Harold Brooks Foundation Grant

The Harold Brooks Foundation, managed by Bank of America’s Philanthropic Solutions division, was established in 1984 in memory of Harold Brooks, a business executive from Braintree, Massachusetts. Mr. Brooks gained recognition during the Cold War era for manufacturing and selling prefabricated structures and underground bomb shelters. The foundation was created to support causes that benefit the residents of the South Shore region of Massachusetts, particularly focusing on underserved populations and addressing basic human needs. The foundation supports nonprofit organizations that demonstrate significant positive impact on South Shore communities. Its mission emphasizes aiding the largest possible number of local residents, especially those in need, by backing organizations that provide tools for personal restoration and improved quality of life. Priority is given to programs that serve traditionally underserved groups and address systemic challenges. The foundation’s funding areas are education, food, agriculture and nutrition, health, housing and shelter, and mental health and crisis intervention. Grants from the Harold Brooks Foundation may be used for program or project expenses and general operating support, but not for endowment campaigns. Organizations may submit only one request within a 12-month period and may apply for multi-year support spanning up to three years. Preference is given to initiatives that have the potential to affect large populations or substantially enhance the lives of individuals in need. In certain cases, applicants may also be considered for the Grace E. Brooks Trust, a smaller foundation that shares similar objectives but generally does not award grants to the same organizations receiving funding from the Harold Brooks Foundation. Eligible applicants must be nonprofit organizations operating within specific South Shore Massachusetts communities, including towns such as Abington, Braintree, Brockton, Hingham, Plymouth, Quincy, Weymouth, and several others. The foundation explicitly restricts its funding to these regions and is not available to organizations outside of these geographic areas. Applications are due annually on April 1, and applicants will receive notification of funding decisions by June 30. The foundation's Massachusetts office manages the application process, and all inquiries should be directed via email to ma.grantmaking@bofa.com with the foundation name included in the subject line. While the foundation provides supporting documentation for the application procedures, including downloadable guidelines, it does not maintain a separate application process for the Grace E. Brooks Trust.