Pictured in photo from L to R: Lisa Sandson, Cummings Foundation, Jenni (Grade 10), Trinity (Grade 9), Rosemary J. Powers, President, and Dr. Tom Ryan, Principal, Cristo Rey Boston

We are proud to share that Cristo Rey Boston has been selected as one of 150 nonprofits to receive funding through Cummings Foundation’s annual grant program. This year, the Foundation awarded a total of $35 million. Following a highly competitive review process with a record 959 applicants, Cristo Rey Boston will receive $750,000 over 10 years.

Cristo Rey Boston is a Catholic high school exclusively serving families of limited economic resources. Through a rigorous academic program, a unique corporate work-study experience, and the strength of an inclusive and supportive community, our students are prepared to succeed in college and beyond. Guided by the core values of dignity, perseverance, growth, and generosity, we are committed to ensuring that every student has the opportunity to thrive.

Rosemary J. Powers, President, Cristo Rey Boston, reflected on the importance of this grant “This extraordinary investment from Cummings Foundation is an investment in access, opportunity, and the limitless potential of our students. At Cristo Rey Boston, we believe that talent is universal, even when opportunity is not. Every day, our students demonstrate remarkable determination, resilience, and promise. This grant strengthens our ability to remove barriers, expand opportunities, and ensure that young people from families with limited economic resources have access to the excellent education, professional experiences, and supportive community they need to thrive. We are deeply grateful to Cummings Foundation for their partnership and their belief in the transformative power of education.”

This year, the Woburn-based Cummings Foundation increased its annual grant program from $30 million to $35 million and shifted to fully unrestricted funding, allowing recipients to direct grant dollars where they are needed most. This approach allows organizations like ours to direct resources where they are needed most—supporting students, strengthening programs, and responding to evolving needs in real time.

Foundation executive director and trustee Joyce Vyriotes noted that the changes reflect growing concerns among Greater Boston nonprofits about rising costs, increased demand for services, and sustained uncertainty around public funding. 

“Nonprofit professionals are closest to the challenges facing their communities, making them best positioned to determine where and how new funds will drive the greatest impact,” said Vyriotes. “By providing increased, flexible funding, we hope to strengthen organizations’ long-term stability and help them respond to evolving community needs.” 

This year’s grant recipients represent a wide range of causes, including housing and food insecurity, education, workforce development, healthcare, mental health services, social justice, immigrant support, and youth programming. 

The annual grant program supports Massachusetts nonprofits that are based in and primarily serve Middlesex, Essex, and Suffolk counties, as well as Brookline, Dedham, Milton, Needham, Quincy, and Wellesley. 

Through this place-based initiative, Cummings Foundation reinvests in the areas where it owns commercial real estate. Its buildings are all managed at no cost to the Foundation by its affiliate, Cummings Properties, a Woburn-based commercial developer that leases and manages 11 million square feet of debt-free space. All rental profits support the Foundation. 

Since its founding, Cummings Foundation has awarded more than $650 million to Greater Boston nonprofits. The complete list of this year’s grant recipients, along with additional information about the Foundation and its grant programs, is available at CummingsFoundation.org.  

About 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.