Latino Equity Fund Community Partners
Each year, the Latino Equity Fund collaborates with grantee organizations and other strategic partners to advance the economic prosperity, health and health equity of the Latino community—and in doing so, the region overall.
Dynamic. Strong. Vibrant. The Latino population that calls MA home makes our region and our communities special. Building something meaningful for "nuestro futuro," our future, means investing in our communities and fueling organizations so that we can continue to thrive. For over 10 years, the Latino Equity Fund at the Boston Foundation has been deploying resources to impactful Latino-led and Latino-serving organizations, helping to build their capacity and lift up Latino leadership.
The Latino Equity Fund’s grantees are community partners that are making major contributions to their neighborhoods and the regions they’re in. LEF highlights three of these organizations in this grantee spotlight video series below.
Supporting MA's Latino Communities for Nuestro Futuro
Grantee Spotlight
Brazilian Worker Center
Grantee Spotlight
Mujeres Unidas Avanzando
Grantee Spotlight
Pathways
Past LEF grantee organizations are listed below.
2024
The Latino Equity Fund provided $450,000 in grants to 13 Latinx-led and Latinx-serving organizations, surpassing $2.3 million in overall grantmaking since 2013. Read the grantee announcement here.
Agencia ALPHA - $50,000 (Boston)
Agencia ALPHA (Alcanzando Logros Para Hispanos Ahora) is focused on improving the lives of Hispanics and immigrant communities. They offer a range of immigration legal services, including assistance with adjustment of status, asylum applications, consular processing, DACA, work authorizations, family petitions, NACARA (Nicaraguan Adjustment and Central American Relief Act), naturalization/citizenship, TPS, U visas, and VAWA (Violence Against Women) petitions. In addition, they provide adult education classes and empower the community to engage actively in policies that affect their lives.
Centro Cooperativo de Desarrollo y Solidaridad - $50,000 (East Boston)
The Center for Cooperative Development and Solidarity (CCDS) in East Boston, Massachusetts, is a community-driven organization that fosters economic stability and resilience through cooperative business models, especially for low-income communities. Established in 2015, CCDS supports the creation and growth of worker-owned cooperatives by providing educational, technical, and financial resources. Their work empowers local residents to build economic alternatives that promote social, economic, and racial equity amid challenges like gentrification and rising living costs.
Maverick Landing Services - $50,000 (East Boston)
Maverick Landing Community Services (MLCS) is a nonprofit organization that aims to build an equitable community by uplifting and supporting families, promoting community health, and nurturing resident and youth leadership and creativity. MLCS offers several programs, including workforce development services, digital literacy classes in English and Spanish, and youth production workforce initiatives. It also provides housing assistance and has distributed over one million pounds of food to East Boston residents since 2020.
Somerville Community Corporation - $50,000 (Somerville)
Established in 1969, Somerville Community Corporation focuses on providing affordable housing, promoting economic stability, and fostering community engagement among low- and moderate-income residents. SCC's initiatives include developing and preserving affordable rental and ownership units, offering financial literacy and first-time homebuyer programs, and facilitating workforce development through the First Source Jobs Program. Additionally, SCC actively engages in community organizing to influence policies that enhance housing affordability and economic opportunities, ensuring that all residents can thrive in Somerville's evolving landscape.
Waltham Partnership for Youth- $50,000 (Waltham)
Waltham Partnership for Youth (WPY) is dedicated to fostering a community where all young people feel a sense of belonging and have access to opportunities that enable them to thrive. Collaborating with youth, families, and partner organizations, WPY addresses systemic inequities by connecting over 600 students annually to resources such as paid internships, professional development, and support services. WPY's key initiatives include the Career Exploration & Training program, which offers meaningful paid internships and professional development to more than 150 students each year, and Wraparound Waltham, a multi-agency collaboration providing holistic support to newcomer Spanish-speaking students and their families.
