Four Boston Family Foundations Give $1.1 Million to Nonprofits Serving Hard-Hit Residents
Four Boston Family Foundations Give $1.1 Million to Nonprofits Serving Hard-Hit Residents
Four family foundations in the Boston area have awarded $1.1 million to foodbanks, fuel-assistance programs, and other nonprofit organizations to help bridge the gap caused by shrinking donations during the holiday season, the Boston Globe reports.
The Boston-based Eos Foundation, which works to alleviate poverty in the region, had intended to award $100,000 for basic needs but decided to increase that amount in light of increased fuel and food costs and the mortgage-foreclosure crisis. To expand the effort, the foundation reached out to the Highland Street Foundation in Framingham, the Boston-based Paul and Phyllis Fireman Foundation, and a third organization that has chosen to remain anonymous.
Some thirty nonprofits will receive grants from the foundations, with approximately $400,000 going to the Greater Boston Food Bank. Funds will also be used to help area families struggling to pay their mortgage or rent, as well as support increased staffing for area hotlines.
Earlier this fall the Greater Boston Food Bank, which serves 600 food assistance programs in 190 communities in eastern Massachusetts, surveyed 163 providers and found that more than 90 percent reported an increase in need, while more than half reported a decline in donations.
"This is the new landscape in philanthropy," said Silbert. "The need, it's off the charts, and we're only in November. We're hearing from foodbanks that they're seeing a whole new group of people coming in...people who are just above the poverty level and working, but can't make ends meet."
Ballou, Brian.
“Charity Groups to Increase Aid.”
Boston Globe
11/25/08.
Primary Subject: Philanthropy and Voluntarism
Secondary Subject(s): Human Services, Economic Crisis
Location(s): Boston, Massachusetts
FC012726
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