Yawkey Foundation Announces $3.3 Million in Program & Small Capital Grants for Greater Boston Human Service Organizations

December 20th, 2021

More than $110 million invested in nonprofits helping individuals and families meet critical needs since 1977

DEDHAM, December 20, 2021 – The Trustees of the Yawkey Foundation today announced $3.3 million in Program & Small Capital grants to 60 Human Service nonprofit organizations providing critical resources of food, shelter, and supportive programs for underserved youth and families in Greater Boston. The Foundation’s Program & Small Capital grants provide high-impact, innovative nonprofit organizations with grants up to $100,000 for programming, small projects, or equipment aligned with the nonprofit’s purpose.

“Throughout their lifetimes, Tom Yawkey and Jean Yawkey quietly and generously supported organizations providing basic needs for countless vulnerable individuals and families,” said Maureen H. Bleday, Chief Executive Officer and Trustee of the Yawkey Foundation. “The Trustees were deeply touched by each one of these organizations’ dedication to helping others, especially the most vulnerable individuals and families needing assistance to be healthy, safe, and secure. We are honored and humbled to play a small part in the holistic, compassionate, and dignified care provided to those most in-need by these impressive and tireless nonprofits.” 

In addition to these Program & Small Capital Human Service grants, the Foundation has also provided Transformational Capital and Strategic Investment grants during 2021 to Human Service organizations, including a $2 million grant to Father Bill’s & MainSpring to develop its Quincy Housing Resource Center for homeless and those at-risk of homelessness; a $900,000 grant to Bridge Over Troubled Waters to increase programs and services for youth experiencing homelessness; a $700,000 grant to Catholic Charities for expansion of its critical needs programs into Brockton and Lynn; and a $500,000 grant to UTEC to develop its new woodworking jobs program and social enterprise in Lowell.  Earlier this month, Pine Street Inn announced a $15 million commitment from Yawkey Foundation to increase the number of permanent supportive housing units available to homeless and formerly homeless individuals.

Among the 60 Human Service nonprofits receiving 2021 Program & Small Capital grants from the Yawkey Foundation, listed below, are organizations located in Boston, Cambridge, Quincy and the Gateway Cities of Brockton, Fall River, Lawrence and Lowell. First-time grantees of the Foundation account for more than 40% of organizations funded within this portfolio. 

Yawkey Foundation

The Yawkey Foundation is dedicated to perpetuating the philanthropic legacy of Tom Yawkey and Jean Yawkey, whose eight decades of quiet generosity supported individuals and families in the communities that were closest to their hearts – Massachusetts and Georgetown County, South Carolina. Having awarded more than $500 million to date in charitable grants to organizations focused on Health Care, Education, Human Services, Youth and Amateur Athletics, Arts and Culture, and Conservation and Wildlife, Yawkey Foundation is committed to preserving and sustaining the charitable values of the Yawkeys by investing in impactful nonprofits providing resources, opportunity, and dignity to the vulnerable and underserved. For more information, please visit www.yawkeyfoundation.org, or follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook for the latest announcements.