OUTnewcomers paused its 'Belonging Matters' program and returned a $7,500 city grant after Boston officials said the funds were not approved for voucher-style wellness benefits. The program initially proposed $250–$500 'wellness allowances' but was later described as offering vouchers of $50 or less, creating a discrepancy. The nonprofit cited security threats as the reason for halting the initiative, and city spokespeople said the grant was designated for mental health services, not vouchers.
Boston LGBTQ Group Pauses 'Belonging Matters' Program, Returns City Grant After Officials Say Funds Were Not Approved
Mayor Michelle Wu speaks during a press conference with city leaders on violence and drug use in Downtown Crossing, Boston, on Feb. 26.(Getty Images)
OUTnewcomers, a Boston-based LGBTQ nonprofit, has paused its planned 'Belonging Matters' program and returned a $7,500 city grant after city officials said the funds were not approved for the voucher-style wellness benefits the group proposed.
The organization announced in a Friday press release: "OUTnewcomers will be ceasing all related programming and will return any funds received for this initiative." The program had promised modest 'wellness allowances' intended to help LGBTQ migrants access services such as yoga, massages and other supports.
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu smiles while addressing supporters during her re-election campaign launch at the Cyclorama at Boston Center for the Arts in Boston, Massachusetts, on April 5.
City Response and Funding Clarification
A city spokesperson told Fox News Digital that the $7,500 mini-grant was part of a broader $200,000 allocation approved last year through the Mayor’s Office of LGBTQ+ Advancement (MOLA) and that the specific funds were intended to support mental health services. "No funds have been distributed or directed for these purposes," the spokesperson said, adding that the $7,500 "may not be used for the voucher program referenced." Officials said the grant was allocated from the city's 2026 budget.
Program Details And Discrepancies
Online materials for 'Belonging Matters' listed possible supports including yoga, breathwork and meditation, gym memberships, creative arts, peer support, storytelling, nature-based wellness and hairstyling. Registration materials indicated applicants could receive between $250 and $500 in "wellness allowances," to be determined case by case. Later communications from the organization described the aid as smaller vouchers of $50 or less, creating a discrepancy between how the program was initially presented and how it was later characterized.
The Boston skyline features skyscrapers and waterfront views in Boston, Massachusetts.
Security Concerns And Program Suspension
Before returning the city funds, OUTnewcomers paused the initiative, citing threats and safety concerns. In its statement the organization said the severity of threats made it impossible to continue safely and emphasized that staff and community safety must come first. Sal Khan, founder of OUTnewcomers, called the decision "incredibly difficult." Khan did not respond to additional requests for comment from Fox News Digital.
The dispute has prompted questions about how Boston awards and oversees grants to outside advocacy groups and what uses are permitted under specific mini-grant awards.
The mayor’s office declined to provide further details about how the specific grant approval occurred. OUTnewcomers had been listed among 45 recipients of the $200,000 allocation intended to support LGBTQ communities across Boston.
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