Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston

The Davis Family Charitable Foundation is a private philanthropic organization that engages in grantmaking to support a variety of nonprofit partners. Its mission is rooted in values of strengthening communities, supporting social good, and advancing opportunities for individuals in need. The foundation is guided by a family-led leadership structure and has a longstanding record of philanthropic involvement, with the Davis family members actively participating in charitable efforts both through governance roles and program support. The foundation’s approach to grantmaking has been exemplified through its partnership with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston. Since 1893, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston have provided affordable and accessible after-school programming to youth in Boston and Chelsea. These programs, which serve more than 8,000 young people annually between the ages of six and eighteen, focus on academic success, healthy living, and responsible citizenship. Many participants come from historically excluded communities, and the programs are designed to create long-term opportunities for growth and development. Beginning in 1999, the Davis family began providing support, and in 2013, their giving was formalized through the foundation. The foundation’s involvement has extended beyond financial support, as members of the Davis family have played leadership roles in advancing sustainability for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston. Jon Davis, in particular, served as board chair and later spearheaded the organization’s first planned giving initiative. These efforts contributed to a substantial increase in the organization’s endowment, which grew from $3 million in 1999 to $90 million, while the number of planned gift commitments rose from 14 to more than 100, with declared gifts totaling more than $30 million. These developments have enabled the Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston to secure long-term stability and expand programmatic innovation. The foundation’s philanthropic philosophy emphasizes sustainability and strategic planning. Through capital campaigns and planned giving initiatives co-chaired by family members, partner organizations have gained greater financial security, which in turn has enabled them to take creative and venturesome approaches to addressing community needs. This reflects the Davis family’s belief in strengthening nonprofits not just through immediate funding, but also through investments that ensure long-term resilience. The foundation operates on an invitation-only basis for grant applications. This means unsolicited proposals are not accepted. Organizations seeking support must be directly invited by the foundation to apply, underscoring a curated approach to partnerships and funding. There is no public timeline, application form, or deadline listed, and no specific funding amounts or program budget information are disclosed. The foundation instead focuses on building long-term relationships with organizations that align with its values and mission. While no formal eligibility criteria are outlined in the public-facing information, the foundation’s historical giving indicates a focus on nonprofit organizations, particularly those that serve youth, education, community development, and health-related initiatives. Organizations such as Boston Children’s Hospital, Heading Home, Jewish Vocational Services, Save the Children, and The Trustees of Reservations have also contributed media materials to the foundation’s communications, suggesting prior or ongoing partnerships. The foundation provides no public contact email or phone number for grant inquiries, but directs interested parties to its website for further information.