Yawkey Foundation

06/09/2026

Tom Yawkey's devotion to Dr. Sidney Farber and his pioneering vision was absolute and personal - he believed from the very beginning that the Children's Cancer Research Foundation [now known as Dana-Farber] represented one of the most important endeavors of his lifetime. It is that enduring conviction, carried forward by Jean Yawkey and now by the Foundation that bears their name, that compels us to make our largest grant in eight decades. There is no more fitting place for this investment than the institution Tom Yawkey helped lead.

Learn more about the eight decades of partnership between the Yawkeys and Dana-Farber: https://yawkeyfoundation.org/dana-farber-announcement/

06/03/2026

Greg Cooper's photographs of Old Ironsides stop you in your tracks - they make the Ship you think you know feel completely new. The same spirit that moved Tom Yawkey to preserve 24,000 acres of South Carolina coastline in perpetuity, including North Island, where the Marquis de Lafayette first stepped onto American soil 250 years ago, is what draws us to this work: some places and stories are too important not to protect.

06/03/2026

During their lifetimes, Jean and Tom Yawkey meaningfully yet quietly supported organizations that helped people in Greater Boston meet their basic needs. Today, the Yawkey Foundation carries that commitment forward through its Human Services grantmaking.

The Foundation's 2026 Human Services Program & Small Capital funding cycle is now open through June 19, with an emphasis on supporting organizations that help individuals and families move from crisis toward stability, with particular focus on food insecurity and emergency shelter.

Organizations are encouraged to review the Foundation's funding priorities, eligibility requirements, and application guidelines before applying.

05/27/2026

🎉⚾The Yawkey Foundation is pleased to announce its 2026 Youth & Amateur Athletics grantees! These organizations are expanding access to baseball, softball, and inclusive athletic opportunities for young people across Greater Boston, helping to build confidence, teamwork, leadership, and a sense of community through sports. We're honored to support programs creating safe, affordable, and welcoming spaces for youth of all abilities to play, grow, and thrive.⚾🎉

Read more here: https://yawkeyfoundation.org/yawkey-foundation-awards-2026-youth-amateur-athletics-program-small-capital-grants/

The BASE Good Sports Boston Baseball Camp All Dorchester Sports & Leadership Special Olympics Massachusetts Cape Cod Baseball League Bay State Games

05/21/2026

The ribbon cutting for IBA - Inquilinos Boricuas en Acción’s La CASA was not only joyous, but momentous. It is difficult to put into words the anticipation of the incredible things that will come from this new building. La CASA isn’t just a new building. It’s a home for creativity, culture, and community that will be a cornerstone of Boston’s arts and culture for generations to come. We couldn’t be more thrilled to have been there from the beginning.

05/18/2026

Congratulations on completing another successful year of college to our Yawkey Scholars, some of whom graduated this month!

We were proud to bring scholars together for an evening of networking, connection, and celebration at the Boston College baseball game on Friday. Events like these remind us that the Yawkey Scholars community is about relationships, support, and celebrating one another along the journey.

We can’t wait to see what’s ahead for these shining stars.

05/14/2026

When mentoring meets mindfulness — the energy in this room said it all.

Bringing mentees and mentors together outside of the everyday is where the real magic happens. Proud to partner with Mass Mentoring Partnership to make moments like this possible. And a huge thank you to Emmanuel College for hosting a wonderful day of wellness at the Jean Yawkey Center.

We are looking forward to the next Yawkey Mentoring Moments at Round the Bend Farm this summer.

05/12/2026

✨Something meaningful is opening in Boston's South End!✨

We're proud to partner with IBA - Inquilinos Boricuas en Acción as they open La CASA: The Center for Arts, Self-determination and Activism — a brand-new cultural anchor in the heart of the city.

This weekend, the community is invited to a free, three-day celebration of art, culture, and connection. The Jean and Tom Yawkey Hall is among the thoughtfully designed new spaces built to bring people together — and to serve Boston for generations to come.

This is more than a building opening. It's a declaration that creativity, community, and self-determination belong at the heart of Boston.

Come be a part of this moment: https://linktr.ee/ibaboston

04/03/2026

03/23/2026

This Women's History Month, we're honoring Jean Yawkey: a trailblazer, philanthropist, lover of the outdoors, and true soul of New England. ❤️⚾

After the passing of her husband Tom Yawkey in 1976, Jean took the helm of the Boston Red Sox and ran the franchise as one of the most powerful women in Major League Baseball history. More than a baseball team owner, she was a pioneer, having served on the Board of Directors of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and was inducted into the Boston Red Sox Hall of Fame in 1995. However, Jean never sought the spotlight, valuing her privacy and preferring quiet generosity over fanfare. Even so, her fingerprints are all over Boston and Georgetown, SC, and in the lives she quietly changed.

The Yawkey Foundation has given over $620 million to causes in healthcare, education, athletics, and conservation. That is a legacy.

Here's to Jean Yawkey — a woman who led with heart, gave without fanfare, and loved this city deeply. 🙌