Nonprofits from across the Island gathered at the Grange Hall on Tuesday for the Martha’s Vineyard Community Foundation’s annual Community & Impact grant celebration.
The foundation gave out $530,000 to 46 local organizations this year.
“We’re thrilled to be doing this,” Alec Walsh, the chair of the foundation’s board of directors, told the crowd. “We’re really struck by the strong sense of mission that you all have....You all strive to make the Island a better place to live, a stronger, more equitable community for all of us.”
The event began with a commemoration of Ron Rappaport, who died in June. Mr. Rappaport helped create the foundation’s endowment fund and served on its board for 20 years.
“Ron was a powerful force for good on the Island, but in particular for the nonprofit community,” said Paul Schulz, the community foundation’s executive director.
Mr. Rappaport’s daughter Julia spoke about how her father stressed the importance of giving back.
“During the 40 years I got to spend with him, there were, unfortunately, more times of uncertainty at the state, national or global level than I would have wished, but always dad’s reaction was the same. Think small. Act locally,” Ms. Rappaport said to the crowd.
Martha’s Vineyard Community Foundation’s grant money is shared across a wide array of organizations that tackle systemic issues on the local level including housing, healthcare and food insecurity.
Philippe Jordi, the CEO of Island Housing Trust, spoke to the Gazette about the essential role the foundation plays in the community.
“Things don’t just fall off the back of a truck,” he said. “It takes a lot hard work and volunteers and money....The Martha’s Vineyard Community Foundation is the foundation of philanthropic action on the Island. We’re so glad to be a recipient.”
Alexandra Bullen Coutts, executive director of ACE MV, said that this is one of her favorite events of the year.
“You get to see so many people doing so many great things on the Island,” she said.
ACE MV received a grant to help fund their work in language access, which includes providing interpreters.
As grant recipients were called to the podium to accept their awards, each one shared how the money will be used.
Carole Vandal spoke on behalf of the Aquinnah Cultural Center, and said the money would go towards school programming to educate Vineyard students about Wampanoag history and culture.
“This is our home and it’s difficult to find the places that we need to expand our museum, so we have so much gratitude to the foundation for helping us move forward and bring our education into the schools and keep our program running through the summer,” Ms. Vandal said.
Kelly Neadow, the YMCA’s director of program operations, said the grant money will help purchase a new pool accessibility chair.
“I’ve seen the incredible freedom the pool provides for anyone with mobility issues,” she said.
Ms. Neadow then gave Mr. Schulz and Elizabeth Bennett, the foundation’s program manager, swimming caps and let them know the Community Foundation is a part of the Y family.
Mr. Schulz praised the work the organizations do for the Vineyard.
“We get to honor the nonprofits that make the Island so special,” he said. “What’s unique about the Vineyard is the number of nonprofits we have.”
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