Melrose Nonprofits Receive Grants from the Foundation Trust

The Foundation Trust, a private operating foundation serving the Greater Boston area, is pleased to announce its 2019 grant recipients. This was the Foundation Trust’s inaugural grant cycle, and over $25,000 has been awarded in scholarships and grants to nonprofit organizations serving the community of Melrose.

Recipients were chosen from nonprofits and municipal programs operating in the Foundation Trust’s program areas, including overcoming trauma and adversity, empowering high-risk youth and communities, restoring dignity and quality of care for adults living with chronic conditions, and advancing inclusivity in the arts.

Dr. Joseph Spinazzola, Executive Director of the Foundation Trust, said “Melrose may be small, but it is mighty in how it cares for and celebrates its residents. The Melrose organizations receiving grants from the Foundation Trust this year have such positive impacts on the community and we are proud to support their ongoing efforts and the development of new programs.”

One of the grants will support a new artist in residence and will subsidize art classes for adults with disabilities at Follow Your Art Community Studio. “The Foundation Trust grant allows us to reach individuals that we otherwise couldn't,” shared Kris Rodolico, Executive Director of Follow Your Art Community Studio. “As a new organization, having funds dedicated to supporting artists with diverse needs and/or limited finances enables us to fulfill our mission to build a creative community that is open to all.”

The Foundation Trust is also excited to be involved in new programming in the community as well by supporting long-standing organizations such as the Melrose Human Rights Commission. “As the Commission embraces a more proactive approach to human rights awareness, this grant from the Foundation Trust will enable us to better meet the needs of our increasingly diverse community in the coming year,” commented Human Rights Commission Chairwoman, Maya Jamaleddine. The Foundation Trust grant to the Melrose Human Rights Commission will support their established Pride event and provide seed money to launch a new speaker series for the community.

A gift was also made to Mystic Valley Elder Services to support older adults and adults living with disabilities.

In addition to the grants awarded to organizations in Melrose, the Foundation Trust presented scholarships to several students at the St. Mary of the Annunciation School to allow them to continue their parochial education in spite of hardship.

Melrose was one of several communities reached within this year’s grant cycle. In total, more than $300,000 was distributed to over 35 small and medium-sized nonprofit organizations in the Greater Boston area.

To view the full list of 2019 grant recipients or to learn more about the Foundation Trust, visit www.FoundationTrust.org.