Nonprofit organizations that meet the criteria outlined below are invited to submit proposals for funding consideration. The deadline for receipt of proposals is August 15. (Last year’s grantees should please note that final reports are due at the same time as new proposals, and the report outline is now included within the online application process.)
Background
Sailors’ Snug Harbor of Boston began its formal grantmaking program with a focus on assisting seamen and their families. In 1970, the trustees voted to extend eligibility for grants to agencies that serve low-income elderly men and women in the Greater Boston area.
From 1994 to 2015, the foundation also addressed issues facing Massachusetts’ fishing communities, with a particular focus on those in New Bedford, Gloucester, and on Cape Cod, through a special funding initiative undertaken in collaboration with the Island Foundation.
Today, the foundation’s grantmaking is focused on low-income elders in Greater Boston and social services providers in maritime communities of Massachusetts, with a focus on Cape Cod, Gloucester, and New Bedford.
Overview and Goals
The foundation’s grantmaking is focused on low-income elders in Greater Boston and social services providers more broadly in maritime communities of Massachusetts, with a focus on Cape Cod, Gloucester, and New Bedford. The trustees have a particular preference for funding programs that prevent homelessness, re-house homeless families and individuals, or that provide the necessary services and supports to help families and individuals remain safely housed.
The trustees are interested in making grants to 501(c)(3) organizations that are presently providing such services, as well as to agencies seeking to expand or develop new programs to serve the particular needs of these populations and communities.
Potential applicants should please note that, while grantmaking will not be restricted to these areas, proposals falling within these stated preferences are more likely to receive Sailors’ Snug Harbor of Boston support:
- A geographic preference for Greater Boston or the maritime communities of Gloucester, New Bedford, and Cape Cod
- A preference for providing operating or program support, as opposed to capital support
- An impact preference for organizations and/or programs with fewer funding alternatives
Grantmaking Interests and Limitations
Grants are made only to nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations. No grants are made directly to individuals. Types of grants to nonprofits include support for general operating, program support, seed money/start-up, and special projects. Grants are very occasionally made for capital support, and challenge or matching grants are made on rare occasion. The foundation does not support conferences/seminars, debt reduction/cash reserves, endowment, or publications/ films/videos.
Application Process
Proposals may be submitted as soon as the online process opens, about one month prior to the deadline, but must be received by 5 pm on August 15 for consideration at the fall meeting. Grants will be awarded in December.
- If your organization did not receive a grant from the foundation last year, please submit a letter of interest or reach out to foundation staff before beginning an application.
- If your organization received a grant from the foundation last year, please note that the online application includes a section where you can submit your final report, as well.
Annual Grants
The majority of Sailors’ Snug Harbor’s grantmaking will support one-year requests in the program areas described above. Past applicants should please note that the online application process has changed somewhat, and the foundation now requests uploaded copies of Philanthropy Massachusetts’ Common Proposal Format.
Please see How to Apply for information regarding online applications.