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Search Through History Grants in Boston, Massachusetts

The Creag Foundation, established in 2009 in Woodinville, Washington, provides funding to innovative 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations addressing social issues. Focused on smaller organizations, the foundation seeks to support those with unique approaches to improve the human condition. Eligible applicants must have held 501(c)(3) status for at least one year and present a new or previously unaddressed solution to societal challenges. Applications are by invitation only, encouraging creativity and passion in charitable work.

State Farm's Good Neighbor Citizenship Company Grants aim to enhance community safety, development, and education. Focused on long-term impact, they support initiatives in auto and home safety, disaster preparedness, affordable housing, and educational programs. Eligible recipients include nonprofits, educational institutions, and government entities. However, funding is not available for individuals, religious programs, or organizations outside the U.S. By addressing critical community needs, these grants foster safer and more resilient neighborhoods.

The PNC Foundation aims to enhance the lives of individuals in local communities through partnerships with nonprofit organizations. Their focus includes promoting educational opportunities, particularly for early childhood education, and supporting economic development initiatives. Grants are available for organizations that benefit low- to moderate-income families and enhance community growth. The foundation prioritizes programs that foster sustainability and diversity, ensuring a lasting impact on the communities they serve.

The MAA Book Subvention Grant, offered by the Medieval Academy of America, provides financial support of up to $2,500 to non-profit scholarly presses for publishing first books by its members. Eligible authors must hold a Ph.D. and be untenured, with their work focused on the Middle Ages. This program encourages scholarly contributions while ensuring that financial constraints do not hinder the publication of significant academic works.

The Medieval Academy of America offers the MAA Book Subvention Program, providing up to $2,500 to support the publication of first books by members. Eligible authors must hold a Ph.D. and be untenured, ensuring their work reflects high scholarly merit and focuses on the Middle Ages. Applications are only accepted from publishers for approved works, emphasizing the quality and financial need for assistance. This initiative fosters academic contributions in medieval studies.

The Medieval Academy of America offers travel grants to support its members with PhDs who lack institutional funding for conference attendance. Grants prioritize major national and international meetings, with awards up to $500 for North American travel and $750 for overseas. Applicants must be current Academy members, and grants are limited to one per applicant every three years. Early applications are accepted, but funding is contingent upon paper acceptance and presentation evidence.

The True Inspiration Awards, established by Chick-fil-A in 2015, recognizes nonprofit organizations that significantly impact their communities. In 2025, the program will distribute $6 million in grants, ranging from $30,000 to $350,000, to sixteen selected organizations. Categories include Caring for People, Caring through Food, Community, and Caring for our Planet, with a focus on educational initiatives, food security, housing services, and environmental stewardship, honoring the legacy of founder S. Truett Cathy.

The Max and Victoria Dreyfus Foundation offers grants to support diverse initiatives, including museums, educational programs, and environmental activities. Aiming to make a significant impact with modest funding, the Foundation targets IRS-qualified non-profits in the U.S. Grants typically range from $1,000 to $20,000, fostering community development and enhancement. Organizations focused on youth, seniors, and individuals with disabilities are particularly encouraged to apply, as the Foundation seeks to empower those in need.

The Robinson Foundation Grant, established in 2016, aims to alleviate hardships faced by individuals and communities, demonstrating God's love through charitable contributions. As a family-operated foundation, it focuses on creating meaningful, long-term impacts in various areas including animal welfare, education, and disaster relief. Organizations eligible for funding must be 501(c)(3) public charities. The foundation prioritizes fiscally responsible projects with the potential for tangible results, while not supporting capital projects.

The Cowles Charitable Trust Grant supports initiatives aligned with the philanthropic legacy of Gardner Cowles, Jr. Focused on education, social justice, health, and the arts, it favors organizations recognized as 501(c)(3) by the IRS. The Trust encourages applications for general operating support and seeks partnerships rather than being the sole funder. Notably, it considers applications from established partners and supports efforts in Downstate New York and South Florida, with a preference for diverse funding sources.

The Schrafft Charitable Trust offers grants to nonprofit organizations in Massachusetts focused on youth development. Prioritizing those serving underserved populations aged 6-21, the Trust supports programs that enhance educational, artistic, and economic opportunities. New grantees must submit a Letter of Intent if they haven't received funding in the last three years. The Trust aims to foster paths to independence through community-driven initiatives, promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in its funding decisions.

