Best Grants for Education Nonprofits in Massachusetts

Massachusetts education and youth-focused nonprofits can seek program support, especially for education, youth programming and mentoring, housing and homelessness prevention, environment, healthcare, and the arts. Focused on children and families, Highland Street Foundation primarily funds Massachusetts organizations, accepting one letter of inquiry per year from groups that first complete its online eligibility quiz.

Nonprofit organizations and eligible public entities running education, humanitarian, or community programs in Massachusetts can seek non-healthcare donations and sponsorships to support charitable activities. Amgen Foundation provides U.S. education and community organizations, including those in the Greater Boston Area, with funding that benefits local communities and broader social needs.

Rockland Trust is committed to strengthening local communities through charitable donations to 501(c)(3) organizations and community groups. Their mission focuses on providing essential services, enhancing quality of life, and fostering relationships with customers. They prioritize funding programs that align with their philanthropic goals, specifically in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island. Capital projects are not eligible for support, ensuring funds are directed towards impactful community services.

Education, health, human services, arts, conservation, and youth-serving 501(c)(3) nonprofits planning major capital projects in Massachusetts or Georgetown County, South Carolina can apply for Yawkey Foundation’s Transformational Capital Grants, with awards up to US $5,000,000. With a mission to strengthen direct services, the foundation supports development of physical spaces that expand high-quality, impactful programs.

Education, food, health, and housing nonprofits in Massachusetts can seek funding for general operating, program support, or program-enabling capital improvements. Focused on core community needs, the McCarthy Family Foundation gives preference to organizations serving communities north of Boston, which may include education-focused nonprofits in Lynn, Salem, Beverly, Peabody, Gloucester, Ipswich, Newburyport, and Salisbury.

501(c)(3) nonprofits serving education, community development, health, human services, cultural programs, or veterans in communities where Penn National Gaming operates can apply for Penn National Gaming Foundation grants. Massachusetts education nonprofits located in Norfolk County may be eligible if they align with these focus areas and are in an eligible host community.

Public agencies and 501(c)(3) nonprofits in Massachusetts can seek $2,500 - $5,000 for planning, education, and outreach projects in historic preservation, including studies, design guidelines, and community forums. National Trust for Historic Preservation funding may benefit education-focused nonprofits incorporating preservation programming or public education about historic places.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in Massachusetts supporting underserved youth education and development can apply for the Schrafft Charitable Trust’s program or general operating grants. Funding prioritizes small to medium community-based groups and schools in Boston and New Bedford offering academic enrichment, arts, after-school or summer programs, and pathways to economic independence for ages 6–21.

The Irene E. & George A. Davis Foundation provides grants to nonprofit organizations serving Hampden County, Massachusetts. Funding areas include early education, health, economic mobility, and arts. The Foundation supports general operating, capital, program, capacity building, and emergency funding to foster community development and address pressing needs. Eligible organizations must demonstrate measurable outcomes and a commitment to sustainable change while enhancing collaboration among local nonprofits.

Massachusetts education nonprofits and other eligible 501(c)(3) organizations, municipalities, Tribal and religious organizations working in New England can seek support for programs that boost college readiness, access, and completion for underserved students. The Lloyd G. Balfour Foundation prioritizes multi-year, catalytic projects, including research on post-secondary completion and select pre-K–12 system reform efforts.

Massachusetts education and community-based nonprofits serving low-income or otherwise marginalized residents can seek one-time capacity-building support to strengthen health-related work through the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation Catalyst Fund. Grants up to US $7,500 support planning, infrastructure, technology, training, or similar activities that expand access to health and health care, which may benefit education-focused organizations.

Focused on education, the Mabel Louise Riley Foundation invites Massachusetts 501(c)(3) nonprofits serving primarily Boston residents to seek US $50,000 - US $100,000 for new, expansion, or capital projects. Priority goes to programs for low-income children, youth, and families, including education, human services, neighborhood revitalization, arts access, foster care support, job training, and affordable housing.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations focused on environmental conservation and related education in coastal Massachusetts, Maine, and Rhode Island can receive general operating or project support to protect marine and coastal resources. Grants from Island Foundation help groups working on climate change, sustainable fisheries and agriculture, conservation capacity-building, and environmental justice, including initiatives in Southeastern Massachusetts communities.

Nonprofit cultural organizations, municipalities, and higher education institutions in Massachusetts can apply for Mass Cultural Council’s Cultural Facilities Fund to plan, renovate, expand, or repair cultural facilities. Funding supports capital projects and planning studies, and education-focused museums, theaters, and similar venues that serve the public may be eligible if they meet cultural use and community access requirements.

Massachusetts nonprofits, schools, public agencies, and community or faith-based groups developing education or workforce readiness service programs in Massachusetts can apply for Massachusetts Service Alliance’s AmeriCorps planning grants. Funding supports creating new AmeriCorps programs that recruit, train, and manage members to address unmet community needs, which may benefit education-focused organizations.

Education and workforce nonprofits in Massachusetts communities where State Street operates can seek general operating support to advance educational achievement and employability for people aged 14 and over. With a mission to promote economic opportunity, State Street Foundation provides funding to 501(c)(3) organizations and accredited schools that demonstrate measurable outcomes and a strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Education-focused 501(c)(3) nonprofits providing local services in Middlesex, Essex, Suffolk, or select Norfolk County communities in Massachusetts can seek multi-year general operating support for mission-related needs. Grants from Cummings Foundation help organizations working in education, human services, healthcare, and fairness and justice with US $30,000 - US $1,000,000 in flexible funding.

With a mission to strengthen communities, Ameriprise Financial provides Massachusetts education nonprofits with funding for programs in financial literacy, life skills training, workforce readiness, and arts education. U.S.-based 501(c)(3) organizations that align with its basic needs or community vitality focus areas and demonstrate Ameriprise volunteer engagement may be eligible to apply.

