Foundations that fund legal aid and crime prevention in Massachusetts
These 25 foundations made grants to legal aid and crime prevention in Massachusetts in the most recent IRS filing I have for each. None of them ticked the box for giving only to preselected organizations, and each filing gives application instructions or a website. That doesn't prove a foundation takes applications, and some on this list may not. The text below is copied from the filings, most of them for tax year 2024, so check a foundation's website or call before you apply.
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Gardiner Howland Shaw Foundation
- $70,000 to Community Resources for Justice, Boston: Support for the greater boston coming home offender resource directory.
- $25,000 to Citizens for Juvenile Justice, Boston: Support for the statewide juvenile justice reform initiative.
- $20,000 to New England Innocence Project, Cambridge: Support for legal advocacy for wrongfully convicted individuals.
How to apply: Written proposal
Restrictions: Organizations must deal with the prevention of crime and the rehabilitation of criminals.
Liberty Mutual Foundation Inc
- $145,000 to Justice Resource Institute Inc, Needham Heights: Youthharbors & jri health youth housing solutions gap year funding
- $75,000 to Lawyers Clearinghouse on Affordable Housing and Homelessness Inc, Boston: Operating support
- $75,000 to Massachusetts Appleseed Center for Law and Justice Inc, Boston: The legal education, advocacy, and protections (leap) project for youth experiencing...
How to apply: Only online applications are accepted. Visit www.libertymutualfoundation.org to apply online.
Deadlines: There are no submission deadlines. Liberty mutual foundation has rolling reviews of applications.
Restrictions: Liberty mutual foundation does not provide philanthropic support for: individuals; foundations that are primarily grantmaking agencies; religious organizations requesting funds for sectarian activities; fraternal, social or political...
The Hyams Foundation Inc
- $100,000 to Massachusetts Law Reform Institute Inc, Boston: Springfield Community Lawyering Project
- $64,000 to Lawyers for Civil Rights Inc, Boston: General support
- $60,000 to Massachusetts Law Reform Institute Inc, Boston: General support
How to apply: See https://hyamsfoundation.org/how-to-apply/ for information.
Deadlines: There are no deadlines.
Restrictions: See https://hyamsfoundation.org/funding-eligibility/ and https://hyamsfoundation.org/funding-criteria/ for information.
The Peter and Elizabeth C Tower Foundation
- $75,000 to Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty To Children, Lexington: Charitable
- $71,355 to Center for Public Representation, Northampton: Charitable
- $40,000 to Center for Law and Education, Boston: Charitable
How to apply: Submit letter of inquiry regarding program/project that qualifies, per grant guidelines on website. If proposal is selected for consideration, a full grant application must be completed. Grant applications are by request only and must be submitted directly to the foundation. The...
Deadlines: Applications due 1/24/24, 2/7/24, 5/22/24, 8/7/24 and 10/9/24.
Restrictions: Four distinct funding categories: learning disabilities, intellectual disabilities, mental health and substance use disorder. Each category has its own objective, target population, and funding priorities. Awards may not be used for the...
Ploughshares Foundation
- $15,000 to Justice Resource Institute, Needham: $5,000 for "my life my choice (mlmc)" project and $5,000 for strive boston
- $12,000 to Stop Handgun Violence, Beverly: General
- $8,000 to Centro Presente, East Boston: General
How to apply: All applications must be in written form. They must include a description of the organization which is submitting the application, the grant amount(s) requested by such organization and the use which the submitting organization intends to make of any grant(s) that may be...
Deadlines: No
Restrictions: No
Retirement Research Foundation Dba Rrf Foundation for Aging
- $143,626 to National Consumer Law Center, Boston: A two-year grant to lead a strategic initiative, involving research, training,...
- $143,626 to National Consumer Law Center, Boston: A two-year grant to lead a strategic initiative, involving research, training,...
- $75,000 to National Consumer Law Center, Boston: A second-year grant to promote and preserve stable homeownership for older homeowners of...
How to apply: Our website www.rrf.org contains the form in which applications should be submitted along with eligibility criteria, exclusions and letters of inquiry with required inclusions. Web inquiries should be addressed to info@rrf.org. Application forms can be downloaded in word for...
