Season of giving: Wellesley organizations recognized with local grants

Wellesley-based organizations have been the recipients of much generosity this spring from local grant-giving organizations. The Swellesley Report is proud to be among the groups recognized as being worthy of support. Here’s a list of other groups that are doing the work for the good of the community.

Community Fund for Wellesley grants

The Swellesley Report is thrilled to announce that the Community Fund for Wellesley has supported our local news efforts with a grant. Thank you to the members of the Community Board for prioritizing local, reliable news coverage.

Swellesley is proud to be counted among the following organizations, which also received grants:

Art Wellesley
Boston Summer Opera
Charles River Watershed Association
Community Investors
Dignity Matters, Inc.
Gratis Healthcare, Inc.
Jane Does Well Org
Land’s Sake, Inc.
Massachusetts Horticultural Society
Minding Your Mind
OUT MetroWest
Walker Inc.
Wellesley A Better Chance
Wellesley Community Children’s Center
Wellesley Food Pantry
Wellesley Society of Artists, Inc.
Wellesley Symphony Orchestra
Wellesley Theatre Project
Wildflower, Inc.
The Human Relations Service

$500,000 for climate resilience in Wellesley and Charles River Watershed

charles river kayak trip — Charles River, Wellesley/Natick line

Wellesley town officials were joined by U.S. Representative Katherine Clark to celebrate the $500,000 federal earmark she secured to improve the Town of Wellesley’s tree canopy and bolster natural stormwater management throughout the Charles River Watershed. This funding will support implementation of the Charles River Climate Compact’s Regional Tree Protection and Planting Plan.

Cummings Foundation grants

The Cummings Foundation has awarded over $600 million in grants to nonprofits based in greater Boston.

Nearly all grants awarded through Cummings Foundation’s annual grant program are treated as general operating support, regardless of what was requested in the application. That means grantees may use funds wherever they are needed most—and do not need to report back on specific expenditures.

Elizabeth Seton has been awarded a $150k grant, spread over 3 years.

Metrowest Women’s Fund received $75,000 to provide resources to and build community among nonprofit organizations addressing the needs of women and girls in 34 Metrowest cities/towns, including Wellesley.

Haskins Automotive refurbishes a ride

Haskins Automotive in Wellesley has awarded a low mileage Mitsubishi Lancer donated by Peter and Catherine Fuller and refurbished by Robert Haskins and the great Haskins Automotive crew. Sabira, the car’s recipient, is a refugee from Afghanistan who arrived in the US three years ago and is now resettling other refugees working for Jewish Family Services.

Haskins Automotive, car donation — From left: Haskins representative; Sabira, and friend.

Wellesley College hires new VP

Wellesley College, VP finance — Heidi Vanderbilt-Brown

Wellesley College President Paula A. Johnson announced the appointment of Heidi Vanderbilt-Brown as the College’s next vice president for finance and administration and treasurer.

Vanderbilt-Brown, a senior executive with more than 15 years’ experience in leadership roles in both secondary and higher education, will oversee financial management of the College’s $289 million budget beginning September 1.

Vanderbilt-Brown currently serves as the chief financial and operating officer at Milton Academy and was previously associate director in the Office of Financial Strategy and Planning at Harvard University.

Firefighter safety grant awarded

The Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security’s Department of Fire Services earlier this spring announced a $19k Firefighter Safety Equipment Grant Awards for Wellesley. Thank you to our local fire departments for all the work they do everyday to keep our communities safe.