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The Fund for Wellesley, an endowed fund of Foundation for MetroWest, recently hosted its annual Grant Award Ceremony at Babson College’s Sorensen Center where they distributed $20,000 to five local nonprofit organizations in the areas of Seniors—Engagement and Enhanced Services, Community Building & Civic Engagement and Youth Development & Opportunity. To date, The Fund for Wellesley has granted more than $200,000 to local nonprofit organizations serving the Wellesley community.
Laurel Lyle, outgoing Chair of The Fund for Wellesley community board, reflected on the role the Fund has played in the community since its establishment in 2008. “In the past eight years, we have been able to provide hundreds of thousands of dollars of funding to projects that make Wellesley a better place to raise a family, make a life, and start a business. We’ve invested in the future of Wellesley, and it’s all thanks to the collective generosity of our community.”
The event also featured a presentation by Craig Baum, a teacher’s assistant for Youth in Philanthropy at The Fund for Wellesley. Baum reflected on his experience in the program as both a participant and then an as a peer facilitator. As part of his most recent role in the program, Baum guided a group of local high school students through their own grantmaking process that provided $9,000 in support to Wellesley area youth-serving nonprofits. These grants were distributed at an event in May. Youth in Philanthropy is a major initiative of The Fund for Wellesley and as Lyle mentioned at the ceremony, represents “their dedication to building a lasting legacy of philanthropy here in Wellesley.”
The 2016 Grantees:
OUT MetroWest
To improve training for peer leaders and adult advisors in our Wellesley programs for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) youth.
The Wellesley Players
To enable children in financial need and their families to attend a performance of “The Pied Piper”, an original musical.
Wellesley Council on Aging
To engage a consulting firm to identify areas of opportunity that will enable the COA to attract younger seniors (those just over 60 years of age) and to help modify adverse perceptions in the general population about seniors and their role as active participants in the civic life of the Town.
Wellesley Natural Resource Commission
To fund start-up costs for a community gardening initiative that will span generations, languages, and culture as well as connect an array of nonprofit, volunteer and faith-based groups through a common purpose.
Wellesley Recreation Department
To provide an opportunity for friends, family, and individuals with disabilities to kayak and canoe using the adaptive facilities at Morses Pond.
