MAYOR WALSH LAUNCHES EFFORT TO REHABILITATE WEST NEWTON/RUTLAND APARTMENTS IN THE SOUTH END

MAYOR WALSH LAUNCHES EFFORT TO REHABILITATE WEST NEWTON/RUTLAND APARTMENTS IN THE SOUTH END

Project will preserve 146 units of affordable housing in the South End

BOSTON - Wednesday, February 6, 2019 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today joined Boston Housing Authority (BHA) Administrator Bill McGonagle and Inquilinos Boricuas en Acción (IBA) CEO Vanessa Calderón-Rosado to celebrate the launch of the West Newton/Rutland Apartments rehabilitation. The project will transfer ownership of the South End properties from the BHA to IBA, a nonprofit community development organization, to renovate and preserve the properties' long-term affordability for future generations.   "Preserving Boston's affordable housing stock is key to ensuring that everyone who wants to live here can afford to do so," said Mayor Walsh. "I'm proud that because of this partnership these affordable units will be preserved for hundreds of families in the South End for decades to come."   The $47.2 million project will preserve 146 units of affordable, public housing on West Newton and Rutland Streets in the South End. BHA is providing the operating subsidy associated with all 146 apartment units. The rehabilitation work includes exterior masonry repairs, new windows at the roof dormer level, exterior doors, roofs, fire alarms, accessible ramps and a sprinkler system. Eight units will be renovated to be accessible units and 11 units that are currently uninhabitable will be made available. IBA will convert the public housing units to long term rental assistance, with 110 units funded through the Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) program and 36 units funded through Section 8 project-based vouchers provided by the BHA. The development will be restricted as affordable for 99 years through a restricted ground-lease with the BHA.   "It's a great day for residents of the South End. As we work to upgrade our public housing units, one of our priorities is to make sure that we do not lose a single unit of affordable housing in the process," BHA Administrator Bill McGonagle said. "This project ensures that these deeply affordable units are preserved for hundreds of families in the South End in the decades to come."   "As living costs continue to rise across the city, we remain firmly committed to identifying new ways to expand affordable housing and empower low-income minority residents in Boston," said IBA CEO Dr. Vanessa Calderón-Rosado. "We are grateful to the Boston Housing Authority for providing us with an opportunity to come full circle with this property, revitalize the West Newton/Rutland apartments and welcome its residents into our community."   The project will be funded through federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credits, federal and state Historic Tax Credits, and a construction to permanent loan of $7.76 million utilizing tax-exempt bonds. Lenders include MassHousing, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and Wells Fargo.   In 1977, IBA conducted a renovation of the West Newton Street properties, converting late 19th century brick South End row-houses into public housing for the Boston Housing Authority. Going forward, they will offer residents access to IBA's residential programs and services, which include education, workforce development, advocacy, arts and cultural programming.   At the outset of redevelopment and throughout the long-term, IBA will remain committed to upgrading and maintaining the properties' physical condition in a way that preserves the site's affordability, minimizes disruption to residents, engages them meaningfully, and creates jobs and economic opportunity.   A recently-released inventory of Boston's affordable housing found the South End to be the neighborhood with the highest concentration of income-restricted housing stock in the city. According to Income-Restricted Housing in Boston, almost half (48 percent) of all housing in the South End is income restricted.   The West Newton/Rutland renovation strongly aligns with the City's housing goals outlined in Housing a Changing City: Boston 2030. Mayor Walsh recently increased the City's overall housing targets from 53,000 to 69,000 new units by 2030 to meet Boston's population growth. These updated housing goals build on Mayor Walsh's commitment to increasing access to home ownership, preventing displacement and promoting fair and equitable housing access.

Townsend Launching Fire Recovery Effort for 21 Families

Townsend Launching Fire Recovery Effort for 21 Families

Townsend Emergency Management Agency

Press release for immediate release: 2/6/2019

On Monday, February 4th, 2019, the town of Townsend experienced a devastating fire on 48 Fitchburg Road displacing 21 families.  St. John’s Church in Townsend is set up as a command center. Victims of the fire can access three meals a day. The Townsend Ecumenical Outreach (TEO) is seeking 1, 2, 3 bedroom apartments in Townsend, Ashby, Pepperell, Luneburg, Leominster, Milford, Nashua, and Lowell to place families.

