Sailors’ Snug Harbor of Boston initially aimed to assist seamen and their families through its grantmaking program. Since 1970, its mission expanded to include agencies serving low-income elderly in the Greater Boston area. Between 1994 and 2015, it also focused on Massachusetts' fishing communities, especially in New Bedford, Gloucester, and Cape Cod. By 2016, the foundation consolidated its efforts to support the social service needs of fishermen, their families, and low-income elders in Massachusetts' coastal communities.
The foundation's grantmaking strategy concentrates on addressing the social service needs of fishermen, their families, and low-income elders, particularly in the traditional fishing areas of Gloucester, New Bedford, and Cape Cod. Emphasis is placed on assisting 501(c)(3) organizations that are already providing such services or those that aim to expand or introduce new programs catering to these specific groups. A new three-year funding initiative offers up to $50,000 annually for projects that innovate or expand the provision of social services to these target populations.