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The Boston Foundation Safety Net Grants is a grant from The Boston Foundation that provides general operating support to nonprofit organizations in Greater Boston responding to essential needs for marginalized communities and vulnerable residents.
In the current round, the program specifically funds organizations focused on the safety and well-being of immigrant neighbors, addressing surging demand from new arrivals, shelter system strain, work authorization delays, federal cutbacks, and immigration enforcement-related fear. Most awards are $50,000 over two years; some one-year grants of $25,000 are also available. The application cycle for the current round closed April 6, 2026.
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The Safety Net Grants program is designed to support nonprofit organizations that respond to essential needs for marginalized communities and vulnerable residents in Greater Boston. In this round, Safety Net Grants is providing general operating support for organizations focused on the safety and well-being of our immigrant neighbors.
Massachusetts has a strong network of immigrant-serving organizations, but demand for support has surged due to recent arrivals, strain on the shelter system, delays in work authorization, federal cutbacks, and widespread confusion about eligibility for public benefits. Recent incidents involving ICE have also heightened fear and uncertainty in many communities.
Most Safety Net Grants will be $50,000 awarded over two years, with some one year grants of $25,000. The deadline to apply was April 6, 2026 at 5:00 p. m.
Grant decisions will be made in the coming weeks. Thank you for your interest! Application Cycle: The application cycle for this round of grants formally closed on April 6.
Access the application portal Download a copy of the application . Have more questions? Read the FY26 Safety Net Grants FAQs and watch a recording of the Info Session held on March 24, 2026.
"This is about standing with our neighbors at a moment when the need is urgent." Lee Pelton, President and CEO, The Boston Foundation Read Lee Pelton's essay, A three-pronged strategy for supporting our immigrant neighbors Eligible Organizations primarily serve communities historically excluded from institutional philanthropy in Essex, Middlesex, Norfolk, Plymouth and Suffolk counties with a focus on the communities of greatest need.
These communities include: Boston (East Boston, Dorchester, Mattapan, Roxbury), Chelsea, Everett, Revere, Lynn, Brockton, and Lowell.
An eligible applicant would also meet the following criteria: Has a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit designation from the IRS or operates under the fiscal sponsorship of a tax-exempt nonprofit; Has been operating for at least three years; Engages in year-round programming; Aligns with the strategic vision of the Boston Foundation; Does not discriminate in the hiring of staff or the provision of services on the basis of race, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, national origin or disability; Responds to an essential need by providing resources that restore health, wellness, safety and belonging for struggling individuals or families; and Serve immigrant communities as at least 60% of their population.
Priority Area 1: Legal Services and Work Authorization The most immediate stabilizing intervention is expanding immigration legal services. When individuals receive work authorization, they can secure employment, exit shelter systems, and reduce long-term dependency; they often need legal assistance to gain this authorization.
Grant funding could support attorney and paralegal capacity, asylum application support, TPS renewals, etc. Priority Area 2: Benefits Navigation Housing remains the most urgent crisis facing immigrant families. Funding should prioritize organizations helping people access RAFT and other rental assistance, as well as MassHealth, SNAP, and other programs supporting basic needs.
Grants here could support more bilingual case managers and flexible emergency funds that prevent eviction and reduce shelter stays. This can also help families with older adults find and stay in affordable housing units. Priority Area 3: Community Engagement & Protection We want to uplift and support the work community members are doing for each other to keep their neighbors safe.
This can include know your rights trainings, mutual aid, creating alternative communication networks and disseminating guidance on how to interact with ICE. It also encompasses culturally affirming programs that ensure vulnerable communities have a safe, supportive place to go. Current Safety Net Grantees that strongly align with our stated priorities are eligible to apply this round.
The Boston Foundation does not make grants for capital construction costs, endowments, medical or academic research, scholarships, sectarian or religious purposes, or to support candidates for political office. Private non-operating foundations, 501(c)(4) organizations, and Section 501(a)(3) Type III Non-functionally Integrated organizations are not eligible to apply. In addition, grants are not made to individual persons.
Who Is Involved in Making a Funding Decision? The Safety Net Grants team uses a version of participatory grantmaking—the practice of centering affected communities in grant-making decisions by giving them the power to decide which organizations to fund. In early rounds of the SNG program, a mixture of staff and community reviewers guided our review process and final grant decisions were approved by our board.
