Press Release

Natick, Mass., Dec. 16, 2008 — Crossroads Community Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing the quality of family life in MetroWest, today announced its grants for 2008. Crossroads has distributed $100,000 to fund thirteen family support organizations and six arts and cultural organizations.

Family Support (Human Services)
 — $10,000 to Advocates, Inc., Framingham
 $10,000 to MetroWest Outreach Connection Inc., Framingham
 $10,000 to Natick Service Council, Natick
 $5,000 to Gaining Ground, Inc., Concord 
$5,000 to Open Table, Inc., Concord 
$5,000 to Women of Means, Wellesley $5,000 to Parenting Resource Associates, Lexington
 $5,000 to Employment Options, Inc., Marlborough 
$4,200 to Greater Waltham ARC, Waltham 
$4,000 to Household Goods Recycling of Massachusetts, Acton 
$3,000 to ACCION USA, Framingham 
$2,500 to A Place to Turn, Natick 
$1,300 to Framingham Court Mediation Services, Framingham.

Arts & Culture 
$10,000 to Danforth Museum of Art, Framingham, and The Center for Arts in Natick, for a partnership program 
$5,000 to Hudson Area Arts Alliance, Hudson 
$5,000 to Munroe Center for the Arts, Lexington 
$5,000 to The Golden Tones, Wayland 
$2,500 to Thoreau Farm Trust, Concord 
$2,500 to DeCordova Museum and Sculpture Park, Lincoln.

“We are pleased to continue our support of many wonderful non-profits in our region,” said Judy Salerno, executive director at Crossroads. “The evaluation process was especially difficult this year because of the increase in the number of grant proposals, but ultimately our distribution committee selected organizations with the greatest need or with a very valuable service to our communities.”

Some statistics of note about Crossroads’ 2008 grant cycle:
 Due to the current economic environment, Crossroads’ board of trustees opted to spend more than two-thirds of its discretionary funds ($70,000) on family support, providing aid for hunger relief, housing, unemployment and legal assistance, and mental health and special needs programs.

Crossroads established a new grant maximum of $10,000 this year, up from $5,000 in previous years. To make a significant impact, Crossroads chose to fund fewer non-profits but provide them with larger grants.

Of 29 family support applications received, Crossroads approved 13, or 49 percent. Sixteen applications were considered for arts and culture funding, and six were approved, or 37 percent.

“With government dollars for essential services in retreat, just as more people need them, funding from Crossroads has never been more decidedly important and deeply appreciated,” said Bill Taylor, president and chief executive officer of Advocates, Inc. “During the economic downturn Advocates will use Crossroads funds to help people preserve their housing.”

Crossroads also made substantial grants earlier in the year to two other giving areas: the environment and youth development. More than $500,000 was distributed to environmental groups in 2008, including the Sudbury Valley Trustees in conjunction with the Sudbury Foundation, and the Charles River Watershed Association in conjunction with ANP Blackstone Fund. Additionally, Crossroads’ Youth in Philanthropy (YIP) program enabled MetroWest high school students to give away more than $60,000 this year, to non-profits focusing on youth development programming.

About Crossroads

Crossroads Community Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing the quality of family life in MetroWest Massachusetts. The Foundation serves as a resource, leader and catalyst for philanthropy by connecting donors with non-profits, and non-profits with each other, across the region. Established in 1996 by a group of concerned individuals who saw a need for philanthropy in their own backyard, Crossroads now has more than $10 million in assets and has helped thousands of people in towns like Maynard, Framingham, Millis and Waltham. Our service area comprises more than two dozen towns west of Route 128 and east of Route 495. Crossroads is headquartered in South Natick.