The New Commonwealth Racial Equity and Social Justice Fund Inc
The New Commonwealth Fund (NCF) is a public charity based in Roxbury, Massachusetts. Founded in 2020, it supports organizations working to advance racial equity and economic empowerment, with a stated commitment to directing philanthropic resources toward leaders and communities closest to solutions.
Key facts about The New Commonwealth Racial Equity and Social Justice Fund Inc
In short: The New Commonwealth Racial Equity and Social Justice Fund Inc gave $3.5M across 113 grants in 2025 (avg $31K), mostly in Massachusetts. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- EIN
- 85-1850139
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025
- Annual giving (2025)
- $3,500,875
- Grants made (2025)
- 113
- Average grant
- $30,981
- Median grant
- $12,500
- Total assets
- $14,361,088
- Primary geography
- Massachusetts (96% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- How to apply
- Applications for Immediate-Need Investments are reviewed quarterly. Full details ↓
- Deadline
- The published FY25 Phased Investments application deadline was January 15, 2025, at 5 p.m.
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026. Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990 · View filing
Total Assets
$14.4M
-18.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$3.5M
+15.4% YoY
Grant Count
113
+1.8% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$31K
+13.4% YoY
How The New Commonwealth Racial Equity and Social Justice Fund Inc gives
- 61% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Mission & Focus Areas
NCF’s mission is to build a Commonwealth where nonprofit leaders and communities have access to philanthropic dollars, and to reshape philanthropy so funding supports a full spectrum of leadership and expertise. Its original five pillars are Economic Empowerment, Health Equity, Policing & Criminal Justice Reform, Youth Development, and Identity & Culture Narrative. NCF says these have been folded into broader areas of emphasis, including Health & Longevity and Family & Community. Its stated work also includes economic mobility, public safety and legal reform, cultural narratives, and innovation.
NCF describes its grantmaking as respect-based and co-designed with nonprofit leaders. Its 2025 grants illustrate the range of organizations it supports. For example, Citizens for Juvenile Justice describes itself as a voice for juvenile justice reform in Massachusetts; Vital Cxns says it works with communities to co-create a more accessible and equitable health ecosystem; and the Black Economic Council of Massachusetts describes its mission as advancing the economic well-being of Black businesses, organizations, and residents. Company One Theatre says it builds community at the intersection of art and social change, while 826 Boston describes its work as writing, tutoring, and publishing that helps students share their stories and develop as leaders.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, NCF reported 113 grants totaling $3,500,875. Grant amounts ranged from $6,000 to $427,750, with a median of $12,500. The largest grants included $427,750 to AGNCY Design Inc., $172,250 to Company One, $162,500 to Boston Impact Initiative Fund, and $150,000 to Citizens for Juvenile Justice. Other notable awards were $87,500 to Elevated Thought, $80,000 to 826 Boston, and $75,000 each to A Healthier Democracy, BU Spark, and Vital Cxns.
NCF lists Immediate-Need Investments as open and reviewed quarterly. These are one-time investments averaging $2,500 for urgent or immediate needs. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofits and organizations operating under a tax-exempt nonprofit’s fiscal sponsorship. National organizations’ local branches may apply, with priority given to organizations local to Massachusetts. Funding amounts may vary based on organizational capacity.
NCF also lists Phased Investments. Its grant materials describe funding levels that pair grants with capacity-building or cohort-based learning, including Incubation, System Disruption, and System Reckoning. The published FY25 application period has closed; it ran from December 4, 2024, to January 15, 2025.
Review Cycle
The published FY25 Phased Investments application deadline was January 15, 2025, at 5 p.m. EST.
How to Apply
Applications for Immediate-Need Investments are reviewed quarterly.
Open Grants
2 open opportunities from The New Commonwealth Racial Equity and Social Justice Fund Inc
Immediate-Need Investments
The New Commonwealth Racial Equity and Social Justice Fund Inc
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
New Commonwealth Fund- Phased Investments
The New Commonwealth Racial Equity and Social Justice Fund Inc
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Ready to take the next step with The New Commonwealth Racial Equity and Social Justice Fund Inc?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
NCF states that it prioritizes historically underfunded organizations in Massachusetts. In filing year 2025, 96% of grant dollars went to recipients in Massachusetts; the remainder went to recipients in California, New York, Minnesota, and Illinois.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 113 itemized grants.
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2024 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $3.0M (2024) to $3.5M (2025). In 2025 it made 113 grants totaling $3.5M.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Agncy Design Inc ($428K). Together the top 10 received $1.4M.
