Purpose

The GMA Funder Community: Housing Solutions Fund invites nonprofit organizations to apply for funding through its 2026 grant cycle. The Fund expects to award grants to two organizations advancing effective housing solutions in Greater Boston and Gateway Cities.

About the GMA Funder Community

Founded in 1982, GMA Foundations is an employee-owned philanthropic advisory firm. With the support of its fiscal sponsor, Philanthropy Massachusetts, GMA has launched its seventh annual pooled giving and learning initiative through the GMA Funder Community.

The Housing Solution Fund brings together funders to learn together while investing in promising approaches to housing stability and affordability in Greater Boston and select Gateway Cities: Brockton, Chelsea, Lawrence, Lowell, and Lynn.

The Fund prioritizes organizations working to:

• Prevent displacement
• Build community power
• Advance innovative and scalable housing solutions

While recognizing the full spectrum of housing needs—from homelessness to first-time homeownership—the Fund focuses its support on low- and middle-income renters.

An optional Q&A session will be held on February 18, 2026, at 12pm EST and is open to all interested applicants. Registration information is included at the end of this RFP.

What We’re Looking For

The Fund seeks proposals from organizations that are:

• Addressing root causes of housing instability, particularly for low- and middle-income renters
• Grounded in community leadership, including approaches that center the voices and lived experiences of people most impacted by housing challenges
• Testing, strengthening, or scaling promising models, strategies, or partnerships with potential for broader impact
• Contributing to learning, including a willingness to reflect on lessons learned and share insights with funders and peer organizations

Examples of eligible approaches may include (but are not limited to):

• Tenant stabilization or anti-displacement strategies
• Community organizing or power-building efforts related to housing
• Policy, systems, or field-building work that improves renter stability
• Innovative service or program models that can inform broader practice

Timetable

• RFP released and online portal opens                                      January 28, 2026
• Q&A session (optional)                                                               February 18, 2026
• Application deadline                                                                   March 3, 2026
• Proposal review period                                                               March 4 – May 5, 2026
• Finalists notified                                                                         May 6, 2026
• Finalists presentations                                                              May 20, 2026
• Grant  awards announced                                                         May 28, 2026

Eligibility

Eligible organizations may apply for one grant to support a specific housing-related program. Organizations operating multiple housing programs must select a single program for consideration.

Eligibility Criteria

• 501(c)(3) nonprofit status
• Located in Greater Boston (east of Route 128) and select Gateway Cities: Brockton, Chelsea, Lawrence, Lowell, and Lynn

*The fund is interested in supporting organizations whose work falls in these catchment areas, even if the organization is not headquartered there.

Exclusion Criteria

The Fund will not support:

• Capital projects
• Emergency shelter operations
• Homeownership programs
• Organizations with an annual operating budget over $10 million

Grant Program Details

The Fund anticipates awarding up to $80,000 each to two organizations.  All grant funds will be distributed in June 2026.  Grantees may allocate up to five percent of the awarded amount for administrative and program management costs.

Applicants will be asked to submit a budget narrative as part of the application and may optionally upload a program budget.

Grantee organizations will be required to submit brief progress reports at six-month intervals and participate in a check-in conversation with the Fund approximately six months after the award. As a pooled giving and learning initiative, the Fund values openness to shared learning and reflection.

This is expected to be a one-year grant.

How to Apply

To apply, register or login to GMA Foundation’s online application system. Please use the access code “Housing26” to access the application.

Contact Information

Rachel Rifkin at rrifkin@gmafoundations.com with questions about this RFP

Skylar Brown at sbrown@gmafoundations.com with technical questions about the application system, or if you would like to register for the optional Q&A session on February 18, 2026.