Townsend Emergency Management Agency is working in collaboration with the Townsend Ecumenical Organization to streamline the donation process. Through Friday all in person donations of products, cash, checks and gift cards can be made at St. Johns.  Checks should be made out to Townsend Ecumenical Outreach – Fire Relief. United Way of North Central Massachusetts has set up the only official online giving page which can be accessed at this link. https://secure.qgiv.com/for/tffr 

Even before this fund was set up we had an amazing donation from Sterilite for $25,000.00 to get the recovery started and they are continuing to ask how they can support the effort.  Their continual commitment to Townsend is nothing short of amazing.

Kym Craven, TEMA volunteer and the command post coordinator shared that there has been a tremendous outpouring of help. “The displaced families would like to extend their gratitude to the Townsend Community for how they have been embraced,” she shared, “the First Responder Community appreciates the out pouring of support as well.”   Community volunteers are staffing a Fire Recover Hotline from 7AM-9PM this week at 978-597-2874.

If there are community groups or businesses wanting to donate the best way to do this is to call. The loss of property is not covered by insurance as these families were renters.  The recovery effort is focused on raising funds to establish 21 households. This is not a sprint, it is a marathon, our community needs to support these families for the months to come.

Shirley Coit, Townsend Emergency Management Director has expressed her gratitude to the community and all the volunteers that have stepped forward. “Without this team effort the provision of this support would not be possible.

For questions about the recovery effort, call 978-597-2874 for fire specific questions contact Chief Mark Boynton, 978-597-8150,mboynton@townsendpd.org.

Governor Charlie Baker Testifies Before House Committee on Natural Resources

Governor Charlie Baker Testifies Before House Committee on Natural Resources

WASHINGTON – Today, Governor Charlie Baker testified before the House Natural Resources Committee in Washington, D.C. to discuss what Massachusetts is doing to address climate change at the first congressional hearing on climate change in over eight years. He shared the Commonwealth’s bipartisan record of addressing climate change, urging Washington to work across all levels of government in a similar fashion and highlighted some of the Baker-Polito Administration’s bipartisan initiatives and cost-effective projects put in place to prepare for the effects of a changing climate and to promote renewable energy.

Submitted written testimony can be found here. Live video of the hearing can be found here.

Remarks as prepared for delivery:

“Chairman Grijalva, Ranking Member Bishop, and members of the Committee, thank you for inviting me to testify today on the approach Massachusetts has taken to the very real challenge of climate change.

“In Massachusetts, climate change is not a partisan issue – while we sometimes disagree on specific policies, we understand the science and know the impacts are real because we are experiencing them first-hand.

“Shortly after I took office in 2015, the snow started falling – hard – and it didn’t end for months. Last winter we saw four major Nor’easters, setting record flood levels and causing significant damage to natural resources and property.

“Rising temperatures have led to warmer winters, impacting weather-dependent industries like skiing and agriculture. Climate change is also warming our coastal waters and threatening some of the nation’s most important commercial fisheries.

“While many of these challenges are not new, they are more frequent and more damaging than ever. 

“While rising temperatures and warmer winters have impacted weather-dependent industries like skiing, local businesses like Berkshire East have adapted to these challenges by diversifying their business to include non-winter activities, which now account for 60% of the mountain’s revenue. Berkshire East has also become the first ski mountain in the world to be 100% powered by renewable energy.

“The magnitude of the impacts from climate change requires all of us – at the federal, state and local levels - to put politics aside and work together. That is the path we have taken in Massachusetts.

“Massachusetts, via bipartisan legislation, was one of the first states in the nation to establish a long-term requirement to reduce carbon emissions by at least 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050, while also setting interim targets. We are well on our way to reaching our 2020 goal of a 25 percent reduction in emissions.

“The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, a cap-and-trade program encompassing large electric generators across nine Northeast states, also provides a stable policy to reduce emissions and allows states to invest in cost-effective energy efficiency programs. The investments from this initiative have saved ratepayers across the RGGI states an estimated $8.6 billion.

“We have also developed regional partnerships with New England states, the Canadian provinces and the federal government. Utilizing the comparative strengths of different regions allows us to obtain competitive pricing on projects like hydropower from Quebec.

