Henderson Foundation Grant Program

The George B. Henderson Foundation grants provides support for projects focused on the enhancement of the appearance and preservation of outdoor elements in the city of Boston. Donor Name: George B. Henderson Foundation State: County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 10/04/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: 1 Year Details: The Foundation encourages applications for projects in all neighborhoods of the city of Boston that concerns parks, city streets, buildings, monuments, and architectural and sculptural works. Through past grants, the Foundation has supported capital projects such as the restoration of historic buildings; creation of new public sculpture and gardens; restoration of historic monuments; and other projects that enhance quality of life and sense of place, while demonstrating design excellence. Grants are made only for projects within Boston city limits and to projects that are accessible and visible to the public. Grants are not made to individuals. Grants are made for restoration and preservation activities, but not for routine care or maintenance. In 2024, the Designators are particularly interested in requests for support of permanent public art projects and projects focused on outdoor spaces. Types of Grants Regular Grant Cycle The Henderson Foundation’s grants provide support for projects focused on the enhancement of the appearance and preservation of outdoor elements in the city of Boston. The Foundation encourages applications for projects in all neighborhoods of Boston that concern parks, city streets, buildings, monuments, and architectural and sculptural works. Most grants awarded in the regular grants program will be in the $20,000-$50,000 range, but the Designators will consider all projects that fulfill the Foundation’s goals and offer outstanding benefit to the community. Grants above $50,000 are very rare exceptions. If you are applying for more than $50,000, your application should describe in detail why you are seeking a larger grant. The Designators discourage first time applicants from requesting more than $50,000. Mini-Grants Program As part of their regular grant cycle in the fall, the Designators have reserved up to $40,000 in 2024 for a Mini-Grants Program. This program will provide grants of up to $7,500 for immediate implementation of community and neighborhood-based public outdoor space and public art projects. Mini-grants are not available for historic preservation projects (those should apply to the full fall grants program). Funds may be requested to support purchasing of items or elements for the fabrication of permanent public art (such as murals, sculptures, installations, or other works) or for permanent improvements to outdoor public spaces (such as public or community gardens, parks, roadway islands, publicly accessible roof-top gardens, shade structures, sidewalk furnishings, or other amenities that beautify the public realm). Design quality and artistic value are important factors in selection since the goal is to bring beauty to the lives of Bostonians and to Boston’s public spaces. Fees for services (such as design fees) are generally not eligible for coverage by the grant. The designers strongly prefer that their funds support hard costs and will consider funding soft costs only if they are integral to the installed, final product (such as artist’s fees). Applications must be for projects within Boston city limits. Applicants must be qualified IRC section 501(c)(3) nonprofits, or have a qualified fiscal sponsor. The Foundation will not make grants to individuals. However, individual artists and designers, community groups, youth groups, faith-based groups, or neighborhood groups may work with a qualified nonprofit as a fiscal sponsor. Eligibility Criteria Applicants, unless a municipal agency, must be an exempt organization under IRC section 501(c)(3), or submit using a qualified fiscal sponsor that qualifies under IRC section 501(c)(3). Projects must be within the city of Boston. For more information, visit George B. Henderson Foundation.