Eligibility:

Geographic Focus

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. 

These communities include: Boston (East Boston, Dorchester, Mattapan, Roxbury), Chelsea, Everett, Revere, Lynn, Brockton, and Lowell.

Other Criteria

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 of 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 struggling individuals or families; and
• Serve immigrant communities as at least 60% of their population.

Priority Areas

Priority Area 1: Legal Services and Work Authorization

• The most immediate stabilizing intervention is expanding immigration legal services. When individuals receive work authorization, they can secure employment, exit shelter systems, and reduce long-term dependency; they often need legal assistance to gain this authorization. 
• Grant funding could support attorney and paralegal capacity, asylum application support, TPS renewals, etc.

Priority Area 2: Benefits Navigation

• Housing remains the most urgent crisis facing immigrant families. Funding should prioritize organizations helping people access RAFT and other rental assistance, as well as MassHealth, SNAP, and other programs supporting basic needs.
• Grants here could support more bilingual case managers and flexible emergency funds that prevent eviction and reduce shelter stays. This can also help families with older adults find and stay in affordable housing units.

Priority Area 3: Community Engagement & Protection

• We want to uplift and support the work community members are doing for each other to keep their neighbors safe. 
• This can include know your rights trainings, mutual aid, creating alternative communication networks and disseminating guidance on how to interact with ICE. It also encompasses culturally affirming programs that ensure vulnerable communities have a safe, supportive place to go.

Current Safety Net Grantees that strongly align with our stated priorities are eligible to apply this round.

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. 

Who Is Involved in Making a Funding Decision?

The Safety Net Grants team uses a version of participatory grantmaking—the practice of centering affected communities in grant-making decisions by giving them the power to decide which organizations to fund. In early rounds of the SNG program, a mixture of staff and community reviewers guided our review process and final grant decisions were approved by our board. Now, Safety Net Grant applications are reviewed in a 100 percent community-led process. Community reviewers represent a diverse group of nonprofit leaders in Greater Boston and are responsible for the final grant recommendations for the program.