Mabel Louise Riley Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $4,194,786 (2024)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: 2 months for LOI response
• Grant Range: $50,000 - $100,000 (regular grants); $500 - $5,000 (Family Strengthening Small Grants Fund)
• Geographic Focus: Boston, MA and its 23 neighbourhoods; Greater Dudley area (for Family Strengthening Small Grants Fund)

Contact Details

Website: https://rileyfoundation.com

Mailing Address:
Two Liberty Square
Boston, MA 02109

Email: info@rileyfoundation.com

Administrative Director:
Nancy A. Saunders
nsaunders@gmafoundations.com

Family Strengthening Small Grants Fund Director:
Che Madyun
ccmadyun@yahoo.com

Overview

The Mabel Louise Riley Foundation was established in May 1972 through the will of Mabel Louise Riley, a Boston native and generous arts patron who died in 1971 at age 88. With annual giving of approximately $4.2 million (2024), the foundation operates as a general-purpose funder with a special interest in supporting low-income children, youth, and families. Miss Riley's only instruction to her trustees was that "particular consideration be given to the needs of children and youth." The foundation prioritises education, human services, and neighbourhood revitalisation in Boston. It distinguishes itself through a focus on leveraging impact by funding programmes that can become self-sufficient or serve as models in other geographic areas, demonstrating a strategic approach to sustainable community development.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programmes

Riley Foundation Grants: $50,000 - $100,000 (one-year grants)

• Quarterly LOI deadlines: February 10, May 10, August 10, November 10
• Two-step application process: LOI followed by invitation-only full proposals
• Online application through GMA Foundations portal

Family Strengthening Small Grants Fund: $500 - $5,000

• Annual deadlines: January 30 (summer programmes), May 1 (fall programmes), October 9 (winter programmes)
• Simplified application process for resident-led initiatives in Greater Dudley area
• Technical assistance available
• Grants must be completed within 12 months

Priority Areas

For Riley Foundation Grants:

• Literacy and afterschool programmes for disadvantaged children and adolescents
• Character-building programmes for youth
• Arts access for underserved communities
• Foster care support programmes
• Vocational education and job training
• Community development benefiting low-income and minority neighbourhoods
• Affordable housing and shelter initiatives
• Neighbourhood revitalisation projects
• Citywide efforts promoting cultural improvements and the arts
• High-impact grants despite some risk

For Family Strengthening Small Grants Fund:

• Mending neighbourhood social fabric
• Supporting personal and family development
• Broadening individual and family horizons
• Removing employment barriers
• Increasing parental involvement in schools and communities
• Beautifying outdoor spaces
• Community engagement activities

What They Don't Fund

• Organisations not headquartered in Massachusetts (unless using a Massachusetts-incorporated fiscal agent)
• Organisations serving primarily constituents outside Boston's 23 neighbourhoods
• Non-501(c)(3) organisations (without fiscal agent)
• Multi-year support
• Endowment funding
• Governmental agencies (except schools)
• Smaller programmes for which the Foundation would be the sole source of support (does not apply to Family Strengthening Small Grants Fund)
• Large social service agencies applying to Family Strengthening Small Grants Fund
• For-profit entities
• Salary payments under Family Strengthening Small Grants Fund

Governance and Leadership

Trustees

• Grace Fey: Former partner and Executive Vice President at Frontier Capital Management Co., LLC (20 years). Currently serves as Trustee and Chair of the Compliance Committee of John Hancock Financial Services Funds, Board of Directors member of Fiduciary Trust Company, Trustee and Chair of the Investment Committee at WGBH Boston, and Chair Emeritus and Honorary Trustee of the Museum of Fine Arts Boston. Former Chairperson of the University of Massachusetts Board of Trustees and President of UMass Foundation.
• Joannie Jaxtimer: Co-trustee of the foundation
• BNY Mellon: Corporate trustee

Administrative Leadership

Nancy A. Saunders, Administrative Director (since 1996): Responsible for all aspects of running the foundation and serves as the liaison between the trustees, grant applicants, and grantees.

Founding Philosophy

The foundation operates under the guidance of Miss Riley's will, which left her estate in trust "all for and only for public charitable uses and purposes." The trustees are interested in leveraging grants by funding programmes that can become self-sufficient or may serve as models in other geographic areas.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Riley Foundation Grants:

1. Letter of Intent (LOI): Submit through the online GMA Foundations portal using access code "rileyloi"
2. Deadlines: Quarterly - February 10, May 10, August 10, November 10 (by midnight)
3. LOI Review: All organisations notified within 2 months of LOI deadline
4. Full Proposal: By invitation only following LOI review
5. One-time Registration: Required before first LOI submission

Family Strengthening Small Grants Fund:

1. Simple application form available on foundation website
2. Technical assistance available from Che Madyun (ccmadyun@yahoo.com)
3. Fiscal agent required if group lacks 501(c)(3) status
4. Final report required for future application eligibility

Decision Timeline

• LOI Response: Within 2 months of quarterly deadline
• Full Proposal Decision: Timeline not publicly specified
• Notification Method: Email through online portal

Success Rates

The foundation made 65 awards in 2023 and 80 awards in 2022. Specific application numbers and success rates are not publicly disclosed.

