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Community Foundation for MetroWest

Annual Giving
$3.5M
Grant Range
$5K - $0.0M
Decision Time
4mo

Community Foundation for MetroWest

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $3.5-4.2 million (varies by year)
  • Total Assets: $32.9 million (2024)
  • Grant Range: Up to $10,000 (Arts & Culture), Up to $20,000 (Human Services)
  • Decision Time: Approximately 3-4 months (September deadline to December notification)
  • Geographic Focus: 33 cities and towns in MetroWest Massachusetts region

Contact Details

Overview

Established in 1995 as the Crossroads Community Foundation, the Community Foundation for MetroWest is the only community foundation serving the 33 cities and towns in the MetroWest region of Massachusetts, encompassing 700,000 residents from Westborough to Waltham and Acton to Walpole. With over $32 million in assets comprising more than 150 funds, the foundation has distributed over $35 million to more than 1,000 nonprofits since inception. In 2024, the foundation awarded $3.5 million in grants to over 460 nonprofit organizations. The foundation received recognition for its work, including a $525,000 grant from the Barr Foundation to support their ARTbuilds MetroWest initiative. Executive Director Jay Kim was named one of the 50 Most Influential Business Leaders of Color by the Charles River Regional Chamber.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Human Services Grant Program (Up to $20,000)

  • One-time general operating grants awarded annually
  • Formerly known as Family Support
  • Application opens August, deadline September, decisions December
  • Apply via online grant portal

Arts & Culture Grant Program (Up to $10,000)

  • One-time general operating grants awarded annually
  • Application opens August, deadline September, decisions December
  • Apply via online grant portal

Hunger Relief Grant Program

  • Supports approximately 70 organizations across 33 communities
  • Application opens August, deadline September, decisions December
  • Apply via online grant portal

Youth Development Grant Program

Environment Grant Program

  • Currently by invitation only (not accepting open applications)
  • Focus on water infrastructure and climate resilience
  • Contact grants@foundationformetrowest.org for inquiries

Priority Areas

Human Services: Organizations addressing poverty and homelessness, hunger, mental illness, domestic violence, underemployment, lack of affordable housing, reliable transportation, and linguistically appropriate services. Strong interest in prevention-based models serving under-resourced or underrepresented individuals.

Arts & Culture (2025 Priorities):

  • Access to arts education for under-resourced and under-represented residents
  • Celebrating and preserving the region's history and cultural heritages
  • Encouraging community participation in arts and cultural activities
  • Promoting arts and culture as an engine of social and economic vitality
  • Fostering innovation, community collaboration, and community-driven programming

Hunger Relief: Organizations working across the food system including food pantries, community meal programs, farm-to-community initiatives, food rescue and gleaning operations.

Environment: Water-related environmental issues, climate resiliency coalitions, watershed protection, and green infrastructure practices.

What They Don't Fund

  • Organizations outside the 33 MetroWest communities
  • Organizations without 501(c)(3) status or eligible fiscal sponsor
  • Youth Development grants are by invitation only (no open applications)
  • Environment grants currently not accepting applications

Governance and Leadership

Executive Director: Jay Kim

Upon his appointment, Jay Kim stated: "The Foundation for MetroWest has been a critical connector and partner for the cities and towns that comprise our region for the past 25 years, and I am passionate about ensuring our communities have a strong community foundation... We are committed to improving the quality of life for everyone in our area and will continue to advance that important mission."

He has also noted: "As a community foundation, we serve as a bridge that connects donors, nonprofits, and MetroWest leaders to drive positive change across the region."

Board Officers:

  • Chair: Roland Hoch (Concord) - Vice President and Partner of Global Organics, LTD
  • Vice Chair: Susan Kavoogian (Wellesley)
  • Secretary: Chris Gullotti (Sudbury) - Financial Advisor, Canby Financial Advisors
  • Treasurer: Jackie Christiano (Wellesley)
  • Audit Committee Chair: Steve Sheinkopf (Boston)

Board Members: Dana Neshe (President/CEO, Middlesex Savings Bank), Christine Schuster (President/CEO, Emerson Health), Jennifer Leisman Dessert, Craig Santos (Senior Director, MathWorks), Katherine Garrahan (Partner, Bowditch & Dewey), Kathryn Fagin, and others from across the MetroWest region.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

  1. Review the program guidelines (PDF available on the foundation website for each program)
  2. Attend an information session (offered in August; recordings available)
  3. Submit application through the online Grant Portal at grantinterface.com
  4. Contact the Program Team with questions at grants@foundationformetrowest.org

Annual Grant Cycle Timeline

MilestoneDate
Applications OpenAugust 4
Information Session 1August 7
Information Session 2August 20
Application DeadlineSeptember 12 (5:00 p.m. ET)
Award NotificationsDecember

Eligibility Requirements

  • Must be tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or have an eligible fiscal sponsor
  • Must serve one or more of the MetroWest cities and towns: Acton, Ashland, Boxborough, Carlisle, Concord, Dedham, Dover, Framingham, Harvard, Holliston, Hopkinton, Hudson, Lexington, Lincoln, Marlborough, Maynard, Medfield, Medway, Millis, Natick, Needham, Sherborn, Southborough, Stow, Sudbury, Walpole, Waltham, Wayland, Wellesley, Westborough, Weston, and Westwood

Decision Timeline

Applications submitted by the September deadline receive notification of decisions in December, approximately 3-4 months after submission.

Application Success Factors

Alignment with Foundation Vision: The foundation prioritizes organizations that serve under-resourced or underrepresented individuals and households. Demonstrate how your organization addresses identified community challenges such as poverty, homelessness, hunger, mental illness, domestic violence, underemployment, and lack of affordable housing or services.

Focus on Prevention: The foundation has a strong interest in supporting organizations focused on prevention-based models. Frame your work in terms of addressing root causes where possible.

Regional Impact: Clearly demonstrate service to one or more of the 33 MetroWest communities. The foundation uses data from Impact MetroWest (their regional data initiative) to assess community needs.

Attend Information Sessions: The foundation offers information sessions in August to help applicants understand the process and priorities. Recordings are available for those who cannot attend live.

Recent Funded Examples:

  • The Edinburg Center: $12,500 for human services supporting individuals with mental health concerns and developmental disabilities
  • Political Asylum/Immigrant Representation Project (PAIR): First-time recipient through Human Services
  • Charles River Watershed Association: Support for climate compact work
  • Discovery Museum, Amazing Things Arts Center, Cultural Alliance of Medfield: Arts & Culture grants

Equitable Access: The foundation envisions "a diverse and inclusive community where there are no barriers to accessing life changing or enhancing resources and services." Demonstrate commitment to equitable access in your programming.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • One annual cycle: Applications open August 4, deadline September 12, notifications in December—plan accordingly for this single annual opportunity
  • General operating grants: Most programs provide unrestricted general operating support (up to $10,000 for Arts & Culture, up to $20,000 for Human Services)
  • Geographic requirement is strict: Organization must serve one or more of the 33 specified MetroWest communities
  • Use their language: Focus on "equitable access," "under-resourced and underrepresented residents," and "prevention-based models"
  • Attend information sessions: Shows engagement and helps you understand current year priorities
  • Youth Development is invitation-only: Contact grants@foundationformetrowest.org directly if your organization serves youth
  • Environment grants paused: Currently not accepting open applications for environmental work—inquire via email if relevant
  • Strong track record: The foundation has distributed over $35 million to 1,000+ nonprofits since 1995, demonstrating sustained commitment to the region

References

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