City of Boston funding update

 

The Funding Update

CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE TO THE FUNDING UPDATE New England Foundation for the Arts, Through October 2020 Public art grants focus on spatial justice in the time of COVID-19. Awards range from $2,000 to $10,000. Ramsey McCluskey Family Foundation, 10/1/2020 Grants support projects in arts education and general education. Max award: $7500.  Shubert Foundation, 10/15/2020 to 12/22020 General operating grants support nonprofit, professional resident theatre and dance companies;  A limited number of development grants are also available. New this week: GRAMMY Museum, 11/1/2020 Preservation Implementation grants of up to $20,000, and Assistance, Assessment, or Consultation grants of up to $5,000. The Scientific Research Projects category provides grants of up to $20,000 for research on the impact of music on the human condition.  D’Addario Foundation, Open Grants support programs that bring music back into communities and schools and get kids playing as early and as frequently as possible. Application process begins with a letter of inquiry. Artists Relief, Open To support artists during the COVID-19 crisis, a coalition of national arts grantmakers have come together to create an emergency initiative to offer financial ($5,000 grants) and informational resources to artists across the United States. City of Boston, Open Opportunity Fund grants enable artists to develop their careers and plan free arts-focused experiences and events throughout the city's neighborhoods. The Creative Capital blog lists a variety of resources and opportunities.     City of Boston, Open The Boston Resiliency Fund helps coordinate philanthropic efforts to provide essential services to Boston residents whose health and well-being are most immediately impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. Funding priorities: providing food to Boston's children, families, and seniors; providing technology to Boston Public Schools students for remote learning; and providing support to first responders, front-line workers, and healthcare workers so they can effectively do their jobs and promote public health. Life Comes From It, Open Process for Letters of Introduction Grants ranging from $2500 to $25,000 support grassroots movement-building in restorative justice, transformative justice, and indigenous peacemaking, with work rooted in lived experience and relationships. Groundswell Fund, Open The Rapid Response Fund supports organizations on the frontlines, defending the most vulnerable communities with timely, flexible grants with an emphasis on funding in states and communities where women of color, transgender people of color, and low-income women and trans people-led organizing is under-resourced. Grants range from $1,500 to $15,000.  New this week: Eastern Bank Foundation, Open Grants are available in multiple categories for both nonprofits and informal groups. People's United Bank, 10/1/2020 Community Grants support social, health and youth services, affordable housing, education, arts and culture, and low-to moderate-income individuals. Clif Bar Family Foundation, 10/1/2020 Grants support projects that protect Earth's beauty and bounty; create robust, healthy food systems; increase opportunities for outdoor activity; reduce environmental health hazards; and/or build stronger communities.Grants are awarded for general organizational support as well as for specific projects. Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, 10/1/2020 to 11/1/2020 Urban and Community Forestry Challenge Grants support professional management of a municipality's public tree resources through public/private partnerships. Local tree departments and citizen tree groups are specifically encouraged to apply.  ********************************************************* BOSTON COUNTS 2020 Take 5 minutes and fill out the Census -- today! You can do it online or over the phone in 13 different languages. Your response determines how Boston receives funding for housing, transportation, education, child care, food supplies, and healthcare. Be Counted. Be Protected. Be Represented. PLEASE RESPOND BY SEPTEMBER 30! ******************************** US CITIZENSHIP AND IMMIGRATION SERVICES Please be aware of significant changes to the naturalization application. Starting October 2, the cost will increase from $725 to $1,200, and the fee waiver will be eliminated for most low-income residents. USCIS is also increasing the permanent residence (green card) application fee. In addition, there will now be a fee to apply for asylum. The Boston Mayor’s Office for Immigrant Advancement encourages eligible Boston immigrants to APPLY FOR CITIZENSHIP BEFORE OCTOBER 2.  CONTACT PROJECT CITIZENSHIP at 617-694-5949 for free, high-quality legal help with their application.   ************************************************ Confirm your City of Boston residency here, as part of the annual city census. This also protects your voting rights. ************************************* Learn More About Voter Registration and the 2020 Election Process Here. ******************************************* REGISTER BY 10/24/2020 to VOTE IN THE NOVEMBER 3 FINAL ELECTION.   City of Boston, Open The Reopen Boston Fund was established to help small businesses minimize risk and manage economic recovery. Eligible costs include Personal Protective Equipment, safety partitions for customers and employees, and managing outdoor space that’s approved for business use. The grants are for brick-and-mortar businesses, with fewer than 15 employees, where people work close to each other or to customers. New this week: Boston Local Development Corporation, Open The Standard BLDC Loan Fund is available for existing businesses, new ventures, and businesses relocating to Boston. Loans range from $25,000 to $150,000. The Backstreets Boston Back-up Loan Program provides financing of up to $250,000 for Boston companies in the industrial and manufacturing sectors. Also, BLDC recently received a $693,000 CARES Act Recovery Assistance grant from the Economic Development Administration at the US Department of Commerce to capitalize and administer a Revolving Loan Fund to provide loans to coronavirus-impacted small businesses in Boston. For more information, contact Bill Nickerson or Gisella Soriano. Lowe's/LISC Small Grants for Businesses Grants of $20,000 are available to small business owners to help meet their most immediate needs. Eligible expenses include: payroll, rent and utilities, outstanding debt to vendors, technology or infrastructure upgrades, and other immediate operational costs. Short Deadline: Coalition to Back Black Businesses, 9/21/2020 Each year, 280 grants of $5,000 are awarded to support Black-owned small businesses. Additional support includes Mentorship, Enhancement Grants ($25,000), and Online Resources. Applicant businesses must be located in an economically vulnerable community. The application process begins with a 10-question expression of interest. Citizens Bank, Open Sponsorships are considered from a wide range of organizations. The bank encourages creativity and innovation to develop partnerships that are of mutual benefit to community organizations and the bank. Equality Can’t Wait Challenge, Now through 9/22/2020 Pivotal Ventures, Melinda Gates’ investment and incubation company, with additional support from MacKenzie Bezos, will award $30 million to help expand women’s power and influence in the United States by 2030. Grants will be awarded to the organizations or coalitions of organizations with the most compelling proposals. The organizational assessment period is underway now through August. Kazanjian