Reapplication Policy

Riley Foundation Grants:

• Applicants whose formal grant requests have been denied must wait one full year before reapplying
• Grant recipients must wait two full years before submitting a new letter of intent
• Prior grantees cannot reapply until they have completed the prior activity/programme/project

Family Strengthening Small Grants Fund:

• Must complete final report from previous grant before applying again
• Specific waiting periods not stated

Application Success Factors

Focus on Sustainability and Leverage: The foundation explicitly states it is "interested in leveraging their grants by funding programmes that can become self-sufficient or may serve as models in other geographic areas." Demonstrate how your programme can achieve financial sustainability or be replicated.

New Projects and Expansion: Grants support "new projects and organisations, programme expansion, and capital projects." Clearly articulate whether you're launching something new or expanding proven work.

High-Impact Despite Risk: The foundation's priorities include "grants that, despite some risk, offer a potential of high impact or significant benefits for a community." Don't shy away from innovative approaches—frame calculated risks alongside potential transformative outcomes.

Geographic Specificity: With a clear focus on Boston's 23 neighbourhoods, applications should demonstrate deep roots in and understanding of specific Boston communities. For Family Strengthening Small Grants Fund, connection to the Greater Dudley area is essential.

Alignment with Founder's Vision: While the foundation is general-purpose, Miss Riley's emphasis on "children and youth" remains central. Projects serving this population align most closely with the foundation's historical mission.

Avoid Sole-Source Dependency: The foundation won't fund "smaller programmes for which the Foundation would be the sole source for a project support" (except Family Strengthening Small Grants Fund). Show diverse funding sources or plans to secure them.

Family Strengthening Small Grants Fund Specificity: For resident-led initiatives, emphasise volunteer leadership, grassroots organisation, and direct community benefit. Large organisations need not apply to this programme.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Two-year planning horizon required: Grant recipients must wait two full years before reapplying, so make each application count with a well-developed, ready-to-implement project
• Leverage and sustainability are critical: The foundation wants to see how your project will continue beyond their funding or serve as a replicable model
• Boston focus is non-negotiable: Headquarters and primary constituency must be in Boston's 23 neighbourhoods; no exceptions without Massachusetts fiscal agent
• LOI is your first impression: With invitation-only full proposals, your Letter of Intent must compellingly convey your project's innovation, impact, and alignment with foundation priorities
• Consider the Family Strengthening Small Grants Fund strategically: If you're a large organisation, don't apply; if you're resident-led and grassroots in Greater Dudley, this is an accessible entry point with technical assistance available
• Innovation is valued over proven safety: The foundation's willingness to fund "high-impact grants despite some risk" suggests they reward bold, innovative approaches
• Character-building and arts access are underutilised priorities: While many applicants focus on education and housing, the foundation explicitly lists character-building programmes and arts access as priorities—potentially less competitive areas

References

• Mabel Louise Riley Foundation Official Website: https://rileyfoundation.com (accessed January 7, 2026)
• Riley Foundation Grants Programme Page: https://rileyfoundation.com/grant-programs/riley-grants/ (accessed January 7, 2026)
• Family Strengthening Small Grants Fund Programme Page: https://rileyfoundation.com/grant-programs/small-grants-fund/ (accessed January 7, 2026)
• About Us Page: https://rileyfoundation.com/about-us/ (accessed January 7, 2026)
• Contact Information Page: http://rileyfoundation.com/contact-info/ (accessed January 7, 2026)
• GMA Foundations - Nancy Saunders Profile: https://www.gmafoundations.com/person/nancy-saunders/ (accessed January 7, 2026)
• Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health - Grace Fey Faculty Profile: https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/ecpe/faculty/grace-fey/ (accessed January 7, 2026)
• Boston Public Library Fund - Grace Fey: https://bplfund.org/people/grace-fey/ (accessed January 7, 2026)
• Instrumentl 990 Report for Mabel Louise Riley Foundation: https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/mabel-louise-riley-foundation (accessed January 7, 2026)
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer: https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/46278857 (accessed January 7, 2026)
• Grantmakers.io Profile: https://www.grantmakers.io/profiles/v0/046278857-mabel-louise-riley-foundation/ (accessed January 7, 2026)