Nonprofits or Town organizations looking to make a difference in our town can apply for a grant from the Southborough Community Fund. The Southborough “Town Fund” under the Foundation for Metrowest is accepting applications for 2017 grants through September 8th.
SCF is seeking to “support community needs and opportunities . . . and provides ways for donors to make an immediate impact on their community”.
To do that, they are looking for proposals that “bring innovative thinking to big issues and small ones.” Grants range from $1,000 to $10,000. (Though, grants of more than $10,000 may be considered on a case-by-case basis for projects of exceptional merit.)
To qualify proposed projects should fall within the following priorities:
- Family and Human Services/Support – To support families, youth and seniors and underserved populations in creating pathways that improve overall quality of life.
- Arts & Culture – To support the cultural vitality of the Southborough community, including the visual arts, the performing arts, and historic preservation.
- Environment – To support programs that preserve the natural resources of the town and to increase environmental awareness, education, and engagement.
- Community Building – To support increased volunteerism and community involvement, to strengthen civic engagement, and to emphasize collaborations that enhance community initiatives.
Proposals should be proposed by a nonprofit or Town organization operating in Southborough. But, schools and youth sports programs shouldn’t apply as SCF explains they “are currently well funded and stewarded.”
So, what kinds of organizations does SCF fund? Last fall, the fund awarded $50,000 in grants to:
- Assabet Valley Mastersingers (AVM)
- Best Buddies, International
- The Friends of the Southborough Council On Aging (COA)
- Greater Marlboro Programs, Inc.
- New Hope, Inc.
- Southborough Historical Society
- Southborough Public Library
- Southborough Friends of Youth Commission (SYFS)
- Southborough Open Land Foundation
- Southborough Town Agency Collaborative
- Southborough Trails Committee
- Pilgrim Church – Messiah Community Chorus
You can read more about those projects here. To learn more about this round or apply, click here. To learn more about SCF, click here.
And for more on other Metrowest grant opportunities, click here.
