Grantmaking

Awarding grants to help MetroWest communities thrive

As your community foundation, our role is to help you make a difference on the issues that matter to our region. Each year, the Foundation for MetroWest makes competitive grants to local nonprofit organizations in five diverse areas — Family Support, Youth Development, Arts & Culture, Hunger Relief, and the Environment.

As a steward for your philanthropic funds, it is our privilege and commitment to ensure that your generous gifts are used for the highest good. In each grant-giving cycle, the Foundation assesses the landscape of current need, evaluates proposed solutions, and awards grants to organizations that will make the greatest impact.

By supporting nonprofits, you’re touching the lives of thousands of MetroWest residents.

2015-2016 was a period of action and growth for the Foundation. In 2016, the MetroWest Hunger Relief Fund invested $120,000, more grantmaking dollars in support of hunger relief than ever before, with a special focus on organizations that identify as farms. This was a strategic decision to align with the 2014 MA Local Food Action Plan to increase the production and consumption of Massachusetts-grown foods.

Also, in collaboration with Middlesex Savings Charitable Foundation, the Sudbury Foundation, and the MetroWest Health Foundation, in 2015 we funded the expansion of food rescue organization Lovin’ Spoonfuls. This partnership ensures a sustainable source of lean meat, dairy, and produce for MetroWest-based food pantries.

Together, let’s strengthen the place we call home by providing critical services and a vibrant quality of life.

2015 hunger in metrowest forum

About
Raise funds and awareness for food insecurity in our region. Attended by area business leaders, hunger relief leaders, and community members.

Moderator
Dr. Jonathan White, Director of the Bentley Service-Learning Center.

What our grantees are saying

“There’s just not another organization out there that has such a profound impact on all the area nonprofits.”

Garry Holmes Trustee & Donor, Foundation for MetroWest

“Our fresh, organic, produce improves the food quality of local emergency food programs to ensure good nutrition is available to low-income families and individuals… We believe that fresh, organic produce is a right not a privilege and with its high cost it is unavailable to many people.  We are truly grateful for the support of the Metrowest Hunger Relief Fund.”

Amy CapofreddiDevelopment and Office Manager of Gaining Ground

“A Place to Turn is thrilled to hear that local foundations will be funding Lovin’ Spoonfuls in our area as they have a proven record of encouraging businesses and other food establishments to donate food that is currently going to waste. This new collaboration will absolutely result in more food delivered to organizations like our that can then distribute it immediately to people in need in our community.”

Joanne BarryExecutive Director of A Place to Turn in Natick

“This Foundation for MetroWest grant signals a change in the way foundations are looking at health and hunger. Recognizing nutrition and access as essential pieces of the solution is a tremendous example of the kind of leadership that’s needed by funders, and we are proud to serve this initiative.”

Ashley StanleyFounder and Executive Director, Lovin’ Spoonfuls

“It’s amazing to watch these kids play music to help others. It changes how they connect with each other, and how they feel about each other…these concerts help them realize the impact they can have on others and their community.”

Sandra RizkallahCo-Executive Director of grantee organization Plugged In, an afterschool music program in Needham

our focus areas

ARTS & CULTURE

We support creative expression as a fundamental way to inspire a dynamic and thriving community.

ENVIRONMENT

We protect and enhance our region’s natural resources to support the well-being of our neighborhoods.

FAMILY SUPPORT

We support equitable access to opportunities and resources to build strong and healthy communities.

HUNGER RELIEF

We combat hunger and poverty in our region to ensure that our neighborhoods are safe, stable and thriving.

YOUTH

We improve the lives of children by awarding grants with the help of local students in our Youth in Philanthropy program.

Foundation for MetroWest
3 Eliot Street, Natick, MA 01760
Phone: 508.647.2260

Contact Us

The Foundation for MetroWest has a simple philosophy: You can make a world of difference in your own backyard.