Grafton Organizations Receive Grants from Tufts University Employees

From the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Tufts University: The Tufts Neighborhood Service Fund (TNSF) committee recently awarded $3,000 in grants to two programs in Grafton. TNSF collects donations from university employees throughout the year and then awards grants to community-based, charitable organizations that serve Tufts' host communities (Medford; Somerville; Grafton; and Boston's Chinatown, Fenway, and Mission Hill neighborhoods) and actively engage Tufts volunteers in their work.

A committee comprised of Tufts administrators, faculty and staff meets annually to review proposals and select grant recipients. In 2016, there was a total of approximately $19,046 available to distribute through TNSF. The committee received 55 proposals, and selected 36 programs and projects for awards. Members of the TNSF committee base their decisions on a desire to address the most pressing needs in the communities and to encourage expanded involvement of Tufts volunteers.

The Grafton grant recipients for 2016 are:

• Community Harvest - $1,000 for irrigation improvements
• St. James Outreach - $2,000 for food and services to assist residents in need

Award grants were also made to organizations in Tufts' host communities of Medford, Somerville, and the Boston neighborhoods of Chinatown and Mission Hill.

"Our host communities play an essential part in Tufts' mission as a university," said Tufts University President Anthony Monaco, speaking at an award ceremony to honor the grant recipients on Jan. 13. "Our commitment to active citizenship is an essential part of Tufts’ DNA, alongside education and research. We can't fulfill that commitment without close partnerships with our communities and the non-profit organizations supported by these awards."

TNSF is a giving option of the annual Tufts Community Appeal (TCA), in which the university encourages its employees to contribute to charitable organizations at the regional, national and international levels. The TCA unites faculty and staff across all campuses of the university, and demonstrates the support the Tufts community for local and global efforts. It reflects the university community's belief that individual action can make a difference in the world.

Questions regarding the Tufts Neighborhood Service Fund can be directed to the Office of Government and Community Relations at Tufts University online, or by phone at 617-627-3780.

About Tufts University

Tufts University, located on campuses in Boston, Medford/Somerville and Grafton, Massachusetts, and in Talloires, France, is recognized among the premier research universities in the United States. Tufts enjoys a global reputation for academic excellence and for the preparation of students as leaders in a wide range of professions. A growing number of innovative teaching and research initiatives span all Tufts campuses, and collaboration among the faculty and students in the undergraduate, graduate and professional programs across the university's schools is widely encouraged.

Photo Credit to Anna Miller, Tufts University: Tufts’ President Anthony Monaco at the award ceremony held in Medford