Florence Finkel Developmental Disabilities Grant

Background: The Florence Finkel Fund was established in 2017 by PLAN of MA and RI to honor the memory of the late Florence Finkel, a tireless advocate of people with developmental disabilities. Ms. Finkel was intimately involved in the founding of both the Arc of Massachusetts and PLAN.

Geographic Scope: Massachusetts and Rhode Island

Focus Areas:

• Direct services that enhance the quality of life of people with disabilities
• Specifically addresses the need for relationships and the risk of isolation experienced by people with intellectual disabilities and developmental disabilities
• Supports the Pathways to Friendship Project, an existing project hosted at the Arc of Massachusetts and funded by DDS

Beneficiaries: Up to 120 people with developmental disabilities, behavioral health disabilities, and mental health disabilities

Partner Organizations: Thirteen agencies are working with the Arc of Massachusetts to identify people who will benefit from greater and more meaningful social connections

Contact Information:

• Phone MA: 617-244-5552
• Phone RI: 401-234-8444
• Mailing Address: PLAN of MA & RI, Inc., Two Adams Place, Suite 110, 859 Willard St., Quincy, MA 02169
• Alternative Address: 331 Waterman St., Suite 225W, Providence, RI 02906
• New Address (as of May 1, 2026): 50 Braintree Hill Office Park, Suite 110, Braintree, MA 02184

Application Process

Grant Cycle & Applications: Applications for this grant program are handled by the partner agencies to the Arc of Massachusetts.

Applicants should contact the Arc of Massachusetts or one of the thirteen partner agencies working on the Pathways to Friendship Project for application information and procedures.