More Than $5 Million in Emergency COVID Grants Distributed by Foundation For MetroWest

In full transparency, the following is a press release from the Foundation for MetroWest submitted to SOURCE media.

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NATICK – COVID-19 has demonstrated the acute need in communities across Massachusetts, many of which were exacerbated by the pandemic. 

The Foundation for MetroWest, the community foundation serving the MetroWest region of Greater Boston, has been a critical resource for vulnerable communities during this time. It announced today, May 17, it has officially passed the $5 million milestone in emergency grants distributed to community organizations since the pandemic began.

The funds were allocated across 588 rapid response grants addressing the immediate needs of the MetroWest communities impacted by the pandemic. 

“This year has illuminated the critical need for a strong community foundation in the region, that is able to mobilize resources for the community during unprecedented times,” said Jay Kim, executive director of the Foundation. “It has pushed all of us to work smarter under pressure, and most importantly, to work together in new and creative ways. This milestone is a huge accomplishment for the Foundation and the people it serves and celebrates the vital work nonprofits continue to do throughout MetroWest to support and uplift our communities.”

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The grants were distributed from the Foundation’s 25th anniversary grant program, two emergency relief funds (MetroWest Emergency Relief and Feed Framingham), partnerships with the MA COVID-19 Relief Fund and the Commonwealth’s Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development (EOHED), town funds in Lexington and Wellesley, and donor advised funds who gave to emergency relief efforts in 2020.

The grant recipients meet the unique needs of geographically and culturally diverse communities throughout the MetroWest, using the grants awarded to make an impact in the areas of food insecurity, basic hygiene needs, and financial security for older adults, individuals with disabilities, and struggling families; engage underserved youth; build upon mental health programming; provide legal aid; and hire staff. This past year, for many, did not go as planned, but these organizations, with the help of the Foundation for MetroWest have great hopes for the future.

“We are extremely grateful for the partnership of the Foundation for MetroWest in making a lasting impact for our families, not only during this public health crisis, but also far beyond COVID-19,” said Trish Appert, Executive Director of Bethany Hill Place.

The Foundation for MetroWest is honored to be a trusted community resource and serve as a partner for its most vulnerable neighbors.

“Covid presented a unique set of challenges.  We leaned into best practices for fundraising, governance and strategic thinking that we learned about through the Foundation’s programs,” executive director of BAMSI, Pamela Verklan stated. “We feel strongly that the support we have been given in the past contributed significantly to our success in navigating those challenges last year.

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For more information on the Foundation’s emergency COVID relief, visit here.

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Established in 1995, the Foundation for MetroWest is the community foundation serving the cities and towns in the region, encompassing 700,000 residents from Westborough to Waltham and Acton to Walpole. The Foundation promotes philanthropy across the area, helps donors maximize the impact of their local giving, serves as a resource for local nonprofits and enhances the quality of life for all our residents. The Foundation is supported by a wide range of businesses, individuals, community groups and other philanthropic organizations. Since inception, the Foundation has granted $23 million to its nonprofit partners and currently stewards more than $26 million in charitable assets for current needs and future impact.

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