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Nurturing Youth Emotional Well Being

Between the pandemic and the renewed spotlight on systemic racism, 2020 has been a turbulent year for everyone, including children who are feeling anxious and fearful. Young people with prior mental health issues have been particularly affected. What more can we do to protect and nurture the emotional well-being of our kids during these unprecedented times?

In October, we offered youth development nonprofits in our catchment area a one-time grant opportunity to develop new or expanded programs and resources to enhance emotional health supports for children of all ages.

Programming could be targeted to children, parents/guardians, caregivers, teachers, and others working directly with youth, and could include one-on-one supports, support groups, education, outreach and messaging, or other creative strategies that address a range of issues including, but not limited to, stress, anxiety, depression, fear, loneliness, and grief.

Recipients included: Advocates, Inc., Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central MA/MetroWest, Camp Casco, Doc Wayne Youth Services, Hoops and Homework, Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School (2), SMILE MA, SMOC, SPARK Kindness, The Learning Center for the Deaf, ThinkGive, Inc.

Posted on December 21, 2020

Racial Equity & Inclusion

In July, the Foundation trustees approved a special grant program designed to support local nonprofits who wished to foster and expand their understanding of racial inequities and further their inclusion efforts.

In August, 27 organizations received a total of $66,500 in funding through the 2020 Racial Equity & Inclusion Mini Grant Program.

  • Fifteen agencies will use the funds to focus on board, staff and, in many cases, volunteer education and understanding, and to examine internal policies and processes.
  • Eight organizations will offer community-wide education programs and workshops.
  • Four agencies are planning a combination of internal and external activities.

The majority of grant recipients will undertake the work with guidance from an outside facilitator or consultant and the majority of the projects will be completed before the end of the year.

Recipients include: Acton-Boxborough United Way, Advocates, Inc., A Place to Turn, ātac, Bethany Hill Place, Discovering Hidden Gems, Discovery Museum, Doc Wayne Youth Services, Foundation for MetroWest, Framingham History Center, Framingham State University, Friends of the Assabet River NWR, Greater Framingham Community Church, Jewish Family Service of Metrowest, The Learning Center for the Deaf, Metro CDC, MetroWest Legal Services, MetroWest Mediation Services, MetroWest Nonprofit Network, MetroWest YMCA, Neighbor Brigade, Open Spirit/Edwards Church, OUT MetroWest, REACH Beyond Domestic Violence, South Middlesex Opportunity Council, SPARK Kindness and Sudbury Public Schools and the Lincoln Metco Coordinating Committee.

We acknowledge the leaders of these recipient organizations who were often brutally honest in sharing their missteps and shortcomings around racial equity, and appreciate their commitment to do better.

As one executive director said, “We are a historically white-led organization currently operating with all white leadership. The fact that we exist within an extremely diverse environment and have, as of yet, failed to reflect our community has been a long-standing concern.”

Said another, “Our need to act was propelled by the current reckoning, and current and former constituents of color who have publicly come forward with anecdotes related to their experiences of racism within our organization.”

One of our goals in running this mini grant program was to act quickly to capitalize on the momentum for change.  We are encouraged by the volume of activity and the number of people in MetroWest who will be listening, talking, reflecting and acting on these issues over the next few months and beyond.

Recognizing that anti-racism work demands much more than a one-time, mini-grant program, the Foundation plans continued investment in equity and inclusion efforts. We join our grant partners in committing to doing better.

Posted on September 9, 2020

Spencer Named Foundation Trustee

The Sudbury Foundation is pleased to announce the appointment of Bill Spencer to its board of trustees. Mr. Spencer is a long-time Sudbury resident with a variety of personal and professional attributes that will enhance the work of the Foundation.

Mr. Spencer grew up in Sudbury and is a graduate of Colby College. He has completed advanced courses of study at Boston University in financial planning, risk management, investments, taxation, and estate planning. Mr. Spencer holds the Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®) designation and is an Accredited Investment Fiduciary (AIF®).

An active community member and businessman, Mr. Spencer is the owner of Spencer Financial, LLC, a financial planning firm in Sudbury known for its generous support of local nonprofits and community groups.

Mr. Spencer lives in Sudbury with his wife Jennifer, and two children, Kendra and Will.  He enjoys coaching soccer and lacrosse and has run in the Boston Marathon, raising funds for Children’s Hospital Boston’s Miles for Miracles program. He has also been involved with the Million Dollar Round Table Foundation where he serves on the finance committee.

Board Chair Jill Stansky welcomed Mr. Spencer to the board, noting that the Foundation’s nominating committee recommended him from among a strong group of candidates.  “In Bill, we’ve found an individual with a solid financial background and sense of community who we believe will embrace the Foundation’s work with care and integrity.”

