Boston Foundation awards over $1 million in grants in partnership with Massachusetts COVID-19 Relief Fund

Boston – The Boston Foundation today announced the distribution of $1,030,000 to 22 Eastern Massachusetts nonprofits in grants made possible by the Massachusetts COVID-19 Response Fund. The slate brings the number of grants to nonprofit partners through our COVID-related grant programs to over 230, totaling nearly $7.1 million.

“Over the past two months, the Massachusetts COVID-19 Relief Fund has partnered with us to distribute over $2.5 million in general operating grants to nonprofits in communities across Eastern Massachusetts,” said Paul S. Grogan, President and CEO of the Boston Foundation. “We are thankful to the Fund for enabling these grants and recognizing the critical role community foundations can play in partnering with local nonprofits to strengthen communities.”

The Massachusetts COVID-19 Relief Fund supports those across the state most impacted by the COVID-19 health crisis, focusing on essential frontline workers and vulnerable populations including the homeless, immigrant populations, people with disabilities, and those facing food insecurity. The Fund works in concert with regional community foundations and nonprofit leaders who partner with local leaders to understand the response and relief landscape, strategically filling in where gaps are pronounced.

The 22 nonprofit partners in this round of grants will use the funds to support work in a number of cities and towns outside Boston, where there are fewer options for funding. Key service areas include Brockton, Randolph, Everett, Lynn, Quincy, Revere, Malden, Winthrop and Somerville.

“COVID-19 and the health and economic devastation it causes do not respect geography, “said Orlando Watkins, Vice President for Programs at the Boston Foundation. “By working in partnership with the Massachusetts COVID-19 Relief Fund, we are able to recognize that critical role nonprofits in the Gateway Cities and other communities have in assisting those bearing the brunt of the pandemic.”

Overall to date, COVID-19 Response Fund at the Boston Foundation has received over $11 million for nonprofits in Greater Boston, with equity and justice at the center of the process.  More than Nearly 1,000 foundations, donor-advised funds, businesses and individuals have donated to date, including new major contributors Goldman Sachs, Datadog and Fiduciary Trust Company. The Boston Foundation thanks all of our donors for their commitment.

Grantees List:

The following grants are made possible by our partnership with the Massachusetts COVID-19 Relief Fund. All grants are for general operating support. Grant amounts are noted with each grantee. Location listed is the grantee location, which may differ from the communities served by the grant.

African Bridge Network (Boston) - $45,000: Funds will be used to purchase and distribute grocery store gift cards to 200 families in Brockton, Malden, Waltham, Lowell and Worcester with an average household size of four people, who have experienced a loss in income or job as a result of Covid-19.

Bay State Community Services (Quincy) - $50,000: Funds will be used to purchase gift cards and supplies that will enable our families to have access to food, infant and baby supplies including diapers and wipes, household supplies including hard to find, high priced items such as paper towels, toilet paper and cleaning supplies.

Brockton Day Nursery (Brockton) - $50,000: Funds will be used to purchase gift cards and supplies that will enable families in Greater Brockton to have access to food, infant and baby supplies including diapers and wipes, household supplies including hard to find, high priced items such as paper towels, toilet paper and cleaning supplies.

Brockton Interfaith Community, Inc. (Brockton) - $50,000: To support with Brockton Mutual Aid Fund which will provide community members with housing and food assistance, and other basic necessities.

Cape Verdean Association of Brockton, Inc. (Brockton) - $50,000: In collaboration with area grocery stores, The Cape Verdean Association will distribute gift cards to residents for them to purchase food products. The grant will also go towards providing funeral assistance for COVID-19 victims who were uninsured or whose families cannot afford burial expenses.

The Charity Guild, Inc. (Brockton) - $50,000: Funds will be used to support food purchases, personal hygiene items, PPE needs for clients and food pantry workers, as well as for costs associated with food deliveries and food transportation costs for families in Randolph, Stoughton and elsewhere in Greater Brockton.

Chelsea Collaborative, Inc. (Chelsea) - $45,000: Funding will go to provide food, housing assistance and other basic needs.

Collaborative Parent Leadership Action Network (CPLAN) (Brockton) - $40,000: Funds will help 50 immigrant/refugee families with food and housing assistance. Funds will also go to provide culturally sensitive materials to help families apply for SNAP and other benefits.

Greater Malden Asian American Community Coalition Inc. (Malden) - $40,000: The Greater Malden Food Pantry program prepares ethnically relevant meals for Asian seniors and other economically vulnerable families struggling with food scarcity due to COVID-19.

Health Imperatives, Inc. (Brockton) - $50,000: The funds will be used to support operations and maintenance of Penelope’s Place, the city’s only emergency domestic violence shelter.

La Comunidad, Inc. (Everett) - $45,000: Funds will be used to support La Comunidad in providing housing and food assistance.

Latinos Unidos En Massachusetts, Inc. (Everett) - $50,000: Funds will provide food and emergency housing to immigrants and front line workers; to help support clients apply for health insurance, unemployment and food benefits, and funeral assistance; and to provide medical and hygiene supplies.

Massachusetts Center for Native American Awareness (Danvers) - $50,000: Funds will be used to cover the purchase of food products and gift cards for families in Brockton and Randolph, and for administrative support. Funds will also be used to cover transportation costs to help elderly get to and from appointments.

MACIR, Inc. (Moroccan American Connections in Revere) (Revere) - $50,000: Using the funds, MACIR will provide housing and food assistance to immigrant populations in Revere.

Malden Portuguese Foursquare Church (Malden) - $40,000: Fund will support the Church’s food distribution service in collaboration with a regional food pantry, to be supplemented with gift cards for specific needs. Funds will also support basic needs assessments, information on community resources, and rental and utilities aid.

Massachusetts Jobs With Justice (Boston) - $50,000: Through the UndocuFund, Jobs with Justice will issue checks and gift cards to undocumented immigrants across Massachusetts for food and housing assistance.

Mi Amore, Inc. (Winthrop) - $50,000: Funds will be used to purchase food and gift cards to the local Winthrop Marketplace.

Quincy Community Action Program (Quincy) - $50,000: Funds will provide food and housing assistance to families in the South Shore area.

South Shore Stars, Inc. (Quincy) - $35,000: Funds will be used to purchase gift cards to cover food costs and housing assistance in Weymouth, Quincy and Randolph. Funds will also be used to support funeral assistance.

Transgender Emergency Fund (Boston) - $40,000: Funds will be used to purchase food products and gift cards in the Brockton area. Funds will also be used to cover transportation cost to transports individuals to medical appointments.

Welcome Project, Inc. (Somerville) - $50,000: Funds will be used to purchase food products and provide housing assistance and gift cards.

Women Encouraging Empowerment, Inc. (Revere) - $50,000: Funds will be used to provide housing assistance to families disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 crisis, as well as to purchase diapers and household supplies, and for food assistance to families in need.