The Challenge
TTOR manages 27,000 acres of land and 400 buildings and has more than 5,000 public programs. Their mission is to “preserve, for public use and enjoyment, places of exceptional scenic, historical, and ecological value.” It’s a massive responsibility that leads to projects of all sizes across the state—and a need for funding that matches their ambitious goals.
Funding Solution
During the Manton Foundation’s first decade, more than $6 million in grants were made to TTOR, with early support earmarked for projects near the South Coast of Massachusetts. While their impact was felt across multiple projects, three of them are standouts: the Allen C. Haskell Public Gardens, Boston Public Market, and a technology infrastructure project.
Impact
- When the Manton Foundation committed $500,000 to the Allen C. Haskell Public Gardens, it led to a state grant of the same amount. These actions garnered local confidence in the New Bedford project and helped TTOR form new donor relationships in the area.
- The Boston Public Market Association (BPMA) joined forces with TTOR and received a $1.4 million Manton Foundation grant; it inspired additional major gifts and helped the organization meet a grant matching challenge from the state of Massachusetts
- Their funding also supported “Bringing Our Places to Life,” a technology initiative that helped TTOR track visitors, activities, and revenue sources (e.g., concessions, gift shops, tours, programming) for each of its historic sites. Today, this electronic management system informs TTOR's decision-making across properties, on everything from tour times to staffing allocations.
