Boston Foundation announces annual funding for environmental projects in Chelsea and East Boston

Boston –Nonprofit organizations serving Chelsea and East Boston are invited to apply to the Boston Foundation for funds to support educational and recreational programs designed to develop the idea of environmental stewardship among young people of those communities. A total of $150,000 a year will be distributed in grants ranging in size from $5,000 to $25,000 on applications filed in December. The grants will be distributed beginning in March 2007.

The fund for the grants is provided through the settlement of a legal dispute over the proposed use of the Chelsea Creek tidelands. A group of residents—20 women—fought against what they perceived to be an inappropriate use of waterfront land. The result was a change in the plans for the site and a payment which was directed to be held and dispersed by the Boston Foundation. Subsequently, the site was sold to a company which covered the entire finding in a single payment. The fund is expected to be dispersed over the course of five years, with a final round of grants in 2012.

“This is a great opportunity to develop leadership skills in the next generation, connected to an issue that holds real meaning for young people,” said Paul S. Grogan, President and CEO of the Boston Foundation. “We need to inspire our children to get involved in environmental issues, and this is a challenge to organizations in Chelsea and East Boston to develop programs that can spark that inspiration.”

Only nonprofit 501(C)(3) organizations are eligible for the grants. However, it is not necessary for the organization to be based in Chelsea or East Boston as long as the activity to be funded is conducted for the benefit of residents of these two communities. No applications from city or state government agencies or departments or from individuals will be accepted.

Proposals must be received at the Boston Foundation by the end of the business day on Friday, December 1, 2006. Please mail or deliver applications to:

Attention: Grants Manager
The Boston Foundation
East Boston/Chelsea Environmental Fund
75 Arlington Street
Boston, MA 02116

The Boston Foundation will hold an informational session at its office at 75 Arlington Street, 10th Floor, in Boston on Thursday, October 19, from 9 to 10 am. Please RSVP to Krista Manie at 617 338-4450 if you plan to attend. Those who are not able to attend this session may contact Ann McQueen, a Senior Program Officer at the Foundation at 617 338-2773 or by email to Ann McQueen.

In addition to programs that promote the concept of environmental stewardship among young residents of the two communities, the Fund will also consider proposals that create opportunities for advocacy, scientific testing, clean-up and restoration projects as well as programs that engage adults in the environment.

A detailed announcement of funding and Request for Proposals is provided on the Foundation’s website at www.tbf.org .

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The Boston Foundation, Greater Boston’s community foundation, is one of the oldest and largest community foundations in the nation, with an endowment of over $750 million.  In 2005, the Foundation and its donors made more than $60 million in grants to nonprofit organizations and received gifts of more than $70 million.  The Foundation is made up of some 850 separate charitable funds established by donors either for the general benefit of the community or for special purposes.  The Boston Foundation also serves as a major civic leader, provider of information, convener, and sponsor of special initiatives designed to address the community’s and region’s most pressing challenges.  For more information about the Boston Foundation, visit www.tbf.org or call 617-338-1700.