Monthly Newsletter                                                                                              September 2015
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In This Issue
COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP BREAKFAST 2015
Tickets Available for 2015 Community Leadership Breakfast
We hope that you'll join us for our fourth annual, Community Leadership Breakfast on October 23, 2015 from 7:30 - 9:30 AM. The breakfast will feature a keynote address by Gary Hirshberg, Chairman of Stonyfield Farm and 'Just Label It.' Wellesley resident and serial entrepreneur, Ben Fischman will also be honored as the Foundation's Young Philanthropist for his dedication and commitment to local charitable causes.  

This event, chaired by David M. Shuman, Managing Director of KLR (Kahn, Litwin, Renza & Co., Ltd.) and Foundation for MetroWest trustee is sure to be full of inspirational speeches and networking opportunities for professionals from all industries, company sizes and levels of leadership. Shuman says of the event, "The Community Leadership Breakfast is an opportunity for like-minded, philanthropic business leaders to spend a morning focusing their attention on collaborating for the greater good. This is the sort of high-caliber networking that is important for our communities and shouldn't be missed.

Mark your calendar and plan to join us for this exciting opportunity to explore the essential connection between businesses and community philanthropy. Tickets are available now
 
IMPACT
Learn more about hunger in MetroWest
This summer, we launched a $55,000 Summer Hunger Challenge to support the Foundation's MetroWest Hunger Relief Fund, and because of the generosity of people like you we have been able to distribute more than $110,000 to 51 MetroWest hunger relief agencies in 30 cities and towns - Thank you! 
  
To honor and celebrate the important work of our grantees, we invite you to join us for a Panel Talk titled "Hunger in MetroWest." This inaugural event is being co-sponsored by the Bentley Service-Learning Center and will be held on:

Wednesday, October 7, 2015
4:00 - 5:30 PM
Executive Dining Room (LAC 395) at Bentley University
175 Forest Street, Waltham, MA

The panel will be moderated by Dr. Jonathan White, Director of the Bentley Service-Learning Center. Panelists will include representatives from the following organizations:


This event is free and open to all who are interested in learning more about hunger in our region and the work being done in our community to address this need. We hope you'll join us for an afternoon of discussion and celebration! 
STRENGTHENING OUR COMMUNITY
Friends of the Foundation 
Laura Slotpole: YIP Alumna becomes Foundation Donor
In her sophomore year of high school, Laura Slotpole of Weston joined a community service club at Babson College where she heard a presentation about the Foundation's Youth in Philanthropy program. Inspired by what she learned, Laura signed up for the program where she quickly became a strong leader within the group. With a deepened appreciation of community philanthropy and a passion to get more involved in the work of the Foundation, Laura chose to complete two internships under the guidance of Foundation staff. Recently, Laura was recognized with a citation from the Massachusetts Governor's Office for her exceptional service to others.

As she departed the Foundation, staff wished Laura good luck with her Freshman Year at Dickinson College. But before she left, Laura once again demonstrated her outstanding commitment to community by using her graduation money to make a gift to the Foundation. "My parents always encouraged my brother and me to give to places that are important to us. The Foundation for MetroWest is very near and dear to me, and since I couldn't be around to continue interning, I figured making a gift to the Foundation was the best way to keep helping." 

Currently, Laura is actively involved in many community service organizations on campus and is dedicated to using her talents to make the world a better place. Please join us in wishing Laura the best of luck in her future endeavors by leaving her a message on our Facebook page here
Grants in Action: Employment Options, Inc. 
Employment Options, Inc. is an agency with a mission to empower individuals in recovery to thrive in their community. One of their social enterprise organizations, Cleaning Options provides full-service cleaning for commercial venues with experienced crews in all types of cleaning from small and large office buildings to industrial setting. They were awarded a $10,000 seed grant to support this program from the Foundation's Fund for Families. 

"We know our organization exists because of our philanthropic partners in the region. As we expand and become more self-supportive through our social enterprise organizations, the commitment from the Foundation for MetroWest has made the efforts more likely. The work is ongoing," noted Toni Wolf, Executive Director of Employment Options. "Expanding our outreach through workforce development, community services and individual casework requires a financial commitment that the federal, state and local governments do not meet. Organizations like FFMW rapidly respond to that growing gap."

Support integral programs like Employment Options by making a donation to the MetroWest Fund for Families. Employment Options and the Foundation for MetroWest thank you!
Now Accepting Grant Applications
Regional Youth Development Competitive Grant Program
Organizations serving youth in the MetroWest area are encouraged to consider this opportunity. Learn more here.
Application deadline is 5:00 PM Friday, October 2, 2015
 
Wellesley Youth Development Competitive Grant Program
Organizations serving Wellesley, Needham, Natick, and Weston youth are encouraged to consider this opportunity. Learn more here.
Application deadline is 5:00 PM Friday, October 2, 2015
CENTER FOR PHILANTHROPY EDUCATION
Capacity Building for Our Future
Nonprofits learn and engage at each seminar
Through the generous support of our donors and the Middlesex Savings Bank Charitable Foundation, we are able to offer the Center for Philanthropy Education. These services and resources help build the capacity, visibility, connections, and expertise that our local nonprofits need to deliver their missions, and, in turn, strengthen the MetroWest region. MetroWest nonprofit staff, volunteers, board and committee members are welcome to attend.

Upcoming 
Seminars:
Tuesday, October 6
5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Presenter: Amy and Susan of Cahners & Donahue Associates LLC 
Please note, this workshop is only available to executive directors accompanied by board chair or board leadership. 

Thursday, October 15
9:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Presenter: Rick Schwartz 

Wednesday, November 18
5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Presenter: Amy and Susan of Cahners & Donahue Associates LLC 
Please note, this workshop is only available to executive directors accompanied by board chair or board leadership. 

Tuesday, December 15
5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Presenter: Amy and Susan of Cahners & Donahue Associates LLC
Please note, this workshop is only available to executive directors accompanied by board chair or board leadership. 
WHAT WE'RE READING
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