The strength of Boston's neighborhoods lies in the rich blend of the people that live in them, the businesses that operate there, and the non-profit organizations that open their doors to the public to create common ground. Yet many small non-profit facilities must struggle to survive; the vibrancy these organizations or institutions add to the health of the neighborhood often goes unnoticed.

The City of Boston wants to support those organizations that are invested in our neighborhoods by investing in them. Partners with Non-Profits (PNP) provides matching grants up to a maximum of $25,000 per project per fiscal year for capital improvements to non-profit facilities located in Boston. In the past, PNP grants have been awarded to healthcare centers, homeless shelters, youth organizations, senior centers, and cultural and educational institutions throughout Boston. In a given fiscal year the program leverages $3 million of construction projects. PNP believes that by helping to maintain strong neighborhood institutions we promote the sustainability of strong neighborhoods.


In order to be eligible for funding, a group must be a non-profit organization (NPO) that operates a public facility, i.e. the facility must be open to members of the general public.

Example of eligible facilities: public recreation facilities; public education facilities; emergency shelter facilities; social service facilities; arts and cultural facilities.

Example of ineligible facilities: residential facilities not available to the public; private social clubs; office and administrative facilities.

The request must be for a physical improvement to a facility that would benefit the general public. The definition of facility for the purpose of this proposal is a building, playground, pool, or other tangible real property.

Example of eligible activities: capital improvements; repairs of code violations; handicap accessibility upgrades.

Example of ineligible activities: repairs to areas not available to the general public; maintenance costs; staff costs; program costs; furniture.

Funds are granted on an annual basis through a Request for Proposal (RFP) process. For additional information or to be placed on the RFP notification list, please use the contact information provided below.


John Lynch
Operations Specialist
Office of Business Development
Phone: 617-635-0328
Facsimile: 617-635-0282
Email: jlynch.dnd@ci.boston.ma.us