E-Newsletter:  October 2011

From the Executive Director—Many Options to Impact Our Community

This month I am thinking a lot about all the ways the Foundation provides value to our region. Like other community foundations we play a variety of roles: convener and catalyst across municipal boundaries; source of information on needs and the organizations that meet them; supporter of, and resource for, nonprofits; and facilitator of local philanthropy.

In the latter role, the Foundation serves as a vehicle to help both organizations and individuals achieve their own, personal missions. We do this by providing a variety of options that make it easy for donors to leave a lasting legacy.

The Newton South High School Alumni Gift Fund, featured in our newsletter this month, is a great example of how we can help a group of individuals achieve their mission. The story illustrates how working with the Foundation makes it easy to go from concept to reality. The Class of 1965 Gift Committee first contacted us and shared what they wanted to do in late May 2011. We were accepting gifts and managing the fund in early July.

The Foundation for MetroWest offers simple, innovative solutions to help you impact the causes you care about most. With all the options for giving that are available to you, there is no better place to give than right here.

Best wishes,
Judy Salerno
Executive Director

Fund Spotlight--Newton South High School Alumni Give Back

It’s only natural. As retirement approaches, you do a lot of reminiscing about the good times you’ve had. And you think about the legacy you’d like to leave.

So it has been for the Newton South High School Class of 1965. Members started to realize that in only 4 more years it will be time for their 50-year reunion. They remembered classmates who are no longer with them. And they started to think about what they could do now to leave a part of themselves behind.

“We tend to feel we are coming full circle, “says Steven Lerman, Chair of the Newton South High School Class Gift Committee. “As time has passed, we have appreciated the high school education we received and what a special class we had more and more.”

A movement was born. Within a month, roughly 175 classmates were sharing emails, making suggestions, and supporting the idea of giving back. They discovered, to their amazement, that no class in the history of Newton South High School had ever put together a serious gift campaign. They became determined to be the first.

The result is the establishment of the Newton South High School Alumni Gift Fund. The goal is to raise at least $100,000 for two purposes: to upgrade the technology in three classrooms and to endow a scholarship for a graduating senior. The fund is set up so that additional monies can be added if other classes choose to establish their own gift funds.

“Having the Foundation for MetroWest manage our fund is a great advantage for us, “says Steven. “We wanted an organization that understands professional management, has an investment committee, is respected in the community, and has a sense of fiduciary responsibility. The Foundation meets these criteria. It accepts and acknowledges our donations, and will release the funds at our request.”

The creation of the Newton South High School Alumni Gift Fund was celebrated with the symbolic presentation of a check to Principal Joel Stembridge at the 46th reunion this past September. The Class of 1965 hopes to award their first scholarship at graduation in 2012.

Sharing the News—Charles River Watershed Wins Riverprize

Congratulations to the Charles River Watershed for winning the International Riverprize, the world’s most prestigious environmental award! This award recognizes the 46 years of work done by this organization to transform the “Dirty Water” Charles River into one of the cleanest urban rivers in the United States. Read all about this wonderful recognition>

Meet Boston Society of Young Philanthropists

William Berry, Wealth Planning Resources, at BSYP inaugural event

The Boston Society of Young Philanthropists (BSYP) is an up-and-coming initiative dedicated to involving the next generation of leaders in active philanthropy in their local communities. Through social gatherings, networking, and volunteer events, BSYP provides young professionals in the Greater Boston area with the information, resources, and leadership necessary to engage them in charitable giving, while raising funds and awareness for local nonprofit organizations.

On October 5th, BSYP held its inaugural event at Gordon’s Fine Wine and Culinary Center in Waltham. SmallCanBeBig was chosen as the first nonprofit to receive donations from the group. The evening included gourmet delights created and served by Ian Grossman, General Manager of Sweet Cheeks.

David Gordon, Tru.ly and Ian Grossman, Sweet Cheeks.

SmallCanBeBig provides a one-time charitable donation to hardworking members of the community who find themselves in a difficult position. BSYP raised $1,250, and 100% of the proceeds went towards paying a family’s October mortgage.

Founded in the summer of 2011, BSYP is spearheaded by co-founders, Cori Rosenberg and David Gordon and a founding committee of 8 young professionals who embody the philanthropic spirit. Their passion and commitment leads BSYP to look forward and give back. To get involved, email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). To make a donation, please use this link and indicate BSYP in the comments field. Follow BSYP on Twitter @BostonSYP.

A few BSYP Founding Members: Andre Dixon, Cori Rosenberg and Eric Ritvo.

Upcoming Board Trainings

Register now for Building Your Resources: The Board’s Role in Fundraising, offered on Friday, December 9. Led by nonprofit consultants Cahners and Donahue, these courses are designed for an Executive Director or senior staff member accompanied by one or more board members. Both courses are being held in the Wakelin Room of the Wellesley Free Library.

Community Events

The following is just a short list of MetroWest events that may be of interest. Consult our Community Calendar for a complete listing.

Arts Alliance, “Once Upon a Broomstick”, October 28-30, matinees and evenings
Danforth Museum, “A Matter of Taste”, Saturday, November 5, 7:00-10:00 pm
MetroWest Legal Services, 35th Anniversary Celebration, Tuesday, November 8, 5:30-8:30 pm
Charles River Watershed Association, Volunteer for Monthly Water Quality Monitoring Program, Tuesday, November 15, 6:00 am
Framingham Union Aid Association, Holiday Bazaar, Friday, November 18, 9:00 am to 3:00 pm

Submit an Event

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