Grant Programs

The Foundation for MetroWest awards competitive grants annually to strengthen the capacity and programming of nonprofit organizations working to improve the quality of life for our residents.

Eligibility requirements vary based on the guidelines of the grant program. Please note: due to the ongoing challenges across MetroWest as a result of Covid-19, the Foundation has made the decision to continue focusing on our emergency relief response efforts. We encourage those looking for hunger relief or family support programs to visit our Covid-19 Grants page to determine if your request falls under emergency relief.

Please see below for more information to the guidelines for each focus area. We look forward to reviewing your requests and continuing to serve as a partner for our neighbors in need.

Covid-19 Relief Funds

The MetroWest Fund for the Arts & Culture

The MetroWest Fund for the Environment

The MetroWest Fund for Families

MetroWest Hunger Relief Fund

Youth Development

Town Funds

Foundation for MetroWest currently has funds that benefit the individual towns of Lexington, Medfield, Southborough, Sherborn, and Wellesley. They provide support to organizations and town agencies whose programs address health and human services, recreation, community building, environmental protection, and the arts.

Community Endowment
of Lexington

Southborough
Community Fund

Community Fund for Wellesley

The Sherborn Fund

Grants FAQs

Can I apply to more than one grant area?

Yes and no.

Your organization may apply for funding from only one of the following focus areas: Arts and Culture, Environment, or Family Support. Your organization may be eligible to receive additional funding from a Town Fund. Youth Development grants are by invitation only. For specific questions, contact us to schedule a time to speak with a member of the Foundation’s Program Team.

Can I apply for general operating support?

Yes. Proposals may be submitted for general operating support, for new or existing programming support, or for capacity building. The Foundation does not provide event sponsorships.

Can I apply for capital support?

We will consider proposals only for specific capital projects. We do not provide grants for capital campaigns.

Can I apply for emergency assistance?

We do not provide grants for emergency assistance, nor do we award grants to individuals in crisis. If you are an eligible organization that serves families and/or individuals in crisis, you may be eligible to receive support through our MetroWest Fund for Families or the MetroWest Hunger Relief Fund. See About Grants for more details.

Do you provide multiple-year grants?

At this time, the Foundation does not provide multi-year grants. Organizations that complete their projects and expend all funding are eligible to apply for funding on an annual basis.

Can I apply for funding with another nonprofit?

Yes! We love collaborations. Combining resources and expertise to have an even greater impact on our communities can be great when done well. We encourage two or more eligible organizations to submit a joint proposal if they’ve come up with a great idea. We just ask that the proposal clearly indicates the primary organization and a clear division of responsibilities of each organization.

How do you define MetroWest?

We define MetroWest as the following 33 cities and towns: Acton, Ashland, Boxborough, Carlisle, Concord, Dedham, Dover, Framingham, Harvard, Holliston, Hopkinton, Hudson, Lexington, Lincoln, Marlborough, Maynard, Medfield, Medway, Milford, Millis, Natick, Needham, Sherborn, Southborough, Stow, Sudbury, Walpole, Waltham, Wayland, Wellesley, Westborough, Weston, and Westwood.

How do I submit a proposal to a Donor Advised Fund?

Most funds at the Foundation do not currently accept formal proposals. If you’d like to share your work with our fundholders, we encourage you to provide us with a 1-2 page document that provides a brief organization overview and details of any funding priorities. Having this on file allows us to share your information with fundholders when they seek our guidance and expertise. Please email your overview to Caroline Murphy.