We recognize that economic privilege greatly increases educational opportunities. Therefore, we fund organizations that provide access for all youth in our communities to educational experiences that will enhance their chances for future success.

• Eligible not-for-profit organizations must be within the greater metropolitan area of one of our North American or Asia/Pacific offices, and approximately 70% of program participants must qualify as low income and be under the age of 26. (Organizations in the UK and Europe should refer to the firm’s UK Foundation.)
• We fund organizations of various sizes but are primarily interested in those with budgets under US$3 million. We want to support organizations where our grants have a meaningful impact on youth, as well as the organization itself.
• We fund newer and more established organizations. We prefer to fund organizations that can demonstrate the strength of their leadership, have a measurable track record of success, and can exhibit an upward organizational trajectory.
• We fund religiously affiliated organizations that are inclusive of all participants regardless of religious background and beliefs.
• Organizations that receive funding must affirm and agree that it does not discriminate in its recruiting, hiring, training or promotion practices or in any other of the recipient’s employment or operational policies or practices on the basis of any person’s protected characteristic or attribute, including but not limited to, race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, religion (observations, beliefs and practices), creed, national origin, age, ancestry, disability (physical or mental), medical condition, citizenship, political affiliation, marital status, pregnancy, veteran or military status, genetic information or any other characteristic or attribute protected by applicable law.
• Scholarship programs are not eligible for funding.

The US-based Wellington Management Foundation gives annual grants to programs that improve the educational opportunities for youth in traditionally underserved and economically challenged communities in eastern Massachusetts, the greater Philadelphia area, Chicago, the San Francisco Bay area, Toronto, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Sydney. The Grant Recommendation Committee (GRC), which engages employee volunteers to conduct a review of each new applicant and long-term grantee we fund, begins each year in September. Grants are made each December.

The US Foundation accepts a limited number of new applications for Annual Grants each year and has recently implemented a grant-making strategy that allows it to keep the pipeline open to fund new organizations and support new initiatives that seek to close opportunity and achievement gaps in the education of youth from traditionally under-resourced historically low-income communities. This plan sets an expectation for long-term support to organizations and provides more transparency to aid them in their planning for fundraising and outreach.

The Foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals for catalyst gifts or strategic partnerships.

The Foundation will not be considering new organizations for Annual Grants in 2024. If your not-for-profit organization is interested in applying for an Annual Grant, please check back in May 2025 for more information.

For more information on the grant application process, contact:

Angela McIntosh
GMA Foundations
amcIntosh@gmafoundations.com / 617-391-3082