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Amelia Peabody Charitable Fund

Annual Giving
$16.0M
Grant Range
$3K - $0.5M
Decision Time
3mo

Amelia Peabody Charitable Fund

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $16 million (2024)
  • Total Assets: $121.5 million (2024)
  • Grant Range: $2,500 - $500,000 (up to $2.5 million for exceptional projects)
  • Decision Time: Approximately 3 months from deadline
  • Geographic Focus: Massachusetts only
  • Application Deadlines: April 1 and August 1 annually

Contact Details

Address: 185 Devonshire Street, Suite 600, Boston, MA 02110-1414

Phone: 617-451-6178

Website: http://www.apcfund.org/

Key Contacts:

Note: Do not contact trustees directly about grant requests to maintain fairness in the application process.

Overview

The Amelia Peabody Charitable Fund was established in 1986 to continue the philanthropic legacy of Amelia Peabody, who contributed over $8 million to various charities before her death in 1984. Since its inception, the trustees have reviewed over 6,400 grant applications and distributed nearly $220 million to qualified nonprofit organizations across Massachusetts. The fund focuses exclusively on capital projects and capital purchases in five priority areas: medicine (human and animal), social welfare, visual arts, historic preservation, and land conservation. With total assets of $121.5 million and annual giving of approximately $16 million, the fund represents one of Massachusetts' significant sources of capital funding for nonprofits. The trustees have increasingly prioritized funding organizations that support children and families outside of Greater Boston, particularly in parts of the state where there is more limited access to other philanthropic support.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Capital Projects and Purchases (Rolling deadlines: April 1 and August 1)

  • Grant Range: $2,500 - $500,000 (exceptional projects up to $2.5 million)
  • Focus: Exclusively capital projects and capital purchases—physical assets and acquisitions that benefit large populations or extensive geographic areas
  • Annual Distribution: Approximately $8-10 million (varies by year)
  • Application Method: Online portal submission plus six hard copies of required budget documents
  • Key Requirement: For major capital projects, private funding should be at least 50% committed before applying

Priority Areas

The fund supports projects in the following five areas:

Medicine (Human and Animal)

  • Medical facilities and equipment
  • Hospital capital improvements
  • Animal health and veterinary facilities
  • Historical recipients include Children's Hospital Corporation, Massachusetts Eye & Ear Infirmary, Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Brigham and Women's Hospital, South Shore Hospital, Massachusetts General Hospital, Dimock Community Health Center, Mount Auburn Hospital, and Lahey Hospital & Medical Center

Social Welfare

  • Community health centers and community-based healthcare interventions
  • Affordable housing and shelter creation
  • Childcare facilities for low-income families
  • Organizations that employ members of the populations they serve
  • Geographic priority: Support limited to Massachusetts, with increasing focus on areas outside Greater Boston where philanthropic support is more limited

Visual Arts

  • Arts facilities and equipment
  • Museum capital improvements
  • Historical recipients include Worcester Art Museum, Cape Ann Museum, and Boston Youth Symphony Orchestras

Historic Preservation

  • Historic building restoration and preservation
  • Historical society capital needs
  • Historical recipients include American Ancestors

Land Conservation

  • Land acquisition and conservation projects
  • Environmental preservation infrastructure
  • Historical recipients include The Sheffield Land Trust

What They Don't Fund

Ineligible Organizations:

  • Individuals
  • Private foundations
  • Organizations operating outside Massachusetts
  • Publicly funded organizations
  • New or start-up entities
  • Religious organizations pursuing religious objectives
  • Colleges and universities
  • Fiscal agents or fiscal sponsorships

Ineligible Projects:

  • Operating costs and administrative expenses
  • Ongoing programs or program funding
  • Annual fundraising campaigns
  • Emergency or urgent funding requests
  • Events, performances, media, theatrical productions, publications, exhibits, conferences
  • Multi-year proposals
  • Advocacy or political lobbying
  • Scholarships, fellowships, or endowment building

Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees:

  • Robert G. Bannish, Trustee
  • Katherine L. Babson, Trustee
  • Margaret H. Morton, Trustee
  • Sarah M. Allen, Trustee
  • Eliza H. Rowe, Trustee

Staff:

  • Bethany B. Kendall, Executive Director
  • Cheryl A. Gideon, Administrator/Grants Coordinator

Trustee Philosophy:

The trustees have articulated clear guidance about what they value in applicants:

On organizational leadership: "Experience has taught them that the people who lead and staff the organization are most instrumental in bringing about positive changes." The trustees closely examine organizational leadership when evaluating applications.

On community connection: "The trustees particularly favor grants to organizations that employ members of the populations that they serve and where the organization is based in the very neighborhoods that are served."

On leveraging funds: "The trustees favor grants that help organizations to leverage additional funds. More specifically, for major capital projects, private funding should be at least 50% committed before you apply."

On geographic priorities: "Trustees increasingly prioritize funding organizations that support kids and families outside of Greater Boston, particularly in parts of the state where there is more limited access to other philanthropic support."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Application Deadlines: April 1 and August 1 (by 5:00 p.m.)