Economics Foundation, 9/10/2020 Funding focus: economics education. Applicants must have 5 years of operating experience. Grants range from $5,000 to $25,000. Environmental Protection Agency, 9/22/2020 to 10/28/2020 The Brownfields Program provides direct funding for brownfields assessment, cleanup, revolving loans, environmental job training, technical assistance, training, and research. Multiple funding opportunities are available. Hello Alice, 9/25/2020 $250,000 in growth grants will be awarded to Business for All applicants, as a critical step towards tackling entrepreneurs’ single greatest barrier to success: access to capital. Cigna Foundation, 9/30/2020 The Healthier Kids For Our Future global program will provide up $5 million in grants to community-based organizations over the next year. US Economic Development Administration, 10/4/2020 STEM Talent Challenge grants will support efforts to boost local STEM talent and workforce development models across the nation’s growing innovation economies. Max award: $300,000     School-Based Healthcare Solutions Network, Open Grants will support licensed mental health professionals to coordinate behavioral health services utilizing Telehealth technology and academic coordination activities with school administration in collaboration with school district designated program personnel. Max award: $250,000. Funding is available until depleted. National Endowment for the Humanities, 9/30/2020  Humanities Connections grants support partnerships among humanities faculty and their counterparts in the business, engineering, health sciences, law, computer science, and other technology-driven fields, in order to encourage and develop new integrative learning opportunities for students. Awards range from $35,000 to $100,000. Nellie Mae Foundation, 9/30/2020 Rapid Response: Educators for Black Lives grants support educators who have been at the forefront of facilitating necessary and courageous conversations and practices centered on eradicating anti-Blackness in their virtual classrooms, schools, and communities across New England. Nordstrom, 10/1/2020 Grants support programs that care for kids and empower youth and benefit a local community served by Nordstrom. Max award: $25K. New this week: Toshiba America Foundation, 10/1/2020  Seeking applications from K - 5 teachers for innovative STEM projects. Max award $1,000.   Institute of Museum and Library Services, 10/2/2020  The Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program supports developing a diverse workforce of librarians to better meet the changing learning and information needs of the American public. Nellie Mae Foundation, 10/22/2020 Educators for Black Lives Matter - grants will support organizing; holding classroom, school, educator, and/or community conversations; culturally responsive training sessions for schools or districts; culturally sensitive therapy/community healing; activities intended to center Black youth and families; attending trainings or conferences. Max award: $30,000.  New this week: First Nations Development Institute, 10/22/2020 The Luce Indigenous Knowledge Fellowship program will honor and support a cohort of 10 outstanding Native knowledge holders and knowledge makers engaged in meaningful work that will ultimately lead to broad, transformative impacts for Indigenous communities. Award: $50,000. Coca Cola Scholars Foundation, 10/31/2020 High school seniors are recognized for their capacity to lead and serve, as well as their commitment to making a significant impact on their schools and communities. 150 scholarships of $20,000 each. Additional scholarship programs and resources are listed on the website. AAUW, 11/15/2020 Career Development Grants provide funding to women who hold a bachelor’s degree and are preparing to advance or change careers or re-enter the workforce in education, health and medical sciences, or social sciences. Primary consideration is given to women of color and women pursuing their first advanced degree or credentials in nontraditional fields. Awards range from $2,000 to $12,000. Additional funding opportunities are listed on the website. New this week: NEA Foundation, 12/1/2020 Applications are now being accepted for Learning & Leadership Grants that promote professional development, as well as Student Success Grants. Awards range from $2,000 to $5000. Additional funding opportunities are listed on the For Educators page. National Endowment for the Humanities, 12/16/2020 The Public Scholars program offers grants to individual authors for research, writing, travel, and other activities leading to publication.  Writers with or without an academic affiliation may apply, and no advanced degree is required. Awards: $5,000 per month for 6 - 12 months. National Science Foundation, 12/15/2020 to 1/28/2021 The Computer and Information Science and Engineering Community Research Infrastructure program drives discovery and learning in the core CISE disciplines of Computing and Communication Foundations; Computer and Network Systems; and Information and Intelligent Systems. Lexmark, Open Funding focus: educational excellence/STEM, diversity, and employee volunteerism. Brown Rudnick, Ongoing Community Grants simultaneously 1) encourage those involved broadly with the Brown Rudnick Center for the Public Interest to actively think about the educational needs in the communities of Boston, 2) recognize, encourage and collaborate with the front-line educators who often do not have a voice in funding decisions; and 3) provide funding to assist with small, concrete projects or needs which will improve education in underserved communities, within a year of the grant award.  ECMC Foundation, Open Funding priority: requests that address the immediate challenges and opportunities arising from the pandemic, with emphasis on implementing systemic reforms to increase college success and career readiness for students from underserved backgrounds.   Cigna Foundation, Open For World of Difference grants, the funding focus is Health Equity: helping people overcome barriers to their health and well-being related to factors such as ethnicity, race, gender, age, geography, or economics. Additional priority is given to community health navigation projects. Average grant: $25,000. One Young World, Open The COVID-19 Young Leaders Fund supports young leaders around the world who are tackling the COVID-19 pandemic on the front lines.  New this week: National Institutes of Health, 10/18/2020 - 6/15/2022 The HEAL Initiative: Non-addictive Analgesic Therapeutics Development to Treat Pain  is a milestone-driven, phased cooperative agreement program involving participation of NIH program staff in the development of the project plan and monitoring of research progress. Papoose Conservation Wildlife Foundation, 10/1/2020 Funding focus: wildlife science and children’s experiences in nature. Goal: to help children become the scientists of tomorrow working to preserve wildlife diversity. Max award: $5,000.  US Health Resources and Services Administration, 10/6/2020 Healthy Tomorrows Partnership for Children grants support innovative, community-based initiatives to improve the health status of infants, children, adolescents, and families in rural and other underserved communities. Average award: $50,000. Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, 10/7/2020 Community Solutions for Health Equity grants will focus on elevating the voices that have been left out of discussions when local health care systems in the United States are creating policy. RWJF will award 9 grants of $300,000. Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, 10/15/2020 (Round One) The Culture of Health Prize elevates compelling stories of places throughout the country where residents are working together to transform education, jobs, transportation, housing, and more so that better health flourishes for all. Up to 10 winning communities will each receive a $25,000 cash prize and have their success stories shared broadly, with the goal of raising awareness and inspiring locally-driven change across the United States. LiveStrong, 10/16/2020 Letters of Interest Funding priorities include post-treatment care, patient and caregiver education, comprehensive quality of life services, and streamlining systems and care. Awards range from $5,000 to  $20,000. Fundación MAPFRE, 10/30/2020 Ignacio H. de Larramendi Research Grants support health promotion strategies such as obesity prevention, patient education, physical injury assessment, and health management. This is a worldwide competition. Max award: $30,000 euros. AIDS United, Rolling The Relief, Recovery, and Resilience Fund is currently supporting nonprofit organizations that are experiencing challenges meeting the needs of people living with, and at risk for, HIV and AIDS because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The focus of the Fund is on access to HIV care, housing, food, etc. Priority populations: people who use drugs or communities of color, especially Black communities  Max award: $15,000.  Applications will be reviewed as long as funds are available.    Massachusetts Service Alliance COVID-19 Resiliency, 9/14/2020 Grants of up to $4,000 will support volunteer community service projects and volunteer capacity-building initiatives. Youth Development Volunteer Initiative, 9/18/2020 Grants of up to $10,000 will support capacity-building opportunities to nonprofits and Volunteer Connector Organizations to better engage volunteers in youth development programming. AmeriCorps, 9/4 - 9/25/2020 Grants support members who engage in community service interventions to strengthen communities. New this week: People's United Community Foundation of Eastern Massachusetts, 10/1/2020 Funding priorities: Affordable Housing, Arts and Culture, Education, Social and Youth Services. Geographic restrictions apply. HAND Foundation, 10/1/2020 Grants support organizations working to reduce and prevent child sex abuse. Grants range from $5,000 to $150,000. The application process begins with a letter of inquiry.  New this week: Impact Fund, 10/6/2020 Grants support nonprofit legal service providers, private attorneys, and/or small law firms seeking to advance justice in the areas of civil rights, human rights, anti-poverty, and environmental justice cases that affect a marginalized group. Grants typically range between $10,000 and $50,000, primarily for class actions, but multi-plaintiff and environmental justice cases are encouraged. New this week: Santander Bank, 10/15/2020 Funding priorities: Community Development Financial Institutions, Economic and Workforce Development, Affordable Housing, and Financial Education and Inclusion. Funding focus: programs that make a measurable difference in the lives of low- and moderate-income individuals and communities. Average award: $30,000 Ben & Jerry's Foundation, 10/15/2020  Social Justice grants support grassroots organizations & movements throughout the U.S. working to change underlying conditions in order to bring about a more equitable society. Max award: $25,000. Community Consulting Teams, 10/16/2020 Midsize nonprofits, often at a stage of re-focusing or new growth, face one or more challenging business issues, and can often benefit from pro bono business consulting services. By working with a CCT project team, nonprofits can increase their capacity to address the causes they serve and improve sustainability. New this week: Resist, 12/4/2020 Grants ($4,000) support community organizing and anti-racism projects, economic justice, environmental protection, LGBTQ rights, labor organizing, and Native American organizing, among others. Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation, Open The Foundation is awarding $1M in emergency hunger relief grants for underserved communities in 2020. New this week: National Endowment for the Humanities, 1/15/2021 Digital Humanities Advancement grants support  Articles; Digital Materials and Publication; Workshops; Reports; Teaching Resources; Digital Infrastructure; Software. Awards range from $50,000 to $325,000. New this week: Agnes M. Lindsay Trust, Open Funding Priorities: Health and Welfare, Dental/Oral Health, Camp Scholarships, Education, and Homeless Shelters, our newest initiative. Special focus on Food Pantries. Applicants must be located in Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Vermont. For new applicants, the process begins with a Letter of Inquiry. New this week: Cornell Douglas Foundation, Open Funding focus: environmental health and justice. Grants generally range from $15,000 to $50,000 GrantStation offers a searchable database of COVID-19 funding. THE RESOURCE TABLE CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE TO THE FUNDING UPDATE Connecting Communities to Opportunity Courtesy of Winn Companies Use CONNECT to search for free and reduced cost services like food, healthcare, job opportunities, benefits enrollment, rent assistance and more. Family Resources Emergency Childcare Good Neighbors Coping Skills for Youth Harvard Business School Community Action Partners  Now seeking nonprofit clients for pro bono consulting projects. Alumni from Harvard's Business and Kennedy schools offer expertise in strategic and business planning, market research and marketing strategy, financial planning and analysis, board development and governance, and organizational development. In response to the ongoing pandemic, CAP is offering SHORT (2-4 months) and CLASSIC consulting projects. The 9/11/2020 deadline may be extended upon request. Contact CAP Executive Director, Kathy Le: info[at]cap-hbsab[dot]org  Microsoft Digital Skills Center for Nonprofits - a collaboration with TechSoup Courses Boston Public Library - Appointments are now available to use computers. - Career Skills Workshops are available via ZOOM Resume Writing: September 21 Happiness: September 25 How to Find Monthly Donors and Grow Your Monthly Giving Program Courtesy of Donor Perfect WEBINAR: Walk Your Talk: Anti-Racist Grantmaking for White Funders 9/21/2020 at 1:15 PM Eastern Courtesy of Camelback Ventures Learn more, RSVP, and submit a question for the panel here. WEBINAR: Grant Writers, 9/22/2020 at 2PM Eastern Courtesy of GrantStation Learn how to increase your expertise in grant research, proposal writing, grant management, and strategic planning, no matter your level of expertise or role in your organization. WEBINAR: Introduction to Project Budgets 9/23/2020 at 2PM Eastern Courtesy of Candid. WEBINAR: Giving Tuesday and Welcome Wednesday: Tips, Strategies, and Templates September 29, 2020 at 1PM Eastern Courtesy of Donor Perfect Learn how to stand out on Giving Tuesday and turn new donors into long-term advocates by celebrating Welcome Wednesday with the same enthusiasm through a dynamic and engaging new donor welcome series. One on One: A Giving Pledge Donor Calls for Change in a Time of Tumult 9/30/2020 at 2PM Eastern Courtesy of The Chronicle of Philanthropy Mel King Institute Expand your knowledge on community development topics through virtual training courses. Fundraising Tactics During Unprecedented Times Courtesy of Salesforce/The Chronicle of Philanthropy Nonprofit pros offer tips on how to keep your organization running during a global crisis. Visit the Intergovernmental Relations Resource Page for a wide variety of  fundraising tips, along with back issues of The Funding Update.