“In 2016, we competitively-bid and selected an offshore wind project on a federal lease area that will save ratepayers money. This would not have been possible without our partnership with the federal government. I applaud Congress for providing a predictable investment tax credit for this industry, and also the Trump Administration’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management for working with us to quickly review the project and build a new industry in the United States.

“We have also been preparing for the ongoing impacts of climate change.

“Our administration recently completed a State Hazard Mitigation and Climate Adaptation Plan. Leveraging Federal Emergency Management Agency money, the plan is the first in the nation to fully integrate federal hazard mitigation planning requirements, with a proactive approach to addressing the impacts of climate change.

“Our administration has also sought to work closely with our local communities. Our Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness program provides grants and technical assistance to municipalities so they can assess their vulnerabilities, and plan for and implement climate change adaptation projects. Importantly, the program allows communities the flexibility to design solutions that work for their unique circumstances.

“Based on our experience in Massachusetts, I would like to share four themes I believe will help further reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase resiliency across the country.

“First, states and local communities need support from the federal government.  Many federal incentives are only available after a disaster occurs; incentives similar to our MVP program would help communities address resiliency issues before the next disaster. Expanding programs like FEMA’s new resilient infrastructure grants and increasing funding available to states would accelerate existing efforts and galvanize new ones.

“Bipartisan interest in infrastructure funding also holds tremendous promise to not only repair and modernize our deteriorating infrastructure, but also make it resilient to changes in weather. Any federal infrastructure legislation should incorporate consideration of climate change emissions, vulnerability, and design standards that reflect a changing climate.

“Both state and federal governments also need to develop public-private partnerships to bring private-sector dollars into our communities while leveraging the knowledge and strategic thinking the private sector can bring to this challenge.

“Second, we need strong federal leadership and a bold bipartisan vision on climate change that prioritizes practical, market-driven and cost-effective solutions, while affording states the flexibility to design strategies that work for their unique challenges.

“We believe it is essential to establish federal targets for emissions reductions that can vary by state or region. In our state’s experience, setting an aggressive target for reducing greenhouse gas emissions provides the foundation for clean energy policy, sends a clear signal to industry, and enables long-range planning.

“Third, strong federal leadership should also include making impactful investments in research around both emission reductions and climate change adaptation.

“Federal research and development gave us the Internet and GPS – technologies that changed our lives forever. I believe the federal government could bring its resources to bear on developing the next breakthrough battery cell or other technological advances that could help dramatically reduce emissions and radically transform our energy future.

“Fourth, the federal government should incorporate climate risk and resilience in future federal spending and planning decisions to ensure taxpayer dollars are used wisely. Our own Boston Harbor Islands, managed through a partnership between state and federal government and a non-profit, are already threatened by sea level rise and storm surge.

“Governors around the country are seeing and responding to the effects of climate change in our states and communities. This is not a challenge any one of us can solve alone; we need collective action from federal, state and local governments, working with the private sector, to aggressively reduce our greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to the changes that are already in motion. I thank the committee for the invitation to speak, and I thank my colleague Governor Cooper.

“I have submitted written testimony which goes into more detail. I look forward to working together on this challenge and am happy to answer any questions from the committee.”

波士頓華埠牌樓亮起來

波士頓華埠牌樓在已亥豬年閃爍耀眼。(周菊子攝)

                             (Boston Orange 周菊子報導)波士頓華埠牌樓亮起來了。

               2019年2月4日的農曆豬年小年夜，波士頓華埠牌樓大放光明，第一次亮得那麼耀眼。

波士頓華埠商會(Chinatown Business Association)出於為華埠增添節日氣氛的宗旨，斥資五、六千元，購置了一批燈飾，把華埠牌樓鑲妝得入夜後璀璨耀眼，引人注目。

             波士頓華埠商會添購的燈飾，有的是連成一串的彩色小燈泡，有的是小小的紅燈籠，華埠內的食肆，商鋪，沿街店面櫥窗有空位掛燈的，華商會從一月下旬就開始鼓勵商家們簽收據，領燈泡，掛起來，為華埠街頭巷尾增添過年的節日氣氛，吸引人潮，拓展商機。

