Mission
The William and Bertha Schrafft Charitable Trust invests in community-based organizations to expand access to educational and artistic opportunities for young people in Boston and New Bedford.
Vision
We envision a future where every young person in Boston and New Bedford has the opportunity and resources to thrive and achieve their full potential.
How We Invest
Focus Areas
Schrafft Charitable Trust is committed to investing in communities that have faced long-standing systemic disinvestment, aiming to increase access to life affirming services and opportunities.
We prioritize small to medium-sized, community-based organizations and public schools serving youth aged 6-21.
The Schrafft Trust awards Program Grants or General Operating Grants to nonprofit 501(c)3 organizations incorporated in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. We do not provide grants for capital expenditures or scholarships at this time.
Education
We are committed to helping young people develop the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in school to lay the foundation for satisfying and productive lives. Our education partners deliver high quality academic and college preparatory programming with a demonstrated ability to graduate students who then succeed in higher education and careers.
Youth Development
We believe that nurturing the personal and interpersonal development of young people sets them up to thrive in adulthood. Our youth development partners provide developmental, mentoring, skill-building, and recreational opportunities during out of school hours (after-school, evenings, weekends and summers).
Arts & Culture
We value introducing all young people to high quality arts to develop their own skills as well as a passion for the arts. Our arts and culture partners offer direct instruction in the visual and performing arts as well as meaningful exposure to a wide range of arts disciplines.
New Bedford
We have a special interest in building effective pathways to economic independence in New Bedford through education, entrepreneurship and economic development. Our New Bedford partners leverage the strengths of the region (its people, culture, history, agriculture, fishing and seacoast resources) to provide pathways to life success for youth and young adults.
Grantmaking Guidelines
Program Support Grants are considered for programs which:
Demonstrate caring, consistent, long-term relationships between young people and organization staff or volunteers.
Offer underserved educational, developmental, artistic and/or recreational opportunities during non-school hours (after-school, evenings, weekends and summers).
Provide high quality in-school experiences at charter and district schools with a demonstrated ability to graduate students who subsequently attend and are equipped to succeed in high-performing high schools, colleges, universities and/or apprenticeship programs.
Provide plans for making measurable progress toward well defined goals in a specific timeframe.
Offer evidence of significant impact on the lives of young people.
Reflect the demographics of the community served.
Operating Support Grants are considered for organizations which meet the above criteria and:
Have been operating for at least two years with a demonstrated record of service to the community.
Are led by board members and staff who reflect the community served and are actively engaged in diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts.
Maintain a consistently balanced budget.
Have an experienced and stable leadership team.
Are implementing, or preparing to implement, a board-approved strategic plan.
Are planning to expand, improve, or deepen their services.
