Grantmaking
Approach and Focus Areas
With thanks to the Trust-Based Philanthropy Project, we have implemented a grantmaking process that allows us to get to know the organizations we fund while also minimizing the work they need to do for us. We typically hold meetings in lieu of written proposals and reports.
We make grants in four different ways: Programmatic grants, project-based grants, general operating support, and family-directed discretionary grants.
The Beker Foundation has four giving areas, and within each of these areas we have more specific objectives. You can click on each giving area to learn more about our funding approach and current grantees.
Repairing the World
Expanding Opportunities
Jewish Vibrancy
Arts & Parks
Programs
With our programmatic grants, we typically seek applications based on specific goals within one or more of our funding objectives.
At this time, we have no open programmatic grants. When we have open RFPs or other funding opportunities we will post them here.
Recent Grant Programs
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This program provides one-time microgrants to Boston-area Jewish Day School teachers for innovative projects, curricula, classroom experiences, and professional development.
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This 2021 open RFP supported an initial cohort of eight organizations who responded with unique compassion and creativity to youth and educators impacted by the pandemic.
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This 2022 closed RFP made unrestricted grants to four organizations serving frontline communities in mitigating and responding to the effects of the climate crisis.
Projects
Our project-based grants support a specific purpose and theory of change. We partner closely with the primary organization to track outcomes and learnings.
Current Projects
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Prizmah, in partnership with CJP and the Boston-area Jewish Day Schools
This new initiative will support collaborative projects and resource-sharing between the local Day Schools.
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Gateways, in partnership with The Brookline Center
This partnership is bringing clinicians into the Jewish Day Schools to work with students who need therapeutic support, but have not been able to access it.
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The Frisch School
This project is dedicated in loving memory of Rodney Grundman z”l who devoted countless hours to the Frisch scholarship committee to ensure a Jewish education for hundreds of children. He was a wonderful cook whose culinary passion was evident to anyone who sat around his table or tasted his famous challah.
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GrubStreet Creative Writing Center
This fellowship addresses the lack of representation of Black writers in Boston’s literary community, providing financial and professional development support to two self-identified Black writers.
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Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Dr. Tamara Kaplan
This project supports the development of new medical training approaches that are rooted in inclusion, diversity, equity, anti-racism, and social justice.
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A project by Rachel Linsky
ZACHOR uses dance to preserve the stories of Holocaust Survivors and creates opportunities for diverse audiences and artists to study and reflect on these testimonies.