May 2025
Letter from TPC’s Co-Presidents
At The Philanthropy Connection, we believe in the power of collective giving to create real, lasting change. Each year, TPC members pool their contributions to power our grants. We’re proud to share that this year’s collective investment totals $240,000, allowing us to support ten Boston-area nonprofits with unrestricted $24,000 grants.
Each grant finalist is selected through a thorough, thoughtful, multi-phase process driven by our members—ensuring that every organization we fund has been carefully reviewed and deeply understood.
But what truly sets TPC apart is that we don’t just give money—we build relationships. In a time of growing uncertainty for many nonprofits, our Trust-Based Philanthropy model offers more than funding. We partner with our grantees throughout the year—showing up, volunteering, amplifying their work, and standing beside them in moments of need.
When Ruth Mufute, the Development Manager at Student Clinic for Immigrant Justice (SCIJ), was detained at the airport last month, SCIJ mobilized quickly. So did TPC. We shared their urgent call for support across our channels and encouraged members to join the public outcry. Ruth’s story reminds us that our impact goes beyond dollars—it’s in the relationships we foster and the solidarity we show.
As SCIJ wrote: “Ruth’s story is one of many and it is why we must not sit back… We want to make sure every person receives the unconditional love and support that Ruth did this week.”
We are deeply grateful to every TPC member who makes this work possible. Whether you reviewed proposals, renewed early, or raised your voice in support of a grantee, you are part of this collective impact. Thank you for standing with us—and with them.
Jennifer Morrison & Valerie Godhwani
Co-Presidents
The Philanthropy Connection
Upcoming TPC Events
TPC’s 2025 Grant Awards Celebration
We’re just over two weeks away from one of the most inspiring nights of the year. Join us on Thursday, June 12, from 6:00–9:00 PM at The Row Hotel in Somerville as we announce our 2025–2026 grantees and hear directly from nonprofit leaders about the impact your membership makes possible.
This event is more than a celebration—it’s a chance to connect with fellow members, meet changemakers doing vital work across Greater Boston, and invite others to experience the power of collective giving. There will be light refreshments, time to mingle, and some fundraising moments to further support TPC’s mission and programs.
Haven’t registered yet? Now’s the time—and don’t forget to bring a friend.
Connect in Community: An Emerging Philanthropists Gathering
Connect in Community is a gathering for emerging philanthropists who want to support community-led nonprofits and deepen their connection to Boston’s social impact ecosystem.
Join members of The Philanthropy Connection, Resource Generation, and the Social Innovation Forum on June 4th from 5:30-7:30 PM for an evening of meaningful conversation, shared learning, and new connections.
You’ll hear from a peer donor and a nonprofit leader on how they strive for equity in their work together, then join issue-based networking circles focused on arts, environment, immigration, and LGBTQIA+ advocacy.
Snacks, drinks, and good company included.
Questions? Contact Carina Traub, Funder Learning Manager at ctraub@socialinnovationforum.
Join TPC’s 2025 7-Day Equity Challenge!
From June 1-7, TPC invites you to participate in our 7-Day Equity Challenge, one of our most popular and well-reviewed educational offerings.
Over half of our members have engaged in this Challenge or its predecessor, the 21-Day Racial Equity Challenge. The content has been completely updated, making it a valuable experience for new and returning participants.
While real change takes time, this Challenge offers a focused opportunity to learn about yourself, Greater Boston, and the systemic inequities TPC-funded nonprofits work to address. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) are core to TPC’s mission, and this is a powerful way to deepen your knowledge before our next grant cycle.
How It Works:
Each morning, you’ll receive an email with that day’s topic. The email features curated materials to read, watch, or listen to—plus actionable steps to help you apply what you learn. Reflection prompts are for your personal use, supporting the long-term integration of equity-focused habits.
Returning participant? We encourage you to revisit and engage with the material in a fresh way!
Say Hello at the North Shore Conference for Women!
We’re excited to share that TPC will have a booth at the North Shore Conference for Women on Thursday, May 29, in Danvers, MA! If you’re attending, be sure to stop by and say hello. It’s a great chance to connect—and if you meet someone new during the day, invite them to swing by and learn more about who we are and what we do.
Grantee Events
Support Massachusetts CASA at Advocates Unite! 2025
May 28, 2025 | 10:00 AM–3:00 PM
Worcester Polytechnic Institute | Rubin Campus Center
100 Institute Rd, Worcester, MA 01609
Advocates Unite! 2025, hosted by Massachusetts CASA, is a powerful, one-day gathering of child welfare advocates from across the Commonwealth.
This event will bring together community volunteers, nonprofit partners, state agencies, lived experience experts, and engaged citizens to reimagine a more compassionate, equitable, and supportive future for children and families in Massachusetts.
Tickets are $35 and include lunch, but no one will be turned away due to cost. Complimentary tickets are available through the event page.
Interested in going a step further? Sponsorships start at $200 and help ensure the event remains accessible and inclusive.
For more info and tickets: https://macasa.org/
Join Dignity Matters for a Period Pack-A-Thon on June 5
Dignity Matters—one of the largest providers of free menstrual care in the nation—is hosting a Period Pack-A-Thon on Thursday, June 5, 2025, from 10:00 AM to Noon at their warehouse in Westborough, MA.
Since 2016, Dignity Matters has distributed more than 15 million menstrual care items to women and girls experiencing poverty, with plans to distribute 4 million more in 2025 alone. Each month, 18,000 individuals count on their support for access to essential supplies.
The Pack-A-Thon brings together volunteers, community members, and businesses to assemble thousands of menstrual care kits. Attendees will enjoy coffee, snacks, and the opportunity to connect with others who are committed to supporting the health and dignity of women and girls across Massachusetts.
