For ten years (2003-2013), the Foundation conducted community grantmaking through issues-based initiatives. The Initiatives supported the efforts of community-based organizations working to improve the quality of life of local residents.

The Disability Inclusion Initiative

The Disability Inclusion Initiative was established to support individuals with disabilities as they strive to achieve independence, community integration and a better quality of life. Its approach had four areas of focus: assistive technology, sports and recreation, under-served populations and addressing systemic barriers. Since the inception of the Initiative, 163 grants totaling about $3.9 million have been made benefitting 62 organizations.

The Youth in the Arts Initiative

The Youth in the Arts Initiative aimed to increase access and participation for those youth who may not otherwise have had the opportunity to become involved in the arts. A secondary goal was to support the growth and development of youth as artists, as individuals, as students and as participants in their communities through their involvement in high quality youth arts programs. Since the inception of the Initiative, 134 grants totaling about $2.4 million have been made benefitting 44 organizations.

The Access to Opportunity Initiative

The Access to Opportunity Initiative had a focus on empowering individuals to make positive changes in their lives. The Initiative had two distinct funding strategies: 1) Increasing access to and persistence in education for adult learners; and 2) Promoting post-secondary success for youth. Since the inception of the Initiative, 135 grants totaling about $3.7 million have been made, benefitting 43 organizations.

The College Scholarship Initiative

The College Scholarship Initiative was established in late 2007 and ran through mid-2012. Its goal was to open the door to four-year colleges for promising youth. This nomination-only scholarship supported high-potential, motivated, low-income students from Greater Boston to attend and graduate from college with minimal educational debt. The Foundation committed about $600,000 to 18 high school students over the life of the Initiative. All 18 graduated from college within 5 years. 

Since 2015, the Foundation has dedicated itself to fulfilling its capital commitments, continuing support for well-established family interests and exploring new issue areas that are candidates for future support and impact.