The Mary Morton Parsons Foundation, founded in 1988 by Mrs. Mary Morton Parsons, is dedicated to supporting the capital needs of charitable organizations. Through its grantmaking, the Foundation aims to enrich community life across the Commonwealth by providing capital support to a broad range of sectors including cultural arts, historic preservation, environment and conservation, community development, education, and social services. To date, it has awarded approximately $73 million to qualified grantees.
The grant program by The Mary Morton Parsons Foundation focuses on enriching community life throughout the Commonwealth by providing capital support across various sectors. Specific causes supported include cultural arts institutions (supporting music, theatre, visual, and performing arts), civic and community needs (revitalizing neighborhoods, economic development, workforce training), education (from early childhood to professional continuing education), environment and conservation initiatives, historic preservation of significant structures, and social services and welfare for people across all ages and socio-economic statuses. The grants are designed to fund no more than one-third of a project's cost and are often awarded on a challenge or matching basis. Conditions include meeting all stated conditions within 12 months of approval, the commencement of construction for construction grants, and a requirement for 100% of a grantee’s organizational board to be contributing members.