$100,000 in grants available for community projects

The second round of Harvard Allston Partnership Grant Funds totaling $100,000 are now available to community members and nonprofit groups to help support neighborhood improvement projects, cultural enrichment, and education programs benefiting the North Allston/North Brighton community.

Those interested in applying for grants can download grant applications.  Completed applications are due Oct. 15 and will be reviewed by the Harvard Allston Partnership Fund Committee, the seven-person, mayor-appointed group of community members.  Grant recipients will be announced in December.

The Harvard Allston Partnership Fund has already administered $100,000 in grants this year to six local nonprofit organizations serving Allston-Brighton.  The funds, distributed in June, are supporting existing programming at four North Allston/North Brighton neighborhood organizations: the Joseph M. Smith Community Health Center’s free health screenings and health education programs; scholarships for Allston-Brighton youth to participate in The Fishing Academy (TFA), a local fishing and mentoring program; Allston-Brighton Baby Diaper Pantry’s free diaper program and baby clothing and toy exchange; and the Charles River Watershed Association’s support of a project that will “green” a section of Everett Street between Holton and Brentwood streets in North Allston.

The Harvard Allston Partnership Fund has also helped create two new initiatives:  The Massachusetts Poetry Outreach Project is putting local poets into select classrooms in the Gardner Pilot Academy and introducing a new poetry reading series at the Allston Honan Branch library.  And a new group, Allston Brighton Arts Bridge, is now offering a multiweek “My Allston/Brighton” workshop for 15 local teenagers. This program will teach youth how to create an artistic project about their community, which will then be publicly screened.

“It was exactly what we were looking for,” said Kimberly Dawson, a graduate of Harvard’s Graduate School of Education and one of the program’s four founders. “When we got this grant it was just a huge blessing. … It’s really going to help us launch our organization.”

The partnership fund is one part of a cooperation agreement that has introduced new community programs and neighborhood improvements, such as the Harvard Allston Education Portal. More than 80 Allston-Brighton children are currently mentored by Harvard students there in science, math, and writing.

“Especially in these very challenging times, the value of these partnership funds cannot be understated,” said Kevin McCluskey, senior director of community relations for Boston. “We are proud of the positive impact that this fund and many other collaborative and supportive efforts have had on the quality of life in Allston.”

The partnership fund committee will begin accepting applications immediately.  Applications fall into two groups: up to $5,000 and $5,000-$25,000.  There will be two special technical assistance sessions to provide help with filling out applications for funding, one on Sept. 23 at 11 a.m. and one on Oct. 9 at 4 p.m. Both sessions will be held at the Harvard Allston Education Portal at 175 N. Harvard St.

Note: Applications are due by Oct. 15. Hard copy applications must be delivered to the Harvard Allston Education Portal by 4 p.m. Oct. 15.

For more information and access to the RFP for grants.