Strategic Investment Grants may fund a nonprofit’s regional expansion (within Yawkey Foundation geographic priority areas), synergistic collaborations between two or more nonprofits for improved program or service delivery, and mergers or consolidations of organizations in transition. These grants may advance a nonprofit’s efforts around the feasibility and progress of a strategic plan.
Strategic Investment Grants support nonprofit organizations catalyzing board approved plans around strategic growth, which may entail a reimagining, rescoping, or re-energizing of mission delivery for long-term optimized impact. Grant amounts range from $250,000 to $1 million, most often payable over multiple years.
Initial Proposals are extremely competitive and should reflect a nonprofit’s strong leadership and proven impact in providing direct services and programs for unmet needs in underserved regions aligned with the Yawkey Foundation’s Areas of Giving and geographic priority areas, including Gateway Cities in Eastern Massachusetts. Initial Proposals for Strategic Investment Grants should demonstrate that a nonprofit’s Board has made a commitment to and has approved the strategic initiative. As stated in Guidance For Initial Proposals, submissions should include information on budgets, expenses, anticipated outcomes, and sustainability once grant funding has been expended.
It is suggested that organizations that have not been previously funded by the Foundation submit Initial Proposals for Program & Small Capital Grants as a way to familiarize the Foundation with their work.
There are two submission periods for Strategic Investment Grant Initial Proposals. Both submission periods are open to all nonprofits with missions aligned to any of the Yawkey Foundation’s Areas of Giving categories.
- March 1 – April 1
- August 1 – September 1
The timeframe for reviewing Strategic Investment Grant Initial Proposals in order to determine which nonprofits will be invited to submit a Grant Application is between 6-12 months. The Yawkey Foundation is unable to provide feedback during the review period, and will reach out to a nonprofit should further information be required for the Initial Proposal.
Please refer to the Frequently Asked Questions for additional information. For any additional questions not answered in the FAQ, please email yawkey@yawkey.org.
Learn more about featured Strategic Investment grants including grants to Bridge Over Troubled Waters, Easter Seals, and House of Possibilities.