Cummings Foundation Grants Inc

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $30 million (2026 cycle)
• Success Rate: 21-24% (approximately 150 grants awarded from 600-700 applicants)
• Decision Time: 8-9 months (LOI submission to award announcement)
• Grant Range: $30,000 - $750,000 (over 3 or 10 years)
• Geographic Focus: Greater Boston (Essex, Middlesex, Suffolk counties, plus six Norfolk County communities)

Contact Details

Address: 200 West Cummings Park, Woburn, MA 01801

Phone: 781-932-7072

Website: https://www.cummingsfoundation.org/grants/

Key Contacts:

• Joyce Vyriotes, Executive Director: jkv@cummings.com | 781-932-7072
• Andrew Bishop, Deputy Director: aeb@cummings.com | 781-569-2337

Pre-Application Support: Virtual Q&A sessions offered; free Cummings Coaches program available for small nonprofits requesting $25,000 or less annually

Overview

Established in 1986 by Joyce and Bill Cummings, Cummings Foundation has grown to become one of the three largest private foundations in New England, with assets exceeding $1 billion. To date, the foundation has awarded more than $600 million primarily to nonprofits in greater Boston, now distributing at least $50 million annually. The flagship $30 Million Grant Program uniquely democratizes philanthropy by empowering approximately 100 community volunteers to make the majority of funding decisions through a rigorous four-committee review process. This volunteer-driven model ensures diverse perspectives from nonprofit professionals, business leaders, and community members evaluate applications. The foundation operates through its grant-making affiliate, formerly known as OneWorld Boston Inc (EIN: 80-0681389), emphasizing multi-year commitments that provide organizations with sustained funding stability.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

$30 Million Grant Program (Annual)

• Three-Year Grants: 125 awards of $30,000-$300,000 total ($10,000-$100,000 annual installments)
• Ten-Year Grants: 25 awards of $300,000-$750,000 total ($30,000-$75,000 annual installments)
• Application Method: Annual cycle with fixed deadlines; Letter of Inquiry due September 17, full applications by invitation only due January 14
• Note: All applications should be written for three-year funding; 10-year awards are selected from the finalist pool

Application Tracks:

• Short-Form: For annual installments of $25,000 or less (automatic general operating support, no budget required)
• Comprehensive: For annual installments exceeding $25,000 (requires detailed budget, can be operating or project-specific)

Priority Areas

The foundation funds a wide variety of local causes including:

• Human Services: Housing and food security, anti-poverty initiatives, assistance for foreign-born residents, senior citizens, legal assistance
• Health & Disability Support: Support for people with physical or intellectual limitations
• Economic Development: Employment training and workforce development
• Community Strengthening: Strong families/communities, youth activities/services
• Environment: Environmental education, equitable access to outdoor spaces, sustainable food systems

The foundation emphasizes cost-effectiveness and organizations demonstrating unique effectiveness in addressing community needs.

What They Don't Fund

Explicit Exclusions:

• Athletics programs
• Arts and culture programs
• Land preservation
• Animal welfare
• Organizations maintaining offices or providing services outside Massachusetts (except Merrimack Valley nonprofits serving Southern New Hampshire)
• Regional, national, or international organizations (unless they have local operations in the service area)
• Upgraded airline tickets, including mileage upgrades
• Large capital projects (unless near completion; face strict scrutiny regarding cost appropriateness)

Geographic Restrictions: Organizations must be headquartered within and primarily serve Middlesex, Essex, Suffolk counties, or six specific Norfolk County communities (Brookline, Dedham, Milton, Needham, Quincy, Wellesley)

Governance and Leadership

Co-Founders:

• Joyce Cummings (Trustee since 1986)
• William "Bill" Cummings (Trustee since 1986)

Executive Leadership:

• Joyce Vyriotes, Executive Director (Trustee since 2021)
• Andrew Bishop, Deputy Director

Board Composition: 18 trustees including six college presidents, plus leaders from finance, law, medicine, real estate, and other sectors

Notable Trustees:

