The Boston Foundation, which was established in 1915 to disperse charitable donations to important local causes, recently announced first quarter grants totaling $1.87 million. There were 17 grants awarded in this cycle, ten of which are single-year and seven that will be spread throughout multiple years.

Nonprofit organizations were selected for funds for their work to ensure Boston communities are thriving and vibrant. The New England Health Institute (NEHI) was awarded at $250,000 two-year grant to improve health through evidence-based research and policy changes.

A number of initiatives were chosen to receive grants for their efforts to improve access to arts programs in Boston neighborhoods. Discover Roxbury and the Urbano Project will both receive $230,000 over the next three-years to create news arts opportunities for area youth and promote the communities as cultural, history and arts centers. The Hauser Center for Nonprofit Organizations was also awarded a three-year, $100,000 grant to research arts and cultural organizations sustainability in the Greater Boston area.

The Pine Street Inn, the area's leading provider of housing and job outreach for the homeless is set to receive a three-year, $225,000 grant to further its work as a provider of more sustainable housing. This round of grantmaking also provided support for organizations that are stimulating job development.

Foundations and organizations that provide annual funding might benefit from nonprofit accounting software, which can help board members audit funds and make sure the correct amounts are being distributed to various programs each year.