The Sophia Romero Trust was established in 1948 with a mission to support health care and human services for underserved older adults in Bristol County, Massachusetts. Administered through Bank of America’s Private Bank Philanthropic Solutions division, the Trust continues to focus on organizations that improve the quality of life for elder populations, with a special emphasis on services that benefit older women residing in the region.
This Trust specifically prioritizes organizations that provide direct programming or services to the elderly. The types of support available include general operating grants as well as program-specific funding. Applicants are encouraged to request funding that enhances the capacity or delivery of ongoing services to elderly individuals. However, capital and endowment campaign requests are generally discouraged and not typically supported. Event sponsorships and fundraising activities are explicitly excluded from funding consideration.
Eligible applicants must serve Bristol County, Massachusetts. While the Trust does not explicitly restrict organization type, grants are typically awarded to nonprofits that align with the funder's mission. Preference is given to established organizations that demonstrate a measurable impact on elder populations and can articulate clear goals and outcomes.
Applications are submitted via Bank of America’s online grantmaking portal. Email, postal mail, and in-person submissions are not accepted. The deadline for submission is September 1 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. If the deadline falls on a weekend or holiday, it is extended to the next business day. Only one application per year may be submitted per organization across a group of discretionary foundations managed by the Massachusetts office, including the Sophia Romero Trust.
Proposals are reviewed in the fall, and applicants will be notified of funding decisions in January. Most grants are awarded for a one-year period. Grantees are required to submit a report within one year of the award date to remain eligible for future funding. Bank of America manages communications centrally, and all questions or correspondence should be directed to the email listed for the Massachusetts office.
Emphasize clarity on demographic served (e.g., elderly women), number served, service frequency, and measurable outcomes
