The Yawkey Foundation supports 501(c)3 tax-exempt nonprofit organizations (fiscal sponsors acceptable) making a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals, families and communities through direct programs and services in its six priority Areas of Giving: Health Care, Education, Human Services, Youth and Amateur Athletics, Arts and Culture, and Conservation and Wildlife.
At this time, the Yawkey Foundation’s primary geographic focus areas are Eastern Massachusetts and Georgetown County, South Carolina. For the purposes of Yawkey Foundation’s grantmaking, the Eastern Massachusetts region encompasses nonprofits providing direct programs and services in cities and towns within the following counties: Suffolk, Norfolk, Bristol, Plymouth, Barnstable, Middlesex and Essex.
Nonprofit organizations seeking to be considered for Yawkey Foundation funding will be required to complete an online Eligibility Quiz and upon completion, may submit an Initial Proposal for a specific Type of Grant. Please note that nonprofits may submit only one Initial Proposal to the Yawkey Foundation in the course of a calendar year, irrespective of the Type of Grant being requested for consideration.
The following entities and programs are ineligible for grants from the Yawkey Foundation:
- Organizations that are not tax-exempt under IRS Section 501(c)3 or 509(a)(3) Type III
- Funding for specific positions or salaries to recruit/engage specific employees or staff persons
- Funding for emergency response, events, conferences, sponsorships, advertisements, films/documentaries, travel, individual requests/benefit
- Funder collaboratives, private foundations, and general endowments
- Public school districts, public and charter schools, public libraries, government agencies, community/economic development corporations, political campaigns, lobbying and cause-marketing
- Religious organizations for sectarian purposes (excludes non-religious programs of faith-based organizations)
- Athletic programs specific to individual towns, districts or counties
- Scholarships for elementary, middle and secondary schools
- International organizations and international programs “pass-through” funds
The Yawkey Foundation reviews Initial Proposals for three Types of Grants through a highly competitive two-step process. The specific deadlines for Initial Proposals vary for each Type of Grant.
Program & Small Capital Grant Initial Proposals
Initial Proposal submission dates and deadlines by Areas of Giving category
- Youth & Amateur Athletics (December 1, 2023 – January 1, 2024)
- Human Services (March 1, 2024 – April 1, 2024)
- Education (May 1, 2024 – June 1, 2024)
- Conservation & Wildlife (May 1, 2024 – June 1, 2024)
- Arts & Culture (August 1, 2024 – September 1, 2024)
- Health Care (August 1, 2024 – September 1, 2024)
Strategic Investment Grant Initial Proposals
There are two submission periods for Initial Proposals for Strategic Investment Grants, applicable to all Yawkey Foundation Area of Giving categories:
- March 1 – April 1
- August 1 – September 1
Transformational Capital Grant Initial Proposals
Initial Proposals for Transformational Capital Grant funding are open on a rolling basis throughout the calendar year for all nonprofits with missions aligned to any of the Yawkey Foundation’s Areas of Giving categories.