The Katharine C. Pierce Trust is a philanthropic initiative managed by the Massachusetts office of Bank of America’s Philanthropic Solutions. The trust was established to improve the lives of women experiencing financial hardship, with a particular emphasis on supporting elderly women. Grants are awarded to nonprofit organizations that deliver health and human services to this population, enabling them to live with greater comfort, dignity, and security.
The trust supports organizations through two primary funding tracks: Direct Service and Little Necessities. Under the Direct Service program, the trust provides one-year grants—averaging $10,000—to Massachusetts-based 501(c)(3) nonprofits. These grants focus on specific program or capital requests that directly assist women in reduced circumstances. Funded initiatives may include homecare support, adult day health services, emergency assistance for women facing domestic violence or homelessness, and other services that address mental, physical, or emotional well-being. Endowments and general operating requests are not supported, and the trust does not entertain multi-year commitments.
The Little Necessities track is administered separately by Mass Home Care and is only available to its member agencies. This program provides “last dollar” grants through home care managers to fund essential, small-scale items or services that improve safety and comfort for older women. Examples of eligible items include household appliances, railings, air conditioners, furniture, or security deposits—any modest but impactful item that can significantly enhance a woman’s quality of life.
The annual deadline for Direct Service grant applications is May 1, and applicants are typically notified of the outcome by the end of August. Applications are submitted online via the Apply Now button on the Bank of America Philanthropic Solutions portal. Supporting documentation and procedural details are also available for download in both PDF and Microsoft Word formats.
For assistance with the application or to discuss the Direct Service grant track, organizations are encouraged to contact the Massachusetts office at ma.grantmaking@bofa.com. Applicants should be sure to include “Katharine C. Pierce Trust” in the subject line of any email communications. More contact details can be found in the downloadable procedures document.