Deadlines: February 1, may 1, and august 1
Restrictions: Our website www.rrf.org contains the eligibility requirements, restrictions or limitations for all major grant programs. The major grant programs are as follows: advocacy; direct service; professional education; research; organizational...
George H & Jane A Mifflin Memorial Fund
- $110,000 to Volunteer Lawyers Project of the Boston Bar Association, Boston: Eastern region legal intake help line
- $25,000 to Dismas House of Massachusetts Inc, Worcester: For bar none
- $10,000 to Prison Book Program, Quincy: Operating support and insiders directory
How to apply: When applying send the following: proposal of organization; funding for; amount; project budget; recent finacial statements; irs exempt status letter; accurate financial data which measure the success of the program; and last 2 years of income statement and balance sheet.
Deadlines: Deadlines for application and subsequent reporting october 1st through april 15th.
Restrictions: The mifflin fund gives grants primarily in the human services and educational areas,focusing on low income and minority populations. Grants are also given to environmental/conservation organizations with occasional grants to cultural...
The Skadden Foundation
- $79,462 to Northeast Legal Aid Inc, Lawrence: Payment for fellows
- $40,942 to National Consumer Law Center, Boston: Payment for fellows
- $39,251 to Community Legal Aid Inc, Worcester: Payment for fellows
How to apply: See attached application
Deadlines: SEE FAQ ENTRIES UNDER "THE APPLICATION PROCESS" AT https://www.skaddenfellowships.org/applicant
Restrictions: SEE FAQ ENTRIES UNDER "ELIGIBILITY" AT https://www.skaddenfellowships.org/applicant and "Information for Prospective Host Organizations" at https://www.skaddenfellowships.org/host
Berkshire Bank Foundation Inc
- $10,000 to Second Street Second Chances Inc, Pittsfield: Second street second chances
- $2,500 to Second Street Second Chances Inc, Pittsfield: Reclaim
- $1,500 to Dismas House of Massachusetts Inc, Pittsfield: Dismas housing programs
How to apply: Written application including irs determination letter of 501(c)(3) status, current board list, board approved operating budget and most recent annual report, form 990 and financial audit report.
Deadlines: 15th of december, march, june and september.
Restrictions: Only tax exempt organizations that qualify as a section 501(c)(3) public charity.
Mwc Foundation Inc #0726315
- $50,000 to Partakers Inc, Auburndale: Additional staff
- $25,000 to Massachusetts Appleseed Center for Law and Justice, Boston: Contributions for dcf work
How to apply: Letter describing organization and charitable purpose
Yawkey Foundation Ii
- $25,000 to Justice Resource Institute Inc, Boston: Mental health & social-emotional support for vulnerable individuals and youth
- $15,000 to Amazing Grace of Cape Cod Inc, Centerville: Recreation & enrichment camp opportunities for underserved youth
How to apply: The foundation encourages applicants to review the foundation's grant guidelines on our website (www.yawkeyfoundation.org) prior to applying for a foundation grant.
Deadlines: See part xv, line 2b above
Restrictions: See part xv, line 2b above
Yale Charitable Foundation
- $10,000 to Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty To Children, Lexington: Charitable
- $10,000 to Asian Task Force Against Domestic Violence, Boston: Charitable
How to apply: Request application form from the foundation
Restrictions: Boston, ma area
Mildred H Mcevoy Foundation
- $10,000 to National Consumer Law Center Inc, Boston: Charitable
- $5,000 to Dismas House of Massachusetts Inc, Worcester: Charitable
How to apply: Proposal should be in a letter form outlining goals and objectives along with a project plan and budget. Include evidence of 501(c)(3) tax exempt status.
Deadlines: Requests should be received prior to june 1st of a given tax year.
Restrictions: Grants are provided to health, educational, cultural and human service organizations based in boothbay, me and worcester, ma.
Agnes M Lindsay Trust
- $5,000 to Amirah Inc, Beverly: Health & welfare
- $2,500 to Dismas House of Massachusetts Inc, Worcester: Health & welfare
How to apply: In writing, resume of organization and program, use of funds, two years of audited financial statements and irs determination letter.
