A Hand Up Charitable Foundation is a private foundation established to provide philanthropic and technical support to recognized charitable organizations that provide assistance to persons living in the North Central Massachusetts area. The Foundationas strength lies in its innovative approach to grant making whereby donors and nonprofits address community needs together, identify board and donor prospects, and create application and distribution policies. This needs an approach that ensures the Foundation is informed and influenced by the leaders of grassroots agencies who are close to the issues and problems of the underserved. Therefore, the Foundation's response to the community is relevant, allowing the donors and nonprofits an excellent forum for meaningful communication and problem solving.

A Hand Up Charitable Foundation seeks to encourage a wellspring of philanthropy and volunteerism with persons from all walks of life, age groups, and income levels who may not have responded to traditional models of giving or civic engagement.

A Hand Up acknowledges the tremendous work of many foundations but seeks to be unique in response time, simplicity, and purpose. Most if not all services provided to the Foundation will be donated.