Does the foundation have a required proposal format?
Use the on-line application form available at https://www.grantinterface.com/gma/Common/LogOn.aspx . The login code is: Ratshesky
What do you consider a “small and medium-sized organization”?
The Foundation seeks to support organizations where a small grant will make a meaningful contribution toward the development of a program or organization. Grant requests for $6,000 toward a program budget of $150,000 or from organization with an annual budget of $1 million, for example, are typically ranked a higher priority than requests to support a $300,000 program from large organizations with relatively strong fundraising capacity and many sources of funding. In general, the Foundation tends to fund small and medium-sized organizations with annual budgets ranging from $200,000 to $3 million.
Why do some projects that seem to fall outside the Foundation guidelines get funded?
The Trustees award a small number of grants to organizations that they identify.
The discretionary grants do not always reflect the priorities specified in the Foundation’s guidelines. Applicants are discouraged from submitting requests that fall outside the guidelines.
Why do the guidelines say that the Foundation funds only organizations in the metro Boston area, yet it has made many grants to organizations outside of highway 128?
The trustees and staff occasionally identify organizations outside the geographic priorities of the foundation for consideration.
Do you meet with applicants?
Unfortunately, the large number of requests prevent staff from meeting applicants. Staff discuss requests over the phone when necessary.
How many applications do you receive and how many get funded?
The foundation receives 35-40 applications each deadline and funds about 15 of them.
What do you mean by “final grant” in my award letter?
Final does not mean forever. A final grant means that the Trustees will not consider your request for continued support during the next fiscal year. You must wait a year from the end of your last grant period before you can reapply for funding.
Do requests serving the Jewish community have to address the two priority areas of the Foundation?
No, requests focusing on programs serving disadvantaged Jewish populations do not have to adhere to the Foundation’s interests in either arts and culture, or education and training.
Will the foundation subsidize student slots for GED, ABE, and ESOL programs?
The foundation does not have the capacity to support the hundreds of small adult education programs in the Boston area. It prioritizes requests in the field of workforce development that have comprehensive programs that include job readiness, training, job placement, and post-placement programs. It also gives priority to requests that have formal connections with employers.
Will the foundation sponsor or support one-time concerts, concert series, festivals, parades, or single events?
No.