Lloyd Balfour Foundation

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OVERVIEW: The Lloyd Balfour Foundation primarily funds educational institutions in the Boston and Attleboro, Massachusetts area, although some consideration is also given to health and social services non-profits in New England.

IP TAKE: Since Attleboro-based charities get special attention from Balfour, nonprofits should focus on a strictly educational program if working in Boston. Almost all Balfour grants have a strong educational component. Funding supports work in Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont.

PROFILE: Established in 1973, the Lloyd Balfour Foundation is a private foundation focused on the Northeastern U.S. The L. G. Balfour Company, now operating as the American Achievement Corporation, produces class rings, yearbooks, caps, and gowns. Balfour got his start in the industry selling fraternity jewelry, when he noticed trends in the business and developed a better way of doing things. When Balfour passed away in 1973, the assets of his business were placed into a trust and the Lloyd Balfour Foundation was established from his will. Bank of America serves as a trustee for this foundation. Grantmaking areas of interest address education, health, and human services.

This foundation primarily focuses on education. The foundation also awards grants to health and human services organizations. Almost all Balfour grants are awarded for programs that increase access to education and promote college readiness for underserved youth in New England. Balfour specified a few organizations in his will that he was committed to donating to, including the Sigma Chi Foundation, the Inter-Fraternity Conference Foundation, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and the other awards are divided up into scholarships and an Attleboro-specific category. Some past grants have been awarded for adult foster care. 

Most Balfour grants are between $7,000 and $400,000. Around fifty grants are awarded each year. Learn more about this funder’s giving in its tax records. Geographically, the foundation focuses on Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Rhode Island. Since Balfour's company was based in Attleboro, Massachusetts, most of the grants are awarded to Attleboro-based and Boston-based non-profits.

This foundation accepts unsolicited grant applications from nonprofits. It accepts grant applications by March 1, June 1, and November 1 each year. Direct general questions to the foundation at ma.grantmaking@ustrust.com.

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