The Boston Foundation has launched a $2 million special round of its Safety Net Grants program to provide general operating support for social service organizations in Greater Boston. These grants are intended to support organizations that address the essential needs of marginalized communities and vulnerable residents. The application period is currently open and will close at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 11. The program focuses on organizations that align with The Boston Foundation’s strategic vision and respond to critical needs such as health, wellness, safety, and belonging for individuals or families in crisis.

Grants awarded in this round will primarily be in the range of $25,000. However, organizations that align with the foundation’s field of interest funds supporting seniors and people with physical disabilities may be eligible for grants up to $75,000. While organizations can apply for these funding levels, receiving a grant does not guarantee an award within the requested range. The grants will provide general operating support, allowing organizations flexibility in their use of funds to address community needs effectively.

Eligibility for the Safety Net Grants includes nonprofit organizations with a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt designation or those operating under a fiscal sponsorship of a tax-exempt nonprofit. Eligible organizations must have been in operation for at least three years, engage in year-round programming, and primarily serve historically excluded communities in Essex, Middlesex, Norfolk, Plymouth, and Suffolk counties. The grants prioritize organizations focusing on combating hate and discrimination, providing food, fuel, and shelter, offering legal aid, and alleviating poverty. Additional priority populations include immigrants, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, and seniors.

Organizations that previously applied for the October 21, 2024, funding round and strongly align with these priorities are also encouraged to apply. The program does not provide grants for capital construction costs, endowments, medical or academic research, scholarships, sectarian or religious purposes, or support for political candidates. Ineligible applicants include private non-operating foundations, 501(c)(4) organizations, 501(a)(3) Type III Non-functionally Integrated organizations, Parent Teacher Associations, tuition-based schools, CDCs certified under MGL Chapter 40H, and small businesses.

The grant selection process is conducted through participatory grantmaking, where decisions are made by a diverse group of nonprofit leaders from Greater Boston rather than solely by foundation staff. The goal of this approach is to empower affected communities to play a direct role in determining funding allocations. Applications are reviewed entirely by community reviewers who provide final recommendations, with the expectation that this practice will continue to deepen in future rounds.

For additional information, applicants can access the application portal, download application questions, or review the program’s eligibility criteria and funding considerations. The foundation offers “Office Hours” for applicants who need further guidance. Questions about the application process should be directed to safetynetgrants@tbf.org. Those interested in supporting the program financially can contribute through donor-advised funds, checks, or credit card payments by specifying "Safety Net Grants Special Round" on their donation forms. For further donor inquiries, individuals can contact donorservices@tbf.org.