             波士頓華埠商會兩名會長蔡倩婷，陳文棟表示，該會現有100多會員，在財政余麗媖，以及英文書記陳文珊，中文書記翁偉健，核數韓幼文，公關梅宇，陳李佩等個別熱心人出任幹部的支持下，近年得以為商家提供更多服務，包括去年初和波士頓市政府協商調整路邊停車位問題，然後有市政府派員解釋餐廳衛生評等做法，廚房煙囪排煙檢查要點等，今年初也有一場和波市府新任健康及人民服務長晤談的活動。將來會繼續在各方面為促進華埠商機而努力。

今年五月波士頓台灣紀錄片影展等你來

”波士頓台灣紀錄片影展”籌備會成員包括，前排右起，林致中，藍凡耘，劉家樑，麥惠明，康麗雪，Norn Hsiao，後排右起，謝富凱，王志傑，張筱琦，林宜臻，許祐湉，蔡雨澄，康雅雰。(影展籌備會提供)

                         (Boston Orange 周菊子報導) 今年5月26，27兩日，波士頓將有一場”波士頓台灣紀錄片影展”，預定放映金馬獎最佳紀錄片得獎影片”我們的青春，在台灣”等影片。該片導演傅榆已定親蒞現場。台灣當紅脫口秀主持人博恩將主持她與觀眾的交流。   

去年第55屆金馬獎最佳紀錄片導演傅榆領獎致詞，引發社會爭議。大波士頓地區一群熱愛台灣的年輕人，受此影響，決定舉辦”波士頓台灣紀錄片影展”，以表達他們對台灣的支持。

目前電影節日期已定為5月26，27兩日，地點還待確定，將放映的紀錄片，除了獲得2018年第20屆台北電影節最佳紀錄片，以及第55屆金馬獎最佳紀錄片的”我們的青春，在台灣”一片之外，其他影片還在協商中。

影展籌委會透露，”我們的青春，在台灣”一片將在紐約，新澤西，多倫多，波士頓等城市巡迴上映，波士頓這場還已約得台灣當紅脫口秀主持人，”博恩夜夜秀”的主持人博恩來主持影展的問答環節，

組成影展籌備會的這群年輕人有已在業界工作的專業人士，也有仍在校深造的同學，包括林致中，藍凡耘，劉家樑，麥惠明，康麗雪，蕭明華，謝富凱，王志傑，張筱琦，林宜臻，許祐湉，蔡雨澄，康雅雰等，目前已有13人加入籌備會，分頭負責場地，宣傳及募款等事務。

影展籌備會表示，他們提早宣佈正在籌備電影放映會，一是希望提醒大家把5月26，27兩日預留出來，二是希望各界在資金，宣傳，人力上廣為支持，以期一切順利，為將來長期在波士頓辦台灣電影節打基礎。

襄禾資本湯和松分享互聯網業創投經驗(圖片)

清華校友湯和松，寫黑板，談經驗。(周菊子攝)

湯和松講談分析，判斷，用手勢加強語氣。(周菊子攝)

湯和松大方的讓出席者加微信。(周菊子攝)

清華校友趙極(右)向學長請益。(周菊子攝)

湯和松(左)和清華校友管越(右)早已熟識。(周菊子攝)

VC届新贵「襄禾资本」将于2019年2月3日下午2-4点在MIT E62-262 教室举办招聘宣讲以及行业分享，届时襄禾资本创始人汤和松先生将分享他超过20年的互联网从业和创投经验。

汤先生是襄禾资本的创始人，在创立襄禾之前曾任百度公司副总裁，全面负责百度的战略投资并购，操盘了一系列在中国互联网行业具有很大影响力的战略投资并购项目，包括投资去哪儿、爱奇艺、收购91无线、收购 PPS 、糯米等等。在加入百度前，汤先生任微软大中华区战略投资总监。汤和松先生也担任清华大学五道口金融学院金融硕士导师。

襄禾资本专注于TMT（科技、媒体、通信）早期和成长期机会的风险投资基金，投资了爱奇艺、VIPKID，作业帮、货拉拉、运满满、快看漫画、神策数据、推想科技等一批优秀项目。

勒星頓中文學校慶農曆豬年新春

勒星頓中文學校校長陳盈杰(右三)請嘉賓，波士頓經文處
處長徐佑典，杜麗雲夫婦(左三，二)，波士頓僑教中心主任
歐宏偉(右二)等人同坐貴賓席，欣賞節目。(周菊子攝)

