The Clowes Fund aims to support organizations and programs focusing on socioeconomically disadvantaged individuals, with a keen interest in assisting immigrants, refugees, and asylees integrate into U.S. society and its economy. They prioritize efforts that address economic, linguistic, legal, and mental challenges during this integration process, alongside facilitating access to job skills training and support services to enable full participation in community economic life. This includes youth development efforts aimed at preventing school dropouts and assisting their return to education or pursuit of economic self-sufficiency.
The Clowes Fund offers two types of grants: Introductory and Continuation Grants, targeting non-profit organizations that assist socioeconomically disadvantaged individuals in specific New England regions and Vermont. Introductory Grants are available for organizations applying for the first time, focusing on immigrant services or workforce development, with awards of $40K over two years. Organizations that have received a Clowes Fund grant in the past five years can apply for Continuation Grants, which support immigrant services, workforce development, arts education, or K-12 education, with awards ranging from $60K to $150K over three years. The grant application process emphasizes a clear understanding of the specific causes supported, including economic, legal, and emotional challenges faced by immigrants, access to job skills and support services for community members, and arts education programs that enhance critical thinking and creativity.