Deadline: 1-Feb-22
The Boston Foundation (TBF) is pleased to announce an open call for the Open Door Grants Program, a responsive semi-annual grantmaking program, especially focused on organizations serving and building power in communities historically excluded from institutional philanthropy and whose leadership reflects the demographic composition and lived experiences of communities they serve.
Areas
- Arts + Culture: They seek to build a creative culture that honors all voices and artistic expressions, and gives all Bostonians the opportunity to experience diverse art.
- Education: They seek to ensure that all Greater Boston residents can access the education and training they will need to succeed in the regional economy.
- Health + Wellness: They seek to promote and advance health equity, where everyone has the opportunity to attain their best health regardless of their identity or socioeconomic status.
- Neighborhoods + Housing: They seek to ensure that all residents of Greater Boston have a safe, affordable and decent home in healthy, thriving neighborhoods.
- Jobs + Economic Development: They seek to give all residents access to family-sustaining careers and stimulate the growth of generational wealth within historically marginalized populations.
Funding Information
Open Door Grants are $50,000 two-year general operating support grants, paid in two equal annual installments of $25,000.
Eligibility Criteria
- An eligible applicant would be an existing or new organization that primarily serves and builds power in communities historically excluded from institutional philanthropy within the cities and towns of the Foundation’s catchment area.
- They are especially interested in supporting the following communities: Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) individuals and communities; immigrants (including undocumented); elders; individuals with disabilities; survivors of domestic abuse; and/or incarcerated and returning citizens.
- An eligible applicant would also meet the following criteria:
- Is not eligible for funding through the Foundation’s five impact areas, as defined by their strategies, goals and approaches;
- Has not submitted an application within the past 12 months;
- Has a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit designation from the IRS or operates under the fiscal sponsorship of a tax-exempt nonprofit;
- Aligns with the Foundation’s Values Statement, which seeks to broaden participation; foster collaboration; and heal racial, ethnic and community divisions
- 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
- While not an eligibility requirement, in using a racial equity lens in the grantmaking, Open Door Grants are especially focused on supporting organizations whose leadership reflects the demographic composition and lived experiences of the communities they serve, and organizations engaged in diversity, equity and inclusion practices, programs and/or initiatives.
- If you are a current or prior grantee, please note the limit for consecutive annual support is two years, after which an organization must wait 12 months following the completion of their second year grant period before applying again for additional support.
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 or individual schools.
- Schools must apply through their school districts and districts may submit one application every 12 months.
For more information, visit https://www.tbf.org/nonprofits/grant-making-initiatives/open-door-grants-2021