Children, Youth & Families

Investing in the well-being of young people

Last year, we eliminated the concept paper requirement for the Children, Youth & Families Program. The new process of 30-minute Zoom calls was well received and we will be requiring them again this year.

Prior to applying, each prospective applicant needs to schedule a 30-minute Zoom call with staff to ensure that the project is a fit for the program. These calls are meant to be low pressure and constructive. Questions and topics to be discussed will be available in advance.

CY&F grants support nonprofits whose primary mission is to help at promise youth (ages 0-22) realize their full potential and become caring, productive citizens. The focus is on underserved youth who face economic and/or personal barriers to success. We are offering two CY&F grant tracks this spring. Both tracks are open to organizations focused on youth in our geographic catchment area.

  • Capacity Building: To strengthen an organization’s core capacities.

  • Youth Emotional Well-Being: Programs and resources that enhance emotional health supports for children of all ages, with a particular focus on underserved populations.

This grant is for work based within our catchment area which includes Acton, Concord, Framingham, Hudson, Lincoln, Marlborough, Maynard, Natick, Stow, Sudbury, and Wayland.

The CY&F Grant program is now closed for 2026.

Grant Tracks

Capacity building track:

This grant provides proven youth-serving nonprofits in our geographic catchment area with funds for capacity building projects designed to strengthen the agency’s core capacities.

Applicants must be seeking funding for a project that fits one of the following Capacity Building grant tracks:

  • Strategic or Business Planning

    Examples: professional services for growth planning, organizational assessment and design, community needs assessment, market studies, business plans

  • Board or Staff Development/Training

    Examples: board skills and leadership training, staff professional development training, executive coaching, succession planning (for current board and staff)

  • Fund Development Plans & Systems

    Examples: professional services for structuring of fundraising programs, support systems and training

  • Communications Plans & Systems

    Examples: professional services for a marketing and communications assessment and the development of a comprehensive plan, support systems and training

  • Program Evaluation

    Examples: professional guidance to develop or enhance evaluation tools, systems and training

Youth Emotional Well-Being Track:

This grant is designed to help programs and resources that enhance emotional health supports for children of all ages, with a particular focus on underserved populations.

Programming may be targeted to children, parents/guardians, caregivers, teachers, and others working directly with youth, and could include one-on-one supports, support groups, education, outreach and messaging, or other creative strategies that address a range of issues including, but not limited to, stress, anxiety, depression, fear, loneliness, and grief.

Other Criteria

The Trustees view collaboration among agencies with similar missions favorably and consider an applicant’s ability to secure alternate project financing. We welcome the opportunity to join with other funders in underwriting grant endeavors. Multi-year grant requests are accepted. Nonprofit organizations are limited to one grant per calendar year, with the exception of the Racial Equity grants.

Funding Restrictions

The Foundation does not make loans or grants to individuals. While we do not rule out requests for any particular type of assistance, we generally do not provide ongoing operating support, offset deficits, contribute to general appeals, purchase benefit tickets, sponsorships, fund efforts understood to be the responsibility of government or support religious activities.

Applying for a Grant

Applicants are encouraged to discuss their needs with Foundation staff prior to submitting a full proposal. Telephone inquiries are welcome. 

Proposal Review Schedule

Proposals are reviewed in June.

frequently asked questions

Past Grants