(Boston Orange整理報導) 勒星頓中文學校2月3日舉行”新春聯歡會”，近千師生，家長及嘉賓，在學校大禮堂欣賞十八段歌舞、技藝表演，逛攤位、做手工藝，表揚優秀同學，歡樂非常。

中華民俗藝術工作坊以”鑼鼓喧天”為新春慶祝會揭開序幕後，勒星頓中文學校校長陳盈杰特地以”祝福大家諸事順利”，來諧音的強調今年為農曆已亥豬年，還不忘祝福”小朋友的piggy bank都可以滿滿滿”。

他指出，該校教學重點是從趣味中學習，路永宜，林梅英，以及兩位主任，幼稚園的老師們，為學校帶來第一個驚喜，超級精彩的”年貨大街”，就充分體現了這一特色，讓每一個參與活動的人，都充滿歡樂，又學有所得。

勒星頓中文學校小朋友擔任司儀。(周菊子攝)

陳盈潔的致詞，滿是感謝之聲，從開場表演的中華民俗藝術工作坊，籌畫年夜飯的家長團，二週前就開始準備的義工，平日努力教學的老師，全是他感謝的對象。他強調學校所有的行政人員與老師，都是不支薪的義工，所以希望更多人能參與協調事務，讓學校更美好。

陳盈潔在致詞結尾，特地以生肖豬年的諧音來借題發揮，盼該校聯珠合璧，學生說起中文個個妙語如珠，寫起文章篇篇珠圓玉潤，學校及家庭都家家珠玉滿堂。

駐波士頓台北經濟文化辦事處徐佑典上台以英文開場，說明他是新到的經文處處長，得以參加活動，很感榮幸。接著他以愛國者隊最受大家歡迎為引，笑說生肖年份中最受歡迎的是豬，因為那是他的本命年。他接著也以豬有著豐盛，富裕等美好寓意，祝福所有人新的一年”諸事如意”。

勒星頓中文學校校長陳盈杰致詞。(周菊子攝)

波士頓僑教中心主任歐宏偉代表僑委會委員長吳新興拜年，祝所有人萬事如意。

當天的表演節目繁多，由周志煒、朱宸萱主持，包括錦繡飛旋，祥獅獻瑞，千手觀音，新年快樂，我的朋友在哪裡，過年好，小蘋果，十二生肖等等的舞獅，舞蹈，歌唱，扯鈴，話劇，說新年吉祥話，武術，二胡演奏，說新年賀詞等。

徐佑典及歐宏偉隨後應邀頒發獎狀，表揚該校查字典、看圖寫故事和作文等比賽的各年級成績前三名及優勝學生。

表演後，勒星頓中文學校慶祝新春的文藝走廊開始熱絡，學生，家長紛紛遊逛書法，手工藝，剪紙等攤位，大家都玩得不亦樂乎。

福到，春到，勒星頓中文學校慶農曆新春。(周菊子攝)

過新年，放鞭炮。(周菊子攝)

波士頓經文處處長徐佑典致詞。(周菊子攝)

勒星頓中文學校新春慶祝。(周菊子攝)

中華民俗藝術工作坊祥獅獻瑞。(周菊子攝)

蔡君柔老師教的小朋友演出"千手觀音"舞蹈。(周菊子攝)

高玉璇，潘怡蓁，李宏希老師等人教的雙語班小朋友演唱
"兩隻老虎"，"新年快樂"。(周菊子攝)