Restrictions: Limited to ma, me, nh, and vt. Must be 501 (c) (3) but not a private foundation.
John S and James L Knight Foundation
- $150,000 to The Massachusetts Institute for A New Commonwealth, Boston: To support the expansion of commonwealth beacon in order to provide better coverage of...
How to apply: Throughout the year, knight foundation issues open challenges or calls for proposals focused on specific funding priorities. You can receive updates and notifications about upcoming opportunities by going to our website, www.kf.org, and subscribing to our newsletter.
Deadlines: Each funding opportunity will have its own application criteria and deadlines.
Restrictions: Any restrictions or limitations on awards, such as by geographical areas, charitable fields, kind of institutions or other factors: -medical research, organizations or projects whose mission is to prevent, eradicate and/or alleviate the...
The Joyce Foundation
- $100,000 to Law Enforcement Action Partnership Inc, Beverly: Gun violence prevention & justice reform
How to apply: See attachment
Restrictions: See attachment
The Kresge Foundation
- $100,000 to National Consumer Law Center Inc, Boston: Project support to give access to higher education by advocating for improvements in...
How to apply: See www.kresge.org or email grantsmanagement@kresge.org
Deadlines: See www.kresge.org or email grantsmanagement@kresge.org
Restrictions: See www.kresge.org or email grantsmanagement@kresge.org
Amelia Peabody Foundation C/O Joseph Kelly
- $50,000 to Dismas House of Massachusetts, Worcester: Youth and Family Hunger Initiative
How to apply: Application and other requirements on web page ameliapeabody.org
Deadlines: Quarterly on web page ameliapeabody.org
Restrictions: Qualifying organizations that operate in Massachusetts
Raskob Foundation for Catholic Activities Inc
- $25,000 to Dismas House of Massachusetts Inc, Worcester: Toward expenses of the worcester youth and family hunger initiative, to provide food to...
How to apply: See www.rfca.org/grantprograms
Deadlines: See www.rfca.org/grantprograms
Restrictions: See www.rfca.org/grantprograms
Bob Barker Foundation Inc
- $25,000 to Second Street Second Chances Inc, Pittsfield: General Operation
How to apply: The Bob Barker Company Foundation Uses an online system for all stages of their grant making and is comprised of three steps: 1. Guideline Review 2. Letter of Inquiry 3. Grant Application
Deadlines: No Submission Deadlines
Restrictions: Guidelines: This foundation seeks to fund organizations that are well managed, have a financial and fundraising plan, engage in strategic planning and have a strong leadership and lively governance. 1. Your organization's work must result...
The Chickering Foundation (Formerly Dedham
- $22,500 to Partakers Inc, Auburndale: General purposes
How to apply: Letter of inquiry
Island Foundation Inc
- $20,000 to South Coastal Counties Legal Services Inc, Fall River: Education advocacy project
How to apply: Applying is a two-step process - a letter of inquiry or phone call and sending the foundation a full proposal. Include with letter of inquiry a description of the project, or call the foundation to discuss the project idea. Include with the proposal a cover letter that specifies...
Deadlines: Due march 1st, june 1st, september 1st, december 1st for funds to be distributed the following month
Restrictions: The foundation does not support requests from individuals, religious organizations or for profit organizations.
Lincoln & Therese Filene Foundation Inc #0706176
- $20,000 to Discovering Justice, Boston: Delivering impactful mock trial and mock appeal programs to students across greater boston
How to apply: The filing names a contact. Use the filings link above.
Deadlines: March 1 & september 1
Restrictions: Grants limited to new england 1)civic education 2)human developement 3)broadcasting 4)performing arts
Coolidge Hill Foundation
- $17,000 to Berkshire County Kids' Place and Violence Prevention Center Inc, Pittsfield: To benefit programs that provide services to aid children and handicapped residents of...
How to apply: Details available on request.
Deadlines: Details available on request.
Restrictions: Charitable, educational, and scientific activities qualifying for sec.501(c)3
Bydale Foundation
- $15,000 to Childrens Advocacy Center of Suffolk County, Boston: General operating expenses
How to apply: See www.bydalefoundation.com for application material
Deadlines: August 1st
Restrictions: No grants are made to individuals
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