The Boston Foundation is offering a special round of Safety Net Grants to provide general operating support for Greater Boston social service organizations that respond to the essential needs of marginalized communities and vulnerable residents.
Donor Name: The Boston Foundation
State: Massachusetts
County: Essex County (MA), Middlesex County (MA), Norfolk County (MA), Plymouth County (MA), Suffolk County (MA)
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 03/11/2025
Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000
Grant Duration: 1 Year
Details:
The Safety Net Grants program is designed to support social service organizations that respond to essential needs for marginalized communities and vulnerable residents in Greater Boston.
In this round, Safety Net Grants will be general operating support grants, mostly in the $25,000 range. Organizations that they determine are aligned with the field of interest funds supporting seniors and people with physical disabilities will be considered for grants up to $75,000.
Grant Period
1 year.
Eligibility Criteria
- Eligible Organizations primarily serve communities historically excluded from institutional philanthropy in Essex, Middlesex, Norfolk, Plymouth and Suffolk counties with a focus on the communities of greatest need as defined by the supplemental poverty measure (SPM). An eligible applicant would also meet the following criteria:
- Has a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit designation from the IRS or operates under the fiscal sponsorship of a tax-exempt nonprofit;
- Has been operating for at least three years
- Engages in year-round programming
- Aligns with the strategic vision for The Boston Foundation;
- Does not discriminate in the hiring of staff or the provision of services on the basis of race, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, national origin or disability;
- Responds to an essential need by providing resources that restore health, wellness, safety and belonging for individuals or families in crisis
- The new grants are open to all organizations meeting essential needs, with several priority areas including:
- Combating hate and discrimination;
- Food, fuel, and shelter;
- Legal aid; and
- Poverty alleviation
- The focus will also include supporting specific populations, including immigrants, LGBTQ+ people, people with disabilities, and seniors.
Exclusions
- The Boston Foundation does not make grants for capital construction costs, endowments, medical or academic research, scholarships, sectarian or religious purposes, or to support candidates for political office. Private non-operating foundations, 501(c)(4) organizations, and Section 501(a)(3) Type III Non-functionally Integrated organizations are not eligible to apply. In addition, grants are not made to individual persons. Parent Teacher Associations and tuition-based schools (including K-12 and post-secondary schools and universities) are also not eligible for this funding.
- Foundation is currently not accepting grant proposals from CDCs certified under Certified under MGL Chapter 40H and small businesses.
For more information, visit The Boston Foundation.
