Beacon Hill Community Fund

Mission: The Beacon Hill Community Fund gives grants to community-based Beacon Hill, Cambridge Street and adjacent neighborhood non-profit organizations, community development corporations, and other civic groups dedicated to promoting and enhancing quality of life in the community.

Focus Areas

The Community Fund supports projects and programs for residents involving:

• Arts and education
• Youth sports and recreation
• Day care centers
• Playgrounds
• Activities for seniors and persons with special needs and disabilities
• Community gardens and spaces
• Affordable housing
• Social services
• Other initiatives deemed appropriate by the Board of Directors

Award Information

Typical Grant Range: $2,500 - $10,000

• Grants can be lower than $2,500 or higher than $10,000 as deemed appropriate by the Executive Committee, subject to Board approval
• Grants can be awarded in two to three year installments in limited circumstances
• Grant recipients will not be perpetually funded to ensure funds are available for a variety of initiatives

Annual Allocation: For an initial period of three years (beginning 2019), annual grants totaled no more than $20,000. After each three-year period, the recommended total annual grants amount can be revisited and adjusted.

Eligibility

• Community-based non-profit organizations serving Beacon Hill, Cambridge Street, and adjacent neighborhoods
• Community development corporations
• Civic groups dedicated to promoting and enhancing quality of life in the community

What They Fund

• Specific activities that result in defined outcomes
• Summer youth camps
• Community events
• Senior programs
• Scholarships

What They Don't Fund

• General operating funds (in most instances)
• Fundraising campaigns (in most instances)

Geographic Scope

Beacon Hill, Cambridge Street, and adjacent neighborhoods (Boston, MA area)

Background

Established in 2019, the Community Fund was created by the Beacon Hill Civic Association as a special purpose fund. Initial assets came from the 250 Cambridge Street Corporation (now dissolved), with anticipated continued growth through investment returns.

Application Process

Application Method: Online applications via Google Forms

Key Timeline:

• Application Period Opens: September 15, 2025
• Application Period Closes: October 31, 2025
• Award Distribution: December 2025

Application Duration: The application submission process should take no longer than one hour to complete.

Important Instructions

1. Do not exit the application until finished - The system will not save your progress if you exit before submitting
2. File naming convention: Include your organization name and the year in the file name
   • Example: BeaconHillCivicAssociation_2025
3. Gmail account required: You will be prompted to sign in to your Gmail account to upload materials
   • Don't have a Gmail account? Create one at accounts.google.com

Required Materials

• Organization name and year in file name format
• All application materials must be uploaded to the Google Form

Submission Format

• Online submission via Google Forms
• Applicants must complete entire application before submitting