CASTLE SQUARE TENANTS ORGANIZATION CHARITABLE TRUST

The Castle Square Tenants Organization 2020 Charitable Trust (the “Trust”) was formed in November 2020 with a contribution from Castle Square Tenants Organization (“CSTO”). CSTO is the managing partner of Castle Square Apartments, a 500-unit affordable housing development in the South End of Boston, Massachusetts.

The Trust’s purpose is to act as a supporting organization for CSTO as well as to support other organizations in the area which advance its mission. The Trust is governed by up to eight Trustees appointed by the CSTO Board of Directors. Four Trustees are tenants at Castle Square and four are independent.

The Trust envisions communities where low-and moderate-income and residents of all races and ethnicities have the power, voice, and resources to build a united front where racial and societal wealth disparities are actively addressed and eliminated, advancing a more just, equitable, and prosperous society.

2024 GRANTS HAVE BEEN AWARDED

In keeping with this mission, the Trust launched the grant program in December of 2023 for organizations in the three Boston neighborhoods near Castle Square:
the South End, Chinatown, and Lower Roxbury. The Trustees awarded mini-grants to three eligible organizations in February 2024 and made final awards to eight eligible organizations in May 2024.

The Trust plans to announce the dates to submit applications for 2025 grants sometime in the fall.

Grant Program Recipients

Have questions? Contact us: info.trust@cstoboston.org

2024 GRANT MAKING PROGRAM UNDERWAY

The CSTO Trust’s Grant Program aims to support communities where low- and moderate- income and residents of all races and ethnicities have the power, voice, and resources to build a united front, where racial and societal wealth disparities are actively addressed and eliminated, advancing a more just, equitable, and prosperous society.

The Trust cares deeply about two areas and will target funding to these two priorities:

Youth/Child Development and Education

Organizations and programs that serve school-age children ages 6 to 19 and/or older youth up to age 21 who need support transitioning to adulthood.  Programs include but are not limited to:

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Out-of-School-Time programs
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Youth leadership programs
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College/career/job exploration and readiness programs

ESOL classes for recent immigrants who are older youth

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Mental and behavioral health programs
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Affordable Housing, especially

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Creation and preservation
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Resident services
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Strengthening resident-controlled affordable housing developments, for example, board leadership development and capacity-building and

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Tenant organizing
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Funding was initially targeted toward three Boston neighborhoods, the South End, Chinatown, and Lower Roxbury. Please note that the South End includes Bay Village; Chinatown includes the Leather District; and Lower Roxbury’s southern border is Malcolm X Boulevard/Dudley Street. Any questions about the service area should be addressed to Info.trust@cstoboston.org.

Geography

Range of Grant Awards

The CSTO Trust will consider grant requests of up to $50,000. Applications for up to $10,000 may be processed on an expedited basis based on a Letter of Interest, and may not require the “Full Proposal Review” described as “Step 2” in the Guidelines. Grant requests $10,001-$50,000 will be subject to the full review process.

Round One of the CSTO Trust grant awards was completed in 2024. Round Two awards will take place in 2025. The Round One Guidelines will be updated in the fall of 2024.

Application Process

Learn more about the process

CSTO TRUST GRANT PROGRAM

The CSTO Trust's Grant Program aims to strengthen, deepen, and grow resources and relationships in Boston and beyond. Three values anchor the vision and mission of the CSTO Trust.

The Application Process is Now Closed

Respect

We recognize, celebrate, and support each person’s unique talents, experiences, and perspectives, believing that everyone can contribute positively to their communities.

Representative Leadership

CSTO’s history and current efforts reflect the ethos “Do nothing about me without me.” We believe that change is only sustainable if leaders are inclusive and reflect their communities.

The CSTO Trust’s objective is to make a positive difference in the lives of individuals, families, and entire communities so that all may experience a multifaceted sense of hope, health, and well-being.

Impact

Jonathan Klein-Chair, Retired Attorney

Ann Moy-Vice-Chair, Retired Boston Public School Teacher

Kathryn McHugh-Treasurer, Executive VP, Financial Products & Services, Civic Builders

Terrance Woolfork-Fitness Instructor

Vince O’Donnell-Affordable Housing Consultant

Yvonne Hughes, Retired

Chu Huang-Consultant

Trustees:

CSTO Trust Advisors:

Deborah Backus-Executive Director, CSTO Vivian Lee-Senior Advisor, CSTO Daphne Bishop - Consultant to CSTO Trust Chaletta Huertas, GMA Foundations - Consultant to CSTO Trust