Susan A. and Donald P. Babson Charitable Foundation
/OVERVIEW: The Babson Charitable Foundation supports diverse global development efforts addressing exploitation of people, poverty alleviation and social injustice. Its global security related grantmaking focuses on peace-building, conflict resolution, and human rights.
IP TAKE: This is an approachable funder that makes around 40 to 50 modest grants each year. Since Babson does not frequently award multi-year grants, this is a good resource for new grantseekers, although it should be noted that the foundation recently stopped accepting unsolicited applications.
PROFILE: Established in 1995, the Boston- based Susan and Donald Babson Foundation focuses its grantmaking on “the enrichment and empowerment of people of all ages around the world, so as to prevent exploitation, poverty, and injustice.” While it does not have any stated program areas, its grants tend to support work in global development, security and human rights, and LGBTQ causes.
Babson does not make capital grants, but it does make program-specific as well as general operating support grants through two programs: the Competitive Grant and Discretionary Grant program. The Discretionary program awards grants according to the interests of trustees and family members and does not accept applications. The Competitive program previously accepted applications on an open basis, but has recently shifted to accepting applications by invitation only.
Grants for Global Development
The Babson Foundation does not provide detailed information about its grantmaking priorities or past grantees on its website, but tax filings show that it generally supports U.S.-based organizations whose work has an international reach. Grantees include the Center for Renewable Energy and Appropriate Technology for the Environment (CREATE), First Nations Development Institute, FXB USA, Groundswell International, and International Rescue Committee.
Grants for Global Security and Human Rights
The Babson Foundation does not provide detailed information about its grantmaking priorities or past grantees on its website, but tax filings show that it generally supports organizations based in and around Massachusetts, but whose work may be either domestic or international. Past grantees include Arise for Social Justice, Boston Mobilization, Cities at Peace, Fund for Global Human Rights, Mothers for Justice and Equality and New Hampshire Peace Action Education Fund.
Grants for LGBTQ
The Babson Foundation does not provide detailed information about its grantmaking priorities or past grantees on its website, but tax filings show that it generally supports organizations based in and around Massachusetts, but whose work may be either domestic or international. Past grantees include the Astraea Lesbian Foundation for Justice, Boston Gay Men’s Chorus, Children’s Rights, Gift of Adoption and Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders (GLAD).
Grants for K-12 Education
The Babson Foundation does not provide detailed information about its grantmaking priorities or past grantees on its website, but tax filings show that it generally supports organizations based in and around Massachusetts, but whose work may be either domestic or international. It seems to prioritize programs that provide opportunities such as access to education and college readiness for underserved students. Grantees include Harlem Educational Activities Fund, Homework House, Perkins School for the Blind and the Mass Equality Education Fund.
Grants for Arts and Culture
The Babson Foundation does not provide detailed information about its grantmaking priorities or past grantees on its website, but tax filings show that it generally funds organizations based in and around Massachusetts. It supports arts education and outreach programs as well as local community theaters and centers for the arts. It is particularly interested in audience accessibility and access to arts programs for disabled adults and children. Grantees include Mass Humanities, North Country Center for the Arts, River Gallery School of Arts, Theater Offensive and Featherstone Center for the Arts.
Important Grant Details:
This funder made about $230,000 in grants in a recent year. Grant amounts typically range from around $1,000 to $10,000 and are generally awarded for one year. The foundation does on occasion consider multi-year grants. To get a broader sense of the types of organizations Babson supports, explore its Grants Awarded page. As a Boston-based funder, the Babson Foundation shows a preference for organizations operating in the Northeastern United States, but it often funds U.S.-based programs that have an international reach.
The Babson Foundation’s Discretionary program awards grants according to the interests of trustees and family members and does not accept applications. The Competitive Grant program previously accepted applications on an open basis, but as of 2019 it accepts applications by invitation only. General inquiries may be directed to the grants administrator, Anna Doggett, via email.
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