Competitive Grantmaking

The Boston Foundation has a strategic framework that we call Thriving People/Vibrant Places, which focuses on a specific set of goals and objectives and guides our grantmaking, research, convening and public policy work.  Through this framework, we seek to have a profound impact on important areas of community life—including dramatic improvements in education and wellness; safe and vibrant neighborhoods; robust arts and cultural opportunities; and a regional economy that enables everyone to thrive.

In light of the Foundation’s limited ability to make new grants, organizations interested in exploring potential financial support should first contact a member of our Program Staff before completing an online Letter of Inquiry.

Click here for list of Program Staff names and contact information.

Giving Common Profiles Are Required for Discretionary Grant Applicants
The Giving Common, an innovative web-based resource for informed giving in Massachusetts, is a central part of our grantmaking process.  As such, a completed Giving Common profile is required of all competitive grant applicants.

To learn more about the Giving Common, including information about the benefits to participating nonprofit organizations, please visit the website.

Please note that while the Giving Common is open to all nonprofit organizations serving or located in Massachusetts, a profile is not required for a Vision Fund grant from the Boston Foundation or most other special grantmaking initiatives; the initiative description will indicate if a Giving Common profile is required.

To get started, you can request a profile by visiting the Giving Common. We are available to support you throughout the process via email and over the phone, or should you prefer to attend a live training session you can register on the website.

Forms
Grant Guidelines (PDF)

Strategic Framework (PDF)

Letter of Inquiry

Thriving People/Vibrant Places

The Foundation focuses its efforts on two overarching goals, four related objectives and eight specific strategies:

Goal:  Greater Boston residents are successful and thriving

Objective: Improve outcomes for Boston’s residents across the education pipeline

Strategies:

• Accelerate structural reform and promote autonomies in public schools in Boston
• Increase the 2- and 4-year college graduation rate for low-income, minority and first-generation college students from Boston’s public schools
• Promote the career advancement and economic security of low-income individuals

Objective: Increase the health and wellness of Greater Boston residents

Strategy:

• Encourage healthy behaviors among Boston residents and increase access to healthy food and opportunities for physical activity 
  
  

Goal: Greater Boston neighborhoods and communities are vibrant, safe and affordable:

Objective: Increase the livability, affordability and safety of Greater Boston neighborhoods

Strategies:

• Increase neighborhood stability and the production and preservation of affordable housing for vulnerable populations
• Reduce the incidence of violence in Boston neighborhoods, especially among youth
• Grow local businesses and increase job growth 

Objective: Enhance civic and cultural vitality in Greater Boston

Strategy:

• Strengthen and celebrate Boston’s cultural diversity through full participation, strong cultural organizations, and the elevation of culture
    

While we focus most of our competitive grantmaking on these objectives and strategies, we are also interested in innovative approaches to emerging community issues and make targeted and more modest investments in such efforts.