CITY of BOSTON The Funding Update

The Funding Update

CAPACITY BUILDING, INNOVATION and ECONOMIC MOBILITY Social Venture Partners, 2/25/2019 SVC tools and resources support early to mid-stage organizations that are working to close the opportunity gap in the greater Boston area. Grantees receive $25,000 a year in general operating support, plus an average of 450 hours of pro-bono consulting. Engagements are renewable annually for a total of up to three years and $75,000. Bank of America Foundation, 2/22/2019 and 6/28/2019 Funding goal: economic mobility for individuals, families and communities. The Spring RFP has a due date of February 22 and is focused on workforce development, education and basic needs. The Summer RFP has a due date of June 28 and is focused on economic development, affordable housing, revitalization, arts, and the environment. Herman and Frieda L. Miller Foundation, 4/10/2019 The Miller Innovation Fund seeks to support projects of up to three years’ duration that support innovations, tools, and practices leading to social and economic systems that work for all. By their very nature, the projects chosen will be experimental in their outlook, seeking to learn from both their successes and mistakes. Prospective applicants must talk with the Miller Foundation program officers, as a required first step. Citizens Bank Foundation, Rolling Funding priorities: food insecurity, financial literacy, economic development; direct service to low- or moderate-income populations; sustainability and replicability; addressing unmet needs. Click Here to Subscribe to The Funding Update ARTS New England Foundation for the Arts, 3/1/2019 The National Dance Project provides a package of support that includes up to $45,000 towards the creation of a new work, approximately $10,000 in general operating support, and up to $35,000 to support a U.S. tour. Children’s Theatre Foundation of America, 3/4/2019 Funding priorities: using drama or theatre in K-12 education; artists working in children’s theatre. The Aurand Harris Grants and Fellowship Fund supports small and mid-sized nonprofit theatres.  Professional theatre artists working in theatre for young audiences may also apply for support in the development of their artistic excellence. Maximum grant: $2,000 HEALTH and EDUCATION Autism Speaks, 3/1/2019 Funding goals: a) to promote local services that enhance the lives of those affected by autism spectrum disorders; b) to expand the capacity to effectively serve the ASD community; c) to increase the field of national service providers. Local and national grants are available in the range of $5,000. Weyerhauser Family Foundation, 3/1/2019 The goal of the Children's Initiative is to support direct service programs that create and promote stability, resilience, and healing for children who have witnessed domestic violence. Maximum grant: $25,000 Office on Violence Against Women, 3/6/2019 The Consolidated Grant supports comprehensive, community-based efforts to develop or expand prevention, intervention, treatment, and response strategies to address the needs of children and youth impacted by sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, and sex trafficking. The grant also funds prevention efforts that engage men and boys as allies to combat violence against women and girls. Grant range: $350,000 to $500,000 over 3 years.Federal grants are subject to availability of funds. American Medical Association Foundation, 3/8/2019 Community Health grants support programs targeting the prevention and reduction of type 2 diabetes and hypertension. Maximum grant: $60,000; renewable for up to three years. Health Resources and Services Administration, 3/12/2019 New Access Points grants expand access to affordable, accessible, quality, and cost effective primary health care services to underserved communities and vulnerable populations. Maximum grant: $650,000 per year for 2 years. Federal grants are subject to availability of funds. NoVo Foundation, 3/22/2019 Education First, in partnership with NoVo, seeks applications for teacher-led and district-level projects in school year 2019-2020 that foster social and emotional skills in students in grades PK-12. Grants range: up to $5,000 to individual teachers or teacher teams; up to $25,000 for district-level projects. Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration, 3/29/2019 Strategic Prevention Framework - Partnerships for Success grants will support programs that prevent the onset and reduce the progression of substance abuse and its related problems while strengthening prevention capacity and infrastructure at the community level. Funding priority: underage drinking. Award recipients may also use grant funds to target up to two additional priorities, such as marijuana, cocaine, opioids, or methamphetamine. SAMHSA plans to issue 127 grants of up to $300,000 per year for up to 5 years. Federal grants are subject to availability of funds. The Tufts Health Plan Foundation 7/22/2019 Foundation grant programs include larger investments in three focus areas: Systems and Best Practices, Policy and Advocacy, and Collaboration and Community Engagement. The Momentum Fund provides smaller awards to support communities and organizations pursuing early-stage and innovative age- and dementia-friendly efforts. Cigna Foundation, Rolling Community Health Navigation grants support projects that help individuals understand their health equity challenges, and assist them in finding services in their communities that address those challenges. Past grants have ranged from $103,000 to $130,000. ENVIRONMENT and ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT City of Boston Neighborhood Services, 3/1/2019 Love Your Block mini-grants support projects to improve public community spaces that make the city more vibrant, sustainable, and