The Charles H. Hall Foundation, established in 2007, supports nonprofit organizations dedicated to improving the well-being of underserved populations in Western Massachusetts. The foundation prioritizes initiatives that align with its mission to enhance educational opportunities, healthcare access, human services, religious engagement, and arts and cultural programming. Special consideration is given to efforts aimed at preventing cruelty to children or animals. The Foundation explicitly restricts its funding to organizations serving communities within Berkshire, Hampden, Hampshire, or Franklin Counties in Massachusetts.
Grants are awarded for specific programs or projects, with a strong preference for organizations delivering direct services to their constituents. While general operating support is generally discouraged, programmatic support that demonstrates meaningful impact is welcomed. Awards typically range from $5,000 to $20,000, and each grant has a one-year duration. Organizations are limited to receiving grants for no more than three consecutive years.
Applications must be submitted online by March 1 of each calendar year. The Foundation does not accept applications via email, mail, or courier. Letters of Inquiry are not required nor accepted. Only one application may be submitted per calendar year per organization, and applicants must ensure their proposals align specifically with the Foundation’s geographic and programmatic priorities. Applicants can expect to receive notification of grant decisions within three to four months following the deadline.
Proposals are evaluated by the Philanthropic Solutions team at Bank of America, which administers the Foundation’s grantmaking process. Proposals undergo a thorough vetting process, and in some cases, additional information may be requested. Site visits are rare but may be conducted if deemed necessary. Awarded grantees are required to submit a final report within one year of the grant date, regardless of whether all funds have been spent. Failure to submit a report renders the organization ineligible for future funding.
The Foundation's contact for inquiries is via email at [email protected]. Questions about proposal fit or application logistics should be directed there. The application portal is accessible year-round, but submissions are only reviewed annually based on the March 1 deadline. Due to the Foundation’s annual cycle, the next expected round opens in March 2026.
Strong preference for direct services; only organizations within four eligible counties are considered; general operating support is discouraged.
