Funding the Initiative

The Boston Schoolyard Initiative is a public/private partnership and this approach is reflected in its funding mechanisms. The City of Boston's willingness to allocate capital funds has been the catalyst in attracting private sector donations, and our holistic approach to the use of schoolyards has allowed foundations to support the Initiative in areas that clearly fit their giving guidelines.

City of Boston - Although always under budgetary pressure, Mayor Menino has championed schoolyards as a key component of both his educational reform agenda and in his efforts to improve the quality of life in the City's neighborhoods. The City of Boston has already contributed over $16 million to BSI and will allocate another $3.8 million in capital construction funds between 2008-2010. The Boston Public Schools' Facilities Office has allocated operational resources to insure the proper maintenance of sites.

Boston Schoolyard Funders Collaborative - The Boston Schoolyard Funders Collaborative (BSFC) was set-up to encourage and oversee private sector involvement in the Boston Schoolyard Initiative. The Collaborative has established the Fund for Boston Schoolyards, at the Boston Foundation, and issues Requests for Proposals that support the Initiative. In this way, applicants can deal with a single source instead of applying separately to individual foundations for support. Governance of the Collaborative is handled by a group of active foundation members and selected community representatives. BSFC staff, who administer grant programs, work operationally with city partners, and provide technical assistance to Schoolyard Friends Groups, are located at the Associated Grant Makers. BSFC has donated over $4 million to BSI and will be raising an additional $1.8 million in capital funds between 2008-2010. In addition to capital funding, BSFC will spend another $600,000-800,000, over the next three years, to underwrite educational programs that make productive use of school grounds.

Local Fundraising - In keeping with the partnership model, many local Schoolyard Friends' Groups have been successful in raising funds by working with school business partners, applying to government agencies and private foundations, and in staging special events such as Motown nights, car washes, and plant sales.

City of Boston Partners
Mayor Thomas M. Menino
Boston Public Schools
Boston Department of Construction and Property Management
Boston Basic City Services
Boston Office of Budget Management
City Trust Office
Boston Schoolyard Funders Collaborative
Anna B. Stearns Foundation
Boston Foundation
Boston Foundation for Architecture
Boston Globe Foundation
Charles Hayden Foundation
Clipper Ship Foundation
Edith & Paul Babson Foundation
George B. Henderson Foundation
Greater Boston Urban Resource Partnership
Harold Whitworth Pierce Charitable Trust
Herman & Freida Miller Foundation
Hyams Foundation
Jane's Trust
Jessie B. Cox Charitable Trust
Kidder-Smith Family Trust
Lynch Foundation
Massachusetts Urban Forestry Council
Nellie Mae Educational Foundation
New England Grows
Polaroid Foundation
State Street Bank Foundation
The New England
The Philanthropic Initiative
Anonymous Donors