Space is limited—register early!
When: Thursday, June 5, 2025 | 10:00 AM–12:00 PM
Where: 25 Brigham Street, Westborough, MA
Who: All are welcome—bring friends and colleagues!
Learn more at https://secure.qgiv.com/
Run for Dignity!
Looking for a meaningful way to challenge yourself this year? Dignity Matters is recruiting runners for Team Dignity Matters in two upcoming races:
Falmouth Road Race – Sunday, August 17 | $1,000 fundraising minimum
Boston 10K for Women – Saturday, October 11 | $500 fundraising minimum
Every step helps provide menstrual care to women and girls experiencing poverty. Run with purpose—and join a team committed to dignity and health for all.
Apply here:
Falmouth Road Race Application
Celebrate Two New Public Food Forest Parks!
The Boston Food Forest Coalition invites you to celebrate the grand opening of two new public food forest parks this June! These vibrant green spaces will provide fresh produce, community gathering spaces, and ecological benefits for years to come.
Frederick Douglass Peace Park Grand Opening
1001 Tremont Street, Roxbury, MA 02120
Friday, June 14 | 1:00–4:00 PM
Maple Street Food Forest Grand Opening
44 Maple Street, Dorchester, MA 02121
Friday, June 28 | 12:00–3:00 PM
Event Recaps
A Powerful Evening with C4RJ
On March 26, more than 20 TPC members and friends came together for an inspiring and thought-provoking dialogue with our grantee, Communities for Restorative Justice (C4RJ).
Founded 25 years ago and rooted in Indigenous practices, C4RJ offers a restorative alternative to the traditional court system. Instead of using terms like “offender” and “victim,” C4RJ centers language and process around healing, accountability, and community. Here’s how it works:
Step 1: Referral
Cases are referred by 26 police departments and three District Attorney’s offices across Eastern Massachusetts.
Step 2: The Opening Circle
The “responsible party,” the “impacted party,” and others affected (like parents or community members) come together to share perspectives, identify harm, and co-create a plan for repair. Participants range in age from 12 to 60.
Step 3: Repair and Support
Over the next 3–4 months, trained volunteers—no specific background required—support the responsible party in fulfilling the agreed-upon actions, such as writing letters of apology, providing restitution, completing service, or engaging in reflection exercises.
Step 4: The Closing Circle
Everyone reconvenes to review the progress, reflect on growth, and—if all are satisfied—close the case, which is then returned to the referring police department.
With over 150 trained volunteers and a small but mighty staff (6 full-time and 2 part-time), C4RJ is making a real impact, without any state funding. Support comes from police departments, individual donors, and private grants.
Want to get involved?
- Attend a two-day training to become a facilitator or circle keeper (next session in November).
- Encourage your local police department to partner with C4RJ.
- Spread the word about restorative justice in your community.
- Donate to help sustain and expand C4RJ’s powerful work.
Learn more:
Volunteer Interest Form
How to Give
About C4RJ + Video
For questions or next steps, reach out to Amanda Ruiz at aruiz@c4rj.org
Exploring Immigration Justice: A Conversation Rooted in Urgency and Hope
Our recent dialogue on immigration justice began with a sobering reminder of the current crisis: Jonathan Goldman of Student Clinic for Immigrant Justice was unable to attend due to an emergency involving a staff member with a Green Card being detained by Border Control.
Jill Seeber, co-founder of the Mabel Center for Immigrant Justice, shared her organization’s mission—providing expert pro bono legal services to asylum-seeking families who have been separated, detained, or placed on expedited dockets. These families, often women and children fleeing violence, face significant barriers: lack of documentation, court delays, language barriers, and limited access to legal counsel.
Jill shared the story of Mabel—the woman whose experience inspired the organization’s name. After fleeing severe abuse with her daughter, Mabel was forced to wait in Mexico, where they were kidnapped and held for eleven days. Thanks to the Mabel Center’s tireless advocacy, they were eventually granted asylum and reunited with family in the U.S.
When asked how she stays resilient, Jill emphasized the importance of community, the strong ethos in The Mabel office, celebrating wins/lifting each other up and appropriately mourning losses, and investing in mental health. She concluded the dialogue by thanking everyone for their interest in learning how to convey the urgency and the immigration crisis around. She emphasized the need to educate others, be a visible ally, provide support, and advocate for independent judiciary immigration.
The Mabel Center receives no government funding and measures success not in numbers served, but in lives changed. Their work is slow, trauma-informed, and deeply personal. Jill left attendees with a call to action: how can we all help convey the urgency of the immigration crisis?
Learn more and support their work:
Student Clinic for Immigrant Justice
A Dialogue on Cities, Food Systems, and Sustainability
At our May Dialogue, TPC grantees Boston Food Forest Coalition (BFFC) and Mill City Grows (MCG) shared how their work at the intersection of food justice, sustainability, and community empowerment offers local solutions to global challenges.
Orion Kriegman (BFFC) and Courtney McSparron (MCG) spoke about how locally grown food promotes climate resilience, public health, and civic engagement. They also raised urgent concerns about unstable federal funding, emphasizing the need for local advocacy and action.
Here’s how you can support their work:
Donate: Individual contributions of any size make a difference.
Learn about legislation:
- The Healthy Incentives Program (HIP) expands access to fresh, local produce for SNAP recipients—supporting both food security and small, local farms.
- An Act Providing Nature for All would invest in protecting and restoring public land to improve climate resilience, safeguard biodiversity, and ensure equitable access to green spaces.
Get involved:
- Check Mill City Grows’ calendar for classes, events, and volunteer opportunities.
- Celebrate with BFFC at the Maple Street Food Forest Grand Opening on June 28 at 12 PM in Grove Hall, Roxbury.