The Harvard Ed Portal is seeking local artists for a short-term mural at 224 Western Ave in Allston, MA.

Applicants are encouraged to propose site-responsive ideas that engage, educate, and inspire the Allston-Brighton community. Themes of interest include but are not limited to: building social connections; racial & social justice; health & healing; and whimsy, humor, wonder & joy.

The mural board is freestanding and modestly sized (approximately 8 x 12 feet). In addition to the mural, the artist will also provide visual and written materials for related content on the Ed Portal's website. 

Selected artist(s) will receive a payment of $1000-$1500 that includes an honorarium as well as a materials budget. The fee variability is dependent on project complexity and the number of people involved. 

Optional: Priority given to submissions that include an idea for an interactive component that prompts visitors to dive deeper into mural themes, such as an artist talk or asynchronous engagement. An additional honorarium will be provided if there is an engagement activity. 

Submissions from artists of all experience levels are encouraged — emerging, mid-career, or established — as well as solo artists or collaborations. Preference to applicants living and/or working in Allston-Brighton and Cambridge. BIPOC & LBGTQIA+ people are strongly encouraged to apply. 

If selected, the artist will work collaboratively with the Ed Portal Arts Program team in development of the final mural and any interactive components to determine project feasibility within city and university real estate regulations.

ONLINE SUBMISSION PERIOD: Now-October 27, 2025
SELECTION ANNOUNCEMENT: November 25, 2025
INSTALLATION DATES: Early-April 2026, TBD by the artist and Ed Portal
RUN DATES: April 2026-March 2027
LOCATION: Harvard Ed Portal, 224 Western Ave, Allston, MA 02134

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS:

• Contact and Demographic Information
• Brief mural idea proposal with conceptual and visual description. (If applicable, interactive component idea.)
• Three-five images capturing examples of past or proposed work. (Please submit images as JPEG files no larger than 2000 pixels max width @ 72 DPI. ALL FILES MUST BE NAMED AND NUMBERED "lastname.firstname_title01")

Criteria for jurying submissions may include, but are not limited to: Relevance of mural theme; impact on pedestrian experience; overall aesthetic of artwork or proposed artwork; appropriateness for public display; the scale and ability to withstand the elements and normal wear and tear; and detail of application/proposal.

About the Ed Portal:
The Harvard Ed Portal (HEP) is a collaborative partnership involving Harvard, the Allston-Brighton community, and the City of Boston. Created in close consultation with the Allston community, it’s a space where Allston-Brighton residents, students, families, and professionals from every walk of life participate in innovative programming and learn from one another. From K–12 education and family programs, to opportunities for digital learning, career and economic development, personal wellness, and the arts, the Ed Portal provides countless resources to support and enrich the lives of those in and around the community.

BACKGROUND
  The 18th year of the Harvard Allston Partnership Fund (“the Fund”) is funded as a benefit associated with Harvard's approved 2025 10-year Institutional Master Plan. The Harvard Allston Partnership Fund (“the Fund”) grant opportunity is administered by Harvard University in partnership with the City of Boston Planning Department. The Fund is governed by the Harvard Allston Partnership Fund Advisory Committee (“the Committee”). It is composed of seven voting community members and three non-voting ex officio members.  

  The voting members include Allston-Brighton residents who are appointed by the Mayor, including:  

• representatives nominated by Allston-Brighton elected officials 
• at least one representative from the Harvard Allston Task Force  

  The non-voting members include:  

• Representatives from the City of Boston  
• Two representatives of Harvard University 

PURPOSE OF THE FUND 

The Harvard Allston Partnership Fund provides grants for neighborhood improvement projects, cultural enrichment and education programs, particularly serving the North Allston-North Brighton community. The Fund was established to provide grants, pursuant to an annual review process, to non-profit organizations and community groups that will result in a measurable impact. The Allston-Brighton community is defined by zip codes 02134 and 02135. The more specific North Allston-North Brighton community is bounded by the Massachusetts Turnpike, the Charles River, and Leo Birmingham Parkway/Market Street.

