The Boston Foundation

When diverse voices lead, impact follows. Please join us in congratulating the five Poderosas Fellows!

Now in its second year, the Poderosas Fellowship is an annual investment to empower Latinas in advancement, development, and philanthropy roles, equipping emerging leaders with the skills, resources, and networks needed to thrive.

At this moment, Latina fundraisers' proximity to community issues and ability to drive financial resources to their nonprofits are critical to bringing stability to the organizations working at the front lines tackling equity issues. This Fellowship, an initiative of the Latino Equity Fund at TBF, is vital to sustaining and growing Latina representation in philanthropy and LEF is excited to continue strengthening the pipeline of Latina leaders who are advancing the wellbeing of Latino communities across MA.

Each Poderosa carries LEF’s mission forward, strengthening our sector and shaping the future of philanthropic leadership. Congratulations to the five Poderosas Fellows!

Ana Hidalgo, Massachusetts Public Health Alliance
Diana Durán, Breakthrough Greater Boston
Magali García-Pletsch, Waltham Partnership for Youth
Sara Morin, Groundwork Lawrence
Stephanie Martínez-Hernández, Atrius Health Equity Foundation

Read the announcement: https://bit.ly/4e6Vo6Y

"The access to resources and community that we provide is making a huge impact on the lives of LGBTQ asylum seekers," Al Green, Ministry Director at LGBT Asylum Task Force.

According to Al, LGBTQ asylum seekers are currently navigating multiple issues: they need access to affordable rental units with flexible eligibility requirements alongside continued advocacy for their right to seek asylum. At the same time, the current federal administration continues to enact changes that will remove their ability to work and be self-sufficient, and that will structurally deny them a realistic chance of being granted asylum.

A grantee partner of the Equality Fund at TBF, the LGBT Asylum Task Force, provides housing, financial assistance, legal connections, and community support to LGBTQ+ asylum seekers as they work toward safety, stability, and independence. Since forming in 2008, 100% of their guests have been granted asylum. Their success rate has continued under the current administration, even as the overall asylum grant rate has fallen to less than 10%.

Their most recent guest to be granted asylum came to the U.S. from Uganda on a student visa. Knowing it was not safe for her to return home but overwhelmed and in need of support, the LGBT Asylum Task Force provided several months of support with housing, food, and utilities. This allowed her to prepare for her asylum case and she was granted asylum in August.

Photo shared by the LGBT Asylum Task Force.

In a time of changing climate and increasing heat, managing carbon emissions for homes and other small residential buildings can play a critical role in helping Boston become more energy efficient, produce fewer greenhouse gases, and become more climate resilient. Our latest climate report, 'Leveraging Catalytic Capital for Small Building Decarbonization in Boston,' examines how philanthropic investments at scale can play a substantial role.

Produced in partnership between TBF, Firefly Energy Consulting, and the Building Electrification Institute, this new report explores how philanthropy can provide “catalytic capital,” using impact investments and other vehicles to supplement local, state, and federal funding to reduce carbon emissions in low- and moderate-income areas.

Read the report release: https://www.tbf.org/news-and-insights/press-releases/2026/september/leveraging-catalytic-capital-release-20260929

On Oct. 21st, hundreds of nonprofit and business professionals will gather to learn, connect and be inspired in these uniquely challenging times.

Each year, the Massachusetts Council of Nonprofits’ Annual Conference convenes one of the largest gatherings of nonprofit professionals in the state. The day-long event includes a keynote session, 25+ workshops and expert roundtables, and networking opportunities.

The 2026 Conference will take place on 10/21 at the DCU Center in Worcester, and includes a conversation with Congressman Jim McGovern. This year’s theme, ‘Community & Connection,' will provide valuable opportunities for nonprofits to learn from nonprofit experts, attend valuable workshops, connect with peers, and gain new insights to advance their organization’s mission. Register: https://macouncilofnonprofits.org/events/annual-conference/

Over the summer we were thrilled to install a new art exhibit alongside our land acknowledgment statement. Featuring a collection by Wampanoag artist Quincy Harding, the exhibit showcases Indigenous stories, communities, culture, voices, and creativity. The land acknowledgement grounds us in our space, offering our staff and all the community members we welcome here the chance to reflect and share our respect for the land and Indigenous communities of Massachusetts.

