Sudbury Program

Investing in quality of life issues in Sudbury, MA

The next Sudbury Program Grant application deadline is Friday, January 10, 2025.

The Foundation makes grants to Sudbury-based nonprofit organizations, the Town of Sudbury (and, through the Town, its boards, commissions and departments), the Sudbury Public Schools and Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School. The Foundation will also consider applications from public and nonprofit organizations located outside of Sudbury for projects that substantially benefit Sudbury residents.

If your nonprofit is based outside of Sudbury, you must speak to staff before applying for a Sudbury Program Grant. Please contact Executive Director Sonia Shah.

Funding Categories

  • Objective: To help young people realize their full potential and become caring, concerned citizens.

    • Build leadership skills and provide leadership opportunities

    • Encourage youth to get involved and to give back to the community (local, regional, national, world)

    • Enhance academic enrichment, cultural and recreational programs and opportunities

    • Support and strengthen activities that promote healthy behaviors

  • Objective: To preserve the Town’s natural, historic and other community assets.

    • Historic Preservation: Preserve the Town’s historic resources and landmarks, celebrate its storied history and enhance its natural character and charm

    • Environmental Preservation: Protect, restore and care for the Town’s air, land, water and habitats

  • Objective: To strengthen community resources and engender a greater sense of community.

    • Encourage participation in community events and civic affairs

    • Create a climate of acceptance and tolerance in which diversity is embraced and respect is demonstrated to all people

    • Nurture local philanthropy and volunteerism

    • Support town betterment projects, as appropriate

  • Objective: To support underserved citizens.

    • Strengthen assistance to underserved populations including seniors, low-income residents, and those facing physical, emotional health and other challenges

Other Criteria

The Trustees view collaboration among agencies with similar missions favorably and consider an applicant’s ability to secure alternate project financing. We welcome the opportunity to join with other funders in underwriting grant endeavors. Multi-year grant requests are accepted. Nonprofit organizations are limited to one grant per calendar year, with the exception of the Racial Equity & Inclusion grants.

Funding Restrictions

The Foundation does not make loans or grants to individuals. While we do not rule out requests for any particular type of assistance, we generally do not provide ongoing operating support, offset deficits, contribute to general appeals, purchase benefit tickets, sponsorships, fund efforts understood to be the responsibility of government or support religious activities.

Applying for a Sudbury Program Grant

Applicants are encouraged to discuss their needs with Foundation staff prior to submitting a full proposal. Telephone inquiries and concept papers are welcome. 

Proposal Review Schedule

The Foundation Trustees meet four times a year to review proposals for the Sudbury Program. Refer to the schedule below.

Sudbury Program Calendar

frequently asked questions

  • Sudbury-based nonprofit organizations, the Town of Sudbury (and, through the Town, its boards, commissions and departments), the Sudbury Public Schools and Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School. The Foundation will also consider applications from public and nonprofit organizations located outside of Sudbury for projects that substantially benefit Sudbury residents.

    Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School and Sudbury Public School Applicants: Your school proposals must be approved and signed by the superintendent.

    Town of Sudbury applicants: Your proposals must be approved and signed by the Town Manager.

    If your nonprofit is based outside of Sudbury, you must speak to staff before applying for a Sudbury Program Grant. Please contact Executive Director Sonia Shah at shah@sudburyfoundation.org.

    The Foundation does not make loans or grants to individuals. While we do not rule out requests for any particular type of assistance, we generally do not provide ongoing operating support, offset deficits, contribute to general appeals, purchase benefit tickets, sponsorships, fund efforts understood to be the responsibility of government or support religious activities.

  • This grant is for work based within Sudbury. The Foundation will also consider applications from public and nonprofit organizations located outside of Sudbury for projects that substantially benefit Sudbury residents.

    If your nonprofit is based outside of Sudbury, you must speak to staff before applying for a Sudbury Program Grant. Please contact Executive Director Sonia Shah at shah@sudburyfoundation.org.

  • This grant is open twice a year and applications are due at the beginning of January and July . Please see exact due dates on the Sudbury Program calendar above.

  • There is no specified maximum for this grant program. Please refer to the list of past grants below to see the range of grants awarded in prior years.

  • Multi-year grant requests are accepted. You must speak to staff before applying for multi-year funding. Please contact Executive Director Sonia Shah at shah@sudburyfoundation.org.

  • In most cases, nonprofit organizations can only receive one grant per calendar year. There are exceptions. For example, a nonprofit organization can receive a Sudbury Program grant and a Racial Equity and Inclusion grant in the same calendar year.

  • The Foundation requires a financial statement and programmatic report describing the way in which the funds were spent and an appraisal of the results achieved. Grant reports should be submitted to the Foundation upon completion of the project or within one year of receiving the grant award, whichever comes first. In some cases, the Foundation may request a Year Two report.

  • The funding categories are:

     Youth Development and Opportunity

     Preserving Community Character and Assets (Environmental and Historic Preservation)

     Community Building/Town Betterment

     Underserved Populations

    Any organization submitting an application which would include working in collaboration with a school must submit a letter of support from the school.

  • Absolutely. Contact Executive Director Sonia Shah at shah@sudburyfoundation.org or 978-443-0849 with any questions.

Past Grants