safe. Grants range from $700 to $3,500. Blooming Prairie Foundation, 3/1/2019 Grants promote innovative ideas, practices and procedures in the area of organic and natural foods in order to further the health of the people, the health of the environment and cooperative ideals. US Department of Transportation, 3/4/2019 INFRA grants support create opportunities for all levels of government and the private sector to fund infrastructure, using innovative approaches to improve the necessary processes for building significant projects, and increasing accountability for the projects that are built. Boston Department of Neighborhood Development, 3/13/2019 Partners with Nonprofits grants support agencies with public facilities by making funds available to assist them in making necessary repairs. Boston Office of Workforce Development, 3/15/2019 Community Development Block Grant–Public Services grants support services for low-income individuals and families with a goal of moving them out of poverty towards economic security.The RFP will be available online on 2/8/2019. New England Grassroots Environment Fund, 3/15/2019  Grow grants of up to $3,500 will be awarded to established groups that are ready to expand the scope of their work to create and maintain healthy, just, safe, and environmentally sustainable communities. US Commerce/Economic Development Administration, 4/4/2019 Seeking applications for the 2019 Regional Innovation Strategies program under two funding categories: The i6 Challenge awards up to $750,000 for projects that increase regional capacity to accelerate the translation of innovations, ideas, intellectual property, and research into products, services, companies, and jobs. Seed Fund Support grants provide up to $300,000 for projects that create, launch, or expand equity-based seed funds or that create networks and tools that enable capital to flow into high-growth startups in all parts of the U.S. Captain Planet Foundation, 7/15/2019 ecoTech™ grants were created to combat the notion that students needed to choose between “the screen” or “the green” and to encourage educators and students to explore the role technology can play in designing and implementing solutions to some of our most pressing environmental challenges. MassDevelopment, Rolling Commonwealth Places is designed to advance community-driven placemaking in downtown and neighborhood commercial districts in Massachusetts. Crowd-funded contributions can be matched, dollar-for-dollar, up to $50,000 from MassDevelopment if certain conditions and timelines are achieved. Any member of the community can propose a project but it must have the support of at least one local public or non-profit sponsor.  PUBLIC INTEREST True Colors, 3/1/2019 The True Colors Fellowship offers up to five young people ages 18-24 the unique opportunity to execute a six-month project that contributes to a more inclusive world in which lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender, queer, and questioning young people are included and affirmed in their identities. Fellowship themes: Advocacy, Research, Innovation, Event Production. Agnes M. Lindsay Trust, 3/1/2019 (Camp Scholarships; otherwise Rolling) Funding focus: health. Examples of funded projects: oral health, special needs, blind, deaf and learning disabled, elderly, children's homes, youth organizations, youth and family services, homeless shelters, soup kitchens, food pantries, and summer enrichment programs/camps. Grants range from $1,000 to $5,000. Unitarian Universalist Funding Program, 3/15/2019 Grants are made to non-Unitarian Universalist groups that 1) use community organizing for systemic change that leads to a more just society; 2) mobilize those who have been disenfranchised and excluded from resources, power and the right to self-determination; and 3) have an active, focused campaign to create systemic change. Grants range from $6,000 to $15,000. Baseball Tomorrow Fund, 4/1/2019 Grants may be used to finance a new program, expand or improve an existing program, undertake a new collaborative effort, or obtain facilities or equipment. Eligible grant recipients can purchase top-quality equipment and uniforms at significantly discounted prices from Major League Baseball licensees and preferred providers. Herb Block Foundation, 6/5/2019 The Encouraging Citizen Involvement grant supports non-partisan activities that advance citizen education and lead to greater voter participation in the electoral process. Maximum grant: $25,000. The focus of the Defending Basic Freedoms grant is to help eliminate all forms of prejudice and discrimination, to assist government agencies to be more accountable to the public, and to help safeguard the basic freedoms guaranteed in our Bill of Rights. Maximum grant: $25,000

Elizabeth Warren將巡迴七城 籌組參選總統陣營

Warren to Make Announcement in Lawrence, Mass. to Kick off Seven-State Organizing Tour

Boston, MA - On February 9th, Elizabeth Warren will make an announcement in Lawrence, Massachusetts to kick off a seven-state organizing tour. After Lawrence, Warren will travel to Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina, Georgia, Nevada, and California. More details on state travel to come. Details for Lawrence are below. At the turn of the 20th century, Lawrence and the other mill towns in Massachusetts were the backbone of America’s textile industry. Underpaid, overworked, and flat-out exploited workers from more than 50 countries gave Lawrence the nickname “Immigrant City.” In 1912, Lawrence families – especially the women of Lawrence – decided to fight back against the greedy mill owners who cut workers’ already meager salaries. On the steps of the Everett Mills – where Warren will speak next weekend – workers held the Bread and Roses Strike, one of our country’s most important labor strikes.