The Brookline Community Foundation (BCF) is now accepting proposals for the 2016 Fall Community grant cycle from local organizations.  The foundation shines a spotlight on community needs, inspires philanthropy, and awards strategic grants to build a more vibrant, engaged and equitable Brookline.

It has the following organizational priorities for 2014-2016:  

  • Reduce and alleviate poverty by addressing urgent needs
  • Strengthening Brookline’s support network and creating pathways out of poverty  
  • Expand out of school time opportunities, particularly for middle-school aged youth
  • Access to arts and culture
  • Environmental sustainability
  • Youth leadership  
  • Senior support
  • Early childhood education    
  • Health and wellness

“Through the Fall Community grant cycle, the Brookline Community Foundation has been able to provide critical resources to organizations serving Brookline residents,” said BCF Executive Director Jenny Amory. “This year we are excited to also introduce the NETA Fund, a newly-endowed fund focused on health and wellness.”

Last December the Brookline Board of Selectmen signed a Host Community Agreement between the Town of Brookline and New England Treatment Access (NETA), the non-profit managing the new medical marijuana dispensary in Brookline. This agreement outlined that NETA will give a percentage of its revenue to the Town of Brookline and will match this in donations to the Brookline Community Foundation, the town-designated Primary Grant Recipient.  This is done to ensure that the resources raised benefit Brookline residents, particularly those who are low-income or vulnerable.

Consequently, BCF and NETA established the NETA Fund, a new endowed, field of interest fund focused on health and wellness in Brookline.   Through its 2016 Fall Community grant cycle, BCF will be making its first grants from the fund. For more information on BCF’s definition of health and wellness and the types of programming that will be considered, please refer to the RFP.   

Proposals are due August 19, 2016 by 5PM. Additional information and application materials can be found on our website.