Recipients of Tufts Neighborhood Service Fund (TNSF) grants pose with Tufts University President Anthony Monaco and members of the TNSF board. (Anna Miller/Tufts University)

Thirteen local community organizations were awarded nearly $6,225 in grants from the Tufts Neighborhood Service Fund (TNSF). The TNSF collects donations from faculty and staff at Tufts University throughout the year and then awards small grants to community-based, charitable organizations that serve Tufts’ host communities.

The 13 Somerville grant recipients are:

–          Boys & Girls Club (Somerville) – $500 for a new digital camera for the photography club

–          Community Action Agency Somerville – $500 in support of the Homelessness Prevention Program

–          CASPAR – $500 to purchase new supplies, including sheets, blankets and towels

–          Catholic Charities – $500 towards the purchase of a new freezer

–          Groundwork – $250 to install pollinator gardens and outdoor classrooms at a Somerville public school

–          Mystic Learning Center – $500 to reimburse the staff of the youth mentoring program

–          Parts and Crafts – $250 to fund materials for a week-long program on robotics

–          Second Chances – $500 to help build capacity by purchasing new collection bins

–          Somerville Cambridge Elder Services (SCES) – $500 in funding for evening, weekend and emergency home-delivered meals for elders

–          Somerville Community Growing Center – $250 to purchase supplies for international herbs and annual plantings

–          Somerville Food Security – $700 in food and supplies

–          Somerville High School – $275 for chemistry teacher Susan Schmidt’s class trip to the Diablo Glass School

–          Somerville Homeless Coalition (SHC) – $1,000 for the purchase and installation of a security camera

“We’re very grateful to the TNSF for their continued support of our food pantry program,” said Rachel Weil, Project SOUP Manager at the Somerville Homeless Coalition. “This grant will help us ensure the safety of our pantry and the staff, a precaution that will further the sustainability and longevity of our program that serves many in our community.”

A committee comprised of Tufts administrators, faculty and staff meets annually to review proposals and select grant recipients. 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.

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.