Guidelines

Competitive Grants Program

Types of Support:  Unrestricted, special programs, occasional capital support.
Geographic Focus:  Greater Boston as defined by Route 128. Communities bordering Route 128 will be included.  Organizations located outside of Greater Boston will be considered by trustee invitation only.  

The Paul and Edith Babson Foundation’s competitive grants program focuses on three program areas:

Entrepreneurship and Economic Development
Programs focused on providing opportunities for youth and community entrepreneurship education, community economic development, job training for youth, and urban youth business and enterprise initiatives.

Environment and Community Building
Programs focused on community building through urban community gardens and urban greenspace initiatives.

Violence Reduction
Programs focused on domestic violence prevention and shelter, and gun control.

Programs Ineligible for Funding
The following types of requests will not be considered:

  • Summer camps **
  • Support for specific individuals
  • Scholarships
  • Films/videos
  • Conferences
  • Fundraising or donor cultivation

** Summer camp funding is done exclusively through Philanthropy Massachusetts’ Summer Fund.

Application Process:

Spring grant cycle

Application portal opensJanuary 21
Applications dueFebruary 21*
Trustees reviewMarch-April
Grant decisionsearly May
Award funds distributedearly June

Fall grant cycle

Application portal opensAugust 15
Applications dueSeptember 15*
Trustees reviewOctober
Grant decisionsmid-November
Award funds distributedearly December

* If the deadline falls on a weekend or holiday, the deadline is the next business day. Late submissions will not be accepted.

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Annual Grants Program

Beginning in 2024, the Foundation approved three-year grants the following organizations. 

  • American Indian College Fund – $10,000
  • Center for Women & Enterprise – $10,000
  • Cultural Survival – $5,000
  • English for New Bostonians – $5,000
  • Futures Without Violence – $10,000
  • Hyde Square Task Force – $10,000
  • Mystic River Watershed Association – $10,000
  • Native Land Conservancy – $5,000
  • Philanthropy Massachusetts, The Summer Fund – $10,000
  • Perkins School for the Blind – $5,000
  • Sandy Hook Promise – $10,000
  • YMCA Greater Boston – $10,000

Discretionary Grant Program

Discretionary grants are made at the recommendation of the trustees and other members of the Babson family. If your organization is being considered for a discretionary grant, you will be notified by a trustee or family member. Applications are NOT accepted for discretionary grants.

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The Susan A. Babson Opera Fund for Emerging Artists

This fund carries on the interest of Susan A. and Donald P. Babson in supporting young artists. Applications are NOT accepted for this fund, as the distributions are mandated by the donor.