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES EXPANSION OF FOOD ACCESS USING BOSTON RESILIENCY FUND GRANTS

 

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES EXPANSION OF FOOD ACCESS USING BOSTON RESILIENCY FUND GRANTS Funding will allow Fair Foods to continue and expand their supply of fresh produce to immigrant communities   BOSTON - Thursday, September 17, 2020 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh and the Mayor's Offices of Food Access and Immigrant Advancement today announced the latest efforts to expand food access for immigrant communities in the City of Boston. Using grant funding provided by the Boston Resiliency Fund, Fair Foods will provide produce to partner immigrant nonprofit organizations that are working to increase access to fresh, affordable food for individuals, including those who do not qualify for state or federal assistance in the City of Boston.  "Food is a basic need, and it's especially important to have healthy food available and affordable during a health crisis," said Mayor Walsh. "I'm proud that the Boston Resiliency Fund will be used to bring nutritious food to more families, and I want to thank our partner organizations for their collaboration in addressing this inequity." Fair Foods will use the funding from the Boston Resiliency Fund to increase the availability of food access for anyone in two ways. For 11 of their nonprofit partners, Fair Foods will supply fresh produce to distribute to any individual in need at no cost. The Boston Resiliency Fund grant will also allow Fair Foods to empower seven of their nonprofit partners with vouchers to distribute to individuals. Each voucher has the purchasing power of two bags of fresh produce. Without a voucher, one bag of fresh produce can be purchased for $2, valued originally at $15 to $20. Vouchers can be used at Fair Foods locations throughout the City of Boston. Locations of all meal sites can be found here.  This collaboration is guided by the needs and approach expressed by the City of Boston's partner immigrant nonprofit organizations directly serving these communities. Organizations are located throughout the City of Boston and reflect the diversity of Boston's immigrant communities. "This funding will enable thousands of our Bostonian families to have dignity at dinner, good health and to have the security that we as a City care for their wellness," said Nancy Jamison of Fair Foods. "The team at the City of Boston Mayor's Office of Food Access, Fair Foods and our food donors will continue to fight poverty and hunger throughout Boston with added services funded by the Boston Resiliency Fund." "As an East Boston community based organization Maverick Landing Community Services (MLCS) is delighted to have played a role in supporting the continued expansion of Fair Foods into East Boston and to be operating as their distributor on this side of the tunnel," said Rita Lara of Maverick Landing Community Services. "Avoiding wasted food and redirecting surplus to communities with food insecurity really makes sense. It is good for people, and it is good for our environment. Fair Foods is the first and oldest food rescue organization in Boston and we are proud to partner with them." Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Mayor Walsh has been committed to ensuring food access for all residents. Since Boston Public Schools closed in March, over three million free meals have been distributed at sites around the City, including locations at Boston Public Schools, the Boston Centers for Youth and Families, the Boston Housing Authority, the YMCA and community organizations. Additionally, Boston Public Schools continues to provide meal delivery to students who regularly receive door-to-door transportation. The Boston Resiliency Fund (BRF) has granted over $15 million to organizations devoted to helping Bostonians with access to food and other basic needs like hygiene products, cleaning supplies and diapers. The BRF's $2 million of contributions to the Greater Boston Food Bank have supported the distribution of enough food for 1.2 million meals, with a portion of that funding helping to establish a City program that has delivered over 375,000 pounds of food to public housing and senior households. Other organizations that have received Boston Resiliency Fund grants that support food access this summer and fall include:  Funding for Mass Farmers Market provides access to farm fresh local fruit and vegetables for families, seniors, and individuals this farmers market season. The program provides weekly coupons to those in need regardless of immigration status, while supporting the local economy and urban agriculture. A map of farmers markets in the City, days and hours of operation, and available payment methods can be found online. Funding for Fresh Truck expands their Fresh Air Market sites to more than 15 Boston sites in Hyde Park, Dorchester, Mattapan, Roxbury, Charlestown, and other neighborhoods around the city. Fresh Air Markets are also an eligible vendor for the Healthy Incentives Program (HIP). Fresh Truck has delivered almost 28,000 fresh produce boxes. Funding for Project Bread develops and implements a public awareness campaign to promote Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) enrollment and utilization, targeting SNAP gap households and other eligible but unenrolled families. These funds will provide operational and additional language support to the FoodSource Hotline to meet the increased demand on SNAP applications and train community-based organizations and health centers to screen for SNAP eligibility and support with applications  Since its creation in March, the Boston Resiliency Fund has distributed over $26.3 million to 348 nonprofit and local organizations. Of grantees, 55 percent are led by a person of color, 58 percent are led by women, and 27 percent are immigrant-serving organizations. A map and a list of every organization that has received funding from the Boston Resiliency Fund can be found here.

