Southcoast Community Foundation Inc
The SouthCoast Community Foundation (SCCF), formerly known as the Community Foundation of Southeastern Massachusetts, is a tax-exempt public charity established in 1995. Based in New Bedford, Massachusetts, the foundation serves as a catalyst for philanthropic giving across the South Coast region. SCCF unites people, organizations, and resources to strengthen communities by matching charitable dollars with local needs through individual, family, and corporate funds.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$62.0M
+10.7% YoY
Annual Giving
$2.5M
+73.7% YoY
Grant Count
92
+76.9% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$27K
-1.8% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's mission is to "mobilize philanthropy by matching donors and resources with community needs for the benefit of the Southcoast MA region."
Primary funding areas include:
- Education
- The arts
- Health and human services
- Economic mobility
- Community and economic development
The foundation also administers scholarships for high school seniors, returning students, and adult and nontraditional learners pursuing higher education and workforce training.
Grantmaking
The foundation launched a new Spring and Fall Grant Cycle model in 2026, offering clearer timelines, simpler access to funding, and a more streamlined experience for nonprofits.
Grant Range
s:** $3,000 to $200,000+, with typical awards between $5,078 and $592,182
Review Cycle
- Contact: Adrianna Heard, Program Officer
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation serves 41 cities and towns in Southeastern Massachusetts across Bristol, Plymouth, Dukes, and Norfolk counties. The foundation has identified five Gateway Cities as areas of particular emphasis: Fall River, New Bedford, Brockton, Attleboro, and Easton.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets: $62,047,747 (2024)
Revenue: $11,660,451 (2024)
Expenses: $7,539,209 (2024)
Total Liabilities: $2,990,000 (2024)
Annual Giving: $6,231,826 (2023); $3+ million in grants (2024)
Cumulative Impact: To date, SCCF has distributed more than $62 million from nearly 450 funds to benefit the region.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $62,047,747 | $56,028,716 | $49,607,521 |
| Revenue | $11,660,451 | $10,495,771 | $12,813,868 |
| Expenses | $7,539,209 | $9,952,781 | $8,467,671 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $3,760,414 | $980,040 | $971,504 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
250 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
34 open opportunities from Southcoast Community Foundation Inc
Amy Edwards Second Wind Initiative Scholarship Grant
SOUTHCOAST COMMUNITY FOUNDATION INC
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
BankFive President’s Scholarship Grant
SOUTHCOAST COMMUNITY FOUNDATION INC
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Charles J. Lewin Interfaith Scholarship Grant
SOUTHCOAST COMMUNITY FOUNDATION INC
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Old Dartmouth Historical Society ($173,625), New Bedford Public Schools ($134,000), New Bedford Symphony Orchestra ($109,330).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ALMA DEL MAR FOUNDATION INC NEW BEDFORD, MA | EDUCATION AND YOUTH DEVELOPMENT | $15,500 |
| APPONEQUET REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL LAKEVILLE, MA | EDUCATION AND YOUTH DEVELOPMENT | $10,000 |
| BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF GREATER NEW BEDFORDWAREHAM NEW BEDFORD, MA | EDUCATION AND YOUTH DEVELOPMENT | $48,000 |
| BUTTONWOOD PARK ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY NEW BEDFORD, MA | MISC. | $55,500 |
| BUZZARDS BAY COALITION NEW BEDFORD, MA | ENVIRONMENT | $6,250 |
| CAPE COD COLLABORATIVE OSTERVILLE, MA | EDUCATION AND YOUTH DEVELOPMENT | $12,600 |
| CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF THE DIOCESE OF FALL RIVER FALL RIVER, MA | BASIC HUMAN NEEDS | $13,530 |
| CEDC- COMMUNITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CENTER OF SE MA NEW BEDFORD, MA | COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT | $10,000 |
| CENTRO COMUNITARIO DE TRABAJADORES NEW BEDFORD, MA | HUMAN RIGHTS AND SOCIAL JUSTICE | $6,000 |
| CENTRO DE AYUDA Y ESPERANZA LATINA INC NEW BEDFORD, MA | COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT | $15,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Dr. Melanie Edwards-Tavares: President & CEO