  • If the deadline falls on a weekend, submissions are due the preceding Friday by 5:00 p.m.

Submission Requirements:

  1. Electronic submission through the online grant portal at www.apcfund.org
  2. Six printed copies of the following materials must be received in the office by 5:00 p.m. on the deadline:
    • Budget Summary Form
    • Project budget (in both Excel and Word formats)
    • Quotes for capital expenses

Pre-Application Considerations:

  • Review the Mission Statement, Instructions, Guidelines, Selection Criteria, and FAQ on the website before applying
  • The fund considers only one grant request proposal from an organization at a time
  • Direct questions to Bethany Kendall or Cheryl Gideon via email before submission
  • Do not contact trustees directly about grant requests

Application Evaluation: The grant-making process is conducted exclusively by the trustees in an impartial manner. Decisions are made in their sole judgment and discretion based solely on the information provided in the application materials. There are no in-person presentations—all evaluation is based on written materials submitted.

Decision Timeline

Notification: Within approximately three months after the application deadline Method: Email notification from the fund Grant Meetings: Trustees meet three times yearly to review and approve grants

Post-Award Requirements:

  • Funded organizations must sign a Grant Agreement
  • Complete a Grant Report within twelve months of receiving funds
  • Critical: Future funding requests will not be considered if the grant report is not on file

Reapplication Policy

If your application is declined: You may reapply in the second calendar year following the denial

  • Example: If denied in 2024, you may reapply in 2026

If your grant request is funded: You may reapply in three calendar years

  • Example: If funded in 2024, you may reapply in 2027

Single Application Rule: The fund considers only one grant request proposal from an organization at a time—you cannot submit multiple applications simultaneously.

Application Success Factors

Based on the fund's stated selection criteria and trustee guidance, the following factors are critical for success:

1. Alignment with Amelia Peabody's Legacy

"Miss Peabody's philanthropic legacy and interests are of paramount concern" to the trustees. Demonstrate how your project reflects the founder's charitable values in medicine, social welfare, visual arts, historic preservation, or land conservation.

2. Strong Organizational Leadership

The trustees place significant emphasis on leadership quality. As they state, "experience has taught them that the people who lead and staff the organization are most instrumental in bringing about positive changes." Highlight the credentials, experience, and track record of your leadership team.

3. Demonstrated Fundraising Progress

For major capital projects, have at least 50% of private funding committed before applying. The trustees "look favorably on organizations that can secure funding from multiple sources" and favor grants that help organizations leverage additional funds.

4. Well-Conceived Project Design

Applications should include:

  • Thorough research supporting the project need
  • Specific and well-defined outcomes
  • Detailed, realistic budgets
  • Realistic timelines
  • Evidence of organizational credibility and capacity

5. Community Connection and Validation

The trustees "particularly favor grants to organizations that employ members of the populations that they serve and where the organization is based in the very neighborhoods that are served." Provide evidence that the organization and its work are valued by constituents and the surrounding community.

6. Geographic Priority Alignment

Projects supporting children and families outside Greater Boston receive increasing priority, particularly in parts of Massachusetts "where there is more limited access to other philanthropic support."

7. Measurable Impact

Demonstrate "measurable, significant, and lasting impact" from your initiative. Show how the capital investment will benefit large populations or extensive geographic areas within the community.

8. Appropriate Request Size

Ensure "the dollar amount requested is in proportion to size of the project as well as the size of the organization." Typical grants range from $2,500 to $500,000.

9. Organizational Efficiency

The Board favors "supporting well-managed organizations with good oversight and relatively low administration and other overhead expenses." Highlight fiscal responsibility and governance practices.

10. Complete and Clear Application Materials

Since the trustees base decisions solely on written application materials without in-person presentations, applications must be thorough, clearly written, and complete. The fund notes that they "receive substantially more applications than it can fund," making competitive, well-prepared applications essential.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Capital only, always: This fund exclusively supports capital projects and capital purchases—never operating costs, programs, or events. Do not apply if you need program funding.

  • 50% rule for major projects: Have at least half of your private funding committed before submitting an application for a major capital project. The trustees explicitly favor projects that leverage their funding.

  • Geographic sweet spot: While all Massachusetts nonprofits are eligible, projects serving children and families outside Greater Boston receive increasing priority, especially in areas with limited philanthropic access.

  • Community roots matter: Organizations that employ members of the populations they serve and are based in the neighborhoods they serve have a competitive advantage. Emphasize community connection and constituent support.

  • Leadership is scrutinized: The trustees carefully evaluate organizational leadership, believing leaders are "most instrumental in bringing about positive changes." Ensure your application showcases strong, experienced leadership.

  • No shortcuts on requirements: You must submit both electronic and hard copy materials (six copies each of budget documents) by 5:00 p.m. on deadline day. Missing either component likely disqualifies your application.

  • Plan for the long game: With a 3-month decision timeline and multi-year reapplication waiting periods (2 years if denied, 3 years if funded), this is not a quick funding source. Strategic timing is essential.

References

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