The Watertown Community Foundation provided the following announcement:
As a result of a year-long strategic planning process, the Watertown Community Foundation (WCF) has realigned their grant program to focus on three key areas: Essential Needs to support Watertown’s most vulnerable residents; Community Engagement to increase access and engagement to community life and programs in Watertown, and Education and Youth Development.
“During 2024, the board and staff of the Watertown Community Foundation participated in a year-long strategic planning process to look at how well our grant programs were working for the Watertown community. Where were they strong? How could they be better? What new areas needed our support?” said Lauren Coughlin Unsworth, Board Co-President of the Foundation. “Guided by community feedback and ideas from our grantees, Watertown’s non-profit and school leaders, our elected officials, donors, and other community foundations in the state, we identified three areas where our funding could serve Watertown and make a positive difference.”
Watertown Community Foundation Awards $98,500 for Inaugural Essential Needs Grants
With the leadership of State Representative Steve Owens and the critical support of State Representative John Lawn and Senator Will Brownsberger, the Watertown Community Foundation received state funding to expand support and stabilization for vulnerable populations in Watertown. These funds, combined with Foundation support from the Fund for the Most Vulnerable and the Watertown Community Foundation Fund, were used to kickstart the new Essential Needs Grant program.
“The Watertown Community Foundation has the pulse on the broad need for rental assistance, food support, and emergency assistance across the Watertown community and collaborates closely with our city’s human service organizations. We knew these funds would make immediate difference in the lives of Watertown residents who need it most,” said Representative Steve Owens.
Following a discovery process with local programs and providers, the Foundation launched the Essential Needs Grant Program in February with an invitation-only application to human service organizations and programs in Watertown. We are proud to announce that grants will provide rental assistance for approximately 50 households through programs managed by Metro West Collaborative Development, the Watertown Housing Authority, and the Helen Robinson Wright Charitable Fund at First Parish of Watertown. Grants will also provide food security for approximately 300 older adults in Watertown who receive meals and nutrition support through Springwell’s Nutrition Program. Additionally, grants will enable both Wayside Youth and Family Support Network and the Watertown Police Department to immediately provide emergency assistance to approximately 200 people.
“When people struggle to make ends meet, these community organizations are poised to respond rapidly and work together with our city programs and schools to provide critical services that meet the basic needs of Watertown’s most vulnerable residents. Working in collaboration with our elected officials, we are proud to provide financial support at such a crucial time,” said Mary Ann Mulligan, Board Co-President and Grants Committee Chair.
Applications for Community Engagement Grants to Open April 1, 2025
The Foundation will launch the new Community Engagement grant program on April 1, 2025. These grants will work to increase access and engagement to the Watertown community and remove barriers to community-based programs and services. We encourage applications to support programs that foster intercultural communication, increase connection and understanding between people, and make it easier for Watertown residents to access programs, events, and places. You can learn more about Community Engagement grants on the Foundation’s website.
Education and Youth Development Grants will launch in 2026
The new Education and Youth Development Grant Program is currently under development and will be announced and launched in 2026. During 2025 the Foundation will conclude their final rounds of granting for Youth Sports Grants and School Program Grants. Youth Sports Grant recipients will be announced at the end of March and the applications for the 2025 School Program grants will open in November of 2025.
About Watertown Community Foundation
Through the power of transformative giving, the Watertown Community Foundation advances and supports positive change for the people who live and work in Watertown, Massachusetts. We envision a welcoming community where people of all backgrounds can thrive, connect, and contribute to the strength and resilience of our city. Started with funds from the sale of the Arsenal property in 2003 and grown by local giving and grants, the Foundation has awarded more than $3,000,000 in grants to end food insecurity, keep people housed, educate kids, lift-up the arts, sustain the environment, and break down barriers to bring people together. See our list of 2024 grantees here.
WCF Board of Directors
Lauren Coughlin Unsworth and Mary Ann Mulligan, Co-Presidents; Albrik Avanessian; Emily Barclay; Ninos Hanna; Eileen Hsü-Balzer; Nathalie Highland; Heather Leary; Kathryn Madden; Jennifer Nicholson, Anthony Paolillo; Dwayne Parmley; Leah Pennino; Lora Sabin; Robert Shay; David Siegel; and Felicia Sullivan.