c/o Verrill Dana LLP
One Federal Street, 20th Floor
Boston, MA 02110

IMPORTANT UPDATE (6/15/25) – Please be advised that the September 5^th application deadline has been closed.  Our next application deadline is January 15, 2026.

Purpose and Overview:

The Tomfohrde Foundation may make grants “for charitable purposes or to charitable organizations, with particular focus on supporting the work of charitable institutions, organizations and agencies in the New England area and particularly in Greater Boston, which are dedicated to the cultural, social and civic betterment of the community and particularly which foster the advancement of higher education, the classic arts, scientific research in biomedicine and the improvement of community health.” (From The Declaration of the Trust of the John H. and H. Naomi Tomfohrde Foundation).

Funding Priorities (updated June 16, 2025):

It has been the practice of the trustees to revisit and often amend the funding priorities for the foundation in the fall of each year.  The revised funding priorities for 2026 will be released in October.  Please check back then if you are interested in submitting a grant request for the January 15, 2026 deadline.

The funding priorities for 2025 were as follows:

• strengthening programs and offerings at Massachusetts vocational and technical schools and community colleges
• increasing and promoting access to community colleges
• strengthening comprehensive student support at community colleges to boost retention and completion rates
• increasing and supporting access to internships and other career exploration opportunities/pathways at both the middle school and high school levels

Geographic focus: Eastern Massachusetts, defined as areas east of, and including the city of Worcester.

General Guidelines and Policies (updated June 16, 2025):

-Beginning in 2026 the trustees will meet bi-annually in February and June to review proposals. The application deadlines are January 15th and May 1st

Applications must be submitted through our grant portal at https://webportalapp.com/sp/login/tomfohrde_foundation

– Grants will be considered for the following purposes: capacity building, program support, capital campaigns, multi-year projects, and general operating support.

– Grants generally range in amounts up to $20,000.

– Proposals should be as concise and avoid jargon and acronyms that may not be familiar to the reader.

– Applicant organizations that neglect to submit a final report on previous programs supported by the Trust should not expect to receive a favorable response on a current request.

– The trustees generally will not fund projects as the sole funder as it raises concerns about the sustainability of a program.

– The trustees will occasionally require an applicant organization to seek funds to match a grant from the Trust. Such challenge grants have proven to be an incentive to organizations to develop other funding sources in the community and at the same time, to raise public awareness of their programs and activities.

– The trustees will pay particular attention to the composition of an organization’s governing board, which should include people from diverse backgrounds, professions and occupations and who are active and visible in the community served.

– Any questions should be directed to the Grants Coordinator, Susan Monahan at:

smonahan@verrill-law.com
978-500-0786

Trustees:

Michael F. O’Connell, Esq., Verrill Dana LLP

Stacie Kosinski, Esq., Verrill Dana LLP