Above: Susan Butka (center) accepts a grant on behalf of the Town Agency Collaborative from SCF board members Noreen Reilly Harrington and John Fodor (image cropped from contributed photo)
The Southborough Community Fund held its 2016 grant awards ceremony on Monday. The foundation split $60,000 in awards among twelve non-profits.
Grantees were asked to demonstrate that they would make an immediate impact on the community. The categories solicited were Family and Human Services/Support, Arts & Culture, and Environment.
This year’s awards went towards (in alpha order):
Assabet Valley Mastersingers (AVM)
This grant will support the production and presentation of the Assabet Valley Mastersinger’s concert “The Poet Sings” to be held March 19, 2017 at St. Mark’s School, Southborough.
Best Buddies, International
This grant will fund the cost of conference attendance (fees and travel expenses) for three buddy ambassadors and a teacher chaperone to attend the Best Buddies Leadership Conference during July 2017.
The Friends of the Southborough Council On Aging (COA)
This grant will enable the Council to provide meals twice a month for seniors and their primary caregiver(s). [Note: The COA asked me to share their thanks. Scroll down for that.*]
Greater Marlboro Programs, Inc.
This grant will provide funding to pilot a new Extended Day Program for young adults with developmental disabilities who would benefit from a structured educational and recreational program in the hours following the young adult’s school, work, or day program.
New Hope, Inc.
This grant will support New Hope’s continued work to build a network of local community resources and direct outreach to Southborough residents, making them aware of the free services available through their local advocate and through their 24-hour, toll-free hotline.
Southborough Historical Society
This grant will assist with immediate needs for organizational support and preservation of historic resources due to flood and subsequent mold damage.
Southborough Public Library
This grant will fund a series of art workshops and classes for children, covering an age range from preschool to middle school.
Southborough Friends of Youth Commission (SYFS)
This grant will once again provide Youth Camperships for those in need so that more children in town can receive a positive and meaningful camp experience.
Southborough Open Land Foundation
This grant will support estate planning workshops with property owners about the advantages of placing conservation restriction on property and/or donating land to a land trust.
Southborough Town Agency Collaborative
This grant will once again create a pool of emergency funds designated to assist with urgent, essential services for Southborough residents in need. Areas of assistance include food insecurity, utilities, transportation, heating fuel, medications and other essential services.
Southborough Trails Committee
This grant will support the hiring of professionals to remove the most dangerous obstructions from a recent microburst on Town trails, and assist with purchase of posts and “blazes” to mark trails clearly.
Pilgrim Church – Messiah Community Chorus
This sponsorship and matching grant challenge will once again support the 2016 performance of Handel’s “Messiah” at Pilgrim Church in Southborough.
To learn more about SCF, click here.
And for more on other Metrowest grant opportunities, click here.
*The Council on Aging asked me to share the following statement:
The Friends of the Council on Aging, the Council on Aging Board members, and the Senior Center Staff would like to thank The Southborough Community Fund for their support of the seniors of Southborough over the past three years. Their financial support to the Friends of the COA has been directly utilized to fund programs that support seniors in need. They have taken the time to really understand the needs of the seniors in our community and to generate funds that are used to directly improve people’s lives. We are very grateful for their dedication and their efforts.
