THE HENRY LEE FUND FOR BOSTON PARKS
The Henry Lee Fund for Boston Parks was established to support local organizations and residents by making small, but potentially impactful, investments in Boston’s neighborhood parks and publicly accessible spaces. Underlying these grants is an intent to augment the resources that the City brings to public parks, to empower local groups, and to help deliver projects that can seed sustained community engagement around green spaces.
This fund embodies Henry’s commitment to equity in the quality of our public greenspaces. Grants will be supported by an endowment created by the Friends of the Public Garden. Administered by the Friends, grant decisions will be made by a committee that includes FOPG staff and board, representatives of the Boston Parks & Recreation Department, community volunteers, and the Friends’ arboriculture and sculpture consultants.
Round 2 of Henry Lee Fund for Boston Parks grant applications opens August 5, 2025. We can’t wait to see what amazing projects will emerge!
INFORMATION FOR GRANTSEEKERS
This comprehensive guide for grantseekers outlines our funding priorities, application process, and eligibility criteria to help you submit your application with clarity and confidence.
Feel free to apply if you are part of a formal or informal group of community advocates who have identified a need for improvement in a public greenspace in your neighborhood. You do not need an official 501(c)3 status.
- The project or program must be in Boston, on publicly accessible greenspace, and benefit Boston residents.
- Grants support the care of trees and turf, sculpture maintenance, and special projects that will improve the physical condition of the park, enhancing the public’s use of the greenspace.
- Funds can be used to purchase supplies or services.
- Henry Lee Fund for Boston Parks will also consider requests for technical support.
- The Henry Lee Fund for Boston Parks does not provide sponsorship for events.
Examples of fundable programs and projects include, but are not limited to:
- Tree pruning and removal
- Tree assessment/treatment by a licensed arborist
- Planting trees and shrubs or adding perennials
- Installing planters or adding planting beds
- Soil improvement projects
- Planting grass
- Adding or updating physical elements like water spigots or benches
- Cleaning, repairing, or conserving a monument
- Underwriting volunteer cleanup days
For 2025, the Friends of the Public Garden Board will distribute $40,000 in grants. We expect to disperse a maximum grant of $5,000. There is no minimum amount you can request.
- Projects or programs must be completed within 1 year of the grant award. If this might be an issue, you will have the opportunity to explain your challenges in the application; exceptions can be made for extenuating circumstances. Future grants can only be considered once the initial funds are fully expended.
- Applicants must be willing and able to host a site visit if requested.
- Applicant must commit to submitting a brief report (template to be provided) at the conclusion of the project or program, detailing how the funds were spent.
- Applicants must be willing to have their project, and the grant celebrated and promoted by Friends of the Public Garden (FOPG) and must commit, to the best of their ability, to do the same.
Complete the online application.
Applications open on August 5, 2025. Check back later for a link.
With your application, you will need to include:
- Proof of 501(c)3 status or organization or fiscal agent
- Detailed project budget
- Board list/list of volunteers involved
Please note that the Grantee application must be filled out in its entirety and submitted in one visit. To help you plan what you want to say, here is a PDF of the form.
Round 2 grant applications will be due no later than 5 PM on Friday, November 14, 2025.
Awardees will be announced on January 13, 2026. Grantees shall be recognized at the Friends Annual Meeting in April 2026.
Please reach out! Contact Amanda McGuire, Development Manager at the Friends of the Public Garden, with any questions or issues with your application.
Grant disbursement is conditional upon proof of contractor agreement or project estimate.
NEED ASSISTANCE?
Need support or have questions? If you need any more information or assistance, use the button below to connect with a member of our team. Interested in learning more about making an impact in your local greenspace? An information session will be held on September 10 at 6 PM EST. Register here.
SUPPORT THE LEE FUND
The Friends are working to secure a $2 million Fund endowment to support the Henry Lee Fund for Boston Parks annual grantmaking program, which benefits smaller and under-resourced Boston greenspaces.
To date, more than one hundred generous friends including individuals, foundations and local organizations have helped secure nearly two-thirds of the fundraising goal. The Friends hope to fulfill the Fund’s $2 million goal by November 2025 in order to expand grantmaking in the Fund’s second year.
The Henry Lee Fund for Boston Parks was established with leadership support from Friends of the Public Garden, Richard and Marcia Gold, Barbara and Amos Hostetter, Steve and Cheryl Jonas, and Thomas Kershaw.
We gratefully continue to accept donations from individuals, foundations, corporate partners and organizations to fulfill the Fund’s $2 million target. To make a gift to the Henry Lee Fund for Boston Parks or to discuss support opportunities, click here or contact Nika Trufanova, Interim Director of Development, at nika@friendsofthepublicgarden.org or 617-723-8144 x204.
HONORING HENRY LEE
Friends President Emeritus Henry Lee demonstrated a lifelong commitment to public greenspace and historic preservation throughout Boston. Best known as one of the founders of Friends of the Public Garden and its leader for 41 years, Henry was an ardent champion of our entire urban park system. A staunch advocate for the restoration of sculpture throughout the city, he also helped to revive the city’s Art Commission in the 1980s.
In recognition of his commitment to all our city’s parks, and in celebration of his 99th birthday, Friends of the Public Garden established The Henry Lee Fund for Boston Parks. Read our memoriam page here.