Campus & Community

Faust, Walsh honor local nonprofits

3 min read

Harvard Allston Partnership Fund presents $100,000 in grants

Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh joined Harvard President Drew Faust at the Harvard Ed Portal in Allston on Thursday to honor the latest Harvard Allston Partnership Fund (HAPF) grant recipients. Grants totaling $100,000 were awarded to 12 local nonprofits that support programs in the Allston-Brighton community. Since its creation in 2008, the Harvard Allston Partnership Fund has provided $800,000 in grants to local organizations, supporting programs for more than 4,300 Allston-Brighton residents.

The program, established by Harvard University and the city of Boston, in collaboration with the Allston community, was created to support nonprofit organizations providing neighborhood improvement projects, cultural enrichment, and educational programming for residents living in North Allston-Brighton. This year’s awards provide support for educational programs, youth enrichment activities, arts programming, engaging activities for families, health and wellness programs, and English literacy classes.

“The 12 organizations being honored by the Harvard Allston Partnership Fund are making a positive difference in the lives of our neighbors in Allston-Brighton, and I am proud of the role that the University is playing in supporting their important work,” said Faust. “Learning is a lifelong pursuit, and this program gives more people access to opportunities to grow as individuals and as members of the broader community.”

“The Harvard Allston Partnership Fund is a key component of the well-being of our local Allston-Brighton community,” said Walsh. “Because of Harvard’s generosity and their continued dedication to philanthropy, local organizations that deserve recognition for their work toward the improvement of our neighborhoods are able to receive the support they need.”

“Harvard’s Partnership Fund grant will fund the majority of our PAL Soccer operating costs, so kids in Allston-Brighton can to develop their athletic, teamwork, and leadership skills playing a game that they love,” said Frank Hughes of the Boston Police Athletic League, which received one of this year’s grants.

The recipients of the eighth round of HAPF grants are:

Big Sister Association of Greater Boston to match 17 girls within the impact area with mentors.

Boston Police Athletic League/PAL Soccer for equipment for the youth soccer league in Allston/Brighton.

Boston String Academy to provide an after-school string program and offer performance opportunities to elementary school students at the Gardner Pilot Academy.

CommonWheels to provide bicycle classes, workshops, and events for adults and children from North Allston/Brighton.

Community Call to empower high schools students to identify a social need, develop a plan, and produce an event that benefits the broader community.

Family Nurturing Center to maintain and grow two existing playgroups serving roughly 50 families in North Allston-Brighton and to help fund a parent training class.

Friends of the Honan-Allston Library to provide sewing instruction to about 50 people.

FriendshipWorks for elder programs to help connect elders to the community. This will fund outreach activities.

Gardner Pilot Academy to support 17 fully funded and partially funded after-school enrichment program slots. The fiscal agent is the YMCA of Greater Boston.

The Literacy Connection to provide tutoring in English literacy and citizenship preparation to 13 adults who live in Allston-Brighton.

West End House Camp for scholarships for 10 boys to attend overnight summer camp for two weeks.

West End House Girls Camp for scholarships for five girls to attend overnight summer camp.

A volunteer board of community members recommends funding decisions to the Boston Redevelopment Authority following careful review of all completed grant applications.

Applications for the next round of awards will be made available this coming fall.