We're looking forward to a busy fall events season at the TBF office and hope you'll all have the opportunity to join us here and see the installation for yourselves soon! Register for an upcoming event and join us in our space: https://www.tbf.org/events

About Quincy Harding, the artist whose work is featured in the exhibit: Quincy is a Black and Native Wampanoag illustrator and designer originally from Massachusetts. Inspired by culture, emotion, nature and fashion, and focusing on women of color, her work spans digital illustrations, fashion illustrations, textile design, and clothing design. She also often weaves themes from her Wampanoag heritage into her work, incorporating elements of nature such as plants and water, reflecting the meaning of her Native name, Spring Breeze.

About the design of the land acknowledgment: Franklin Marval designed and produced the wall cling with the land acknowledgment.

Thank you to Quincy and Franklin for partnering with TBF on this display and Meclina Gomes for bringing it all to life!

The Safety Net Grants program at TBF is accepting applications!

For the FY27 Fall Safety Net Grants round, we are focused on organizations responding to urgent basic needs across Greater Boston, particularly in the areas of food security, health and behavioral health, direct cash assistance, and housing stabilization. Grants will provide $50,000 in general operating support through a two-year funding commitment. Organizations that received a Safety Net Grant in 2026 will not be eligible for this round as we work to spread funds across the safety net ecosystem.

The application deadline is Friday, October 30th 2026.

Details and resources including a recording and slides from our recent info session are available on our website. Learn more and apply: https://www.tbf.org/nonprofits/grant-making-initiatives/safety-net-grants

Curious about planned giving and bequests in strengthening your philanthropic impact and legacy?

OutStandingLife, a nonprofit supporting LGBTQ+ aging adults in Greater Boston and grantee of the Equality Fund at TBF, is hosting a virtual event tomorrow, September 22nd at noon. The event will feature a special presentation on legacy planning from Scott Squillace Esq. followed by a Q&A with TBF's Elisa Pasche and M. Scott Knox.

Thank you to OutStandingLife for convening this session on such a powerful way to leave a lasting impact.

With today marking the start of Hispanic Heritage Month, the Latino Equity Fund at TBF is opening grant applications!

For their FY27 grant cycle, LEF is committing $500,000 to support Latinx-serving nonprofits and will award one-time, $50,000 general operating grants to 10 organizations within TBF's catchment area.

Guided by recent data highlighting Latinos' persistent economic barriers and their increasing difficulties in obtaining health services, LEF is seeking proposals from community-based nonprofits providing access to trusted community health services and advancing equitable economic opportunities for Latinx residents.

Deadline to apply: October 30, 2026.

Learn more about priority areas for these grants and apply: https://www.tbf.org/nonprofits/grant-making-initiatives/latino-equity-fund/latino-equity-fund-fy27-applications

Just over two months after northern Venezuela was struck by two powerful earthquakes that caused catastrophic damage, the Massachusetts United for Venezuela Fund has announced $192,500 in grants and commitments to support recovering communities.

In the immediate aftermath of the disaster, the Latino Equity Fund at TBF joined local Venezuelan organizations, Venezuelan-owned businesses, community leaders and partners on the ground in Venezuela to establish the Fund. After two months of listening, asking questions, vetting organizations, and looking closely at where these resources could have the greatest impact, these grantees were selected with a focus on emergency services, children and health.

By combining thoughtful philanthropy with deep knowledge and relationships of the Venezuelan community, these grants demonstrate how the Fund is turning compassion into action and ensuring resources reach those who need them most. Recovery will take years, but our community in MA has shown that Venezuela will not have to face that road alone.

The Fund will continue working with trusted organizations and partners to identify needs and direct resources toward communities affected by the earthquakes. Read more about the grants and how to support the Fund here: https://bit.ly/4xmZQ8w

A quarter century after the September 11, 2001 attacks, we honor the lives lost and those irreparably changed by this devastating tragedy for our nation.

We honor the first responders whose bravery saved lives while putting their own on the line, and are reminded of the remarkable strength and perseverance of a community uniting to support one another.

In moments of crisis, community is our greatest strength.