Lawyers for Civil Rights—Boston - $50,000 (Greater Boston)
Lawyers for Civil Rights (LCR) is a nonprofit organization based in Boston, Massachusetts, dedicated to combating discrimination and promoting equity through legal advocacy, education, and economic empowerment. Established in 1968, LCR provides free legal services to individuals, families, and small businesses, focusing on education, employment, health justice, fair housing, immigrant rights, police accountability, and voting rights.
Brazilian Worker Center - $50,000 (Greater Boston)
Based in Allston, Massachusetts, the Brazilian Worker Center (BWC) is dedicated to empowering immigrant workers by educating them about workplace rights, immigration issues, and health equity. BWC offers various programs, including "Know Your Rights" workshops, health and wellness initiatives, leadership development, coalition building, and community support services. These efforts aim to promote economic, social, political, and racial justice for all. A notable initiative of BWC is the Family Welcome Center, developed in partnership with the State of Massachusetts to support newly arrived immigrants. This center provides essential resources and assistance to help families integrate into their new communities.
Pathways Adult Education - $50,000 (Lynn)
Pathways Lynn serves as a crucial resource for adult learners, providing education, career readiness, and community support. Their comprehensive programs include free English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes, HiSet/GED test preparation, and work readiness training to help participants build skills for career advancement or further education. By incorporating practical job skills into the curriculum, Pathways Lynn equips students with the tools to pursue stable, well-paying employment. In addition to its educational programs, Pathways Lynn offers career services that guide individuals through job searches, resume building, and interview preparation to help adults secure sustainable employment.
La Alianza Hispana - $10,000 (Boston)
La Alianza Hispana is a community-based nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering the Latino community and surrounding neighborhoods. Founded in 1970, its mission is to provide culturally and linguistically appropriate health and education programs, advocacy, and community organizing to strengthen individuals and families. Programs include senior programs, adult day health care, and Mothers and Children in Process (MYNP), A comprehensive maternal and child home-visiting program targeting high-risk Latina immigrant pregnant or parenting mothers and families with children from birth to age five.
Revival Chelsea - $10,000 (Chelsea)
Revival Chelsea is a dedicated resource center that provides hope, healing, and practical support for individuals and families in need. They have operated a food pantry for over ten years, connecting with over 600 families weekly to address food insecurity. In addition to food assistance, Revival Chelsea offers non-clinical mental health support and wellness programs designed to understand and address the unique challenges of each individual, promoting holistic well-being and resilience.
La Vida Scholars - $10,000 (Lynn)
La Vida Scholars is dedicated to empowering low-income, high-achieving students from Lynn and Chelsea to access top-tier colleges with minimal to no debt. Established in 2007, the program has helped over 400 students secure over $23 million in grants, scholarships, and awards. The organization offers a comprehensive suite of services, including academic support, campus visits, monthly family meetings, matched college savings, individualized advising, and assistance with scholarships and college applications. Partnering closely with families, they aim to equip students with the resources and opportunities necessary to graduate with minimal to no debt, thereby fostering educational equity and success.
Cultivate Pathways - $10,000 (Lynn)
Cultivate Pathways is a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating equitable economic opportunities for 1st gen students through bilingual training and credentialing in high-growth industries. Their flagship program, AbreTech, offers paid work-based learning experiences to English learner students from 11th grade through college, focusing on developing in-demand tech skills. Participants receive training in areas such as web design, IT, and digital marketing, aiming to equip them with the competencies needed for family-sustaining careers.
Brockton Workers Alliance - $10,000 (Brockton)
The Brockton Workers Alliance (BWA) is focused on empowering immigrant workers facing workplace exploitation and advocating for their rights. By offering programs such as Workers' Rights Clinics, BWA educates and supports workers in understanding their legal rights and addressing workplace injustices. Additionally, BWA provides English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes to help workers improve their communication skills, enhancing their employment opportunities. BWA is deeply committed to broader community advocacy, including voter registration and education to increase civic engagement and campaigns for racial and economic justice that address systemic employment, housing, and healthcare barriers.
2023
Across two rounds of grantmaking, LEF provided $575,000 in grants to 28 organizations.
December 2023
The Latino Equity Fund provided $375,000 in grants to 20 Latinx-led and Latinx-serving organizations. Read the grantee announcement here.
