Massachusetts Nonprofit Resource Guide

24/7 Helpline, support groups statewide (Boston, Worcester, Springfield, Lowell, Cape Cod, South Shore, North Shore, and more), Walk to End Alzheimer's events across Massachusetts, care consultations, care navigator program, professional education, Massachusetts General Court advocacy, and research funding. Coordinates with all 24 Massachusetts ASAPs.

MGH's Memory Disorders Unit provides comprehensive dementia evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment coordinated with the Massachusetts Alzheimer's Disease Research Center (ADRC) — one of the oldest and most continuously funded NIA ADRCs in the nation, operating since the 1980s. MGH dementia researchers have made foundational contributions to understanding early Alzheimer's, frontotemporal dementia, and Lewy body dementia. As part of the #1-ranked hospital in the United States and the original Harvard Medical School teaching hospital, the MGH memory program is among the most authoritative in the world.

PF Helpline, Moving Day Boston and Worcester events, support groups statewide, PF research funding, and connection to the two Massachusetts Parkinson's Foundation Centers of Excellence: Massachusetts General Hospital (MassGeneral Institute for Neurodegenerative Disease — MIND) and Brigham and Women's Hospital — both among the world's top Parkinson's clinical and research programs.

Free Care Manager services, equipment loans, financial assistance, Walk to Defeat ALS New England events, and connection to MGH Sean M. Healey & AMG Center for ALS — one of the nation's largest ALS clinical trial sites.

The Sean M. Healey & AMG Center for ALS at Massachusetts General Hospital is one of the world's most active ALS clinical and research programs — named for Sean Healey, a Massachusetts ALS patient advocate and philanthropist. One of the largest ALS clinical trial sites in the United States, the center is a leading site for experimental ALS therapies. The center leads the Northeastern ALS Consortium (NEALS) — headquartered at MGH — which coordinates ALS research across 100+ clinical trial sites nationwide. Massachusetts is the birthplace of the Ice Bucket Challenge (Pete Frates, Beverly, MA, 2014) which funded $220M+ for ALS research and directly accelerated multiple drug approvals.

Patient navigation, Road to Recovery transportation, Look Good Feel Better, Relay for Life events statewide, 24/7 helpline, and research funding. Closely linked to Dana-Farber's Jimmy Fund and the DF/HCC research mission.

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute was founded in 1947 by Dr. Sidney Farber — a Harvard Medical School pathologist who is the acknowledged father of modern chemotherapy, following his landmark 1948 discovery that folic acid antagonists (aminopterin) could induce remission in children with acute leukemia. Dana-Farber was one of the original NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers in 1973. As the lead institution of the Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center (DF/HCC) consortium — including Mass General, Brigham and Women's, Boston Children's, BIDMC, Harvard Medical School, and Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health — Dana-Farber deploys 1,100+ cancer researchers. Specialties: bone marrow/stem cell transplantation (one of the nation's oldest programs), leukemia, lymphoma, breast cancer, prostate cancer, pediatric cancer (Jimmy Fund Clinic with Boston Children's), lung cancer, brain tumors, GI cancers, and precision medicine (PROFILE program — 30,000+ tumor genetic profiles). Ranked consistently in the top 5 nationally for cancer by U.S. News. The Jimmy Fund, Dana-Farber's fundraising arm beloved throughout New England, is one of the most recognized cancer fundraising brands in America.

The David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research at MIT is an NCI-designated Basic Laboratory Cancer Center — one of only about six such centers nationally. The Koch Institute uniquely merges MIT's engineering and physical science expertise with cancer biology, driving breakthroughs in cancer nanotechnology, targeted drug delivery systems, immunotherapy engineering, and liquid biopsy cancer diagnostics. Koch Institute discoveries have led to FDA-approved therapies and diagnostics, and the institute is among the world's most prolific sources of oncology biotech innovation and startup companies.

Following the separation of Mass General Brigham from the DF/HCC consortium in 2023, MGH launched the expanded Mass General Brigham Cancer Institute — operating independently with 180+ medical oncologists. MGH's cancer programs are internationally recognized for GI cancer, lung cancer, proton therapy (Francis H. Burr Proton Therapy Center), brain tumors, and head/neck cancers. The MGB system's 12 community hospitals extend cancer care throughout Massachusetts, including to Martha's Vineyard, Nantucket, and Cape Cod.

Financial assistance for blood cancer patients, Light the Night Walk events in Boston and Worcester, First Connection peer support, and research funding.

Free directory of mesothelioma and asbestos-cancer treatment centers, specialists, and clinical trials in Massachusetts; patient advocate support, VA claims assistance for veterans exposed to asbestos, and free informational guides for patients and families.

Heart disease and stroke education, CPR/AED training, Go Red for Women, Heart Walk Massachusetts, advocacy, and research funding.

MS Navigator helpline, Walk MS Boston and Worcester events, support groups statewide, financial assistance, and referrals to MS specialists at Brigham and Women's Hospital (Brigham MS Center — one of the largest in the region), MGH, and UMass Memorial Medical Center.