Grants are intended to address community needs that may include:  

• Neighborhood improvement projects in a visible location within the impact area  
• Sustainable cultural enrichment programs in the impact area  
• Sustainable educational programs, including, but not limited to public health education programs, initiated by the Allston-Brighton community  

  Grants will support specific programs, projects, or activities that fulfill the purpose of the Fund as defined by the Cooperation Agreement, including:

• New programs or services,  
• Expansion of current programs,  
• Expanded access to existing programs for Allston-Brighton residents, and  
• Sustaining high-impact programs and services delivered in the impact area. Grants can also include the cost of program supplies, furnishings, and equipment.  

  The Fund will not pay for indirect costs. Grants will not be awarded to individuals.  

FUNDS AVAILABLE
  A total of $200,000 is available. The maximum grant amount is $25,000. Small grants up to $10,000 are also available. An organization can only submit one application in response to this RFP.

This short form application is for requests up to $10,000.
  Requests greater than $10,000 will require the long-form application and supporting attachments.  

ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS
  Funding is available to non-profit, 501(c)3 organizations and community groups in good standing that:  

• Serve the Allston-Brighton community defined in the section Purpose of the Fund (above) 
• Have been an established non-profit organization or community group for, at least, the previous three years or submit a proposal under the written fiscal sponsorship of an existing 501(c)3 non-profit organization that meets the eligibility requirements. The sponsor’s letter must describe how it would manage a grant from the Fund.  
• Demonstrate sound financial condition, reporting, and controls 
• Demonstrate the ability to execute the proposed project or program  
• Demonstrate successful completion of, or satisfactory progress on, work described in all previous grant awards as described in this Grant Report link. 
• Priority consideration will be given to organizations and community groups located in the impact area.  

  The Committee reserves the right to add, remove, or change any of these criteria at any time.  
 

APPLICATION PROCESS
  All applicants must submit their application to the Harvard Allston Partnership Fund Advisory Committee via Submittable by or before the 5 PM deadline on Thursday, December 4th, 2025. A Zoom information session will be held on November 13th from 5:00 – 6:00 pm. Please send an email with your name, email address, phone number, and organization to edportal@harvard.edu if you would like to attend the information session. Questions may be submitted throughout the application period via email: edportal@harvard.edu.
  All essential fields must be filled out in the Submittable application.  
 

1. Grant Budget and Estimated Expenses  
2. If your organization has received a Partnership Fund grant last year, a Grant Report is required (download this form)  
3. Forms 990 and Financial Statements.  
4. Include all other required attachments listed below.  

  Send an email to edportal@harvard.edu with any questions on submitting the proposal.  
Applications that do not provide the information as requested will be considered incomplete and non-responsive, and thus not eligible for funding. Email any questions regarding the application requirements to edportal@harvard.edu.  

REQUIRED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
  The provisions of M.G.L. c. 12, s. 8F requires organizations that have gross support and revenue of more than $200,000 in a fiscal year to submit financial statements that are either audited, or reviewed, by an independent certified public accountant (CPA).  
 

• An account review is sufficient for organizations with annual gross support and revenue of $200,000 to $500,000.  
• An audit is required if an annual organization’s gross support and revenue exceed $500,000.  

  These are general guidelines. Specific guidance can be found on the Massachusetts Attorney General’s website, under “Information for Existing Charities”.  
  Organizations whose annual gross support and revenue are less than $200,000 can submit a Treasurer’s Report or a Balance Sheet to meet the requirement for annual financial statements.  

DEADLINE
Applications will only be accepted through the Submittable online platform. Complete applications must be received by or before 5:00 pm on Thursday, December 4th, 2025. Late submissions are not eligible for funding. The Committee is not responsible for submissions that are lost, mis-delivered, or otherwise not received in accordance with this RFP. Harvard Ed Portal staff may not be able to help with the completion of an application on the day of the deadline. Please email any questions regarding the application requirements to edportal@harvard.edu well ahead of the deadline.

REVIEW PROCESS
  Applications and proposals will be evaluated on the basis of eligibility, ability to carry out the proposed work, community benefit and impact, financial soundness, compliance with the purpose of the Fund, and adherence to the terms and intent of the Cooperation Agreement.  

