The Sherborn Fund was established in 1994 in anticipation of the town’s 325th anniversary celebration and eventually evolved to serve as a permanent endowment to support activities and projects that contribute to the quality of life in Sherborn. 25 years later, we are once again joining the town of Sherborn in celebrating another milestone: 350 years.
In honor of this landmark year, we are setting out to raise $350,000 to keep Sherborn thriving.
Sherborn has a rich agricultural history, beautiful open spaces, an outstanding educational system, and an enduring tradition of participation in civic life. Evidence of this commitment to enhancing community life is found in numerous buildings, monuments, parks, conservation lands, recreation areas, and endowment funds, all created through the generosity of Sherborn individuals and families.
The Sherborn Fund has undertaken a variety of projects, some in partnership with other town organizations. The following are examples of ways we are making an impact in our community.
Chairman
George grew up in Sherborn and attended the local public schools. Over the course of his life, he has devoted much of his time to serving on various local governmental bodies as well as participating as a member of several not-for-profit boards serving the community. As a senior at Dover-Sherborn High School George was the first student to serve on the board of Dollars for Scholars (Sherborn Citizen Scholarship Foundation). In his early adulthood he was elected its Board Chair. At age 27 he became one of Sherborn’s first Town Administrators. He has served in leadership capacities including the Sherborn Town Forest Committee, Sherborn Conservation Commission, Town Improvement Advisory Committee, Sherborn Community Center Foundation and Sherborn Advisory (Finance) Committee. Among his local volunteer interests, he has chaired the Sherborn Forest & Trail Association, Sherborn Rural Land Foundation, Sherborn Historical Society and the Sherborn Fund.
He continues his involvement with a variety of other not-for-profits located elsewhere and maintains a business office in downtown Sherborn.
Melissa is a community leader and nonprofit professional. As the Principal at Take Root Advisors, a nonprofit management firm she founded, Melissa brings over 15 years of experience in guiding charitable organizations.
In addition to her current role as Chair of the Sherborn Tax Aid Committee, Melissa is an active member of Pilgrim Church in Sherborn. She also serves on the board of Team Owen Fund, a public charity focused on youth leadership.
Melissa served as the Chairperson of the Sherborn Arts Council and of the Pine Hill School Enrichment Committee, President of the Sherborn Garden Club, and member of the Sherborn Recreation Commission and Town Campus Use Committee. Her tenure at Sherborn Town Hall in the Collector’s Office provided her with valuable insights into municipal operations and financial management.
Melissa is honored to serve on the board of The Sherborn Fund, contributing her strategic insights and passion for philanthropy to support initiatives that benefit the residents of Sherborn.
Peter retired from his lifelong development career in 2015. His employment history included stints at Harvard Business School, Wellesley College, and Harvard Medical School.
Upon his retirement, he entered into a contract to provide development consulting for Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals at Angell Animal Medical Center in Boston. He is now in his sixth year under contract.
In terms of pro bono work, in addition to the Sherborn Fund, he serves Native Plant Trust (formerly the New England Wild Flower Society) as a current Overseer and former trustee. He is a former president of the Sherborn Community Center Foundation. He is a current trustee of Brooks School in North Andover, MA.
Sherborn is Margo’s hometown. She attended local schools and was graduated from Newton Wellesley Hospital School of Nursing and served as a Director of the NWH Alumnae Association. She was employed at the hospital for 32 yrs.
Since 1964 she has been actively involved in multiple non-profits and Town Government initiatives. These would include serving as Town Chairman and a leader for the Sherborn Camp Fire Girls. As well, Founder, Past President of the Sherborn Garden Club, Director and Past President, Sherborn Community Center Foundation, Director, Sherborn Historical Society. She continues to be active in these organizations.
She was the founder and chairman of the Sherborn Daffodil Trail. The project began in 1982 and was completed in 2012. The daffodils are a living memorial to the Saltonstall Family, who generously donated funds to build our town library. Profits from this effort also established a town wide Tree Planting Program, a Landscape Endowment Fund for the Town Library and funded several other beautification efforts. Many of those initiatives were under the direction of the Town Improvement Advisory Committee on which she served.
Her Town Government activities include various Town Building Committee Studies, Focus Groups, Town Government Structure Committee, and others. She was Sherborn’s representative for the early beginnings of the Danforth Museum in Framingham.
In addition, for many years she served on the Pilgrim Church Endowment Committee.
Laura has lived in Sherborn since 2019 and absolutely loves it. She grew up a few miles away in the next town over and knew when the opportunity was right she needed to live here. With a background in non-profit fundraising, event planning and working for profit in private equity it became clear that she was really an entrepreneur at heart. She took a leap and opened Wild Robbins Farm in Sherborn in 2020, which is a commercial farm raising animals for meat and selling direct to consumers in her farm store, at farm markets and in local restaurants and shops. On top of that extremely busy life, Laura is a wife and mom to three boys. Laura has a strong belief in helping feed and grow community and is also on local boards such as the Middlesex County Farm Bureau, as well being an active member in the Sherborn Business Association as their Vice President. In May 2024, Laura along with her business partner Mark Williams opened the Fireside Tavern in Sherborn center.
Sara has lived in Sherborn since 1979 and been involved with numerous boards that serve the community. She started her volunteer work as an EMT on the Rescue Department. As her family grew she branched out to chair the local Community School Association, and head the Management Committee for the 1858 Town House, the local community center.
Additionally, she was part of the first Affordable Housing Partnership, as well as a Trustee for Sherborn Rural Land Foundation, the local land trust.
The Sherborn Fund is of particular interest to Sara in that all organizations in the community are eligible to apply for grants from the Sherborn Fund. The Sherborn Fund essentially is on the pulse of the needs of Sherborn, and Sara finds it gratifying to understand the broad needs of her community.
The Sherborn Fund is a fund of the Community Foundation for MetroWest, which is a 501(c)(3) public charity and is fully tax exempt. The tax ID is 04-3266789. There are a number of ways you can make a donation.
Please make check payable to Community Foundation for MetroWest and note The Sherborn Fund in the memo line.
Mail to:
The Sherborn Fund
c/o Community Foundation for MetroWest
3 Eliot Street
Natick, MA 01760
Please contact us via email or call (508) 647 – 2260 if you are interested in transferring assets.
If you have any questions or would like more information about making your gift, please call us at (508) 647-2260 or email us and we’ll be happy to help you.
Thank you! We appreciate your support.