Eastern Bank Charitable Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $14,699,750 (2024)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed (makes over 1,000 grants annually)
• Decision Time: 60 days for Community Grants; 90+ days for Impact Grants
• Grant Range: $100 - $150,000
• Geographic Focus: Eastern Massachusetts, Southern New Hampshire, and Rhode Island
• Total Assets: Approximately $250 million

Contact Details

Address: 195 Market Street EP 5-01, Lynn, MA 01901

Phone: 781-598-7530 or 781-598-7596

Email: foundation@easternbank.com

General Information: 800-327-8376

Website: www.easternbank.com/eastern-bank-foundation

For Application Questions: The foundation invites applicants to reach out with questions or to discuss their proposal before applying at foundation@easternbank.com or 781-598-7596

Media Inquiries: Andrea Goodman at goodmana@easternbank.com or 781-598-7847

Overview

The Eastern Bank Charitable Foundation, established in Lynn, Massachusetts (EIN: 22-3317340), is the philanthropic arm of Eastern Bank. Since 1994, the foundation has made over $240 million in donations to charities and causes, making it one of the top ten most charitable companies in Massachusetts. The foundation collaborates with businesses and community partners in the nonprofit, for-profit, and government sectors to advance thriving communities.

Under the transformative leadership of Nancy Huntington Stager (who retired in July 2025 after 30 years with Eastern Bank), the foundation shifted from a model of charitable giving to one of impact investing, focusing on "economic inclusion and mobility, particularly at the intersections of equity for businesses of color, early childhood development, safe and affordable housing, and workforce development." In July 2025, Turahn Dorsey was promoted to President and CEO following Stager's retirement.

The foundation is recognized for being approachable, transparent with clearly outlined grantmaking programs, and providing grantseekers with access to information about past grants. It emphasizes "listening to community leaders and building on key learnings to address the most challenging and pressing issues of our time, particularly around economic inclusion and mobility."

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

1. Impact Grants

• Amount: $50,000 - $150,000 (can be multi-year)
• Purpose: Supports organizations advancing economic inclusion and mobility in five strategy areas: advancing equity in the small business ecosystem, enriching early childhood development (ages 0-5), securing safe and affordable housing, promoting workforce development for adults facing barriers to employment (ages 26+), and innovating in economic inclusion and mobility
• Application: Letter of Inquiry submitted online anytime; if aligned with priorities, invited to complete full application
• Decision Time: Generally 90 days or longer, depending on proposal scope

2. Community Grants

• Amount: Up to $10,000
• Purpose: Annual support, project and program support, and event sponsorships
• Application: Online application on rolling basis
• Decision Time: Generally within 60 days

3. Neighborhood Grants/Donations

• Amount: Up to $10,000 (donations generally $100-$1,000)
• Purpose: Supports organizations in Eastern Bank service areas that do not have 501(c)(3) designation, including fundraisers, local youth-related activities, chamber of commerce events, and neighborhood improvement efforts
• Application: Rolling basis

4. Employee Matching Gift Program

• Amount: $50 - $1,000 per employee per year
• Purpose: Matches charitable contributions made by employees, trustees, and directors of Eastern Bank to nonprofit organizations on a one-for-one basis

Priority Areas

The foundation focuses on four core strategic areas:

1. Advancing Equity in the Small Business Ecosystem - Supporting businesses of color and promoting equitable access to business resources
2. Enriching Early Childhood Development (Ages 0-5) - Supporting programs and organizations that serve young children and families
3. Securing Safe and Affordable Housing - Addressing housing stability and affordability
4. Promoting Workforce Development for Adults Facing Barriers to Employment (Ages 26+) - Supporting job training and employment programs

Additional areas of support include education, health, suicide prevention, violence prevention, hunger, human services, and services for senior citizens.

What They Don't Fund

• Private foundations
• Organizations with IRS sub-designation as 509(a)(3)
• International organizations
• Multi-year commitments (grants are awarded for single-year periods, though Impact Grants can be structured as multi-year)

Application Restrictions

• Organizations that receive a Partnership Grant are ineligible to apply for another Partnership Grant for 3 years
• Organizations cannot receive both a Partnership Grant and Targeted Grant in the same year
• The foundation does not accept paper requests or letters of inquiry (all applications must be submitted online)

Governance and Leadership

Leadership Team

Turahn Dorsey, President and Chief Executive Officer Promoted to this role in July 2025, Dorsey joined the foundation in 2019 as a Foundation Fellow developing strategies to improve early childhood outcomes. He was promoted to Chief Impact Officer in 2022 before becoming President and CEO. Dorsey has expressed his excitement to "build on her [Nancy Huntington Stager's] incredible work and to partner with our teammates and communities across the region to advance economic justice."

