Non-profit community organizations in Somerville are invited to apply for 2012 grants from the Tufts Neighborhood Service Fund (TNSF).  TNSF collects donations from faculty and staff throughout the year and then awards small grants to community-based, charitable organizations that serve Tufts’ host communities (Somerville, Medford, Grafton and Boston’s Chinatown).

Applicants must also have Tufts volunteers actively working with their organizations. In this way, TNSF supports not only community organizations, but also the work of the many Tufts students, staff, faculty, and alumni who volunteer with them.

Last year, 29 programs and projects in Tufts’ host communities were granted awards. The funds supported a wide range of programs and projects in each community including support for the design of a new agricultural site in Somerville, the creation of a public service announcement on dating violence for youth in Boston’s Chinatown, installation of power generators at a residential facility for people with developmental disabilities in Grafton, and providing food pantry supplies for those in need in Medford.

The Tufts Neighborhood Service Fund is a giving option for members of the Tufts community during the Tufts Community Appeal.  Each year, employees of Tufts University are asked to contribute to charitable organizations that provide service locally, nationally and internationally.

Interested organizations should contact the Community Relations office at Tufts University (617) 627-3780 to request an application.  Application materials are also available online at the following web address: http://communityrelations.tufts.edu/tufts-neighborhood-service-fund.

Individual grants will be made in amounts ranging from $250 to $2,000.  Applications are due by November 16, 2012, and awards will be announced before the New Year.