Joslin Diabetes Center is the world's largest and most influential diabetes research and clinical care center — affiliated with Harvard Medical School and located in Boston's Longwood Medical Area. Founded in 1898 by Dr. Elliott P. Joslin, the world's first physician to specialize in diabetes, Joslin has been the global authority on diabetes management for over a century. The Joslin's 50-Year Medalist Program (studying patients who have lived with Type 1 diabetes for 50+ years with minimal complications) is among the world's most cited long-term diabetes studies. For Massachusetts patients, Joslin provides comprehensive diabetes care, nationally accredited diabetes self-management education, and access to groundbreaking clinical trials. Joslin has treated hundreds of thousands of patients and continues to produce discoveries that define global diabetes standards of care.

Diabetes education, advocacy, Tour de Cure Massachusetts, and connection to Joslin, MGH, Brigham and Women's, UMass Memorial, and community health center diabetes programs statewide.

The Broad Institute is one of the most influential biomedical research institutions in the world — founded jointly by MIT and Harvard, headquartered in Cambridge. The Broad revolutionized genomics through contributions to the Human Genome Project, pioneered CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing applications (Feng Zhang's landmark CRISPR work), and developed polygenic risk scores that are transforming preventive medicine. For rare disease patients, the Broad's Mendelian disease genomics program, ultra-rare disease sequencing, and rare disease clinical trial partnerships directly improve diagnosis and treatment access. The Broad shares researchers and data with MGH, Brigham and Women's, Boston Children's, and Dana-Farber, creating an unparalleled rare disease research ecosystem.

Boston Children's Hospital is consistently ranked the #1 or #2 pediatric hospital in the United States and is one of the world's most comprehensive pediatric care and research institutions, affiliated with Harvard Medical School. Boston Children's has the largest pediatric research program in the United States. For rare pediatric diseases: the Gene Therapy Program (pioneered AAV gene therapy clinical trials), Manton Center for Orphan Disease Research, Division of Genetics and Genomics, Undiagnosed Disease Network, and the CRISPR Therapeutics Center for Sickle Cell Disease are among the world's most advanced. The Dana-Farber/Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center (Jimmy Fund Clinic) is New England's premier pediatric cancer program.

NORD provides patient support, rare disease information, medical literature access, and connection to clinical trials at MGH, Boston Children's, Brigham and Women's, Dana-Farber, and the Broad Institute.

Advocacy, free programs (Family-to-Family, Peer-to-Peer, NAMI Basics, In Our Own Voice), HelpLine, support groups statewide, and policy work at the Massachusetts General Court. NAMI Massachusetts has been a national leader in mental health parity legislation, crisis intervention reform, and community behavioral health care access.

McLean Hospital is the largest psychiatric teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School, affiliated with Massachusetts General Hospital, and is consistently ranked the #1 psychiatric hospital in the United States by U.S. News & World Report. Founded in 1811, McLean is one of the nation's oldest continuously operating mental health hospitals. Services: inpatient and residential psychiatric care for all ages, substance use treatment, eating disorders (one of the nation's most-cited eating disorder programs), OCD/anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, child and adolescent psychiatry, and first-episode psychosis. McLean's research programs in neuroscience, psychopharmacology, and clinical psychology are among the most highly cited in the world.

Free legal advocacy for Massachusetts residents with disabilities including mental health conditions and developmental disabilities. Investigates abuse and rights violations in psychiatric facilities, group homes, and state institutions. The DLC is Massachusetts' federally designated Protection and Advocacy organization and is one of the most active in the nation for mental health patient rights.

Free 24/7 information and referral for substance use disorders operated by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health/Bureau of Substance Addiction Services (BSAS). Trained counselors connect callers to licensed treatment programs, detox services, medication-assisted treatment (methadone, buprenorphine, naltrexone), recovery housing, and peer support in all Massachusetts regions. Online directory at helpline-online.com.

Free 24/7 treatment referral and information for substance use disorders, connecting Massachusetts residents to local programs, MAT services, and recovery resources statewide.

Administers all federal and state aging programs including the Home Care Program, Family Caregiver Support Program, SHINE Medicare counseling, Long-Term Care Ombudsman, Elder Mental Health Outreach Teams (EMHOT), Community First Choice, and Frail Elder Waiver. MassOptions (1-800-243-4636) is the statewide portal. Elder abuse reporting: 1-800-922-2275.

Family caregiver guides, AARP Tax-Aide (free tax preparation statewide), AARP Driver Safety, advocacy at the Massachusetts General Court, and AARP Foundation programs for lower-income older residents.

Free civil legal assistance for low-income older adults and people with disabilities — elder law, benefits appeals, housing rights, healthcare directives, elder abuse, and consumer issues. GBLS' Elder Unit is one of the largest and most active elder law legal aid programs in New England.

