BOSTON, June 26, 2026– Philanthropy Massachusetts (PMA) has been awarded a $150,000 general operating grant by the Cummings Foundation, which PMA will apply to its work deepening relationships between funders and nonprofits, moving them from transactional to truly relational and from information-sharing to understanding and aligned action.
“We are honored by and deeply grateful for the confidence this generous grant from the Cummings Foundation reflects in PMA’s mission and impact,’’ said PMA CEO Mary Skelton Roberts. “At a time when funding is shrinking and nonprofits are being pushed to do more with less, Cummings’ support will help PMA continue strengthening philanthropy to strengthen our Commonwealth.’’
As the leading statewide organization serving both philanthropic funders and nonprofits, PMA promotes greater alignment across the sector by creating spaces for dialogue, trust-building, and strategic collaboration between funders and nonprofits. PMA also offers programming and cohort trainings for its nonprofit members, including “Get to Know Funders” and “Fundraising Essentials for Executive Directors,’’ which the Cummings grant will help support.
PMA was among 150 organizations–selected competitively from among 959 applicants–to receive grants through the Cummings Foundation $35 million annual grant program. The program was increased this year from $30 million in 2025 and designated for unrestricted general operating support. General operating grants are widely recognized as a grantmaking best practice and demonstration of trust between funder and grantee.
Watch our thank you to Cummings
here.
About the Cummings Foundation:
Woburn-based Cummings Foundation, Inc. was established in 1986 by Joyce and Bill Cummings of Winchester, Mass., and has grown to become one of the largest private foundations in New England. In addition to its annual grant program, the Foundation directly operates two not-for-profit retirement communities: New Horizons at Marlborough and New Horizons at Choate, in Woburn. Additional information is available at CummingsFoundation.org.
For further information about Philanthropy Massachusetts, contact Jessica Berns, Senior Vice President, Partnerships and Strategic Initiatives: jberns@philanthropyma.org