During a regularly scheduled Foundation for MetroWest nonprofit partner check-in call, the Waltham Boys & Girls Club (WBGC) expressed concerns about transportation needs for the students who use the Club.
They informed the Foundation that transportation to and from the Club was identified by local youth and their families as the most significant impediment to participating in their programs. Information like this often comes from our conversations, and we in turn can pass it on to our Donor-Advised Fundholders (DAFs).
Many of the young people who attend their programs are from households without a car or from families whose parents are at work when their children are out of school. These youth miss out on academic support, social-emotional skill building, career exploration, and other crucial services that are delivered through WBGC programs.
We learned that a new van and a certified staff member would enable the Club to provide transportation to students who are otherwise unable to access the Club’s critical resources.
Our conversation led the Foundation’s team to reach out to our Donor-Advised Fundholders who have a passion for supporting under resourced youth and families. Within days of learning about this need the Matys Family Charitable Fund, a DAF of the Foundation for MetroWest, funded the project.
“When we chose to work with the Foundation for MetroWest, we really wanted to work with a partner that would help us make an impact in the MetroWest area and become more involved in the community. We thought that working with a local foundation instead of going with a Donor Advised Fund with a commercial firm would help us achieve those goals.” Matys Family Charitable Fund
As a single source of information about the needs of the MetroWest community, we know the organizations that can most effectively meet those needs– and where charitable contributions can have the greatest impact. This knowledge is shared with our fundholders as one of the ways we support them in their giving.
“The opportunity to directly connect our fundholders with mission-driven projects and emergency needs is at the core of our mission. It’s very rewarding to see our local nonprofits receive critical support because of a connection or conversation with our fundholders. Oftentimes we find that people want to make a difference, to give back in a meaningful way, but they don’t know where to start. This is when I say, start with us and we’ll help complement your local giving by connecting you with the organizations and people who need it most!” Caroline Murphy, Director of Programs.
Erica Young, Executive Director at the Waltham Boys & Girls Club expressed her gratitude, and said, “It is unique to have partners who listen to how we are working to address the needs in our community and respond the way that they do. The funding from the Matys Family Charitable Fund allowed us to directly service more youth almost immediately. The way that FFMW works with its fundholders to ensure their donations are the most impactful is truly special.”
In 2021, Foundation for MetroWest Donor-Advised Fund holders invested more than $1.1M into the nonprofit sector and are on track to invest a similar amount again by year-end 2022. Establishing a charitable fund is an effective way to carry out your giving and opening a charitable fund at the Foundation for MetroWest provides you with a knowledgeable and experienced strategic partner.
To learn more about the benefits of opening a Donor-Advised Fund at the Foundation for MetroWest please contact Lee Gagen, Director of Development and Leadership Giving at [email protected], or visit the Starting a Fund page of our website.
