Cummings $35 Million Grant Program (Local Grant Program)

About this program

Cummings Foundation is funding a $35 million Local Grant Program to provide place-based, multi-year operating grants to 150 nonprofits headquartered in and primarily serving specified Greater Boston communities; 125 grants will be paid over three years and 25 over ten years, with annual installments of $10,000–$100,000. A required online letter of inquiry is open July 15–September 16, 2026, and invited applicants must submit full applications by January 13, 2027 (5:00 PM); requests of $25,000/year or less use a short-form (no budget), while requests over $25,000 require a comprehensive application, budget, and may include post-award site visits. Eligible applicants are tax-exempt 501(c)(3) public charities headquartered in specified priority areas (Essex, Middlesex, Suffolk, and select Norfolk communities such as Brookline, Dedham, Milton, Needham, Quincy, Wellesley) that provide the majority of services locally and are not regional/national affiliates (must have their own EIN and board); prior Cummings grantees may apply if prior grants are closed and requirements met, and certain applicant types may receive restricted awards.