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Now is the time to move equity.

Now is the time to move Boston.

Our Work

We believe that closing the gap on the region’s greatest disparities opens pathways to opportunity, prosperity and equitable outcomes. This complex, challenging and critical goal requires tackling the individual-, systems- and root-level causes of inequity. Here's where we are digging in.

What We Do
Equity transparency
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You by our side. Equity at the center.

The systemic and structural inequities at the core of our region’s disparities cannot be dismantled without extraordinary perseverance and collaboration among visionary and courageous partners, donors and leaders. Together we can improve lives and strengthen communities.

Our Work with Donors

Latest News

Safety Net Grants provide $1 million to 20 organizations. Photo of an older Latina woman standing in her kitchen

Safety Net Grants: Community-led process awards $1 million to meet essential needs

The twenty organizations were selected by a group of 38 community members from dozens of nonprofit and community organizations for their work meeting essential needs in communities throughout Greater Boston.

Learn about the grantees
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"Setting Roots in Rocky Soil": New ABEC report shows the challenges and promise for AAPI businesses and entrepreneurs

The new report from the Asian Business Empowerment Council highlights the disparities among AAPI businesses as they seek to grow and recover from the challenges of COVID-era racism and access to needed education and investment.

Read the report
Board members Dwight Poler Raja Bobbili and Elaine Zecher

TBF names Dwight Poler Board Chair, welcomes Raj Bobbili and Rabbi Elaine Zecher to Board

Poler assumes Chair after six years as a Director in multiple leadership roles; Bobbili and Zecher replace outgoing Chair Linda Mason and Ron O'Hanley, both leaving the Board after ten years because of term limits.

Read the announcement
Equality Fund logo w transgender remembrance mural

Equality Fund announces $372,500 in grants, welcomes new co-chairs and members

Longtime advisory committee members Mike Dillon and Alex Schuman take over as co-chairs from Elyse Cherry and Catherine D'Amato, as overall grantmaking from the Fund jumps to more than $2.2 million since its inception.

Read about the new grants

Fueling change through civic leadership

Working beyond grantmaking, we collect data, commission research and share knowledge to inform public policy and catalyze conversations on issues with the greatest impact on the people of Greater Boston. 

Pathways to Equity

The Boston Foundation's 2023 annual report, organized around our four pathways to equity, tells some profoundly personal stories about how our donors and our nonprofit partners have the capacity to change lives. We offer deep thanks to our nonprofit partners who collaborated with us on this report and especially to those who shared their personal and inspiring stories with us.

We are a hub of partnerships and networks that work with and answer to the communities we serve. We collect data, commission research, share knowledge, develop programs, and fuel new ideas.