Next round of Boston Resiliency Fund grants announced

Mayor Martin J. Walsh and the Boston Resiliency Fund Steering Committee today announced the next round of Boston Resiliency Fund grants, totaling $472,984 in funding to 10 community organizations. Of the nonprofits receiving grants this round, 54 percent are led by a person of color and 27 percent are women-led. 

"The Boston Resiliency Fund has been vital to our response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Working in partnership with our nonprofit organizations has been fundamental to bringing resources and support directly to Bostonians in need," said Mayor Walsh. "Thank you to all of the community organizations who continue to work together with the City of Boston and help our most vulnerable residents."

Since launching the Boston Resiliency Fund in March, $33.2 million has been raised, and Mayor Walsh and the Boston Resiliency Fund Steering Committee has distributed $27.4 million to 351 organizations. Of the nonprofits to have received a grant, 54 percent are led by a person of color, 57 percent are women-led and 27 percent are immigrant-serving. A map and list of every organization that has received funding from the Boston Resiliency Fund can be found here.

"Mujeres Unidas Avanzando (MUA) appreciates the opportunity to partner with the Boston Resiliency Fund to give Latinx families as well as other English Language Learners (ELLs) in our community-based Adult Basic Education (ABE) and allied health training job program gift cards to buy nourishing food for their households," said Johannah Malone, Co-Director of Mujeres Unidas Avanzando. "MUA is beyond thrilled to see families have generous amounts on their gift cards to fill their cart with the foods they most like to eat, colorful produce, necessary toiletries that might otherwise stretch their household budgets, and a treat or two. Thank you, Boston Resiliency Fund!"   

"Six months later Boston families are continuing to struggle with the real life consequences of COVID-19. Layoffs, childcare issues, and a general reduction in income leave families with difficult choices about how to spend what they have," said Matt LiPuma, Executive Director of the Family Nurturing Center of Center. "Thanks to the Boston Resiliency Fund, Family Nurturing Center is continuing to provide families in its programs with food, diapers, and other personal items."

This round's grantees represent organizations working across the City of Boston to increase access to food and other basic needs: 

Breaktime: Breaktime will use the funding to increase their meal delivery capacity. Using this grant, Breaktime will distribute fresh produce and groceries to East Boston, Roxbury and Dorchester. They will also use this funding to empower young Bostonians experiencing homelessness with job opportunities. 

Boston BullPen Project Inc.: The Boston BullPen Project continues to help people avoid eviction, homelessness, food insecurity, technology deficits and medical crises while maintaining their dignity. Their partner agencies identify individuals/families in a crisis situation and they financially help prevent the crisis from worsening.

Cape Verdean Association of Boston: Using the Boston Resiliency Fund grant, the Cape Verdean Association of Boston will continue their distribution of groceries, fruits and vegetables, and PPE to families and seniors in need. 

Dress for Success Boston: Funding from the Boston Resiliency Fund will enable Dress for Success Boston to continue its Suiting Program virtually. Women who contact them for professional attire will be connected with a volunteer stylist via Zoom. Clothing will be paid for by Dress for Success Boston and shipped directly to the client. With funding from the Boston Resiliency fund, Dress for Success would be able to cover the cost of clothing that is purchased online.

Family Nurturing Center of MA: Using this grant from the Boston Resiliency Fund, the Family Nurturing Center will be able to continue to provide food, diapers, wipes, and cleaning supplies for families in need.

The Food Project: The Food Project will use this Boston Resiliency Fund grant to continue to grow and distribute affordable, nutritious food to residents all over Boston during their harvest season.

Mujeres Unidas Avanzando (MUA): Mujeres Unidas Avanzando (MUA) will use the grant from the Boston Resiliency Fund to purchase grocery store gift cards to distribute to low-income families.

New England Baptist Hospital: NEBH will use BRF funds to mitigate food insecurity by distributing prepared meals, grocery gift cards, and clothing to low-income families in Mission Hill and Roxbury, working with the Roxbury Tenants of Harvard, Maria Sanchez House and the Tobin Community Center. For elderly neighbors who are homebound, NEBH is coordinating fresh food/meal delivery weekly. Funds will also be used to purchase basic necessities such as cleaning supplies.

Wilahmena's Place Inc.: Wilahmena's Place Inc. will use this BRF grant to sustain their efforts to provide non-perishables, fresh fruit and vegetables, toiletries, sanitizer, soap, cleaning supplies and gift cards to students, elders and families in need, with a focus on the Grove Hall neighborhood. 

YMCA of Greater Boston: Using this Boston Resiliency Fund grant, the YMCA of Greater Boston will be able to continue the operation of meal sites at 11 area YMCAs, in addition to delivering grocery bags to schools and other community-based locations. 

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