Massachusetts State Wide System Change

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Massachusetts State Wide System Change *

MFF has a long history of supporting state level policy, advocacy and organizing work around a multitude of issues. Justice and equity frames our approach, along with a belief that those most impacted must lead the change and be at the decision making tables.  Too often government budgeting, policy and regulatory processes are inaccessible and removed from local communities where the impacts are felt most acutely.  The resulting solutions can be inaccessible and ineffective, leaving local residents frustrated and politicians stymied about why programs and policies are not successful.  

In 2020, MFF initiated a civic engagement strategy after determining that our long held goals of climate and justice would never be achieved without the full participation in our democracy of those most impacted by these issues. The program bolstered voter education and engagement, access to the ballot, voter protection, and efforts to build a more representative democracy .

The new state wide system change program brings both these strategies into Massachusetts with the goal of accelerating and amplifying MFF”s place based work in Gateway Cities.  

The state wide system change program plans to:

  1. Build the capacity of local residents to be advocates for their communities around the issues of climate change, housing, transportation and health equity as it is affected by the built and natural environment.  MFF will focus on advocacy and organizing efforts aimed at increasing access to: a) affordable, reliable modes of transportation; and b) affordable, healthy food with an emphasis on local food.  At this time, grants will be by invitation only.

  2. Increase voter engagement, voting rights, access to the ballot, and expand representation by historically underrepresented communities, with a focus on Gateway Cities.  


MFF will support state wide civic engagement efforts to: a) expand voter participation in local, state and federal elections in Gateway Cities; b) ensure the integrity of democratic infrastructure such as the census count; and c) institute reforms that simplify voter registration and ballot access.  At this time, grants will be by invitation only.