Laura Kurzrok, Executive Director Primary contact for foundation inquiries at foundation@easternbank.com or 781-598-7530.

Miriam Ortiz, Chief Impact Officer Joined the foundation in July 2025, taking over the role previously held by Turahn Dorsey.

Nancy Huntington Stager, Former President and CEO (Retired July 2025) After 43 years with Eastern Bank (30 in leadership roles), Stager retired in 2025. Her philosophy and approach shaped the foundation's current strategic direction. She stated: "We believe the way to achieve sustainable change is through listening and responding to the lived experiences of people in our communities, trusting their priorities, and partnering on innovative ways to dismantle centuries-old social and economic hierarchies that produce and reinforce inequities."

She emphasized the importance of collaboration: "It's important to have the humility to understand that Eastern and its foundation are just one part of the process. It's about building stronger communities."

Board of Trustees

Bob Rivers, Chair of the Board of Trustees Executive Chair and Chair of the Board of Directors of Eastern Bank

Deborah C. Jackson Lead Director of Eastern Bank, serves on the Board of Trustees of the Eastern Bank Foundation

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

All Applications:

• Must be submitted via the online application portal (no paper requests accepted)
• Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis with no specific deadlines
• Applicants are strongly encouraged to reach out with questions or to discuss their proposal before applying

For Community Grants and Neighborhood Grants:

1. Complete the online application
2. Applications reviewed on rolling basis
3. Decisions typically made within 60 days

For Impact Grants:

1. Submit a Letter of Inquiry online anytime
2. Foundation team evaluates alignment with funding priorities
3. If aligned, organization invited to complete full application
4. Decision process requires discussion and generally takes 90 days or longer, depending on proposal scope

Eligibility: Organizations must have 501(c)(3) designation from the IRS (except for Neighborhood Grants, which can support organizations without 501(c)(3) status). Must be located within eastern Massachusetts, southern New Hampshire, or Rhode Island.

Decision Timeline

• Community Grants: Generally within 60 days of submitted application
• Impact Grants: Generally 90 days or longer, depending on scope
• Rolling Basis: Decisions made throughout the year with no fixed deadlines

Success Rates

The foundation makes over 1,000 grants each year and provided $14,699,750 in total grants in 2024. Specific acceptance rates are not publicly disclosed, though the foundation is described as approachable and transparent with a clearly outlined grantmaking program.

Reapplication Policy

Specific reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants are not publicly disclosed. However, organizations that receive Partnership Grants are ineligible to apply for another Partnership Grant for 3 years. For guidance on reapplication after a declined proposal, contact the foundation directly at foundation@easternbank.com.

Application Success Factors

Foundation-Specific Guidance

1. Reach Out Before Applying The foundation explicitly invites applicants to contact them with questions or to discuss proposals before submitting applications. This demonstrates their approachable nature and willingness to provide guidance.

2. Alignment with Strategic Priorities The foundation emphasizes alignment with their four core strategic areas. Applications should clearly demonstrate how the proposed work addresses economic inclusion and mobility through one or more of their priority areas: small business equity, early childhood development, affordable housing, or workforce development.

3. Community-Centered Approach Drawing from Nancy Huntington Stager's philosophy, successful proposals should demonstrate how they "listen and respond to the lived experiences of people in our communities, trust their priorities, and partner on innovative ways to dismantle centuries-old social and economic hierarchies."

4. Geographic Relevance Organizations must operate within the foundation's service area: eastern Massachusetts, southern New Hampshire, or Rhode Island.

5. Evidence of Impact The foundation's shift from "charitable giving" to "impact investing" suggests they value measurable outcomes and sustainable change. Applications should articulate clear goals and methods for evaluation.

Recent Grant Examples

New Generation (Catholic Charities NH) - Awarded $50,000 to help New Hampshire mothers and children overcome challenges of homelessness and build self-sufficient futures with stable housing and jobs.

Early Childhood Development Leaders (2024) - 14 organizations serving children and families across New Hampshire, the Merrimack Valley, Boston, Greater Boston, and Cape Cod received grants through the Community Advocacy Awards program.

The Equality Fund (Boston Foundation) - Awarded $1 million over five years to expand grantmaking reach for LGBTQ+-serving organizations in Greater Boston.