Organizations only. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($12,500), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
224 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 189 grants of 224 (84%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Agncy Design Inc Brookline, MA | Support teams and leaders to achieve equity in justice in their communities | $427,750 |
| Company One Boston, MA | Builds community at the intersections of art and social change | $172,250 |
| Boston Impact Initiative Fund Jamiaca Plain, MA | Transform Impact Investing Field | $162,500 |
| Citizens for Juvenile Justice Boston, MA | Policing and Criminal Justice Reform | $150,000 |
| Elevated Thought Inc Lawrence, MA | Youth Development Through Art | $87,500 |
| 826 Boston Boston, MA | Provided Support for Tutoring the Youth | $80,000 |
| A Healthier Democracy Boston, MA | Programs connecting healthcare, public benefits access, and civic engagement | $75,000 |
| Bu Spark Boston, MA | To Support Higher Education and Academic Programs. | $75,000 |
| Vital CXNS Boston, MA | Equitable Health Ecosystem | $75,000 |
| Tides Centertransformational Prison Project Los Angles, CA | Reentry Services for Returning Citizens | $62,500 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $14,361,088 | $5,815,124 | $8,170,623 | $3,500,875 |
| 2024 | $17,519,040 | $23,379,665 | $7,205,213 | $3,033,150 |
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $14,361,088 | $17,519,040 |
| Revenue | $5,815,124 | $23,379,665 |
| Expenses | $8,170,623 | $7,205,213 |
| Net Investment Income | $231,541 | $99,508 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 15, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 14, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal year 2024
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Damian W. Wilmot as chair; Myechia Minter-Jordan as vice chair; and BJ Trach as treasurer and secretary. Directors listed are Dominic Blue, Juan Concepcion, Rachel Felix, Linda Dorcena Forry, Paul Francisco, Damon Hart, and Keon Holmes.
The New Commonwealth Racial Equity and Social Justice Fund Inc is led by Makeeba McCreary, President on every filing since 2024; 4 of 21 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Makeeba McCreary
President
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$212K (2024) → $393K (2025)
Damian W. Wilmot
Chair
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Damon Hart
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Devin McCourty
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Dominic Blue
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Fred Lowery
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Greg Shell
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Juan Concepcion
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Keon Holmes
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Linda Dorcena Forry
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Manuel Lopes
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Paul Francisco
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Quincy Miller
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Rachel Felix
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Allison Feaster
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Hilina Ajakaiye
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jennifer Smith
Chief of Operations
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$107K (2025)
Nadia Harden
Chief of Staff
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$143K (2025)
Zachary Rich
Chief of Program & Evaluation
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$126K (2025)
Bj Trach
Treasurer & Secretary
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Myechia Minter-Jordan
Vice Chair
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (3)
- Former: Gerard Cox (2024) — Director
- Former: Pamela Everhart (2024) — Director
- Former: Rodney C. Pratt (2024) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2024–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $393K, to Makeeba McCreary (President). 4 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Contact
Mailing address: 67 Kemble Street Suite 33, Roxbury, MA 02119
Phone: (617) 880-2234
Website: https://newcommonwealthfund.org
Frequently asked questions about The New Commonwealth Racial Equity and Social Justice Fund Inc
How much does The New Commonwealth Racial Equity and Social Justice Fund Inc give each year?
The New Commonwealth Racial Equity and Social Justice Fund Inc gave $3.5M across 113 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $3.0M across 111 grants.
What is The New Commonwealth Racial Equity and Social Justice Fund Inc's typical grant size?
The New Commonwealth Racial Equity and Social Justice Fund Inc's median grant in 2025 was $12,500, and its average grant was $30,981, across 113 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Where does The New Commonwealth Racial Equity and Social Justice Fund Inc give grants?
The New Commonwealth Racial Equity and Social Justice Fund Inc gives mostly in Massachusetts: 96% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Boston, MA (43 grants), Cambridge, MA (6 grants), Worcester, MA (6 grants) and Lawrence, MA (5 grants).
Does The New Commonwealth Racial Equity and Social Justice Fund Inc give general operating support?
Occasionally: 3% of The New Commonwealth Racial Equity and Social Justice Fund Inc's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (3 of 113) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990. Recurring purposes include "Policing and Criminal Justice Reform" (5 grants) and "Reentry Services for Returning Citizens" (3 grants).
Who are The New Commonwealth Racial Equity and Social Justice Fund Inc's largest grantees?
The New Commonwealth Racial Equity and Social Justice Fund Inc's largest 2025 grantees include Agncy Design Inc ($427,750), Company One ($172,250) and Boston Impact Initiative Fund ($162,500), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($12,500), which are not listed by name. Together they received 22% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The New Commonwealth Racial Equity and Social Justice Fund Inc?
The New Commonwealth Racial Equity and Social Justice Fund Inc reported $14.4M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $5.8M.
What does The New Commonwealth Racial Equity and Social Justice Fund Inc fund?
NCF’s mission is to build a Commonwealth where nonprofit leaders and communities have access to philanthropic dollars, and to reshape philanthropy so funding supports a full spectrum of leadership and expertise. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The New Commonwealth Racial Equity and Social Justice Fund Inc?
Applications for Immediate-Need Investments are reviewed quarterly. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The New Commonwealth Racial Equity and Social Justice Fund Inc's EIN?
The New Commonwealth Racial Equity and Social Justice Fund Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 85-1850139. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2024–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Here's the math on researching The New Commonwealth Racial Equity and Social Justice Fund Inc by hand.
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