The Brookline Community Foundation (BCF) has awarded $149,250 in grants to 14 organizations making a difference in Brookline. The fall grant cycle was one of BCF’s largest cycles to date with 23 organizations applying for funding and nearly $300,000 in requests.
“This was a particularly challenging cycle given the sheer number of high quality and deserving proposals,” said David Wood, BCF Board Member and Chair of the Program and Grants Committee.
The fall funding decisions were informed in great part by the Foundation’s current focus on reducing and alleviating poverty and expanding opportunities for youth. Both priorities emerged from BCF’s Understanding Brookline reports and its three-year strategic plan, Brookline Forward. Much of the work funded this fall was centered on these two priorities, including helping neighbors meet their most basic needs.
This fall, BCF continues to respond to a growing number of requests from organizations addressing food security in Brookline.
“Food security is one of the most pressing needs in Brookline today,” said BCF Executive Director Jenny Amory. “By funding organizations that work to tackle this need, we are strengthening the support available to our most vulnerable residents, because no one can take steps to bring about positive changes in their lives if they are worrying about how to feed themselves and their families.”
To date in 2015, BCF has given more than $30,000 toward fighting hunger and increasing the food security of our neighbors. This is in addition to the $120,000 given to the BCF Safety Net Program, administered by the Brookline Community Mental Health Center, which provides funds to help residents with critical, short-term assistance including rent, food, utility bills and other acute financial needs.
Since 1999, BCF has given more than $5 million in grants to more than 100 nonprofits that address the needs of our community. This latest round of grants combined with the more than $214,000 awarded earlier this year brings the Brookline Community Foundation’s 2015 funding total to more than $363,000.
A detailed list of awarded grants is available on the BCF website at www.brooklinecommunity.org.
Questions about awarded grants and upcoming grant cycles should be directed to Jennifer Lemire, Director of Programs and Grants, at jlemire@brooklinecommunity.org.
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The Brookline Community Foundation shines a spotlight on community needs, inspires philanthropy and awards strategic grants to build a more vibrant, engaged and equitable Brookline.
