The Boston Foundation is a community foundation serving Greater Boston, providing grantmaking, donor services, and civic leadership to address regional disparities and strengthen communities.
TBF is dedicated to reducing the region’s most significant disparities. Through our resources and partnerships, we seek to expand access to opportunity and strengthen thriving, prosperous, and equitable communities.
Founded in 1915 as the Permanent Charity Fund for Boston, TBF is one of the nation’s earliest community foundations. Over time, its priorities evolved to respond to regional challenges and systemic inequities. In 2012, The Philanthropic Initiative (TPI), a philanthropic consulting unit, merged into the Foundation and now operates as a distinct division. The Foundation has published historical accounts of its first century, including TBF in the City of Ideas, 1915–2015. Today, it serves as a grantmaker, philanthropic partner, information provider, and civic leader in Greater Boston.
TBF makes charitable grants to qualified recipients and supports donors through Donor Advised Funds, designated funds, scholarship funds, and supporting organizations. It receives public support and partners with donors, nonprofits, advisors, and community stakeholders. The Foundation engages in grantmaking, research, convenings, and policy work. It also operates multiple investment pools, including an Impact Pool, and makes program-related investments such as loans to nonprofit organizations and minority-owned businesses. Administrative and investment oversight fees apply to certain funds.
TBF serves as a major grantmaker in Greater Boston, supporting hundreds of nonprofit organizations annually. It informs public policy through research and convenings and has supported legislation related to wage equity, maternal health, and housing. Through donor partnerships, impact investing, and program-related investments, it addresses systemic disparities and promotes access to opportunity across the region.
The Foundation partners with donors, nonprofits, professional advisors, investors, and community stakeholders. The Philanthropic Initiative (TPI) operates as a distinct unit within the Foundation. The Foundation manages multiple investment pools and offers custom and advisor-managed fund options. It collaborates with public officials, researchers, and community leaders to inform policy and convene cross-sector dialogue.
TBF is a 501(c)(3) public charity under Section 170(b)(1)(A)(vi) of the Internal Revenue Code. It prepares consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, classifies net assets as with or without donor restrictions, and manages operating, donor advised, program, and endowment funds subject to a spending policy and administrative fees. It also makes program-related loans to nonprofits and minority-owned businesses.