Above: Last year, the Choate fund supported a new youth Rugby program in town and an outdoor chess set. What recreation resources do you think it should fund for Southborough this year? (photos L-R contributed and from Facebook)
Have a public recreation project you think deserves funding? Applications for Choate Fund Recreation Grants are now being accepted for 2020.
Over 100 years ago, a Southborough’s Charles F. Choate established a fund to benefit the town. He wanted his estate to support recreation projects, particularly for young people.
The fund continues to give, these days through annual grants decided upon by the heads of Southborough’s main school systems: public schools, St. Mark’s School, and Fay School.
Approximately $4,500 is available in this year’s fund.
Here are the details:
- The grants are restricted to public recreation capital projects (not operating costs).
- Applications should include: 1) a brief statement of purpose; 2) a proposed budget; and 3) a description of the intended beneficiaries.
- Completed paperwork should be submitted by April 30th to: John C. Warren, Head of School, St. Mark’s School, 25 Marlboro Road, Southborough, MA 01772.
Proposals will be reviewed by the Choate Fund Trustees*. They hope to make their final decision by May 31, 2020.
In 2019, the fund helped support a project to bring a Rugby program to Southborough. It also paid for an outdoor chess set at the Southborough Library. The year prior, the fund supported a roof for the outdoor stage on the field at Neary (site of the Southborough Summer Concert series).
Other past grants have funding includes support for the 9/11 Memorial Field, clearing of walking trails, an after-school field hockey program, outdoor activity areas for Woodward and Finn Schools, and lighting improvements at the Choate facility for the baseball diamond and soccer fields in front of Woodward.
*Choate Fund Trustees are currently: Superintendent of Schools, Southborough and Northborough, Gregory Martineau; Head of School, St. Mark’s School, John Warren; and Head of Fay School, Robert Gustavson.
