George I. Alden Trust: Massachusetts YMCAs Grant

George I. Alden Trust: Massachusetts YMCAs Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: George I Alden Trust
Amount: Up to US $100,000
Last Updated: March 29, 2026

Summary

The George I. Alden Trust offers grants to YMCAs in Massachusetts, reflecting founder George Alden's enduring commitment to the organization. The Trust prioritizes capital projects and primarily provides outright grants, while occasionally offering challenge grants to enhance philanthropic support. Eligible applicants include Massachusetts YMCAs, with specific policies governing application frequency and eligibility after rejection. The Trust's mission is to serve the community, ensuring that educational and charitable initiatives thrive.

Overview

NOTE: One complete, hard copy proposal for the March, June, September, or December meetings must be received by the fifteenth of the month prior to the next quarterly meeting (e.g., February 15 for the March meeting). About George Alden established the George I. Alden Trust on August 24, 1912, for the general purpose of ‘the maintenance of some charitable or philanthropic enterprises’ with specific interest in ‘the promotion of education in schools, colleges, or other educational institutions.’ He had a particular interest in Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), vocational education in Worcester, and the work of YMCAs. Given the perpetual character of the Trust and the certainty that needs and priorities change over time, the Trust further provides that ‘Trustees shall have the widest discretion in their interpretation of the purposes of this Trust...’ The current Trustees continue the Trust’s historical grantmaking focus in five primary areas and in pursuit of Alden’s desire ‘to do the greatest good for the greatest number.’ Massachusetts YMCAs Grant Grant Focus The Alden Trust supports YMCAs in Massachusetts due to George Alden’s particular interest in the YMCA over his lifetime. The Trustees focus their grantmaking on capital needs. The Trustees primarily make outright grants, but will issue occasional challenge grants with the goal of helping an institution generate increased and broader philanthropic support from its constituencies.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. YMCAs located in Massachusetts are eligible to apply.The Trust policy is not to consider grant requests more frequently than three years from the date of the last grant or one year from the date of the last payment, whichever is later. An institution whose proposal has been rejected may normally be eligible to apply again after one year. YMCAs with more than five branches should contact the Trust to ascertain whether they may be eligible to apply more frequently.

Ineligibility

The Trust cannot support individuals.