• Academic Leaders: Sunil Kumar, Ph.D. (President, Tufts University); Jim Yong Kim, M.D., Ph.D. (Former President, Dartmouth College and World Bank); John Keenan, J.D. (President, Salem State University); David Harris, Ph.D. (President, Union College); Ioannis Miaoulis, Ph.D. (President, Roger Williams University); Aisha Francis, Ph.D. (President/CEO, Benjamin Franklin Cummings Institute)
• Medical Professionals: Agnes Binagwaho, M.D., Ph.D. (Former Rwandan Minister of Health, Vice Chancellor at University of Global Health Equity); Arlan Fuller, Jr., M.D. (Retired Chief of Gynecologic Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital); Marilyn Cummings Morris, M.D., M.P.H. (Associate Professor, Columbia University)
• Business & Finance: Dennis Clarke (Chairman/CEO, Cummings Properties); Thomas Pappas, CFA (Retired Senior VP, Wellington Management); Philip Rotner (Chief Investment Officer, Boston Children's Hospital)
• Community Leaders: Carol Fulp (CEO, Fulp Diversity); Mike Kennealy (Former Massachusetts Secretary of Housing and Economic Development); Catherine Bertrand Farmer (Youngest trustee in foundation's 40-year history, appointed at age 26)

Leadership Philosophy: Bill Cummings has stated that the foundation seeks to "view the nonprofits as the experts" with "respect and gratitude" at the forefront of decision-making. He advises foundations to "be clear with your volunteers not only about your funding priorities but also your mindset," warning against "the power dynamic inherent between those seeking funds and those with funds to give."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Step 1: Letter of Inquiry (LOI)

• Deadline: September 17 at 5:00 PM (no extensions granted)
• Submission: Online portal only at https://www.cummingsfoundation.org/grants/
• Recommended: Early submission to stand out; foundation encourages submitting well before deadline
• Support Available: Virtual Q&A sessions with foundation leadership; free Cummings Coaches program for small nonprofits ($25,000 or less)

Step 2: Full Application (By Invitation Only)

• Notification: Week of November 3 (invitations sent to selected LOI applicants)
• Deadline: January 14 at 5:00 PM
• Requirements:
  • Comprehensive applications for requests exceeding $25,000 annual installments (requires grant budget)
  • Short-form applications for requests of $25,000 or less (no budget required, automatic general operating support)
• Funding Recommendation: Annual installments should not exceed 20% of organization's average annual revenue

Step 3: Site Visits & Presentations (Selected Applicants)

• 10-Year Award Candidates: Contacted week of April 20; presentation days week of May 11 (45-minute presentations to volunteer committee)
• Site Visits: Conducted for select finalists

Step 4: Award Announcement

• Date: June 1 (historically announced in May/early June)
• Celebration: Grant Winner Celebration on June 25

Decision Timeline

• September 17: LOI deadline
• November 3 (week of): Application invitations sent
• January 14: Full applications due
• January-April: Four-stage volunteer review process (9+ different reviewers per application)
• April 20 (week of): 10-year candidates contacted
• May 11 (week of): Presentation days for 10-year finalists
• June 1: Grant decisions announced
• June 25: Grant Winner Celebration

Total Timeline: Approximately 8-9 months from LOI submission to decision

Success Rates

• Overall Success Rate: 21-24% (150 grants from approximately 600-700 applicants)
• Full Application Stage: Approximately 50% of organizations completing full applications receive funding
• Competitiveness: The foundation's acceptance rate of 21-24% is notably higher than the general grant writing success rate of approximately 10%

Reapplication Policy

Highly Welcoming Approach:

• No Waiting Period: Unsuccessful applicants may reapply in the very next cycle with no restrictions
• Fresh Review: Each application is evaluated independently; volunteer reviewers typically have not seen previous submissions
• Materials Reuse: Organizations can submit the same or similar content from previous applications
• No Penalty: Previous applications or funding history has no bearing on new applications
• Current Grantees: Must wait until final installment year before requesting additional funds; three-year recipients can apply when receiving final payment; 10-year recipients must observe a one-year gap after final payment

Application Success Factors

Foundation-Specific Priorities:

1. Write for Community Volunteers, Not Grant Professionals: More than two-thirds of awards are determined completely by volunteers serving on four successive committees. Volunteers include nonprofit professionals, business leaders, public officials, and professionals from various industries—not all have grant-writing expertise. Use plain language, avoid jargon, and make your case accessible.

2. Demonstrate Unique Effectiveness: The foundation emphasizes differentiation. According to their guidance, show "unique effectiveness"—what makes your organization distinctly qualified to address the stated need compared to other organizations doing similar work?

3. Emphasize Cost-Effectiveness: Bill Cummings's entrepreneurial philosophy values efficiency. The foundation advises providing "cost-effectiveness" that "reflects the organization's values." Show how you maximize impact per dollar spent.

4. Be Concrete and Specific: The foundation explicitly advises against "rhetorical claims" and encourages "concrete specifics." Include measurable outcomes, specific program details (who, what, when, where, how), and quantifiable impact.

5. Keep It Concise: With volunteer reviewers evaluating numerous applications, concise writing is essential. The foundation offers a short-form application for smaller requests specifically to reduce burden.

