OVERVIEW: This funder provides grants to East Boston groups that promote youth and senior recreation, open space development, and local business enhancement. Grants are often between $1,000 and $25,000.
FUNDING AREAS: Youth and senior recreation, education/enhancement, open space development, sports activities, community events, business, economic enhancement.
IP TAKE: Youth sports are a top priority for this funder. Pitch a request for equipment, athletic banquet needs, transportation, and annual festivals.
PROFILE: The East Boston Foundation was established in 1998 to administer $9.6 million from the Massachusetts Port Authority “as part of community mitigation and to offset the impacts associated with Massport's $4.4 Billion Logan Airport Modernization Program.” It’s run by 11 volunteers from the community who sit on the board of trustees; grantmaking is focused on improving the lives of residents of East Boston.
In the foundation’s first 15 years, it awarded over $7.6 million in grants. Typical grant amounts have ranged between $1,000 and $25,000 in recent years. EBF often awards between 40 and 60 grants per year to local groups. This is a very local funder that pays attention to projects that improve parks and open spaces. However, it also funds research and education for events that promote local business initiatives in East Boston.
The highest percentages of the foundation’s budget in recent years have gone to youth and senior recreation, education/enhancement, open space development and sports activities. Grants often go to annual athletic banquets, summer youth programs, athletic equipment, stay-in-school efforts, and transportation for seniors and youth groups. You can view a list of past grantees on the foundation website.
To be eligible for community support grants, for example, organizations should have at least two years of experience, provide free admission for East Boston residents, and go toward event/program costs. EBF does not typically support salaries or general administration. Other categories of grants include sports/athletic grants focused on youth, and education/training/childcare grants, which include public and private school support for early childhood training all the way up through adult education. Youth/senior recreation support grants are regularly awarded up to $25,000, while community improvement initiative and business/enhancement grants aim to minimize the environmental impacts associated with operations at Logan International Airport. EBF also provides mini-grants up to $1,000 on an informal basis for community needs.
The grant application form can be found and submitted online. Grant application questions should be directed to Lorene Schettino at Lorene@ebfoundation.com or 617-561-6336. Lorene has been the assistant to the executive director and a self-employed attorney for the East Boston Foundation since 2005. Richard C. Lynds is the foundation’s executive director and also an attorney. The foundation’s address is 1216 Bennington Street in Boston.
PEOPLE:
- Lorene Schettino, Assistant to the executive director and a self-employed attorney
- Richard C. Lynds, Executive director and attorney
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