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CFInfo: Celebrating Regional Philanthropy
Dear Donors, Volunteers and Friends,
We are pleased to send you the November issue of CFInfo. This issue recaps our recent 20th Annual Meeting, annouces the awarding of $2.2 million in scholarships and loans, talks about a new philanthropy exhibit you won't want to miss and includes updated grant deadlines.
Best regards,
Ron Ancrum, President
CFinfo provides quick updates on initiatives and grants, reminds you of upcoming events as well as news about philanthropy at its best in the region. We hope you find this issue informative and welcome any feedback you would like to share with us.
| Community Foundation Holds 20th Annual Meeting |
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This year’s annual meeting brought together more than 400 people from throughout the Pioneer Valley to celebrate the year’s successes and honor our volunteers. The event opened with a moving performance by Evelyn Harris, formerly of Sweet Honey in the Rock, who sang two songs from Old Deerfield Production’s Truth.
Community Foundation Trustee Chair, Peter Daboul, then spoke about some of the Foundation’s accomplishments over the past year, including giving out close to $9.5 million in grants and scholarships last year.
Bruce Brown and Angela Wright receive
the Volunteer Engagement Award
The meeting was then turned over to several volunteers of the Community Foundation who spoke about what volunteering means to them. Robyn Newhouse spoke about how volunteering helps her feel connected to her community. Karin George went on to say that she volunteers, in part, to honor older generations of her family who instilled in her the value of education. Kamari Collins then spoke about the satisfaction that comes from being able to open doors for the next generation.
The honorees of the event, Bruce Brown and Angela Wright, were then presented with the Volunteer Engagement Award. Nancy Reiche, Vice President for Programs at the Community Foundation, spoke about their countless accomplishments and how their commitment and leadership have been assets to the community. Both Angela and Bruce expressed their appreciation for the honor and spoke about how much they have each gained personally from the experience of volunteering.
Community Foundation President Ron Ancrum then closed the meeting with his vision for the future, where he talked about how far the organization had come in just 20 years and how much more could be accomplished, building on the successes so far. The meeting was followed by a cocktail reception that gave attendees the opportunity to network.
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| More than $2.2 Million in Scholarships and Loans Awarded |
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This September, the Foundation was busy processing payments of more than $2.2 million in scholarships and loans for 842 individuals attending 162 colleges and universities in 23 states across the country. Each year, volunteers comprising the Foundation’s Scholarship Review team and the Education Committee spend weeks reading hundred of applications and making determinations for individual scholarship and loan recipients. That process is finally complete when enrollments are verified and checks are mailed to schools each September.
Schools located in the Pioneer Valley, once again, top the list of educational institutions receiving Community Foundation scholarship funds, with the University of Massachusetts at Amherst receiving nearly $300,000 this year to educate local residents. Other local schools at the top of the list for scholarship dollars this year are Western New England University, with $125,000 and Westfield State University with $116,000. Altogether, more than half of all scholarship and loan dollars that the Foundation granted this year, a full $1.3 million, remain in Massachusetts.
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| Springfield Museum Hosts Philanthropy Exhibit |
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 The Lyman & Merrie Wood Museum of Springfield History is currently featuring an exhibit recognizing the legacies of several Pioneer Valley philanthropists. The Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts created the exhibit to tell the stories of six generous individuals whose gifts have shaped our region and continue to benefit their communities today.
Six large photo panels displayed throughout the museum detail the success, generosity, and lasting impacts of Primus Mason, Everett Barney, George Walter Vincent Smith, Daniel Wesson, Sophia Smith, and Julia B. Buxton. The exhibit will be on display at the museum through November 20. The exhibit will then be made available to other venues for viewing.
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Competitive Grant Deadlines and Technical Assistance Workshops |
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The Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts has announced deadlines for this year’s competitive grants process:
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Thursday, August 2, 2012
Applications must be received by 5 p.m. on the date they are due.
There are also several technical assistance workshops scheduled to take place prior to the January 12 deadline. Anyone with questions or who would like an overview of the application process is welcome to attend one of the scheduled sessions below:
Community Foundation Offices
1500 Main Street, Suite 2300
Springfield, MA
November 2, 2011
2:00 – 3:00 p.m.
November 17, 2011
1:00 – 2:00 p.m.
Lilly Library, Meeting Room
19 Meadow Street
Florence, MA
December 13, 2011
11:00 a.m. – Noon
Greenfield Public Library, LeVanway Meeting Room
402 Main Street
Greenfield, MA
December 22, 2011
11:00 a.m. - Noon
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Thank you for your interest in the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts. If you would like to learn more please join our mailing list.
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