July 2023
The Latino Equity Fund provided $200,000 in grants to 8 Latino-led and Latino-serving organizations. Read the grantee announcement here.
Mujeres Unidas Avanzando - $25,000
Hyde Square Task Force - $25,000
ACT Lawrence Inc - $20,000
Agencia ALPHA - $20,000
Alianza Services - $20,000
Brazilian Worker Center, Inc. - $20,000
Center for Cooperative Development and Solidarity - $20,000
East Boston Ecumenical Community Council - $20,000
Innovation Studio - $20,000
Junior Achievement of Greater Boston - $20,000
Latino Economic Development Corporation - $20,000
Latinx Community Center for Empowerment - $20,000
Lawrence Community Works - $20,000
MA Coalition for Occupational Safety & Health Inc (Immigrant Workers Center) - $20,000
Pathways Adult Education & Training (Lynn Rapid Response) - $20,000
Political Asylum Immigration Representation Project - $20,000
La Colaborativa - $15,000
Amplify Latinx - $10,000
La Alianza Hispana Inc - $10,000
Lynn Hispanic Scholarship Fund - $10,000
The Mauricio Gaston Institute for Latino Community Development and Public Policy at UMass Boston: $50,000
Lawyers for Civil Rights – Boston: $25,000
Sociedad Latina: $25,000
Agencia ALPHA: $25,000
Mujeres Unidas Avanzando: $25,000
Maverick Landing Community Services: $25,000
Brazilian Workers Center: $15,000
Amplify Latinx: $10,000
2022
The Latino Equity Fund provided $270,000 to 9 organizations.
Mauricio Gaston Institute at UMass Boston (75,000)
Maverick Landing (25,000)
Latino Health Insurance Program ( 25,000)
Sociedad Latina, Inc. ( 25,000)
Mujeres Unidas Avanzando (25,000)
La Alianza Hispana, Inc (25,000)
Centro Comunicatio de los trabajadores (25,000)
Chelsea 2021 Fund (25,000)
Hispanic- American Institute, Inc (20,000)
FY2021
The Latino Equity Fund provided $45,500 to 3 organizations.
Maverick Landing Community Services (25,000)
Multicultural BRIDGE (10,500)
Amplify Latinx (10,000)
FY2020
The Latino Equity Fund provides $232,500 to 13 organizations.
La Colaborativa (83,000)
Latino Education Institute at Worcester State University (20,000)
Alianza DV Services (13,000)
Enlace de Familias de Holyoke (13,000)
Gandara Mental Health Center, Inc (13,000)
New North Citizens’ Council (13,000)
Latinos Health Insurance Program (12,500)
Latinos for Education (12,500)
East Boston Neighborhood Health Center Corporation (12,500)
Neighborhood Developers (12,500)
Somerville Hispanic Association for Community Development, Inc. (12,500)
The Right to Immigration Institute Inc. (12,500)
Sociedad Latina, Inc (2,500)
The Latino Legacy Fund
Now the Latino Equity Fund, in 2013 the Boston Foundation established the Latino Legacy Fund as a permanent, committee-advised Field of Interest Fund to provide ongoing support to strengthen the diverse Latino community of Greater Boston and contribute to the region’s civic vitality. The Fund made its first grants in October 2014.
2019
The fund made $75,000 in grants to four Greater Boston organizations focused on ESOL and workforce development programs focused on improving the economic mobility of Latinos in the region. Read the grantee announcement here.
Project Hope (Boston): $17,500 to support ESOL training for women enrolled in Project Hope’s Family Childcare and Business Enterprise (FCCBE) network, that provides an opportunity for women in the neighborhood to manage and grow their own home-based childcare centers.
Margarita Muñiz Academy (Boston): $17,500 to partner with Youth Build Boston to provide instruction and stipended experience for students to transition into post-secondary careers or further education in building trades, in partnership with local community colleges.
Chelsea Collaborative (Chelsea): $15,000 to partner with local employers and other organizations to provide residents with training in soft skills, ESOL training (including hospitality-themed English training) and place many of them in permanent jobs.