Westfield – For 45 years, the Westfield Foundation has provided funding support in the areas of the arts, health, aging, historic preservation, social services and civic projects. The Foundation has granted $7,200,000 to over one hundred local organizations in and around Westfield.
For the first quarter of the 2020, the Foundation granted $104,200 from their general fund and additional $17,465 from the Irna Wagner and Lydia Hoffart Fund. The trustees granted funds to 6 local organizations, including: New Jersey Festival Orchestra, Roosevelt Intermediate School in Westfield, Mostly Music, Somerset Co. YMCA, Jewish Family Services, and the Westfield United Fund. These funds include the support of outreach programs, equipment for a STEM lab, after school childcare, and repair of a recreational area. The Westfield Foundation donated $30k to the We Love Local fund. The fund was established to assist independently owned local businesses in Westfield impacted by COVID. The Wagner/Hoffart Fund, established in 2011, grants funds to organizations serving senior citizens. The recipients were Arts by the People and Jewish Family Services.
The time of COVID fully hit the Westfield area during the second quarter of 2020. The Foundation granted $69,550 to 9 local organizations. Recipients included Trinitas Hospital Foundation, Community Access Unlimited, Emmanuel Cancer Foundation, Union County College Foundation, Elizabeth Coalition to House the Homeless, Reeves-Read Arboretum and the Westfield Service League. The funds helped to purchase COVID equipment, provide emergency funds for organizations, roof repair for a local service organization as well as provide scholarships for summer youth employment programs.
In addition to supporting capital projects of established social service agencies in the community, the Westfield Foundation has also been and important resource of ‘seed money’ for smaller organizations and emerging needs. Programs started with seed money include: IMAGINE NJ, Roots & Wings, Westfield Symphony Orchestra (now the NJ Festival Orchestra, the WHS Ice Hockey team, and the WHS Rowing Club. The Foundation also established the Foundation Park for the Westfield community.
Creating a Westfield Foundation Donor-Advised Fund is one way for your family to leaving a legacy to the Westfield community. By creating a family fund, you make it possible to leave a permanent legacy for your philanthropic interest. Money to support the Foundation’s mission and grant distribution has been and continues to be provided by concerned and caring citizens of Westfield.
Donate today to help others in need. Secure donations can be made directly here: https://thewestfieldfoundation.com/donate-now/.