All submissions will be considered confidential, and their contents will not be disclosed to, or discussed with, persons outside the Committee, except to the extent that the Committee deems necessary to adequately evaluate the submissions.  

The Harvard Allston Partnership Fund Advisory Committee reserves all rights to make any decision they deem necessary to accomplish the purpose of the Fund – including, without limitation, to reject any and all proposals for any reason; to seek additional information or a revised proposal, and/or to suspend, withdraw, or amend this RFP at any time and for any reason.  

The Committee further reserves the right to examine all proposed activities, programs and projects for a) adherence to the terms and intent of the Cooperation Agreement, b) impact on residents of t Allston-Brighton , and c) sustainability.  

NOTIFICATION OF FUNDING DECISIONS 

The Committee will make recommendations to the BPDA Board for approval, and Harvard University will notify awardees and organize fund distribution.  Clarification of a funding decision can be requested in an email to edportal@harvard.edu. 

GRANT PERFORMANCE 

Execution of a Grant Agreement binds the grantee to a contract to perform all the services and purchase all the goods set forth in the proposal upon which the grant award is based. The Committee reserves the right to periodically monitor contract performance and compliance with the terms of the Grant Agreement.  

BACKGROUND
   The 18th year of the Harvard Allston Partnership Fund (“the Fund”) is funded as a benefit associated with Harvard's approved 2025 10-year Institutional Master Plan. The Harvard Allston Partnership Fund (“the Fund”) grant opportunity is administered by Harvard University in partnership with the City of Boston Planning Department. The Fund is governed by the Harvard Allston Partnership Fund Advisory Committee (“the Committee”). It is composed of seven voting community members and three non-voting ex officio members.  

  The voting members include Allston-Brighton residents who are appointed by the Mayor, including:  

• representatives nominated by Allston-Brighton elected officials 
• at least one representative from the Harvard Allston Task Force  

  The non-voting members include:  

• Representatives from the City of Boston 
• Two representatives of Harvard University 

PURPOSE OF THE FUND
The Harvard Allston Partnership Fund provides grants for neighborhood improvement projects, cultural enrichment and education programs, particularly serving the North Allston-North Brighton community.
The Fund was established to provide grants, pursuant to an annual review process, to non-profit organizations and community groups that will result in a measurable impact. The Allston-Brighton community is defined by zip codes 02134 and 02135. The more specific North Allston-North Brighton community is bounded by the Massachusetts Turnpike, the Charles River, and Leo Birmingham Parkway/Market Street.

Grants are intended to address community needs that may include:  

• Neighborhood improvement projects in a visible location within the impact area  
• Sustainable cultural enrichment programs in the impact area  
• Sustainable educational programs, including, but not limited to public health education programs, initiated by the Allston-Brighton community  

  Grants will support specific programs, projects, or activities that fulfill the purpose of the Fund as defined by the Cooperation Agreement, including: 

• New programs or services,  
• Expansion of current programs,  
• Expanded access to existing programs for Allston-Brighton residents, and  
• Sustaining high-impact programs and services delivered in the impact area. Grants can also include the cost of program supplies, furnishings, and equipment.  

  The Fund will not pay for indirect costs. Grants will not be awarded to individuals.   

FUNDS AVAILABLE
  A total of $200,000 is available. The maximum grant amount is $25,000. Small grants up to $10,000 are also available. An organization can only submit one application in response to this RFP. If, in any year, the Committee decides that the total number of qualifying applications will expend less than $200,000, any unused funds will remain in the Fund for distribution in a later year.  

This application is for requests over $10,000.

  Requests for up to $10,000 require the short form application and supporting attachments.  

ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS

  Funding is available to non-profit, 501(c)3 organizations and community groups in good standing that:  

• Serve the North Allston/Brighton community defined in the section Purpose of the Fund 
• Have been an established non-profit organization or community group for, at least, the previous three years or submit a proposal under the written fiscal sponsorship of an existing 501(c)3 non-profit organization that meets the eligibility requirements. The sponsor’s letter must describe how it would manage a grant from the Fund.  
• Demonstrate sound financial condition, reporting, and controls  
• Demonstrate the ability to execute the proposed project or program  
• Demonstrate successful completion of, or satisfactory progress on, work described in all previous grant awards as described in this Grant Performance link. 
• Priority consideration will be given to organizations and community groups located in the impact area.  

