Yawkey Foundation: Transformational Capital Grant

Yawkey Foundation: Transformational Capital Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Yawkey Foundation
Amount: Up to US $5,000,000
Last Updated: November 10, 2025

Summary

The Yawkey Foundation's Transformational Capital Grant provides significant funding, up to $5 million, for nonprofit organizations to enhance their mission delivery through the development of impactful physical spaces. The grants are highly competitive and require compelling proposals demonstrating project need, community support, and financial commitment. Organizations must align with the Foundation's priority Areas of Giving, primarily serving Eastern Massachusetts and Georgetown County, South Carolina. Review timeframe for proposals is approximately 12-18 months.

Overview

NOTE: It is suggested, though not required, that organizations which have not been previously funded by the Foundation submit Initial Proposals for Program & Small Capital Grants as a way to familiarize the Foundation with their work.Initial Proposals for Transformational Capital Grant funding are open on a rolling basis throughout the calendar year for all nonprofits with missions aligned to any of the Yawkey Foundation’s Areas of Giving categories.Nonprofit organizations seeking to be considered for Yawkey Foundation funding will be required to complete an online Eligibility Quiz and upon completion, may submit an Initial Proposal for a specific Type of Grant. Areas of Giving Health Care SupportEducation SupportHuman ServicesYouth & Amateur Athletics SupportArt & Culture SupportConservation & Wildlife Support Transformational Capital Grant Transformational Capital Grants provide major funding for nonprofit organizations to permanently and vastly improve their mission delivery by supporting the development of physical spaces that make a meaningful difference in enabling them to provide high-quality, impactful programs and services to those they serve. Grant amounts are up to $5 million, payable over multiple years. These grants are extremely competitive, and the most compelling Initial Proposals will demonstrate completion of analyses to validate the project need and viability; strong Board commitment as demonstrated with a board-approved plan and community support; progress toward key regulatory benchmarks; at least 50% of the project costs pledged or received; and culminate with a milestone (groundbreaking, dedication, or similar) within one year of the Initial Proposal submission. Additionally, Initial Proposals should reflect a nonprofit’s strong leadership and proven impact in providing direct services and programs for unmet needs in underserved regions aligned with the Yawkey Foundation’s Giving Areas and geographic priority areas, including Gateway Cities in Eastern Massachusetts. The approximate timeframe for reviewing Transformational Capital Grant Initial Proposals in order to determine which nonprofits will be invited to submit a Grant Application is 12-18 months, however the time period between Initial Proposal and application may vary depending upon the complexity of the project. The Yawkey Foundation is unable to provide feedback during the review period and will reach out to a nonprofit should further information be required for the Initial Proposal.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. The Yawkey Foundation supports 501(c)3 tax-exempt nonprofit organizations (fiscal sponsors acceptable) making a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals, families and communities through direct programs and services in its six priority Areas of Giving: Health Care, Education, Human Services, Youth and Amateur Athletics, Arts and Culture, and Conservation and Wildlife.At this time, the Yawkey Foundation’s primary geographic focus areas are Eastern Massachusetts and Georgetown County, South Carolina. For the purposes of Yawkey Foundation’s grantmaking, the Eastern Massachusetts region encompasses nonprofits providing direct programs and services in cities and towns within the following counties: Suffolk, Norfolk, Bristol, Plymouth, Barnstable, Middlesex and Essex.

Ineligibility

The following entities and programs are ineligible for grants from the Yawkey Foundation:Organizations that are not tax-exempt under IRS Section 501(c)3 or 509(a)(3) Type III Funding for specific positions or salaries to recruit/engage specific employees or staff persons Funding for emergency response, events, conferences, sponsorships, advertisements, films/documentaries, travel, individual requests/benefit Funder collaboratives, private foundations, and general endowments Public school districts, public and charter schools, government agencies, community/economic development corporations, political campaigns, lobbying and cause-marketing Religious organizations for sectarian purposes (excludes non-religious programs of faith-based organizations) Athletic programs specific to individual towns, districts or counties Scholarships for elementary, middle and secondary schools International organizations and international programs “pass-through” funds