6. Submit Early: The foundation explicitly encourages early submission to "stand out." Don't wait until the deadline.

7. Show Geographic Focus: Applications must demonstrate that the organization is "based in and primarily serves" the eligible counties. Organizations proposing to introduce programming in the 11 priority communities (especially Woburn) receive special consideration.

Recent Funding Examples (2024-2025):

• Boston Harbor Now: $750,000 (10-year) for Boston Harbor accessibility and climate adaptation
• Uncommon Threads: $500,000 (10-year) for personal development coaching and wardrobe styling for women with low incomes
• Justice 4 Housing: CDL Program providing career training for justice-impacted individuals
• Cambridge Economic Opportunity Committee: $750,000 for wrap-around social services and financial education for low- and no-income immigrants, seniors, and families
• Habitat for Humanity North Central Massachusetts: $150,000 to build affordable, accessible, energy-efficient homes in Middlesex County
• Exceptional Lives: $75,000 (3-year) to help families and schools support children with disabilities

What the Foundation Values (from leadership):

• "View the nonprofits as the experts" and approach with "respect and gratitude" (Bill Cummings)
• Organizations that demonstrate "hard work," "leadership abilities," and "surrounding oneself with other smart people who crave being part of a successful and worthwhile firm" (entrepreneurial values)
• The foundation rejects "playing into the power dynamic inherent between those seeking funds and those with funds to give"

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Democratized decision-making: Your application will be reviewed by 9+ community volunteers across four committees, not just foundation staff—write accessibly for diverse audiences
• High success rate for finalists: If invited to full application stage, you have approximately 50% chance of funding—significantly higher than typical grant competitions
• Multi-year stability: All grants are multi-year (3 or 10 years), providing sustained funding—emphasize how multi-year support enables long-term impact
• Submit early and concisely: Foundation explicitly values early submissions and concise writing; don't wait for the deadline
• Demonstrate unique value: With 600-700 applicants competing for 150 spots, differentiation is critical—show what makes your approach uniquely effective
• Small organizations welcome: The short-form application and Cummings Coaches program demonstrate commitment to accessibility for smaller nonprofits
• Reapplication is encouraged: No penalty for reapplying; unsuccessful applicants can submit again immediately with fresh review—persistence is valued

References

1. Cummings Foundation, "$30 Million Grant Program," https://www.cummingsfoundation.org/grants/ (accessed December 2024)
2. Cummings Foundation, "FAQs," https://www.cummingsfoundation.org/grants/faqs.html (accessed December 2024)
3. Cummings Foundation, "Trustees," https://www.cummingsfoundation.org/about/trustees.html (accessed December 2024)
4. Cummings Foundation, "Contact," https://www.cummingsfoundation.org/contact/ (accessed December 2024)
5. Cummings Foundation, "Volunteers," https://www.cummingsfoundation.org/grants/volunteers.html (accessed December 2024)
6. ProPublica, "Cummings Foundation Grants Inc - Nonprofit Explorer," https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/800681389 (accessed December 2024)
7. The Boston Foundation, "Bill and Joyce Cummings: The First in Massachusetts to Sign the Bill Gates Giving Pledge," https://www.tbf.org/donors/donor-stories/cummings (accessed December 2024)
8. Philanthropy Roundtable, "Interview with Bill Cummings," https://www.philanthropyroundtable.org/magazine/interview-with-bill-cummings/ (accessed December 2024)
9. Mass Nonprofit News, "ICYMI: Here are Cummings Foundation's 150 grant recipients for its 2024 program," https://www.massnonprofit.org/news/icymi-here-are-cummings-foundation-s-150-grant-recipients-for-its-2024-program/article_9f543888-1d06-11ef-b248-3f85369c5ab9.html (accessed December 2024)
10. Philanthropy News Digest, "Cummings Foundation awards $30 million to Boston-area nonprofits," https://philanthropynewsdigest.org/news/cummings-foundation-awards-30-million-to-boston-area-nonprofits2 (accessed December 2024)
11. Boston Harbor Now, "Cummings Foundation Awards Boston Harbor Now Prestigious 10-Year Grant," https://www.bostonharbornow.org/cummings-foundation-awards-boston-harbor-now-prestigious-10-year-grant/ (accessed December 2024)
12. Mass Nonprofit News, "Cummings Foundation embraces new generation of leadership with appointment of Catherine Bertrand Farmer," https://www.massnonprofit.org/expert_advice/boards_governance/cummings-foundation-embraces-new-generation-of-leadership-with-appointment-of-catherine-bertrand-farmer/article_eede1b14-efc2-11ef-979e-b73885b8ccb5.html (accessed December 2024)