Each year, the Boston Foundation distributes more than $15 million in grants and other support from the Permanent Fund for Boston, an endowed pool of funds built over the last 100 years by contributors who want to see the Greater Boston community thrive. Discretionary grants are largely awarded through a competitive process open to all nonprofits serving the Foundation’s catchment area, stewarded by the Foundation’s Program Department staff and approved by the Foundation’s Board of Directors.
The Boston Foundation is currently accepting applications for the Fall 2021 edition of the Open Door Grants program. The program provides two-year, $50,000 general operating support grants to organizations whose work falls outside our Impact Areas. Visit our Open Door Grants page to learn more about the changes, explore answers to Frequently Asked Questions, and begin the application process.
The Boston Foundation invests the majority of its discretionary resources in five impact areas informed by research we have commissioned and by our Civic Leadership work in general. Nonprofits fitting within the defined goals of those areas and strategies are invited to apply for support after conversation with a program officer from their respective field.
To complement our program area–targeted approach, the Boston Foundation distributes a portion of its resources via its Open Door Grants program, which responds to expressed opportunities and needs in the communities we serve.
Open Door Grant Guidelines
The Foundation makes grants and strategic investments through a number of special issue-focused programs and initiatives. These activities have varying purposes, some of which are open to application.
Each year, the Boston Foundation devotes a portion of its discretionary grant-making resources to help support the fundraising events of nonprofits in the Greater Boston community.