In 2017 the Community Foundation awarded over $160,000 to local nonprofits through the Nantucket Fund™. Over 50% of these grants in the past two years were directed where our community told us the needs were the greatest – Mental Health/Substance Abuse Services, Access to Affordable Housing and Affordable Quality After-School Childcare.
In addition to our annual grants cycle in July, we were thrilled to announce a matching grant from the Foundation’s Nantucket Fund to Nantucket Food, Fuel, and Rental Assistance. This fall we matched any gift made to NFFRA up to $10,000.
The Nantucket Fund grant was matched more than three times over, and raised over $40,000 to help provide direct support to Nantucketers.
Victoria McManus, President of the Community Foundation, Community Foundation Staff, and Nantucket Food, Fuel and Rental Assistance Staff and Circle of Friends.
“This grant is an example of the Nantucket Fund’s ability to help organizations build the capacity to succeed. As we head into the winter months, the work of the Nantucket Food, Fuel, and Rental Assistance is acutely important. We are grateful that investors in the Nantucket Fund made it possible for us to respond to future and immediate needs of our community as well as the individual donors who went above and beyond to help NFFRA,” writes Victoria McManus, President of the Community Foundation.
The Nantucket Food, Fuel, and Rental Assistance is the new name of the Nantucket Interfaith Council’s outreach programs. To learn more about the incredible work they do visit their new website: www.assistnantucket.org.
“This grant is an important signal of the power of philanthropy to rally around the needs of the people who live on the island. The Nantucket Fund matching grant played a critical role in helping us launch our annual appeal and will help us provide much needed services to Nantucketers, year round!” Janis Carreiro, Executive Director of the new Nantucket Food, Fuel and Rental Assistance nonprofit.
Thank you to all who helped us give back in 2017. This year was an incredible year for the Nantucket Fund and we look forward to continuing to make a difference on Nantucket in 2018 and beyond!