波士頓市聯手33城市反對申請入籍公民漲價

          (Boston Orange編譯)波士頓市長馬丁華殊(Martin Walsh)今(17)日宣佈，波士頓市和全美各地33個城市，鄉郡，以及美國市長協會(USCM)，都會計劃會(MAPC)一起，向法院遞交一份支持”公民計畫(Project Citizenship Inc.)的友情說明(amicus brief)，反對國土安全局漲價，要求法院禁止這做法生效。

        Ropes & Gray律師樓於8月17日義務代表”公民計畫”向麻州美國地區法院遞案，控訴美國國土安全局妨礙人們成為綠卡持有者，或合法的永久居民成為公民等等規定。

        美國公民及移民服務署(USCIS)的漲價計畫預定10月2日起生效，申請入籍的費用，幾乎漲了一倍，從725元漲到1200元，低收入居豁免繳費的做法也取消了，申請永久居民(綠卡)的費用也漲了，連申請政治庇護也要收費了。這使美國成為這麼做的四個國家之一。

          馬丁華殊今日下午在市政府大樓前做疫情匯報時表示，這些費用漲價，違反了美國建國的基本價值觀。不論是400年前，還是昨天，人們來到美國是為自己及家庭追求更好的生活。漲價的新規定猶如打造了一個成為美國人的富裕測驗，而且公民資格必須保留給那些能負擔得起費用的人。

           在美國，約有900萬人有資格申請成為公民，在波士頓地區，約有3萬人。波士頓市表示，從馬丁華殊市長上任的第一天，市府就在入籍援助上給予支持。每年的9月17日，波士頓市府還都和”公民項目”一起慶祝憲法日，舉辦新英格蘭內規模最大的公民講座，安排400多名社區志工，法律系學生，以及義務律師來免費幫助數以百計的人申請入籍公民。迄今他們以幫助1815人成為公民，而起單只是去年，就有59%的申請符合低收入的免費資格。

           聯名遞交支持信的33個城市中，有8個城市在麻州，包括波士頓市，劍橋市，雀喜市(chelsea)，羅倫斯市(Lawrence)，林市(Lynn)，摩頓市(Malden)，梅爾羅斯市(Melrose)，牛頓市(Newton)。支持函全文可見於https://www.boston.gov/sites/default/files/file/2020/09/amicus-motion-sept2020.pdf。

 

CITY OF BOSTON MARKS U.S. CONSTITUTION AND CITIZENSHIP DAY BY LEADING AMICUS BRIEF AGAINST USCIS FEE INCREASES 

Cities urge court to block application fee increases for naturalization

BOSTON - Thursday, September 17, 2020 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh is marking U.S. Constitution and Citizenship Day this year by announcing the City of Boston together with 33 American cities and counties and with the United States Conference of Mayors (USCM) and the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC), submitted an amicus brief in the Project Citizenship lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The lawsuit follows a new United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) policy that would make it more expensive for U.S. residents to apply for naturalization as well as other statuses and benefits. 

Starting on October 2, USCIS is nearly doubling the cost of applying for naturalization from $725 to $1,200 and eliminating the fee waiver for almost all low-income residents. USCIS is also increasing the permanent residence (green card) application fee and implementing an asylum application fee, making the United States one of four countries to do so. 

