The Bruce J. Anderson Foundation, a supporting organization of the Boston Foundation, is accepting applications for its 2025 grant cycle. Established in 1980 in memory of Bruce J. Anderson by his six siblings, the foundation provides funding for initiatives in mental health treatment, suicide prevention, research, environmental protection, historic and archival preservation, and the arts. The grant program prioritizes projects that serve young people and those who are underserved by existing resources, particularly LGBTQ+ individuals. Grants are awarded to organizations serving the geographical areas of Cape Ann (Gloucester, Rockport, Essex, and Manchester) and Nashoba Valley (Harvard, Ayer, Groton, Pepperell, Shirley, and Townsend) in Massachusetts.
The application submission period opens on January 16, 2025, and closes on February 26, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. Grant funds may only be used for activities occurring after July 1, 2025. Award amounts typically range from $2,500 to $12,000, and approved requests may receive full or partial funding. The foundation favors projects that serve broad segments of the community, provide practical solutions to specific problems, and have the potential to attract additional financial support.
The foundation does not customarily fund scholarships, loans, conferences, films, or religious programs. Additionally, grants are not made to individuals. The review process is conducted by the trustees of the Bruce J. Anderson Foundation and Boston Foundation staff, who then make recommendations to the foundation’s Board of Directors. Applicants may be contacted for additional information during the review process. Grant award notifications generally occur following the Board’s meeting in June.
Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations operating in the specified Massachusetts regions. Strong preference is given to projects that align with the foundation’s mission of addressing mental health, environmental conservation, historic preservation, and arts initiatives. Organizations interested in applying should review the full application guidelines and submit proposals through the SmartSimple platform.
For further inquiries regarding the grant process, applicants can contact Stella Davis at stella.davis@tbf.org or call 617-338-2398.
