The Anthony F. Cordeiro Charitable Foundation has awarded $15,500 in grants to five local nonprofits, according to a community announcement.
The grants support organizations focused on improving the lives of people and animals in Southeastern Massachusetts. Since its inception in 2018, the foundation has awarded more than $290,000 to dozens of organizations.
The latest round of grants was announced at the AFC 2026 Gala on Jan. 31, 2026, at the Venus de Milo in Swansea.
The foundation provides funding to nonprofit organizations serving communities in Southeastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Its mission is to support families and children by increasing access to vital resources, including health and mental health services, food and shelter. Awards are granted twice per year to area nonprofits that share this mission.
The five grantees and their awards are:
- Angels Anonymous (Fall River): $5,000 will provide perishable and non-perishable food to supply its food pantry, which serves more than 300 families each month.
- Dignity Matters (Westborough): $3,500 will fund the purchase of 42,000 menstrual pads, providing 146 girls and women with a full year of menstrual care.
- Firehouse Dogs (Fall River): $2,500 will help cover tuition, essential training equipment and vehicle upgrades for Sophie, the Fall River Fire Department’s comfort dog, to become a certified search and rescue K-9.
- Animal Rescue League of Fall River: $2,500 will replace outdated cat cages with modern, multi-level cat condominiums as part of the Purrfect Spaces Project.
- Katie Brown Education Program (Fall River): $2,000 will fund relationship violence prevention programming for local LGBTQIA+ and gender-nonconforming youth, groups that are disproportionately affected by intimate partner violence.
“Our grantees do extraordinary work every day to improve the lives of people and animals across our communities,” said Melanie Cordeiro, executive director of the Anthony F. Cordeiro Foundation, according to the announcement. “We are proud to stand behind these five organizations and support the vital work they do. Congratulations to our Second-Round of 2025 grantees.”
Grants are funded by individual donations and proceeds from the foundation’s annual winter gala and golf tournament. The 21st annual Anthony F. Cordeiro Charitable Golf Tournament will be held at Lake of Isles at the Foxwoods Resort and Casino on Aug. 18, 2026.
“The impact our grantees have on communities around Southeastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island is nothing short of remarkable,” said Anthony F. Cordeiro, founder of the foundation. “The need has never been greater, and we are deeply proud to support their work. Thank you as well to our donors, Founders’ Circle members, local business owners, friends, and neighbors, whose generosity enables us to address critical and emerging needs in our communities.”
The Cordeiro Foundation is currently accepting applications for the first round of funding for 2026. Nonprofit organizations in Southeastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island whose mission aligns with that of the foundation are invited to apply. Applications are due June 30, 2026.
Questions about grant applications or the AFC annual golf tournament can be directed to Melanie Cordeiro at melcordeiro@cordeirocharitablefoundation.org.