The City of Boston is asking the federal court to stop this new rule from going into effect.

"These fee increases go against the values America was founded on," said Mayor Walsh. "People come to the U.S. for a better life for themselves and their families, whether that's 400 years ago or yesterday. This new rule creates a wealth test to be an American, and citizenship must not be reserved for those who can afford it."

There are about nine million people in the U.S. eligible for citizenship, more than 30,000 of them are in Boston. The City has invested in naturalization assistance since the Mayor's first year in office in 2014. Every year, Boston celebrates Constitution Day on September 17 by partnering with Project Citizenship to host the largest annual citizenship workshop in New England, when more than 400 community volunteers, law students and pro bono attorneys help hundreds of people with their citizenship application for free. To date, the City has helped 1,815 become citizens, and last year alone 59% of applicants qualified for the low-income fee waiver. 

The amicus brief highlights how local governments have invested in supporting the naturalization process, how naturalized citizens benefit from the support, and how naturalization increases the civic and economic health and resilience of local communities for all residents. The brief argues these fee increases send a message to low-income lawful permanent residents that full civic participation is only reserved for those who can afford it.

"Being American is not about how much money you have or the color of your skin," said the Mayor. "Being American is about making a commitment to this country, to choosing a life in our communities and enjoying the rights and liberties promised in the Declaration of Independence and in our Constitution."

The amicus brief was submitted by the City of Boston, together with Albuquerque, NM; Austin, TX; Boise, ID; Brownsville, TX; Cambridge, MA; Carson, CA; Chelsea, MA; Chicago, IL; Cook County, IL; Davis, CA; Dayton, OH; Denver, CO; Lawrence, MA; Long Beach, CA; Los Angeles, CA; Los Angeles County, CA; Lynn, MA; Malden, MA; McAllen, TX; Melrose, MA; Metropolitan Area Planning Council, MA; Minneapolis, MN; Montgomery County, MD; New York, NY; Newton, MA; Oakland, CA; Palm Springs, CA; Philadelphia, PA; Pittsburgh, PA; Saint Paul, MN; Seattle, WA; Somerville, MA; Stamford, CT; Tacoma, WA; and the US Conference of Mayors. To read the amicus brief, visit here.       

The City of Boston also signed onto two similar amicus briefs linked  here and here. (From City of Boston)

Governor Baker Nominates Marguerite T. Grant as Associate Justice of the Appeals Court, and Joanna Rodriguez as Associate Justice of the Juvenile Court

Governor Baker Nominates Marguerite T. Grant as Associate Justice of the Appeals Court, and Joanna Rodriguez as Associate Justice of the Juvenile Court

BOSTON — Today, Governor Charlie Baker nominated Marguerite T. Grant as Associate Justice of the Appeals Court, and Joanna Rodriguez as Associate Justice of the Juvenile Court. Attorneys Grant and Rodriguez have nearly 50 years of combined legal experience.

"The many cases tried by Attorneys Grant and Rodriguez over their decades of legal experience have prepared them well to serve as Associate Justices of the Appeals Court and the Juvenile Court," said Governor Charlie Baker. "I am pleased to submit these qualified candidates to the Governor's Council for their advice and consent."

“Over the course of their careers, Attorneys Grant and Rodriguez have each demonstrated leadership and expertise in their respective concentrations," said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito.​ "If confirmed by the Governor's Council, I am confident that they will serve the Commonwealth well as Associate Justices of the Appeals Court and the Juvenile Court."

The Appeals Court is a court of general appellate jurisdiction, where justices review decisions that the trial judges from the several Departments of the Trial Court have already made in a wide variety of cases. The Appeals Court also has jurisdiction over appeals from final decisions of three State agencies: the Appellate Tax Board, the Industrial Accident Board and the Commonwealth Employment Relations Board. The Appeals Court consists of a chief justice and twenty-four associate justices. If confirmed by the Governor’s Council, Attorney Grant will fill the seat vacated by the Honorable Sydney F. Hanlon.

For more information on the Appeals Court, please visit their homepage​.

The Juvenile Court Department is a statewide court with jurisdiction over civil and criminal matters including delinquencies, care and protections, youthful offender cases and children requiring assistance. The Juvenile Court's mission is to protect children from abuse and neglect, to strengthen families, to rehabilitate juveniles and to protect the public from delinquent and criminal behavior. The Juvenile Court has over 40 judges, including Chief Justice Amy L. Nechtem, in over 40 locations. If confirmed by the Governor’s Council, Attorney Rodriguez will fill the seat vacated by the Honorable Mark M. Newman. 

For more information about the Juvenile Court, please visit their homepage.

Judicial nominations are subject to the advice and consent of the Governor’s Council. Applicants for judicial openings are reviewed by the Judicial Nominating Commission (JNC) and recommended to the governor. Governor Baker established the JNC in February 2015 pursuant to Executive Order 558, a non-partisan, non-political Commission composed of volunteers from a cross-section of the Commonwealth's diverse population to screen judicial applications. Twenty-one members were later appointed to the JNC in April 2015.