Application Tips

• Be transparent and clear - The foundation values transparency and provides clear guidelines; match this in your proposal
• Demonstrate partnership approach - Show how your work involves collaboration with communities and other stakeholders
• Focus on systemic change - Emphasize work that addresses root causes of inequity, not just symptoms
• Use accessible language - The foundation's communications are straightforward; avoid jargon in your application
• Highlight community voices - Show how your work is informed by the lived experiences of those you serve

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Contact them first - The foundation explicitly welcomes pre-application conversations; use this opportunity to confirm alignment and get feedback on your approach
• Think long-term impact - The foundation is focused on "sustainable change" and "economic inclusion and mobility," not band-aid solutions
• Geographic fit matters - Ensure your organization operates within eastern Massachusetts, southern New Hampshire, or Rhode Island
• Size your request appropriately - Community Grants (up to $10,000) are for smaller projects and events; Impact Grants ($50,000-$150,000) are for larger, multi-faceted initiatives addressing core strategic priorities
• Rolling deadlines are advantageous - No need to wait for specific windows; apply when you're ready, but allow 60-90+ days for decisions
• Demonstrate community leadership - Show how your organization listens to and is led by the communities you serve, aligning with the foundation's community-centered philosophy
• Consider the timing - Impact Grants require 90+ days for decisions; plan accordingly if you have time-sensitive needs

References

1. Cause IQ - Eastern Bank Charitable Foundation Profile. Available at: https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/eastern-bank-charitable-foundation,223317340/ [Accessed December 2025]

2. Eastern Bank - Apply for a Grant. Available at: https://www.easternbank.com/about-us/eastern-bank-foundation/apply [Accessed December 2025]

3. Eastern Bank - Eastern Bank Foundation. Available at: https://www.easternbank.com/eastern-bank-foundation-0 [Accessed December 2025]

4. Eastern Bank - Charitable Giving. Available at: https://www.easternbank.com/charitable-giving [Accessed December 2025]

5. Eastern Bank Newsroom - "$1 Million in Grants to Local Nonprofits Working to Enrich Early Childhood Development" (2024). Available at: https://www.easternbank.com/newsroom/eastern-bank-charitable-foundation-announces-1-million-grants-local-nonprofits-working [Accessed December 2025]

6. The Boston Foundation - "The Equality Fund recognized with $1 million grant from Eastern Bank Foundation" (May 2025). Available at: https://www.tbf.org/news-and-insights/press-releases/2025/may/equality-fund-grant-from-eastern-bank-foundation-pr-20250507 [Accessed December 2025]

7. Eastern Bank - "Foundation Recognizes & Convenes Early Childhood Development Leaders From Across the Region" (2024). Available at: https://www.easternbank.com/newsroom/eastern-bank-foundation-recognizes-convenes-early-childhood-development-leaders-across [Accessed December 2025]

8. The Boston Globe - "After a quarter-century building Eastern Bank's foundation, Huntington Stager exits" (June 2025). Available at: https://www.bostonglobe.com/2025/06/23/business/donations-eastern-bank-philanthropy-massachusetts/ [Accessed December 2025]

9. Eastern Bank - Nancy Huntington Stager Executive Leadership Profile. Available at: https://www.easternbank.com/about-us/executive-leadership/nancy-huntington-stager [Accessed December 2025]

10. Eastern Bank - "Eastern Bank Foundation Announces Leadership Changes" (June 2025). Available at: https://www.easternbank.com/newsroom/eastern-bank-foundation-announces-leadership-changes [Accessed December 2025]

11. Providence Business News - "Stager retires as Eastern Bank Foundation CEO and president; Dorsey to fill role" (June 2025). Available at: https://pbn.com/stager-retires-as-eastern-bank-foundation-ceo-and-president-dorsey-to-fill-role/ [Accessed December 2025]

12. Catholic Charities New Hampshire - "New Generation Awarded Grant from Eastern Bank Foundation" (2024). Available at: https://www.cc-nh.org/new-generation-awarded-grant-from-eastern-bank-foundation/ [Accessed December 2025]

13. Eastern Bank - Economic Inclusion and Mobility. Available at: https://www.easternbank.com/about-us/eastern-bank-foundation/economic-inclusion-mobility [Accessed December 2025]

14. Inside Philanthropy - Eastern Bank Foundation Profile. Available at: https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/find-a-grant-places/massachusetts-grants/eastern-bank-charitable-foundation-grants-for-massachusetts-new-hampshire-and-rhode-island [Accessed December 2025]

15. The Grantsmanship Center - Eastern Bank Charitable Foundation. Available at: https://www.tgci.com/funder/eastern-bank-charitable-foundation [Accessed December 2025]

16. Instrumentl - Eastern Bank Foundation 990 Report. Available at: https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/eastern-bank-charitable-foundation [Accessed December 2025]