The Smith Family Awards Program for Excellence in Biomedical Research aims to support early-career investigators in biomedical science. Over its 30-year history, the program has invested $46.1 million, funding 202 scientists. It provides three-year awards of $400,000 to full-time faculty at eligible institutions in Massachusetts, Brown University, or Yale University. The program prioritizes innovative research proposals, excluding clinical trials, and encourages collaboration within the scientific community, enhancing medical breakthroughs.

The Schrafft Charitable Trust focuses on the growth of underserved youth (ages 6-21) through neighborhood-based education and economic independence programs in Boston and New Bedford. Eligible nonprofits can apply for Program or General Operating Grants, emphasizing community representation and impactful youth development initiatives. Returning grantees from the past three years may submit a full proposal directly. The Trust does not fund capital expenditures or scholarships, ensuring resources are directed towards meaningful educational opportunities.

Yawkey Foundation

The story of Tom and Jean Yawkey and their impact on the lives of children and families goes back over eight decades to the commitments they made to the people of Massachusetts, New England, and Georgetown County, South Carolina. The Yawkeys’ love for these communities, and their quiet sense of responsibility for those in need, is captured in the careful steps they took to ensure that their legacy would live on through the work of the Yawkey Foundation. The Yawkeys were perhaps best known for their longtime ownership of the Boston Red Sox. More quietly, but with just as much passion and commitment, Tom and Jean Yawkey were also engaged in an unwavering dedication to those most in need.

Today, the Yawkey Foundation remains as committed as ever to continuing to honor Tom and Jean Yawkey and their commitment to those in need. Having awarded more than $620 million to-date in charitable grants to organizations focused on Health Care, Education, Human Services, Youth and Amateur Athletics, Arts and Culture, and Conservation and Wildlife, the Yawkey Foundation is committed to preserving and sustaining the charitable values of the Yawkeys by investing in impactful nonprofits providing resources, opportunity, and dignity to the vulnerable and underserved.

Program and Small Capital Grants

Program and Small Capital Grants support high-impact, strategic, and responsive nonprofit organizations in delivering their core missions through discrete and timebound projects. Program & Small Capital Grants help address an immediate need that is critical to the organization’s work.

Program and Small Capital Grants may fund a discrete timebound program need, one small project, or a piece of equipment aligned with a nonprofit’s purpose. These grants are extremely competitive, and the Yawkey Foundation will receive many more compelling Initial Proposals than it will be able to fund. Initial Proposals should demonstrate an awareness of and alignment with the Yawkey Foundation’s mission and Areas of Giving. Additionally, the most competitive Initial Proposals will 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 geographic priority areas, including Gateway Cities in Eastern Massachusetts.

Nonprofits may submit only one Initial Proposal to the Yawkey Foundation during a calendar year, irrespective of the Type of Grant. Organizations that have not been previously funded by the Foundation in recent years are encouraged to submit Initial Proposals for Program & Small Capital Grants to familiarize the Foundation with its work before submitting an Initial Proposal for Strategic Investment or Transformational Capital.

Areas of Giving: Human Services; Youth & Amateur Athletics; Education; Conservation & Wildlife; Arts & Culture; and Health Care.

Arts & Culture Support

When he purchased the Red Sox in 1933, Tom Yawkey also bought one of Boston’s greatest attractions: Fenway Park. The Yawkeys worked hard to ensure its preservation and today it remains Major League Baseball’s oldest and most beloved ballpark, a testament to the couple’s appreciation of cultural institutions. Much of the Yawkeys’ early philanthropy in arts and culture revolved around the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, an organization to which Tom and Jean lent early support and where they both served on the Board of Directors. The spirit of baseball history and civic pride is also reflected in the Foundation’s support of the 1967 Impossible Dream exhibit, which commemorates the remarkable Red Sox season that re-energized Boston and united generations of fans.

Their legacy in arts and culture has come to life in recent decades through support to the Boston Children’s Museum, the Museum of Science, and the New England Aquarium. The Yawkey Foundation continues to support cultural institutions and community organizations that enrich the lives of children and families by inspiring curiosity, creativity, and a lifelong sense of wonder and appreciation for the world around them.

The Medieval Academy of America Fellows Research Award supports Ph.D. candidates and non-tenure-track scholars in medieval studies. Each year, two awards of $5,000 are available for members lacking research funding, enabling them to access original sources, archives, and artworks. This initiative, established by the Academy, aims to foster research excellence in the field while promoting a deeper understanding of medieval art, history, and culture. Awards will be announced during the Academy's annual meeting.

