Clipper Ship Foundation Grant

Clipper Ship Foundation Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Clipper Ship Foundation
Amount: US $50,000 - US $150,000
Last Updated: January 09, 2026

Summary

The Clipper Ship Foundation Grant aims to enhance the lives of vulnerable populations in Greater Boston, focusing on housing, foster care, and opportunity youth. It supports nonprofit organizations that provide essential services to individuals at risk of homelessness, youth in foster care, and those aged 16-24 who are out of school or unemployed. The Foundation prioritizes organizations with a track record of success and a commitment to impactful solutions.

Overview

Mission The Clipper Ship Foundation was founded in 1979 by David Parmely Weatherhead. The Foundation makes grants to federally tax-qualified nonprofit organizations offering critical services to individuals living in Greater Boston (cities and towns lying on or within Route 128) and the cities of Lawrence and Brockton. The Foundation focuses its grant activities in the areas of housing and shelter, foster care, and opportunity youth. Clipper Ship Foundation Grant The Clipper Ship Foundation aims to improve the lives of society’s most vulnerable populations. Towards that end, the Foundation supports nonprofit organizations serving individuals living in Greater Boston (defined as cities and towns on or within Route 128) and the cities of Lawrence and Brockton. The Foundation’s priority funding areas focus on the following: Housing and shelter Target population: Individuals and families experiencing or at risk for homelessness Examples of target impacts: increased availability of, and expanded access to, affordable housingreduced displacement of cost-burdened and at-risk householdsincreased capacity and enhancement of emergency sheltersoperation of transitional shelters and housing for youth, immigrants & refugees, persons recovering from addictions, survivors of domestic violence, and other affected populationsprovision of independent and/or assisted living housing or hospice care for the elderly poor and terminally ill Foster care Target population: Youth entering, currently in, or aging out of foster care Examples of target impacts: The best possible placement of youth in appropriate homes/settings,Support for youth in foster care and their foster families, andImproved outcomes for youth in and exiting foster care, including higher rates of adoption, better health care, higher rates of educational attainment and increased connection to employment Opportunity youth Target population: Youth ages 16-24 who are Out of school and unemployed,Enrolled in school, but not showing up regularly and not progressing academically,Enrolled in college part-time and either unemployed or marginally employed, orNot enrolled in school and only working part-time without benefits. Examples of target impacts: Acquisition of educational/skills credentials as a component of a futures pathwaySuccessful transition to adult life for youth with disabilitiesStabilized housingMental health treatmentReduced recidivismSubstance abuse remediation Organizations may apply for funding in only one of the three target areas.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Geographic focus: Organizations serving individuals living in Greater Boston (defined as cities and towns on or within Route 128), or the cities of Lawrence or Brockton, are eligible to apply.Nonprofit status:Applicants must be tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and remain in good standing with the IRS.Organization size:Clipper Ship considers funding requests from organizations with annual operating budgets of any size, but anticipates awarding most of available grant funding to organizations with annual operating budgets smaller than $5 million.

Ineligibility

The Clipper Ship Foundation does not fund:Religious programs,Hospitals,Higher Education,Research,Scholarships,Fellowships,Student loans or travel,Writing or publishing of books, articles, or mass mediaCampaigns for endowment funds, orExpenses related to conferences or conventions.