- Gail Fortes: Board Chair
- Adrianna Heard: Program Officer
The foundation employs 16 staff members.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| MELANIE EDWARDS-TAVARES | PRESIDENT AND CEO | 40 | $225,000 |
| GAIL FORTES | CHAIR | 2 | — |
| JAYNE REBELLO KORN | VICE CHAIR | 2 | — |
| LINDA BODENMANN | IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIR | 2 | — |
| JONATHAN ROUNDS | TREASURER | 2 | — |
| MARIA ROSARIO | CLERK | 2 | — |
| KATE ALVES | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| JANET COQUILLETTE | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| NATHANIEL RODRIGUEZ | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| CYNTHIA ROSE | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| ANNE TANGEN | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| TAMMY DAYTON | CREATIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $110,769 |
| CHARLES HOLLEY | DIR. OF FINANCE AND ADMIN | 40 | $117,967 |
| ALISON SMART | ED OF PROBABLE FUTURES | 40 | $225,138 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
**2024 Transformation:** The foundation underwent significant changes in 2024, including the launch of a bold new strategy centered on a 5G/4C framework—five Gateway Cities and four core commitments: capacity, capital, community, and culture.
**New Headquarters:** In 2024, SCCF relocated to new headquarters at 350 Union Street in downtown New Bedford, intentionally designed for connection, collaboration, and visibility. The space serves as a hub for convenings, donor conversations, and shared learning.
**Community Engagement:** Board and staff members visited communities across Fall River, New Bedford, Brockton, Attleboro, and Easton in 2024 to listen, learn, and take action.
**Scholarship Expansion:** Launched five new scholarship funds in 2024, reflecting commitment to expanding opportunity and investing in the region's future. In 2025, awarded over $800,000 in scholarships to 120 local students.
SouthCoast Community Foundation Awards Over $800,000 in Scholarships to 120**Organizational Rating:** The foundation holds a Four-Star rating with a 100% score based on Accountability & Finance metrics.
Contact Information
- Address: 350 Union Street, New Bedford, MA 02740
- Phone: 508-996-8253
- Fax: 508-996-8254
- Email: inquiry@southcoastcf.org
- Website: southcoastcf.org
- EIN: 04-3280353
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Southcoast Community Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation's mission is to "mobilize philanthropy by matching donors and resources with community needs for the benefit of the Southcoast MA region." Primary funding areas include: • Education • The arts • Health and human services • Economic mobility • Community and economic development The foundation also administers scholarships for high school seniors, returning students, and adult and nontraditional learners pursuing higher education and workforce training.
How do I apply for a grant from Southcoast Community Foundation Inc?
**Grant Ranges:** $3,000 to $200,000+, with typical awards between $5,078 and $592,182 **Recent Activity:** • In 2024, awarded over $3 million in grants to more than 225 nonprofits • Awarded $847,495 in scholarships in 2024, the foundation's highest scholarship total to date • Launched five new scholarship funds in 2024 **Application Process:** • Online grants portal available at grantinterface.com • Decision time: Approximately 2 months after application deadline • Contact: Adrianna Heard, Pro…
Where does Southcoast Community Foundation Inc make grants?
The foundation serves 41 cities and towns in Southeastern Massachusetts across Bristol, Plymouth, Dukes, and Norfolk counties. The foundation has identified five Gateway Cities as areas of particular emphasis: Fall River, New Bedford, Brockton, Attleboro, and Easton.
What size grants does Southcoast Community Foundation Inc award?
In 2024, Southcoast Community Foundation Inc awarded 92 grants totaling $2.5M — an average of about $27K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Southcoast Community Foundation Inc's EIN?
Southcoast Community Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 04-3280353. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Southcoast Community Foundation Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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