The Live Arts Boston (LAB) Grants, supported by the Boston Foundation, empower performing artists in the Greater Boston area to innovate and create original work. With funding of up to $15,000, this program encourages artists and small organizations to explore new ideas and collaborations. LAB offers crucial resources such as project documentation, advising, and networking opportunities, fostering a vibrant arts community amidst ongoing social challenges. Artists are invited to apply and contribute to the cultural landscape.

The Monica H. Green Prize for Distinguished Medieval Research, awarded by the Medieval Academy of America, recognizes exceptional projects that illuminate the relevance of medieval studies today. Established in 2021, this annual prize aims to honor innovative scholarship and public engagement that connect historical insights with contemporary issues, particularly in understanding pandemics and health. The prize includes a monetary award of $1,000, supporting research that bridges the past and present.

Insperity's Corporate Contributions program emphasizes community involvement and corporate citizenship, providing philanthropic grants and event sponsorships to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations. Eligible organizations must engage Insperity employees or contribute to the communities where they operate. The program aims to support nonprofits in achieving their service goals and enhancing community welfare. Applications must be submitted 90 days prior to events, and funding requests can be made once a year.

The Dudley T. Dougherty Foundation Grant supports nonprofit charitable organizations recognized under section 501(c)(3) of the IRS Revenue Code. Established in 2002, the foundation aims to empower groups committed to positive change, fostering respect for life and the environment. Their vision emphasizes collaboration for a better future, encouraging applicants to embody these values in their initiatives. With a focus on impactful projects, this grant is an opportunity for organizations striving to make a critical difference in our world.

The Kindrick-CARA Award, presented by the Medieval Academy of America, recognizes outstanding service in Medieval Studies. Established in 1925, the academy promotes excellence in research, teaching, and publishing related to the Middle Ages. This award, valued at $1000, honors individuals who have significantly contributed to Medieval Studies programming and curricula. Nominees must be members in good standing of the academy, ensuring that their contributions are acknowledged within the profession.

The MAA GSC Grant for Innovation in Community Building and Professionalization, offered by the Medieval Academy of America, aims to foster innovative projects among graduate students. This annual grant of $2,000 encourages collaboration, communication, and community building among medievalists, supporting initiatives such as conferences, workshops, and digital humanities projects. By providing funding, the grant seeks to enhance professionalization and advance academic careers in medieval studies.

The Medieval Academy of America offers Dissertation Grants to support advanced graduate students writing Ph.D. dissertations on medieval topics. With grants of $2,000, recipients can offset research costs such as travel to collections and the acquisition of necessary materials. All graduate students focusing on medieval studies are eligible, but those researching late-medieval Britain should apply for the Schallek Award instead. Approval from dissertation committees is required before application.

The Medieval Academy of America offers the Olivia Remie Constable Award, providing four annual grants of $1,500 for unaffiliated scholars, adjuncts, postdoctoral lecturers, and pre-tenure faculty to support research and travel. Applicants must be members in good standing as of January 15 of the application year. This award honors Remie Constable's legacy by fostering interdisciplinary research in Medieval Studies, including support for travel to archives and conferences, and other academic needs.

The Schallek Awards, offered by the Medieval Academy of America in partnership with the Richard III Society-American Branch, provide funding for graduate students conducting research on late medieval England (circa 1350-1500). Each award of $2,000 assists with travel and research costs. Eligibility is limited to U.S. or Canadian citizens and permanent residents, supporting scholarly work that explores the rich historical narratives of the late medieval period.

The Schallek Fellowship, offered by the Medieval Academy of America in partnership with the Richard III Society-American Branch, provides a one-year grant of $40,000 for Ph.D. dissertation research focused on the late medieval period in England or related disciplines. This fellowship supports graduate students whose proposals are approved by their committees, ensuring they can dedicate their time fully to their research without additional employment.

The CARA Summer Scholarships, offered by the Medieval Academy of America, provide financial support for graduate and promising undergraduate students engaged in summer courses focusing on medieval languages or manuscript studies. Each award, ranging from four to eight annually, can provide up to $1000 to help offset tuition costs. These scholarships are contingent upon acceptance into the respective programs, ensuring that students gain valuable skills in medieval studies.

The O'Reilly Automotive Foundation Grant focuses on enhancing community welfare through philanthropic initiatives that support economic stability, workforce development, health services, and disaster relief. Established in 2020, the Foundation seeks to empower underrepresented individuals and organizations in the U.S. by addressing vital community needs. It particularly aims to provide assistance to nonprofits that foster positive change and improve quality of life for those in need, ensuring a lasting impact in local communities.