West End House
/OVERVIEW: The West End House supports academic and college success, fitness and nutrition, leadership and career development, and visual and performing arts in Boston, Massachusetts.
FUNDING AREAS: Academic and college success, fitness and nutrition, leadership and career development, and visual and performing arts
IP TAKE: Though not a traditional grantmaker, West End House is a prominent Boston organization that supports youth causes in Boston.
PROFILE: Established in 1906, the West End House is a group originally founded by immigrant boys from Boston’s West End neighborhood who met wherever they could to advance their futures. Inspired by their efforts, philanthropist James J. Storrow funded a club house that became known as the West End House Boys Club. Since then, the group has expanded and innovated to serve over 1,500 youth from the Boston area. Headquartered at the Lewis & Gordon Center in Allston, areas of grantmaking interest include academic and college success, fitness and nutrition, leadership and career development, and visual and performing arts.
West End House’s education programs are geared toward college success, college access, STEM programs, and literacy through “reading buddies.” Fitness and nutrition programs include gym and swim activities, as well as programs to fight childhood obesity and promote healthy living. West End House further invests in leadership and career development by employing teens and having programs for teen job readiness, peer leadership, and the Brian J. Honan Fellowship for Boston high school sophomores and juniors. Finally, the group’s visual and performing arts interests include partnerships with local organizations such as the Museum of Fine Arts Community Arts Initiative, Berklee College of Music, Music and Youth Initiative, Commonwealth Shakespeare Company, and Hasty Pudding Theatricals. It provides free music lessons, beginner art classes, and learning opportunities for film and video work.
To learn about the types of organizations that West End House works with, review the organization’s news section. Meanwhile, the Expect More campaign is a $23.5 million campaign designed to build capacity and serve more young people in the region. West End House’s support remains in the Boston metropolitan area.
The West End House accepts donations but does not have an online process to apply for partnerships or support. Contact the staff by phone at 617-787-4044 or email Vice President of Program Services Mark DaCruz at mdacruz@westendhouse.org.
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