Beacon Hill Community Grant Application Period Extended to October 31st
In 2019, the Beacon Hill Civic Association (“BHCA”) decided that a special purpose fund – the Beacon Hill Community Fund (“Community Fund”) – should be created within the BHCA for the purpose of making annual grants to community-based Beacon Hill, Cambridge Street and adjacent neighborhood non-profit organizations, community development corporations, and other civic groups dedicated to promoting and enhancing quality of life in the community.
The Community Fund’s initial assets were those amounts originally received from the 250 Cambridge Street Corporation, which has now dissolved, as well as additional amounts which have been earned through the investment of such amounts. It is anticipated that the Community Fund’s assets will continue to grow over time.
The BHCA determined that such grants would be for projects and programs for residents involving the arts and education, youth sports and recreation, day care centers, playgrounds, activities for seniors and persons with special needs and disabilities, community gardens and spaces, affordable housing, social services, and whatever else the BHCA Board of Directors (“Board”) might deem appropriate that would serve the public interest.
The management of the grant-making from the Community Fund will be done by the Executive Committee of the BHCA, and the determination of all grant recipients and grant amounts by the Executive Committee would be subject to full Board approval. In addition, each member of the Executive Committee must disclose any potential personal and family conflicts, including service on boards or as officers of potential grant recipients, under the BHCA’s own Policy on Conflicts of Interest, prior to determining any grant recipients or amounts, and that Board members are subject to the same disclosure requirements.
For an initial period of three years, beginning in 2019, the annual grants from the Community Fund will total no more than $20,000, and that after each three year period thereafter, the recommended total annual grants amount can be revisited and adjusted as deemed appropriate by the Board. In most instances, grants from the Community Fund will be in increments of $2,500 to $10,000, depending on beneficiaries and needs, but that grant amounts can be lower than $2,500 or higher than $10,000 higher as deemed appropriate by the Executive Committee, subject to full Board approval. Grants can be made in two to three year installments where appropriate, in limited circumstances, but grant recipients will not be perpetually funded so as to make funds available for a variety of other initiatives. Grants can be awarded to an array of initiatives, from summer youth camps to community events, senior programs and scholarships.
To find out more about the Beacon Hill Community Grant and how to apply, visit www.bhcivic.org/community-fund.
Upcoming BHCA Meetings
Parks & Public Spaces Meeting – Today, Thursday, September 19th, 6 pm, 74 Joy Street
Events Committee Meeting – Tuesday, September 24th, 6 pm, 74 Joy Street
Special Traffic & Parking Meeting – Thursday, September 26th, 6 pm, 74 Joy Street
Other upcoming BHCA Events
BHCA Fall HillFest – Sunday, September 22nd
Young Friends Social – Wednesday, September 25th
Visit the Beacon Hill Civic Association website bhcivic.org or call the office (617-227-1922) for further details on any of these events, and for information about joining the BHCA.