Choate’s Public Recreation grant funding available

Above: Over the years, the Choate Grant has supported many recreation projects in Southborough. If you have a project you’d like to see funded, now is the time to act. (images cropped from photos previously contributed or posted to Facebook by past grant recipients or grant administrators)

Have a public recreation project you think deserves funding? The Choate Fund Trustees are looking for applicants for this year’s round of awards.

It’s worth highlighting the opportunity might be less competitive than you would assume.

Over 100 years ago, 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 $5,000 is available in this year’s fund.

The grants are meant to be used for capital projects rather than 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: Ivory D. Hills, Head of School, St. Mark’s School, 25 Marlboro Road, Southborough, MA 01772.

Proposals will be reviewed by the Choate Fund Trustees.¹ They hope to make their final decision by May 31st.

I always like to note in these posts the awards that were made the prior year. When I reached out this time, I learned that the only submission they received for 2024 didn’t follow up with the necessary info to receive an award.

Let’s hope that this year they are instead inundated with applications for projects that would benefit the community!

In past years, Choate grants have supported a wide range of recreation, including AEDs (Automated External Defibrillators) at recreation fields, a “Cozy Cocoon” at Fayville Playground, outdoor basketball hoops, giant outdoor chess, piloting a youth Rugby team, resources for Town Trails, and much more.

1. Choate Fund Trustees are currently: Superintendent of Schools, Southborough and Northborough, Gregory Martineau; Head of School, St. Mark’s School, Ivory D. Hills; and Head of Fay School, Susanna Waters.