Nonprofits, Philanthropic Organizations and Grant Writing Resource Guide: Massachusetts Nonprofits

All of the Boston Foundation's website is worth searching, because you come up with reports relevant to various aspects of nonprofit management from leadership to funding. This section of their website specifically addresses the nonprofit sector. Founded in 1915, their aim is to "support nonprofit organizations in Greater Boston through our competitive grantmaking and through a range of work designed to enhance the long-term vitality of the Massachusetts nonprofit sector."

This recent Boston Foundation report indicates that while the Massachusetts nonprofit sector has grown over the past decade despite a major financial crisis and recession, it has not addressed financial realities that leave it vulnerable in the long term. Since most of the available reports on local nonprofits were done BEFORE the Great Recession, this one is especially worth reading.

They say "massnonprofit.org is the premier information and advice resource for nonprofit organizations in Massachusetts. Whatever its focus, every nonprofit can benefit from learning how other nonprofits solve practical operational and strategic issues. The goal is to share information so that all can flourish. It's the idea behind "Inform. Share. Thrive." The frontpage features recent news from the local nonprofit sector, and other parts of the site include "Expert Advice." Worth perusing.

"In 2007, Massachusetts Nonprofit Network was launched as a statewide organization to help strengthen these nonprofits so they can better carry out their missions." They serve the entire state and the website includes a page of links to Nonprofit Research Reports. Paid membership is required to access a good deal of their content and services.

This older 2005 research report from MassINC, was sponsored by the Mellon Charitable Giving Program/Alice P. Chase Trust, The Boston Foundation, the University College of Citizenship and Public Service at Tufts University. Still worth reading. Its "research finds that the nonprofit sector is among the largest in the nation, employing more than 13 percent of the state’s workforce – nearly double the national average." Summary and link to PDF here.

Philanthropy Massachusetts is a regional association of grantmakers that provides a forum for grantseekers and grantmakers to exchange information, in order to facilitate the grantmaking process and to promote philanthropy. Philanthropy Massachusetts has an extensive on-site library. Although much of their website information is for members only, there are a few helpful items on their open-access pages.

"The Massachusetts Council of Human Service Providers, Inc. is a statewide association of health and human service agencies. Founded in 1975, the Providers' Council is the state's largest human service trade association and is widely recognized as the official voice of the private provider industry." You might find their posted Reports especially worth a browse.