Tax-exempt nonprofits in Greater Boston and Eastern Massachusetts Gateway Cities can seek US $25,000 - US $100,000 for one-time capital expenses such as vehicles, equipment, technology, or facility improvements. Richard and Susan Smith Family Foundation prioritizes organizations in low-income communities, especially those focused on human services, youth development, economic mobility, and related education-focused programming.

Education-focused 501(c)(3) nonprofits providing direct services in Eastern Massachusetts can seek $250,000 to $1,000,000 Strategic Investment Grants to implement board-approved plans for strategic growth. Focused on health care, education, human services, youth athletics, arts and culture, and conservation, Yawkey Foundation supports regional expansion, collaborations, and mergers within its priority counties and Georgetown County, South Carolina.

The Bayer Fund Health & Wellness Grant Program aims to support organizations that provide education and resources for patients and caregivers facing cancer and cardiovascular diseases. Grants focus on assisting communities, particularly the African American population, in managing these health issues. Funding covers educational services, disease awareness, and access to care, with all activities to commence post-funding decisions. Eligible organizations must hold a 501(c)(3) status and operate within 55 miles of Bayer sites.

Nonprofit organizations serving people in western Massachusetts with housing, education, family, or other human services can apply for MGM Resorts Foundation’s Community Grant Fund. Grants support one-year programs in areas like K–12 education, workforce development, food insecurity, health and wellness, homelessness, seniors, and veterans, decided by regional employee councils.

Education and human service nonprofits in Massachusetts introducing or expanding meditation or mindfulness programs can apply for US $3,000 - US $5,000 project grants to support short-term, high-impact initiatives. Grants from Trust for the Meditation Process fund contemplative Christianity and secular mindfulness education, including courses, curriculum, teacher development, research, and resources, especially for underserved populations.

Education and human services nonprofits serving Massachusetts South Shore communities can apply for the Harold Brooks Foundation’s program, project, or general operating support. Organizations in towns such as Braintree, Brockton, Plymouth, and Quincy may be eligible, especially those addressing education, health, mental health, housing, food, agriculture, and nutrition for underserved residents.

Nonprofit organizations in North Central Massachusetts seeking small capital improvements can apply for organizational development support to strengthen efficiency and effectiveness. Community Foundation of North Central Massachusetts funds items like furniture, equipment, technology, and facility improvements, and education-focused nonprofits in Massachusetts may be eligible if their projects fit these objectives and regional guidelines.

Enterprise Community Partners

Enterprise Community Partners is a national nonprofit that exists to make a good home possible for the millions of families without one. Home is where life happens, where plans are made, and futures begin. It is the foundation for dignity, health, education, wealth, and community. Yet rents keep going up, paychecks don’t keep pace, and good homes in strong neighborhoods are increasingly out of reach.

The system doesn’t work. It must be changed, and it must be changed by us.

Enterprise has the breadth, scale, and expertise to do it. We support community development organizations on the ground. We aggregate and invest billions to improve housing and strengthen communities across the U.S. We advance housing policy at every level of government. We build and manage communities ourselves. Everything we do is informed by the residents we serve.

Together with our partners, we focus on the greatest need — the massive shortage of affordable rental homes — to achieve three goals:

• Increase the supply of affordable homes
• Advance racial equity after decades of systematic racism in housing
• Support residents and strengthen communities to be resilient to the unpredictable, and make upward mobility possible

Since 1982, we have invested $92.0 billion and created 1.1 million homes across all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. We do all this to make home and community places of pride, power, and belonging.

National Housing Innovation Grant Competition

Home is foundational. It’s where we plant roots, raise and care for our families, and build community bonds. Yet in every corner of the country, millions of people of all ages and backgrounds need a home they can afford.

Wells Fargo is meeting this moment with a powerful grant opportunity. Together with Enterprise, Wells Fargo has launched the third iteration of the Housing Affordability Breakthrough Challenge. The 2026 cycle of the housing innovation competition will identify and propel proven, ready-to-scale solutions that transform current practices and increase housing choice and access.

Eligible applicants will compete for five individual grants of $2 million to advance their innovation and drive meaningful, systems-level change in the housing and adjacent industries. Winners will gain access to mentorship and coaching from industry leaders and experts and join a powerful network of Breakthrough Challenge innovators.

Focus Areas

This third cycle of the Housing Affordability Breakthrough Challenge aims to meet the nation’s affordable housing challenges across all types of communities: Native, rural, suburban, tribal, and urban.

Proposals must encompass one or more of three focus areas:

• Design and Construction
• Finance
• Service Delivery and Programs

Applicants will be asked to show how their proof of concept or pilot program has achieved clear outcomes and success, and provide a clear pathway to expanding the innovation’s reach and impact

Round 1: Criteria and Scoring

Your innovation must meet the criteria below to advance to the official scoring stage.

Type of Community

Innovations can serve all types of communities:

• Rural
• Urban
• Suburban
• Tribal

Location

Priority scoring will be given to applications from entities that are based in – or whose innovations are designed for – one or more of these 28 states, plus D.C.:

• Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, Washington D.C.

Affordability

Innovations must serve residents at these income levels:

• Rental: 80% AMI or below
• Homeownership: 120% AMI or below
• Workforce housing: 120% AMI or below

Education-focused 501(c)(3) nonprofits in Massachusetts that also provide human services like basic needs or social services can access funding through Yawkey Foundation for discrete, timebound program or small capital needs, including equipment. Grants up to US $100,000 prioritize direct services for vulnerable and underserved communities in Eastern Massachusetts counties and Georgetown County, South Carolina.