About Marguerite T. Grant

Marguerite T. Grant began her legal career in 1988 as a Litigation Associate at Hill and Barlow, P.C. in Boston. In 1991, Attorney Grant joined the Middlesex District Attorney's Office, where she served as an Assistant District Attorney for 20 years. In addition to her work as an Assistant District Attorney, Attorney Grant also served as a Lecturer in Legal Writing for Harvard Extension School from 1992 until 1997, and as an Adjunct Professor in Appellate Advocacy for Northeastern University School of Law from 2002 until 2005. In 2011, she joined the Norfolk District Attorney's Office as an Assistant District Attorney, before her promotion in 2014 to her current role as General Counsel and Director of Training. In this role, Attorney Grant advises the District Attorney on legal and ethical issues, trains prosecutors on legal and ethical obligations, and argues primarily homicide and sexual assault cases in state appellate courts. She also serves as an Adjunct Professor in Professional Responsibility at Suffolk University Law School. Attorney Grant has been a member of the Board of Trustees of the Massachusetts Bar Foundation since 2007, and was previously a member of the Board of Bar Overseers, serving as Chair from 2007 until 2008. She has also served on the Board of Editors of Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly since 2016. Attorney Grant earned her Juris Doctorate from Stanford Law School, and her Bachelor's Degree from Wellesley College.

About Joanna Rodriguez 

Joanna Rodriguez began her legal career in 2003 as an Associate at Wadland & Ackerman in Andover. In 2004, she joined the Essex County Probate and Family Court as a Family Law Facilitator, where her responsibilities included assisting pro se litigants by drafting and filing legal pleadings regarding custody, child support, divorce, separate support, and guardianships. Attorney Rodriguez joined the Law Office of Deborah A. Anthony in Andover in 2006, litigating cases with a concentration in juvenile delinquency. In 2008, she opened the Law Office of Joanna Rodriguez in North Andover, where she handled cases as an independent contractor for the Committee for Public Counsel Services in the Lawrence District and Juvenile Courts. Since August 2020, Attorney Rodriguez has been Acting Deputy General Counsel​ for the Massachusetts Sex Offender Registry Board. She has also served since 2019 as a Hearing Officer for the Board of Bar Overseers, and since 2007 as a Team Leader for the US Office of Personnel Management's Voting Rights Observer Program, supervising federal observers at polling places during local, state and national elections. Attorney Rodriguez is an active member of her community, volunteering since 2001 for the Lawrence Boys and Girls Club and serving since 2016 as a member of the Executive Board of Socratic, Inc, a non-profit that grants scholarships to children in Lawrence. She earned her Juris Doctorate from Massachusetts School of Law, and her Bachelor's Degree from Rutgers University.

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES OPENING OF A.O. FLATS AT FOREST HILLS

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES OPENING OF A.O. FLATS AT FOREST HILLS A mixed-income, transit-oriented, eco-friendly development near Forest Hills T Station

Photo credit:  The Community Builders, Inc. BOSTON - Wednesday, September 16, 2020 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh and developer The Community Builders today announced the grand opening of A.O. Flats at Forest Hills, a transit-oriented, mixed-income housing development. This residence consists of 78 units affordable to low-income and moderate-income residents in a 5-story building in Jamaica Plain. The energy-efficient building has a Platinum level of LEED certifiability and includes 1,500 square feet of commercial space on the first floor. "Housing opportunities like this one create a stronger community and are a model for creating affordable green development all across the City of Boston," said Mayor Walsh. "I want to thank The Community Builders, our partners, and the Forest Hills community for continuing to work with us to create this needed new affordable housing and retail space here in Jamaica Plain." The A.O. Flats residences were built on a once-vacant MBTA parcel in Jamaica Plain within walking distance of Forest Hills MBTA Station, the Arnold Arboretum, the Southwest Corridor Park, local restaurants, and cultural venues. The grand opening of A.O. Flats at Forest Hills follows years of community planning efforts by the City of Boston Department of Neighborhood Development, the Boston Planning & Development Agency, local residents, and the MBTA.  The new development creates 40 new affordable apartments for households earning at or below 60% of area median income. Eight of these units are set-aside for formerly homeless families who earn at or below 30% area median income (AMI). HomeStart provided direct referrals for the formerly homeless households that now occupy these eight units.  A.O. Flats also includes 38 units of workforce housing financed by MassHousing intended for households earning at or below 120% AMI.  "I chose A.O. Flats for the opportunity to live in income-restricted housing and the community of folks that fill the building. I love the energy efficiency of the building and the light that comes in from my windows each day. We need more mixed-income housing like this all over the city," said Samantha Montano, resident at A.O. Flats. A.O. Flats at Forest Hills includes 8 studios, 37 one-bedroom units, 25 two-bedroom family units, and 8 three-bedroom family units, an elevator for accessibility, central air, on-site laundry facilities, a large community space for programming for residents on the ground floor, a fitness room, top floor lounging deck, and a rear courtyard. A lobby fronting on Hyde Park Ave provides pedestrian access to the 78 residential apartments and associated amenities, including two community rooms. A second egress from the first floor opens into a new pocket park that is available to the public. The approximately 1,500 square foot retail space has its own entrance at the corner of Hyde Park Ave and Ukraine Way. Construction of the new building generated more than 250 construction jobs.   "We are proud to partner with the City of Boston to make quality housing affordable to more Boston families," said Andy Waxman, regional vice president for The Community Builders. "A.O. Flats offer beautiful rental homes with easy access to transit in a vibrant neighborhood that people at a range of incomes can afford."   In accordance with the City of Boston's Green Affordable Housing Program, A.O. Flats at Forest Hills utilizes high-efficiency heating and cooling systems and Energy Star rated appliances and materials. The development employs environmentally friendly design features throughout as a LEED-Homes Platinum certifiable building that includes PV solar panels. These residences also meet the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Energy Star standards. The project team includes The Community Builders as the developer, The Architectural Team as the architect, and Bilt Rite Construction as the general contractor. "MassHousing was very pleased to be part of this transformative project that has created new, energy-efficient housing and economic opportunity for households of varying incomes within steps of public transportation who can now live and work in the city," said MassHousing Executive Director Chrystal Kornegay. "Congratulations to TCB and the city of Boston for taking a vacant MBTA lot and creating new, vibrant housing opportunities for working families in Boston." A.O. Flats at Forest Hills have been made possible by a contribution of $2.25 million in the Department of Neighborhood Development funding and $750,000 in Neighborhood Housing Trust Funds. Furthermore, sources included $8.1 million in MassHousing Workforce funding, $13.09 million MassHousing permanent funding, $8.84 in Equity (Low-Income Housing Tax Credit and Solar), and a $2.6 million sponsor loan from The Community Builders.

