May 11, 2020 (Natick, MA) – The Foundation for MetroWest, the only community foundation serving theMetroWest region of Greater Boston, today announced it has granted over $1,25M in emergency funds to community organizations since the COVID-19 pandemic began. This expedited funding has been channeled to nonprofits providing crucial assistance to the region’s most vulnerable residents. The majority of these grants were distributed from the MetroWest Emergency Relief Fund, the Feed Framingham COVID-19 Fund, and the Massachusetts COVID-19 Relief Fund, all recently created to meet the growing need for urgent resources and services.
“The COVID-19 pandemic is impacting all of us in ways few could have imagined or anticipated just months ago,” said Judy Salerno, executive director of the Foundation for MetroWest. “For our neighbors who were already struggling before the virus struck, school closures and business shutdowns have been especially damaging. Our goal is to ensure MetroWest organizations have the necessary resources to soften the pandemic’s impact on our community and uphold the quality of life for which our region is known.”
The Foundation has thus far directed the majority of its emergency funding to food assistance, childcare and senior services. Even before the pandemic began, Impact MetroWest, the Foundation’s data-driven community indicator project, revealed facts about the region that have historically gone unnoticed. As the pandemic evolves, the Foundation expects MetroWest’s needs to evolve and increase drastically.
“Countless MetroWest nonprofits are rising to the challenge of this unprecedented public health emergency, as the need for urgent support continues to grow,” said Caroline Murphy, the Foundation’s director of programs. “We have partnered with many of these organizations for 25 years, and our close collaboration, centered on improving our region’s quality of life, has never been more indispensable.”
Initial grantees include Advocates Inc., Brazilian American Center (BRACE), Daniel’s Table, Food Link Inc., Gaining Ground, HOPEworldwide, Framingham Food Pantry, Jewish Family and Children’s Services, Lovin’ Spoonfuls, Latino Health Insurance Program, Natick Service Council, Project Just Because and Wayside Youth and Family Support Network.
To date, the Foundation has raised nearly $1M through the emergency funds. Major donors include the Barr Foundation, Eastern Bank Charitable Foundation, Middlesex Savings Charitable Foundation, the Massachusetts COVID-19 Relief Fund, Tripadvisor Foundation, Amelia Peabody Charitable Fund, many donor-advised funds, friends of the Foundation for MetroWest and generous community members. The full list of key contributors can be found here.
The Foundation will continue to raise and distribute emergency funds throughout this crisis on a rolling basis. More information on the Foundation and its emergency relief efforts.
About Foundation for MetroWest
Established in 1995, the Foundation for MetroWest is the only 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 $19 million to its nonprofit partners and currently stewards more than $26 million in charitable assets for current needs and future impact. To learn more, please call 508-647-2260.
About the Massachusetts COVID-19 Relief Fund
The Massachusetts COVID-19 Relief Fund supports those across the state most impacted by the COVID-19 health crisis, focusing on essential frontline workers and vulnerable populations including the homeless, immigrant populations, people with disabilities and those facing food insecurity. The Fund works in concert with regional community foundations and non-profit leaders who partner with local leaders to understand the response and relief landscape, strategically filling in where gaps are pronounced. For more information, visit www.MACovid19ReliefFund.org.
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