OVERVIEW: The John W. Henry Family Foundation’s grantmaking in the Boston area focuses on healthcare, the arts, and more.
IP TAKE: The John W. Henry Family Foundation has a Boca Raton, Florida mailing address, but don’t let that fool you. While Southeast Florida organizations do see some of this funder’s support, groups in Boston and throughout Massachusetts are a top priority. It’s important to note that this family foundation does regularly give to a few national organizations, such as the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and the American Red Cross. But the bulk of grants go to Boston-based groups and elsewhere in Massachusetts and the Northeast region. Unlike many small and mid-size family foundations, this one doesn’t shy away from general operating support. In fact, operations funding has dominated Henry’s recent grantmaking. The foundation accepts funding proposals by invitation only, so networking will be required here to get on this funder’s radar.
PROFILE: Established in 2004, the John W. Henry Family Foundation is the foundation of Linda and John W. Henry, the chairman of the John W. Henry and Company, a global investment management firm, and principal owner of Fenway Sports Group, which has the Boston Red Sox, Liverpool Football Club, and Roush Fenway Racing in its portfolio. Henry is also the owner and publisher of STAT and the Boston Globe, having purchased the Globe and its affiliated news businesses in 2013. Linda Pizzuti Henry is the CEO of the Boston Globe Media Partners and a partner in Fenway Sports Group. She is chair of the Boston Globe Foundation and on the board of directors for Women’s Foundation of Boston, and she is a trustee for both the Red Sox Foundation and the Liverpool Football Club Foundation. The Henrys serve as directors of their charity, which focuses on southeastern Florida and Massachusetts.
Grants for Public Health and Science Research
The foundation’s healthcare grantmaking is focused on “research, teaching, and clinical application of mind/body medicine and its integration into all areas of health.”
- The Henrys have supported lots of organizations working to improve healthcare in recent years.
- Grantees include Massachusetts General Hospital, ALS Association: MA Chapter, Breast Cancer Research Foundation, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and The Medical Foundation.
Grants for Arts and Culture
The foundation’s support for arts and culture is fairly broad, and the only requirement seems to be that grantees enrich the communities the foundation services.
- Previous grantees include the American Repertory Theater, Independent Film Society of Boston, Boston Book Festival, Boston Public Library, and Boston Public Market.
Grants for K-12 and Higher Education
The foundation supports primary and secondary schools in the Boston area, as well as institutions of higher education, particularly those with a connection to the family.
- Grantees include Fessenden School, Meadowbrook School of Weston Incorporated, Catholic Schools Foundation, Northeastern University, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where Linda earned her MS and where she sits on the board of the Engine.
Grants for Community Development and Human Services
The Henry Foundation makes grants in the Boston area that help to improve the community and provide basic needs for residents.
- Grantees include the Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program, Boys and Girls Club of Boston, YWCA of Boston, Seed Global Health, Think of Michael Foundation, and Caritas Communities.
Important Grant Details:
Grants typically range from $1,000 to $50,000, although occasionally they can reach six figures. The most common amount is $5,000. The foundation awarded over $1.2 million in a recent year.
- Boston is a primary center of grantmaking, although the foundation supports other communities in Massachusetts and Florida as well.
- The foundation accepts requests for funding by invitation only.
- You can follow the Henry couple on Twitter at @John_W_Henry and @Linda_Pizzuti.
PEOPLE:
Search for staff contact info and bios in PeopleFinder (paid subscribers only).
CONTACT:
433 Plaza Real Ste 365
Boca Raton, FL 33432-3945
(617) 557-9147