  The Committee reserves the right to add, remove or change any of these criteria at any time.  

APPLICATION PROCESS
   All applicants must submit their application to the Harvard Allston Partnership Fund Advisory Committee via Submittable by or before the 5:00pm deadline on Thursday, December 4th, 2025. A Zoom information session will be held on November 13th from 5:00pm – 6:00pm. Please send an email with your name, email address, phone number, and organization to edportal@harvard.edu if you would like to attend the information session. Questions may be submitted throughout the application period via email: edportal@harvard.edu. 

  All essential fields must be filled out in the Submittable application. The following documents must be attached to be considered for a grant: 

1. Written Proposal for Grant Applications up to $25,000 (download this document for guidelines) 
2. Forms 990 and Financial Statements.  
3. Grant Budget and Cost Documentation (download this document for budget form)
4. If your organization has received a Partnership Fund grant last year, a Grant Report is required (download document for Grant Report form.) 
5. Include all other required attachments listed below.  

Applications that do not provide the information as requested will be considered incomplete and non-responsive, and thus not eligible for funding. You may submit questions throughout the application process via email to edportal@harvard.edu.

REQUIRED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
   The provisions of M.G.L. c. 12, s. 8F require organizations that have gross support and revenue of more than $200,000 in a fiscal year to submit financial statements that are either audited, or reviewed, by an independent certified public accountant (CPA).  

• An account review is sufficient for organizations with annual gross support and revenue of between $200,000 and $500,000.  
• An audited financial statement is required if an organization’s gross annual support and revenue exceeds $500,000.  

These are general guidelines. Specific guidance can be found on the Massachusetts Attorney General’s website, under “Information for Existing Charities”. Organizations whose annual gross support and revenue are less than $200,000 can submit a Treasurer’s Report or a Balance Sheet to meet the requirement for annual financial statements.  

DEADLINE 

Applications will only be accepted through the Submittable Platform. Complete applications must be received by or before 5:00 pm on December 4, 2025. Late submissions are not eligible for funding. The Committee is not responsible for submissions that are lost, mis-delivered, or otherwise not received in accordance with this RFP. The Ed Portal staff may not be able to help with the completion of an application on the day of the deadline. Please submit any questions regarding the application requirements to edportal@harvard.edu well ahead of the deadline. 

REVIEW PROCESS 

 Applications and proposals will be evaluated on the basis of eligibility, ability to carry out the proposed work, community benefit and impact, financial soundness, compliance with the purpose of the Fund, and adherence to the terms and intent of the Cooperation Agreement.  

All submissions will be considered confidential, and their contents will not be disclosed to, or discussed with, persons outside the Committee, except to the extent that the Committee deems necessary to adequately evaluate the submissions. The Harvard Allston Partnership Fund Advisory Committee reserves all rights to make any decision they deem necessary to accomplish the purpose of the Fund – including, without limitation, to reject any and all proposals for any reason; to seek additional information or a revised proposal, and/or to suspend, withdraw, or amend this RFP at any time and for any reason.  

The Committee further reserves the right to examine all proposed activities, programs and projects for a) adherence to the terms and intent of the Cooperation Agreement, b) impact on residents of the North Allston/Brighton community, and c) sustainability.  

NOTIFICATION OF FUNDING DECISIONS 

The Committee will make recommendations to the BPDA Board for approval, and Harvard University will notify awardees and organize fund distribution. Clarification of a funding decision can be requested in an email to edportal@harvard.edu. 

GRANT PERFORMANCE 

Execution of a Grant Agreement binds the grantee to a contract to perform all the services and purchase all the goods set forth in the proposal upon which the grant award is based. The Committee reserves the right to periodically monitor contract performance and compliance with the terms of the Grant A.