Free VA benefits claims assistance through Veterans' Service Officers in every Massachusetts city and town. Two Massachusetts Veterans' Homes (Chelsea 617-884-5660 and Holyoke 413-532-9111) for long-term care. Advocacy at the Massachusetts General Court. State benefits: property tax exemptions, 100% public college tuition waiver for qualifying dependents, MassVetsAdvisor online benefits navigator, and the Massachusetts Veterans' Annuity Fund.

Full-service VA healthcare across two main campuses (Jamaica Plain and West Roxbury) affiliated with Harvard Medical School. The West Roxbury campus is recognized for cardiac and neurology programs. CBOCs operate in Framingham, Lowell, and other Greater Boston communities. The Jamaica Plain campus is home to several nationally recognized VA research programs.

Major VA medical center serving northern and central Massachusetts. The Bedford VA's Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center (GRECC) is one of the most distinguished VA aging and dementia research programs in the nation, with close ties to Harvard Medical School. The Bedford GRECC is a national leader in geriatric care innovation.

Veterans benefits assistance, Boys/Girls State programs, scholarships, emergency financial assistance, and advocacy at the Massachusetts General Court.

JF&CS provides comprehensive social services open to ALL Massachusetts residents regardless of religion. Programs: counseling and mental health (one of New England's largest nonprofit behavioral health practices), elder services (extensive aging in place programs including the Caregiver Assistance Program and Weinberg Center for Elder Technology), employment services, Holocaust survivor services, disability services, refugee and immigration services, early childhood programs, and emergency assistance. JF&CS is New England's leading Jewish social service organization.

One of the largest and most generously funded Jewish federations in the United States. CJP funds JF&CS, JVS Boston, Jewish day schools and camps, Israel programs, Brandeis University partnerships, and social justice programs across Greater Boston. CJP's annual campaign and endowment are the primary engine of Jewish social services and community infrastructure in New England.

One of New England's leading workforce development and career training nonprofits, open to ALL residents. Job training, English language learning, immigrant and refugee integration, corporate partnerships, and disability employment services. JVS plays a critical role in connecting Greater Boston's large immigrant and refugee populations to economic opportunity.

CCAB serves ALL Massachusetts residents regardless of religion. Programs: emergency food and financial assistance, immigration and refugee legal services (one of the largest immigration legal service providers in New England), housing assistance, counseling, domestic violence services, elderly services, foster care and adoption, and community support. CCAB is a major refugee resettlement partner serving Haitian, Central American, Cape Verdean, and other immigrant communities.

Emergency assistance, counseling, immigration services, and caregiver support for all of western Massachusetts regardless of faith.

LSSNE provides social services for ALL New England residents regardless of faith. Programs: refugee resettlement (one of the primary refugee resettlement agencies for Massachusetts — resettling 300-500 refugees annually in Greater Boston and Springfield), immigration legal services, family counseling, elder services, developmental disabilities services, and crisis assistance. LSSNE's Boston location near the Longwood Medical Area enables close coordination with Harvard-affiliated hospitals for immigrant health services.

Emergency financial assistance, food pantries, homeless shelters, disaster relief, Angel Tree holiday programs, Adult Rehabilitation Centers (addiction recovery), and community programs statewide.

New England's largest food bank, distributing 95+ million pounds of food annually through 600+ partner agencies in 190 Massachusetts communities. A Feeding America member serving older adults (CSFP for adults 60+), children, and families. The GBFB's cultural food access program serves Greater Boston's extraordinary immigrant diversity — providing culturally appropriate foods for Haitian, Brazilian, Cape Verdean, Somali, Chinese, Vietnamese, Cambodian, and other communities.

Funds education, health, financial stability, and basic needs programs across Greater Boston and the Merrimack Valley. Coordinates 211 Massachusetts in the Central Massachusetts region and emergency assistance referrals.

Massachusetts 211 (dial 2-1-1) provides 24/7 referrals to food, housing, health care, caregiver support, mental health, substance use, and emergency assistance across all Massachusetts regions.

Advocacy, support, and resources for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and their families. Supports the Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services (DDS), which funds community residential and day services for adults with I/DD statewide.

Massachusetts' CIL network provides free peer support, benefits counseling, independent living skills training, and advocacy for Massachusetts residents with disabilities. Massachusetts has one of the most robust CIL networks in the nation, with 8+ centers serving all regions. The Massachusetts Statewide Independent Living Council (SILC) coordinates the network.

Massachusetts General Hospital is consistently ranked the #1 or #2 hospital in the United States by U.S. News & World Report. Founded in 1811, MGH is the original and largest Harvard Medical School teaching hospital. The Mass General Research Institute is the LARGEST hospital-based research program in the United States — with 9,500+ research staff and a research budget exceeding $1 billion annually. MGH's 12 community hospital campuses statewide bring Harvard-affiliated care to every corner of Massachusetts, including Martha's Vineyard, Nantucket, and Cape Cod. For Massachusetts patients with rare, complex, or difficult-to-treat diseases, MGH offers unparalleled access to Harvard Medical School expertise and clinical trial access.