Human Services Program & Small Capital Grants Invest in Greater Boston Nonprofits Providing Access to Food, Shelter, and Critical Wraparound Support
WESTWOOD, MA – The Trustees of the Yawkey Foundation today announced new grants totaling $2.1 million to nonprofit organizations providing food, shelter, and critical wraparound services for individuals and families across Greater Boston and Eastern Massachusetts.
Building on the legacy of Jean and Tom Yawkey, the Foundation reaffirms its enduring commitment to individuals and families facing hardship by investing in programs that deliver security, dignity, and stability when it’s needed most. Since 1977, the Yawkey Foundation has invested more than $139 million in Human Services initiatives that help people overcome barriers and build stronger futures.
“These grants are about removing barriers at the most fragile moments of people’s lives,” said Alicia Verity, CEO of the Yawkey Foundation. “In times when too many are struggling just to meet basic needs, these investments strengthen the safety net – offering security, dignity, and hope to children, families, and individuals who deserve the chance to move forward.”
The $2.1 million in Human Services Program and Small Capital Grants will help ensure that individuals and families have access to essentials such as safe beds, warm clothing, nutritious meals, and shelters that offer stability in times of crisis. The grants also strengthen regional food networks, expand transitional housing, and upgrade facilities, helping individuals move from homelessness to stability. Additional support advances community-based programs addressing trauma, domestic violence, and child protection, as well as mentoring, enrichment, and recreational opportunities that empower young people to thrive and support wellness.
Recognizing that mental health is inseparable from the stress and trauma that accompany hardship, the Foundation recently awarded a $2 million grant to McLean Hospital to advance its Child & Adolescent Campus project for expanding access to essential mental health care for young people and families.
2025 Human Services Program & Small Capital Grantees
In addition to these new grants, the Foundation is currently funding transformational multiyear grants to support several of the region’s safety net anchor institutions, including Father Bill’s & MainSpring’s new Brockton shelter, the Greater Boston Food Bank’s refrigeration expansion, and Pine Street Inn’s supportive housing. The Foundation also recently awarded a $5 million grant to House of Possibilities in Easton, Massachusetts, to enhance programs and services for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
About the Yawkey Foundation
The Yawkey Foundation continues the philanthropic legacy of Tom and Jean Yawkey, who devoted eight decades to supporting individuals and families in need across Massachusetts and Georgetown County, South Carolina. Since its inception, the Foundation has awarded more than $600 million in charitable grants to organizations advancing health care, education, human services, youth and amateur athletics, arts and culture, and conservation and wildlife. Guided by compassion and community, the Foundation remains steadfast in its mission to invest in nonprofits that provide opportunity, stability, and hope.