The Latino Equity Fund announces $600,000 in grants to 24 Latinx-led and Latinx-serving organizations

Boston – The Latino Equity Fund at the Boston Foundation (LEF) today announced its largest grantmaking cycle to date, distributing $600,000 in grants to 24 Latinx-serving organizations across Greater Boston. The grants, made through an open request for proposals this fall, bring the Fund’s total grantmaking to $3 million since its founding in 2013, with $1.8 million of that occurring since Javier Juarez became the Fund’s Director in 2023. For the FY26 grant cycle, LEF prioritized Basic Needs services and Economic Mobility programming.

This year’s request for proposals attracted a record number of applications, which for the first time were reviewed by a team of community partners working in Latinx-serving organizations, including past LEF community partners, guided by LEF’s inaugural Community Impact Officer, Carlos Muñoz-Cadilla. 

“The review of this year’s applicants highlights the unique position of Latinx-serving organizations in the local nonprofit ecosystem and the suite of services they offer, meeting communities’ needs in a fluid socio-political environment,” said Muñoz-Cadilla. “Our grantmaking approach allowed the Latino Equity Fund to reach organizations that traditional philanthropy had previously overlooked. We are proud to say that over half of this year’s grantees are new partners to the Fund.”

“Carlos has brought tremendous knowledge, love and care to this process, and to our community impact work more broadly,” said LEF Director Javier Juarez. “I am deeply grateful to him and to our advisory committee for guiding the fund through a hectic fall filled with our signature ¡Pa’lante! events, rapid response campaigns and powerful Latino gatherings across the state.”

The Latino Equity Fund, a unique partnership between local Latinx leaders and the Boston Foundation, is the first and largest Latinx-focused fund in the Commonwealth. The LEF uses its influence and platform to amplify diverse voices and perspectives within the Latinx community in Greater Boston and the state, with a focus on achieving greater and more equitable access to economic prosperity and well-being.

Latino Equity Fund Advisory Committee Co-Chair Juan Fernando Lopera said, “At a time when many Latino families and Latino-serving organizations are living in fear and uncertainty, these grants offer both stability and hope. Investing in our communities is investing in Massachusetts’ future.”

“As many Latino families continue to navigate heavy and challenging times, it’s more important than ever to support the organizations that show up for them every day. This $600,000 grant cycle reflects LEF’s deep commitment to strengthening the ecosystem that advances our community’s dignity, resilience, and long-term opportunity. We’re honored to stand with the 24 organizations doing this vital work,” said Zamawa Arenas, LEF Advisory Committee Co-Chair.

To learn more about the Latino Equity Fund, visit https://www.tbf.org/LEF.