Boston Foundation: Safety Net Grants

The Boston Foundation's Safety Net Grants program provides $50,000 in general operating support over two years to social service organizations serving marginalized communities in Greater Boston. Focused on essential needs like food security, housing assistance, and mental health support, these grants aim to empower nonprofits addressing critical needs. Eligible organizations must have a 501(c)(3) status and demonstrate alignment with the Foundation's mission to promote equity and opportunity.

The Safety Net Grants program is designed to support social service organizations that respond to essential needs for marginalized communities and vulnerable residents in Greater Boston.
Built upon our now-closed Open Door Grants program, Safety Net Grants provide an opportunity to provide much-needed general operating funds to nonprofits addressing critical, immediate and essential needs for people throughout the region.
Safety Net Grants are $50,000, two-year general operating support grants, paid in two equal annual installments of $25,000.
Essential needs are defined as resources that restore health, wellness, safety and belonging for individuals or families in crisis. They can include, but are not limited to:
Childcare assistanceDirect cash assistanceDisability assistanceFood securityHealth care accessLegal supportMental health supportRental and housing assistanceSupport for survivors of trauma
Please see FAQs for additional guidelines.

Eligibility

Who Is Eligible?Eligible Organizations primarily serve communities historically excluded from institutional philanthropy in Essex, Middlesex, Norfolk, Plymouth and Suffolk counties with a focus on the communities of greatest need as defined by the supplemental poverty measure (SPM).An eligible applicant would also meet the following criteria: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 Our New Pathway, the strategic vision for The Boston Foundation;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;Responds to an essential need by providing resources that restore health, wellness, safety and belonging for individuals or families in crisis The Safety Net Grants program will accept one application from an organization per 12 month period.

Ineligibility

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. Parent Teacher Associations and tuition-based schools (including K-12 and post-secondary schools and universities) are also not eligible for this funding.We are currently not accepting grant proposals from CDCs certified under Certified under MGL Chapter 40H and small businesses.