Human Services

Tom and Jean Yawkey never forgot those in need. There are many stories of Tom and Jean Yawkey quietly paying medical bills, housing costs, and other expenses for the families of their employees at both the Red Sox and their winter home in South Carolina. Throughout their lifetimes, the Yawkeys quietly and generously supported programs and organizations serving youth, people with intellectual and physical disabilities, and struggling families.

In the 1980s, Jean Yawkey met Kip Tiernan, the well-known Bostonian who dedicated her life to the service of the poor through the founding of both the Greater Boston Food Bank and Rosie’s Place. Jean privately began supporting both organizations, which went on to thrive in decades to come. The Trustees of the Yawkey Foundation have continued and expanded Tom and Jean Yawkey’s legacy of generosity towards those who need it most.

To this day, The Yawkey Foundation continues to support organizations serving the most vulnerable members of the community providing critical resources for food, shelter, and support programs for at-risk youth and disadvantaged adults experiencing barriers to self-sufficiency.

The Foundation recognizes the growing pressures many individuals, youth, and families are facing across our communities. In the 2026 Human Services funding cycle, the Foundation is particularly interested in supporting organizations that provide access to life essentials and basic needs, helping people move from crisis toward stability, with specific emphasis on access to food and emergency shelter.

We are especially interested in organizations serving vulnerable populations through direct, community-based services that address urgent needs while also promoting long-term stability. Because the Foundation receives a high volume of Human Services inquiries each year, applicants are encouraged to review these priorities carefully when considering whether to apply.