Our funding guidelines
Our review process will examine the organization requesting the grant. We will evaluate the structure and leadership of the organization, as well as its history of making effective use of grants. We will make grants only to 501(c)(3) organizations based in Greater Boston. We do not make grants to individuals or political organizations.
BEC seeks to fund new initiatives. We wish to enable organizations to undertake original projects that they believe are critically important. We are less interested in, but do not categorically exclude, funding programs that are already established.
We will look most favorably on projects with measurable impact on the broader community. Efforts that address root causes of a problem rather than only ameliorating its effects are preferred. We seek to fund projects that have the potential to create long-lasting change.
We consider it advantageous if projects provide the possibility for BEC members to offer their services as volunteers. Ideally, there would be an element of true partnership beyond the funding relationship between BEC and the grantee.
We welcome the opportunity to fund projects that enjoy participation from other foundations, such that the combined resources can raise the potential value that the projects produce.
Our areas of interest
For 2016, BEC is considering grant requests in these areas:
- Education
- Racial justice
- Climate change awareness
- Civil liberties
- Homeless advocacy
- Public health
- Voting rights and registration
- Journalism
Grant amounts
For 2016, the maximum grant size is $10,000.
2016 calendar
BEC begins accepting grant proposals on April 15, 2016. The deadline for applications for the 2016 funding year is July 31, 2016. Grant decisions will be finalized before September 30, 2016.