, consider this approach to "leverage expertise and maximize impact."

Recent Successful Grantees (2024 Examples)

  • Energy Allies ($100,000): Energy justice nonprofit for community-led solar initiatives and clean energy access
  • Action for Boston Community Development ($300,000): Homeless youth case management, emergency funds, and career development
  • Cambridge Family and Children's Services ($255,000): Programs for vulnerable children and families
  • Fenway Community Health Center ($300,000): Health services for underserved populations
  • Friends of Youth Opportunity Boston ($240,000): Youth development programming
  • Massachusetts Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired ($50,000): Programs for older persons with visual difficulties

Focus on Early Intervention

MacDonnell emphasized at a youth homelessness forum: "find the youth before they hit rock bottom." Applications addressing upstream prevention and early intervention align with Foundation priorities.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Geographic restrictions are strict: Confirm your service area matches Greater Boston or Greater Puget Sound/select WA counties before investing time in application
  • 12-month funding gap required: If you've received Liberty Mutual Foundation funding in the past year, you're ineligible regardless of proposal quality
  • Demonstrate diversified funding: Show multiple revenue streams; Foundation seeks to supplement, not sustain entire programs
  • Prioritize accessibility and inclusion: Go beyond compliance to show innovative, thoughtful approaches to serving people of all abilities
  • Align deeply with strategic framework: Study the Foundation's three pillars (security, resilience for people, resilience for communities) and clearly articulate how your work advances these goals
  • Consider collaborative models: The new IDC program signals Foundation interest in multi-organization partnerships; explore collaboration with 3+ organizations if applicable
  • Focus on youth and young adults: While other populations are served, low-income youth and young adults receive priority consideration across all initiatives
  • Be patient but persistent: Decision timelines can extend to 12 weeks; use this time to strengthen organizational capacity and track outcomes for future applications

References

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