In 2015, the Westfield Foundation distributed over $317,000 in grants benefitting many arts organizations, health related programs, social service agencies/programs and education.
Grants from the Foundation help individuals and agencies launch promising civic projects so they can become sustainable agencies that meet a specific community need. The Board of Trustees will continue to seek projects that advance new initiatives and will have a substantial impact on the community and will have an enduring legacy for the community. The Foundation’s priority is capital projects and providing seed money to support new programs while continuing to provide smaller grants that assist existing agencies on an annual basis.
In the fourth quarter, the Foundation distributed over $77,000 to eight organizations. Grants were earmarked for such programs as the expansion of an after-school music program, new adult programming, counseling and support for veterans and scholarship funding for women who are trying to become self-sufficient and able to escape the cycle of domestic violence. Recipients include Music Counts, Inc., Liberty Science Center, YMCA Plainfield, Youth and Family Counseling Service, JCC of Central NJ, YWCA Eastern Union County, Jewish Family Service and Union County College.
Additionally, to honor the Westfield Foundation’s 40th anniversary, “Foundation
Park” is being developed, together with the Town of Westfield and assistance of Westfield landscape architect, Craig Stock. The community park is being developed in an open area near the South Avenue traffic circle. The park, with a paved patio, walkways and plantings, will be completed in 2016.
Please consider making a donation the Foundation’s annual campaign. Donations can be mailed directly to: Westfield Foundation, PO Box 2295, Westfield, NJ 07091.
If you have questions about making a donation or are interested in creating a ‘family legacy’ which would benefit the community for years to come, please contact Betsy Chance, Executive Director, by phone at 908-233-9787 or by email to foundation@westfieldnj.com.