These foundations have a track record of funding social justice work in Massachusetts, based on IRS 990 grant data. Use the list below to find funders aligned with your mission, then sign up free to see how well your nonprofit fits each one.
Open Grant Opportunities
Live programs funding social justice in Massachusetts that your nonprofit can apply to now.
Open nowCloses in 3 days (Aug 15, 2026)May not accept unsolicited proposals
General Grantmaking (Letters of Inquiry + Full Proposals)
Basic human needs / social servicesEducationArts+4 more
Who can apply: Organizations must have programs that serve the Foundation’s priority areas and geographic focus. The Foundation does not fund individuals, candidates for political office, or private foundations. Currently the Foundation has paused its open application process; only organizations that have previously received funding from the Shield-Ayres Foundation are eligible to submit a Letter of Inquiry. Organizations may apply once in a 12-month period and may receive funding for up to three consecutive years (then asked to sit out one year).
Who can apply: Generally for eligible 501(c)(3) public charities or fiscally sponsored nonprofits with a US office/EIN; foreign organizations with US-equivalency may be considered. New organizations are paused until further notice; currently prioritizing returning applicants funded within the last three years. Sustainable Communities applicants should focus on social justice/civil rights, economic justice, environmental justice, or related systemic interventions. The foundation does not fund chambers of commerce, business-driven economic development, alternative living communities, disaster relief, small business incubators, extractive-economy initiatives, one-watershed environmental justice, or organizations it cannot fund under private-foundation rules.
sustainable environmentssocial justicecultural enrichment+1 more
Who can apply: Applicants must be nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) tax status or the Canadian equivalent. The foundation only considers applicants from Northeast Ohio, Pugwash, Nova Scotia, and the United States Pugwash Conferences Group. It typically funds small or newly-established organizations, innovative efforts, and organizations lacking support from larger funders.
Health careHousing and homelessnessFood security+3 more
Who can apply: 501(c)(3) organizations. One application per organization per year. Required Information Sheet and supporting documents as specified by the foundation. Prior-year grantees must submit the Final Evaluation Form to be considered.
community buildingcommunity powerhealthier communities+3 more
Who can apply: Organizations must be led by people connected to the community they represent, advance systemic change and fight injustices, and work in communities that have experienced historic disinvestment and barriers to access.
occupational therapy intervention researchpreliminary data / proof of conceptevidence-based practice+1 more
Who can apply: Principal investigator must have a terminal research degree (PhD, ScD) or OTD/EdD with advanced research training; be a credentialed occupational therapist with a full-time faculty or equivalent research position, or a non-OT investigator with a primary academic appointment in an occupational therapy department; be employed by a U.S. domestic nonprofit institution eligible to receive Foundation research grants; and meet U.S. citizenship/permanent residence requirements described by the funder.
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