Impact Grants

An equitable and inclusive economy that helps all of our region’s residents requires an early childhood care and education system that is universally accessible, high quality, equitable, affordable, reliable and sustainable for all families regardless of race, income or neighborhood. Broad collaboration across sectors, communities and organizations is necessary to provide the thought leadership, innovation, resources and advocacy to create early childhood systems that guarantee the strongest start in life for every child.
Recognizing that early childhood care and education is fundamental to young people’s life-long success and a more competitive workforce, we seek to support networks and organizations looking to reimagine early childhood care and education systems. This includes lending our support to organizations expanding high quality programming and those leading early childhood systems innovations.

Learn about our support in the community:
Children's Services of Roxbury "The Eastern Bank Foundation’s investment is helping us transform and expand our early childhood facilities, providing access to the opportunity for more children of color to receive the safe, nurturing, high-quality care and stability they deserve." - Sandra M. McCroom, President & CEO of Children's Services of Roxbury 
YMCA of Greater Nashua “Thanks to the Eastern Bank Foundation, we’ve been able to increase access to affordable childcare and reimagine our Merrimack Y Early Education Center to better serve families across the region.” - Mike LaChance, CEO, YMCA of Greater Nashua

Safe and affordable housing is fundamental for every human to thrive. Access to safe and affordable housing is becoming ever more challenging and even more so for people of color, where wealth building through property ownership is elusive.
Through philanthropy, volunteerism and advocacy, we want to help increase the supply of affordable and safe housing across the region, ensuring more families the stability they deserve. We also provide grant funding to organizations providing support that disrupts housing instability and prepares people to thrive in permanent housing as long-term renters or, preferably, homeowners. Finally, we support organizations working on housing innovations that address legacy challenges related to exclusion and disinvestment in Low to Moderate Income markets. 

Learn about our support in the community:
Father Bill's & MainSpring “Eastern Bank Foundation is a true partner in our mission to end homelessness, supporting the launch of housing resource centers that provide lasting housing solutions, dignity, and the services people need to achieve stability.” – John Yazwinski, President & CEO
Massachusetts Institute for a New Commonwealth (MassINC) Thanks to the Eastern Bank Foundation, our Gateway Cities Housing Report Card is equipping communities and policymakers with the data needed to advance housing equity across Massachusetts.”- Joe Kriesberg, CEO

Following the COVID-19 pandemic, our region – and Massachusetts in particular – experienced a dramatic loss of talent, threatening our economy. We believe a key way to keep our economy growing and to ensure that all who live in our communities can thrive is to focus on “hidden workers” or “untapped talent.” These are adults, 26 years and older, who face a variety of barriers to full workforce participation that, if removed, guarantee the region’s economic success.

We are focused on supporting organizations with meaningful employer engagement, that work to break through systemic barriers and equip, for example, immigrant workers, workers with disabilities, and caregivers who would like to work with the skills to secure quality jobs with family-sustaining wages and build rewarding careers. Our investments, volunteerism and advocacy are dedicated to closing the skills gap, expanding programming in English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), providing worker protections, preparing workers for the jobs and careers of the future, and empowering all local residents to reach their full potential.

Learn about our support in the community:
African Bridge Network The Eastern Bank Foundation is fueling our mission by funding job training stipends and employer-based internships that help skilled immigrants advance their careers in the U.S.” - Emmanuel Owusu, Founder and Executive Director, African Bridge Network
Wellspring House Eastern Bank Foundation’s investment in our HealthCare Office Support Training (HOST) program is helping North Shore residents gain valuable credentials and secure stable employment in the healthcare field.” - Melissa Dimond, Sc.M., President & Executive Director

In addition to investments in the impact areas above, we seek to spark and support innovation using new approaches based on the lived experiences of the communities benefitting from the work. Innovation Impact Grants can support collaborations across sectors and strategies, using new approaches based on research in the field. They’re an opportunity to partner together and think big on approaches to sustainable, systemic solutions.