Social Innovation Forum Inc

The John H and H Naomi Tomfohrde

Boston, MA

The foundation funds education and career pathways in Eastern Massachusetts, including career exploration, community college access and student support, and vocational and technical training. Its 2025 grants ranged from $10,000 to $35,000, with a median of $15,000. Beginning in 2026, it accepts applications by invitation; later in 2026, other organizations may submit a one-page letter of interest for possible invitation.

Life Science Cares Inc

Cambridge, MA

Life Science Cares supports local nonprofits addressing poverty and inequality through basic needs, education, and opportunity, with a health-equity focus in Boston. Its 2024 grants ranged from $8,400 to $424,600, with a median of $50,000, and it operates in Boston, Philadelphia, San Diego, the San Francisco Bay Area, and New York. It uses a competitive selection process; whether it accepts unsolicited requests is not stated.

Move the World Foundation

Dartmouth, MA

The foundation supports education, STEaM, youth development, and college and career readiness, especially for disadvantaged students and early-generation Americans, with a focus on Greater Boston and Massachusetts. Its 2024 grants ranged from $3,000 to $20,000, with a median of $8,000. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.

The New Commonwealth Racial Equity and Social Justice Fund Inc

Roxbury, MA

The New Commonwealth Fund supports organizations advancing racial equity and economic empowerment, including work in health, family and community, economic mobility, public safety, youth, and culture. It prioritizes historically underfunded organizations in Massachusetts; its open Immediate-Need Investments average $2,500, while its 2025 grants ranged from $6,000 to $427,750, with a $12,500 median. It accepts applications for Immediate-Need Investments on a quarterly basis.

The Beker Foundation

Boston, MA

The Beker Foundation funds community-centered work in areas including youth opportunity, Jewish life, social connection and wellbeing, arts, and parks, primarily in Greater Boston and other communities where family members live. Its 2024 grants ranged from $250 to $150,000, with a median of $10,000; its website says it accepts unsolicited requests only from Boston-area organizations, while its 2024 filing says it does not accept unsolicited requests.

The Lenny Zakim Fund

Boston, MA

The Lenny Zakim Fund supports small, grassroots organizations advancing social, economic, and racial justice, including work in areas such as housing, education, health, immigrant and LGBTQIA support, and criminal justice reform. Its annual unrestricted grants typically range from $6,000 to $20,000, with a 2024 median of $10,000, and primarily serve organizations in eastern Massachusetts. It accepts unsolicited requests through its annual grant cycle.

Alku Foundation Inc

Andover, MA

ALKU Foundation supports youth-serving nonprofits, especially programs promoting equity, social progress, mentoring, and youth leadership, primarily across Massachusetts. Its 2024 grants ranged from $1,000 to $155,000, with a median of $5,000; it does not accept unsolicited funding requests and gives only to preselected organizations.

Foley Hoag Foundation

Wilmington, DE

The Foley Hoag Foundation funds programs addressing inequity and advancing social justice, including arts and culture, youth development, education and job readiness, criminal justice reform, and civic engagement. Its 2024 grants ranged from $2,500 to $17,000, with a median of $5,500, and primarily supported organizations in the firm’s U.S. cities, including Massachusetts, New York, Virginia, Washington, D.C., and Maryland. It generally funds preselected organizations; unsolicited requests are permitted only for Boston-area applicants.

We Share A Common Thread Foundation Inc

Lowell, MA

We Share A Common Thread Foundation supports community needs in food, shelter, clothing, health, and education, with reported giving of about $371,000 in 2023 and $374,000 in 2024. Its 2024 grants went to Massachusetts recipients; contact Alison Hughes to ask about applying, as the profile does not state whether unsolicited requests are accepted.

Boston After School & Beyond Inc

Boston, MA

Boston After School & Beyond funds after-school, summer learning, youth development, and social-emotional learning programs, especially those serving high-need youth. Its 2025 grants had a median of $30,000 and ranged from $8,650 to $766,549, supporting programs focused on Boston youth and other Massachusetts communities. It lists grant opportunities on its website; whether it accepts unsolicited requests is not stated.

Smith Timothy Tr Uwill

Pittsburgh, PA

Wagner Foundation

Cambridge, MA

Wagner Foundation funds health equity, economic wellbeing, and arts and culture, supporting organizations in the United States, Africa, Latin America, and Haiti, with much of its recent grantmaking going to Massachusetts. Its typical grants range from $3,000 to $3 million, with a 2024 median of $50,000. It does not accept unsolicited requests; grants are by invitation only.