Posted August 20, 2020

Addressing Racism and Bias

Thank you to all who submitted proposals to the Racial Equity & Inclusion Mini Grant program. It seems clear from the response that we have reached a moment in time when people are ready and willing to address the issue of systemic racism head on.  We were pleased to see how thoughtful and committed MetroWest nonprofits are to pursuing this work. Many of the requests we received will facilitate dialogue that builds understanding and awareness. These are important, often uncomfortable conversations that can no longer be avoided. We recognize that the projects generated by this grant program are small steps toward equity and inclusion. To create real, sustainable change, this will be life-long work.

Applicants were invited to request funds for projects focused on:

  • Internal organizational learning and communications, policy review, professional development, facilitated discussions, courses, book purchases
  • Community education (i.e., events, conversations, presentations)
  • Collaboration among diverse constituencies and/or outreach that encourages new community connections, friendships and partnerships

Grants decisions will be made at the end of the month.

Posted on August 14, 2020

Racial Equity & Inclusion Mini Grants

Request for Proposals due July 30, 2020

To advance equity and inclusion work in our communities, the Sudbury Foundation is offering a one-time, mini-grant program open to nonprofits in our catchment area* who wish to focus on anti-racism learning and action. We see these small grants as a starting point for communications, education and collaboration, a preliminary step on a path to change.

Up to $2,500 is available toward a project that your organization identifies as essential to furthering racial justice efforts. Some examples include:

  1. Internal organizational learning and communications, policy review, professional development, facilitated discussions, courses, book purchases
  2. Community education (i.e., events, conversations, presentations)
  3. Collaboration among diverse constituencies and/or outreach that encourages new community connections, friendships and partnerships
  4. Other ideas are welcome.
Please submit:
  • A one-page (or less) Word document describing what you plan to do and why, who you will engage, and what you consider success to be.
  • Evidence that you are committed to anti-racism work (i.e., a board-endorsed statement, mission statement, relevant past work).
  • The amount requested.
  • Your EIN.

Proposals are due July 30, 2020. Please email the material to: contact@sudburyfoundation.org by 5:00 p.m. Grant decisions will be made on or before August 31, 2020.

Miscellaneous:
No formal grant report will be required, although we hope participating nonprofits will share their efforts with us and colleagues during an optional conference call.

Questions: Please contact Marilyn Martino: martino@sudburyfoundation.org

*Catchment Area: The program is open to 501(c)3 nonprofits based in or working primarily in the following MetroWest communities: Framingham, Hudson, Marlborough, Maynard, Acton, Lincoln, Natick, Stow, Concord, Wayland and Sudbury.

Posted on July 13, 2020

Congratulations 2020 Scholarships Recipients!

The Sudbury Foundation recently awarded Atkinson Scholarships to 15 outstanding high school seniors. They include:

Ethan del Rosario, Michaella DeSantis, Julie Eagan, Kyle Hammond, Allison Kim, Stephen Kossuth, Ranen Leung, Hayden Merrill, Jordan Otten, Katherine Palmer, Nayeli Pizarro, Ari Roth, Cailin Sallese, Madeleine Stephan and Sarah Synan.

Fourteen of the recipients will graduate from Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School and one, Sarah Synan, will graduate from Maynard High School.

The Atkinson Scholarship Program was established 25 years ago to recognize local students with financial need, academic promise and the capacity to make a meaningful contribution to society. Recipients receive $5,000 in scholarship assistance and an opportunity to reapply for support each year of their undergraduate academic career.

These students were selected because they embody the qualities valued by former Sudbury residents Herbert and Esther Atkinson, who established the Foundation in 1952 and for whom the scholarship is named.

“The Atkinsons were a modest couple who believed in private giving for the public good,” said Executive Director Marilyn Martino. “They were particularly interested in helping young people attend college. This year’s recipients were selected because of the promise they showed us through the rigorous application and interview process. We are delighted to welcome them into the Atkinson program and are pleased to entrust them with the Atkinsons’ legacy.”

This year the Foundation was also able to support an additional six, equally impressive, students with one-time Sudbury Foundation Scholarships. They include:

Grant Bordner, Erin Campbell, Michael Cavanaugh, Madison Cirillo, Aidan Hickey, and Gladys Manzira

Four of the Sudbury Foundation Scholarship recipients will graduate from Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School and two, Madison Cirillo and Erin Campbell, will graduate from Hudson High School.

“It goes without saying that these are all hard-working, diligent students who value education and the opportunities they’ve been afforded,” Martino said. “But beyond that, they are caring citizens who are poised to make a difference in the world.”

Congratulations and good luck to all!

Atkinson recipients:
Top (L-R): Ethan del Rosario, Michaella DeSantis, Julie Eagan, Kyle Hammond, Allison Kim
Middle (L-R): Stephen Kossuth, Ranen Leung, Hayden Merrill, Jordan Otten, Katherine Palmer
Bottom: (L-R) Nayeli Pizarro, Ari Roth, Cailin Sallese, Madeleine Stephan and Sarah Synan.

Posted on June 5, 2020