Now, Safety Net Grant applications are reviewed in a 100 percent community-led process. Community reviewers represent a diverse group of nonprofit leaders in Greater Boston and are responsible for the final grant recommendations for the program. Past Grantee Announcements April 2025 - TBF meets the moment with $2.
625 million in grants to 77 organizations in SNG special round The grantees for the special round of grants were chosen from more than 500 applications by our panel of community reviewers, guided by the program's Funding Considerations.
Read the April 2025 grantee announcement February 2025 - $1 Million in grants distributed to 20 organizations The two-year, $50,000 grants provide general operating support to organizations meeting critical needs in their communities.
Read the Feb 2025 grantee announcement July 2024 - 20 organizations share general operating grants of $1 million Community-led grantmaking process recognizes organizations meeting essential needs throughout Greater Boston.
Read the July 2024 grantee announcement January 2024 - 20 nonprofit partners chosen to share $1 million in grants “Once again, we thank and appreciate our community reviewers, who have pulled together a remarkable slate of organizations for this cohort,” - Lee Pelton, President and CEO of TBF. Read the Jan 2024 grantee announcement June 2023 - $1.
2 Million in grants distributed to 24 organizations TBF announced the first grantees under our Safety Net Grants program. More than two dozen community members played a key role in the selection of the program's inaugural recipients. Read the June 2023 grantee announcement
Based on current listing details, eligibility includes: Nonprofit organizations in Greater Boston. Applicants should confirm final requirements in the official notice before submission.
Current published award information indicates $50,000 Always verify allowable costs, matching requirements, and funding caps directly in the sponsor documentation.
The current target date is rolling deadlines or periodic funding windows. Build your timeline backwards from this date to cover registrations, approvals, attachments, and final submission checks.
Federal grant success rates typically range from 10-30%, varying by agency and program. Build a strong proposal with clear objectives, measurable outcomes, and a well-justified budget to improve your chances.
Requirements vary by sponsor, but typically include a project narrative, budget justification, organizational capability statement, and key personnel CVs. Check the official notice for the complete list of required attachments.
Yes — AI tools like Granted can help research funders, draft proposal sections, and check compliance. However, always review and customize AI-generated content to reflect your organization's unique strengths and the specific requirements of the solicitation.
Review timelines vary by funder. Federal agencies typically take 3-6 months from submission to award notification. Foundation grants may be faster, often 1-3 months. Check the program's timeline in the official solicitation for specific dates.
Many federal programs offer multi-year funding or allow competitive renewals. Check the official solicitation for continuation and renewal policies. Non-competing continuation applications are common for multi-year awards.
VGF grants will be used to develop and/or support community-based entities to recruit, manage, and support volunteers. CNCS seeks to fund effective approaches that expand volunteering, strengthen the capacity of volunteer connector organizations to recruit and retain skill-based volunteers, and develop strategies to use volunteers effectively to solve problems. Specifically, the VGF grants will support efforts that expand the capacity of volunteer connector organizations to recruit, manage, support and retain individuals to serve in high quality volunteer assignments.Applicants that receive funding under this Notice may directly carry out the activities supported under the award, or may carry out the activities by making sub-grants to community-based entities, supporting volunteer generation at these entities.). Funding Opportunity Number: AC-05-25-21. Assistance Listing: 94.021. Funding Instrument: G. Category: O. Award Amount: $6.1M total program funding.
The Homeless Youth Program is a grant from the Illinois Department of Human Services that funds services for homeless and at-risk youth across Illinois. Administered through the Office of Community and Positive Youth Development, it supports nonprofit organizations delivering shelter, outreach, and support services to young people experiencing homelessness or housing instability. Eligible applicants are Illinois-based nonprofits with demonstrated capacity to serve youth. Awards range from $100,000 to $800,000 per year under CSFA number 444-80-0711. This is a FY 2026 funding opportunity with an application deadline of May 21, 2025.
Community Investment Tax Credit Program (CITC) is a grant from the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development that provides state tax credit allocations to 501(c)(3) nonprofits, enabling them to attract private donations from individuals and businesses. Donors contributing $500 or more to approved projects receive tax credits equal to 50% of their contribution. The program has leveraged nearly $27 million in charitable contributions to approximately 700 projects statewide. Eligible project areas include education, housing, job training, arts and culture, economic development, and services for at-risk populations. Projects must be located in or serve residents of Maryland's Priority Funding Areas. The application period is typically held annually.