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Yawkey Foundation II

Annual Giving
$21.0M
Grant Range
$2K - $5.0M
Decision Time
4mo

Yawkey Foundation II

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $21 million+ (2024); $18.99 million (2023)
  • Total Assets: $448.4 million (2023)
  • Grant Range: $2,250 - $5,000,000
  • Number of Grants: 178 (2023)
  • Geographic Focus: Eastern Massachusetts and Georgetown County, South Carolina
  • Decision Time: 90-120 days (Program & Small Capital); 6-12 months (Strategic Investment); 12-18 months (Transformational Capital)
  • Cumulative Giving: $600+ million since inception

Contact Details

Overview

The Yawkey Foundation II was established in 1983 in Massachusetts by Tom and Jean Yawkey, best known for their longtime ownership of the Boston Red Sox. The Foundation has awarded more than $600 million in charitable grants since its inception, with $21+ million distributed in 2024 alone. The Foundation's total assets stand at approximately $448 million.

The Trustees are committed to continuing the legacy of Tom and Jean Yawkey by making significant and positive impacts on the quality of life for children, families, and the underserved. The Foundation concentrates its work on those in need, particularly children and families, across six priority areas: Health Care, Education, Human Services, Youth and Amateur Athletics, Arts and Culture, and Conservation and Wildlife.

The Foundation prioritizes organizations serving Gateway Cities in Eastern Massachusetts—communities facing economic challenges—and Georgetown County, South Carolina. Recent strategic initiatives include launching the Yawkey 1933 Scholars program for college students and supporting major capital projects like The BASE's urban baseball facility in Roxbury.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Program & Small Capital Grants: Up to $100,000 (one year)

  • Supports discrete, time-bound projects addressing immediate organizational needs
  • Funds specific program initiatives, small-scale projects, and mission-aligned equipment purchases
  • Submission periods organized by focus area throughout the year

Strategic Investment Grants: $250,000 - $1,000,000 (multi-year)

  • Supports regional expansion, collaborative partnerships, and organizational mergers
  • Requires board-approved strategic plan
  • Two submission periods annually

Transformational Capital Grants: Up to $5,000,000 (multi-year)

  • Funds physical space development for permanent mission enhancement
  • Rolling submissions year-round
  • Preference for projects with 50%+ funding already secured

Priority Areas

  • Health Care: Equitable access to high-quality health care
  • Education: Academic pathways and college success programs
  • Human Services: Food, shelter, and critical wraparound services
  • Youth and Amateur Athletics: Baseball and softball programs only
  • Arts and Culture: Access to arts programs for underserved communities
  • Conservation and Wildlife

What They Don't Fund

  • Non-501(c)(3) organizations or private operating foundations
  • Public entities and government agencies
  • Specific staff positions, consultants, or recruitment costs
  • Emergency response, events, sponsorships, or travel
  • Pass-through organizations or private foundations
  • Sectarian religious activities
  • Non-baseball/softball athletic programs
  • Scholarships (except through their Yawkey Scholars Program)
  • Early education or preschool programs
  • Organizations primarily serving people outside the U.S.
  • General or ongoing operational expenses
  • Personnel costs and stipends
  • Programs targeting specific public/charter schools, districts, or municipalities
  • Organizations with operating budgets under $500,000

Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees (Yawkey Foundation II)

  • John L. Harrington – Chairman
  • Maureen H. Bleday
  • Dr. Vanessa Calderón-Rosado
  • Charles I. Clough
  • William B. Gutfarb
  • Rev. Dr. Ray Hammond
  • James P. Healey
  • Debra M. McNulty
  • Dr. Myechia Minter-Jordan
  • Justin P. Morreale
  • George R. Neble
  • Judy Walden Scarafile

Executive Staff

  • Alicia Verity – Chief Executive Officer
  • John Redmond – Chief Operating Officer & Chief Financial Officer
  • Maicharia Lytle – Chief Program Officer
  • Marybeth Connolly – Director, Investment
  • Hirut Gewe – Controller
  • Nicholas Chan – Database Technology Administrator

Leadership Quote

Chairman John L. Harrington and CEO Alicia Verity stated: "The Trustees would like to express their profound gratitude to the Foundation's partners and friends, and to reaffirm a steadfast commitment to faithfully stewarding and perpetuating the Yawkeys' quiet compassion."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Foundation uses a two-step application process:

  1. Initial Proposal Submission: Organizations submit through the online applicant portal. Initial proposals should not exceed 800 words and must include:

    • A concise overview of the nonprofit's mission, impact, programs, and services
    • A description of the program/project for which funding is sought
    • How the project meets a defined need, anticipated outcomes, and sustainability plan
    • How individuals, families, and/or communities will benefit
    • A detailed project or program budget (using Philanthropy MA template)

  2. Full Grant Application: Selected organizations are invited to submit a complete application with detailed instructions provided by Foundation staff.

Important: Organizations may submit only one Initial Proposal per calendar year, regardless of grant type.

Submission Deadlines (2026)

Program & Small Capital Grants:

  • Youth & Amateur Athletics: January 2-23
  • Education; Conservation & Wildlife: March 2-20
  • Human Services: June 1-19
  • Arts & Culture; Health Care: September 1-18

Strategic Investment Grants:

  • Period 1: January 2-23
  • Period 2: June 1-19

Transformational Capital Grants:

  • Rolling basis year-round

Decision Timeline

  • Program & Small Capital: 90-120 days review period
  • Strategic Investment: 6-12 months from submission to decision
  • Transformational Capital: 12-18 months for proposal review and determination

Success Rates

The Foundation states that grants are "extremely competitive" and that "a very limited number of Initial Proposals will be selected." In 2023, the Foundation made 178 awards from an undisclosed number of applications. An invitation to submit a full application does not guarantee funding approval.

Reapplication Policy

Organizations that have been previously funded must complete all prior reporting requirements before submitting new proposals. Organizations may submit one proposal per calendar year.

Application Success Factors

What Makes a Strong Proposal

The Foundation explicitly states that "the most compelling Initial Proposals will reflect a nonprofit's strong leadership and proven impact in providing direct services and programs for unmet needs in underserved regions aligned with the Yawkey Foundation's geographic priority areas, including Gateway Cities in Eastern Massachusetts."

Pathway to Larger Grants

Organizations new to the Foundation are encouraged to start with Program & Small Capital Grants to familiarize the Foundation with their work before applying for Strategic Investment or Transformational Capital grants. Recent major grant recipients like Pine Street Inn, Dimock Center, and House of Possibilities built relationships through smaller grants first.

For Transformational Capital Grants

The most competitive proposals demonstrate:

  • Completed analyses validating project need and feasibility
  • Board approval and community backing
  • Progress toward regulatory benchmarks
  • At least 50% of project costs already pledged or secured
  • A major milestone (groundbreaking, dedication) within one year of proposal

Important Limitations

  • Unsolicited grant requests via email and regular mail will not be accepted
  • The Foundation does not provide guidance or feedback prior to or during the review period
  • Direct outreach to trustees is discouraged; use the official submission process
  • Staff and Trustees only accommodate meeting and site visit requests from organizations being actively considered for funding

Recent Grant Examples

2024 Grants:

  • Benjamin Franklin Cummings Institute of Technology: $2.5 million (Transformational Capital) for new campus in Nubian Square
  • Ron Burton Training Village: $460,000 (Transformational Capital) for facility improvements
  • Lawrence Catholic Academy: $3 million commitment for academic pathways
  • 14 Education nonprofits: $500,000 combined (Program & Small Capital)

2023 Grants:

  • Dimock Center: $2.5 million for 39-bed post-detox clinical stabilization unit
  • House of Possibilities: $5 million for programs serving individuals with disabilities
  • Inquilinos Boricuas en Acción: $3 million for Latinx arts hub construction
  • Easter Seals Massachusetts: $250,000 for disability services expansion

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Start small: New applicants should begin with Program & Small Capital Grants (up to $100,000) to build a relationship with the Foundation before seeking larger Strategic Investment or Transformational Capital grants

  • Geographic alignment is critical: Priority given to organizations serving Gateway Cities in Eastern Massachusetts (Suffolk, Norfolk, Bristol, Plymouth, Barnstable, Middlesex, and Essex counties) and Georgetown County, South Carolina

  • Minimum organizational size: Organizations must have operating budgets of $500,000 or more to be eligible

  • One shot per year: You may only submit one Initial Proposal per calendar year—choose your timing and grant type strategically

  • For athletics, stick to baseball/softball: The Foundation explicitly does not fund non-baseball/softball athletic programs despite the "Youth and Amateur Athletics" category

  • Demonstrate proven impact: Emphasize strong leadership, direct service delivery, and measurable outcomes for underserved populations in your proposal

  • Capital projects need momentum: For Transformational Capital grants, having 50%+ of project costs already secured and a major milestone within one year significantly strengthens your proposal

References

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