Massachusetts Announces Extension of Administrative Tax Relief for Local Businesses

Massachusetts Announces Extension of Administrative Tax Relief for Local Businesses

BOSTON – Governor Charlie Baker, Lt. Governor Karyn Polito, Senate President Karen Spilka and House Speaker Robert DeLeo today announced an extension of administrative tax relief measures for local businesses that have been impacted by the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak, especially in the restaurant and hospitality sectors. 

This includes the extension of the deferral of regular sales tax, meals tax, and room occupancy taxes for small businesses due from March 2020 through April 2021, so that they will instead be due in May 2021. Businesses that collected less than $150,000 in regular sales plus meals taxes in the twelve month period ending February 29, 2020 will be eligible for relief for sales and meals taxes, and businesses that collected less than $150,000 in room occupancy taxes in the twelve month period ending February 29, 2020 will be eligible for relief with respect to room occupancy taxes. For these small businesses, no penalties or interest will accrue during this extension period.

“Our Administration is committed to supporting local businesses and Main Street economies recovering from the impact of COVID-19, and we’re glad to work with our legislative colleagues on this additional measure to provide administrative tax relief,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “Extending the tax relief measures we put into place earlier this year will help support companies across Massachusetts including small businesses in the restaurant and hospitality industries.” 

“Providing this tax relief is an important step to support local businesses throughout Massachusetts and we are glad to work with our legislative colleagues on this important issue,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “This extension allows certain local companies to defer remitting regular sales tax, meals tax, and room occupancy taxes, an important tax relief measure for businesses that have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.”

For businesses with meals tax and room occupancy tax obligations that do not otherwise qualify for this relief, late-file and late-pay penalties will be waived during this period. 

“The Senate is committed to further assisting our restaurant and hospitality industries hit hard by COVID-19,” said Senate President Karen E. Spilka. “As we continue to safely reopen and recover, we will work with our partners in the Administration and the House to mitigate the economic distress felt by local businesses brought on by the unprecedented public health crisis.”

“As the COVID-19 outbreak continues to affect our economy, the House is proud of its ongoing efforts to reinforce restaurants, such as its passage of a restaurant recovery package thanks to the work of Chair Michlewitz and the membership,” said House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo. “We support the deferral of tax collections as it will provide a clear business pathway, especially to our restaurant and hospitality industries.”

The Department of Revenue will issue emergency regulations and a Technical Information Release to implement these administrative relief measures.

Massachusetts Announces Extension of Administrative Tax Relief for Local Businesses

 

Massachusetts Announces Extension of Administrative Tax Relief for Local Businesses

 

BOSTON – Governor Charlie Baker, Lt. Governor Karyn Polito, Senate President Karen Spilka and House Speaker Robert DeLeo today announced an extension of administrative tax relief measures for local businesses that have been impacted by the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak, especially in the restaurant and hospitality sectors. 

 

This includes the extension of the deferral of regular sales tax, meals tax, and room occupancy taxes for small businesses due from March 2020 through April 2021, so that they will instead be due in May 2021. Businesses that collected less than $150,000 in regular sales plus meals taxes in the twelve month period ending February 29, 2020 will be eligible for relief for sales and meals taxes, and businesses that collected less than $150,000 in room occupancy taxes in the twelve month period ending February 29, 2020 will be eligible for relief with respect to room occupancy taxes. For these small businesses, no penalties or interest will accrue during this extension period.

 

“Our Administration is committed to supporting local businesses and Main Street economies recovering from the impact of COVID-19, and we’re glad to work with our legislative colleagues on this additional measure to provide administrative tax relief,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “Extending the tax relief measures we put into place earlier this year will help support companies across Massachusetts including small businesses in the restaurant and hospitality industries.” 

 

“Providing this tax relief is an important step to support local businesses throughout Massachusetts and we are glad to work with our legislative colleagues on this important issue,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “This extension allows certain local companies to defer remitting regular sales tax, meals tax, and room occupancy taxes, an important tax relief measure for businesses that have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.”

 

For businesses with meals tax and room occupancy tax obligations that do not otherwise qualify for this relief, late-file and late-pay penalties will be waived during this period. 

 

“The Senate is committed to further assisting our restaurant and hospitality industries hit hard by COVID-19,” said Senate President Karen E. Spilka. “As we continue to safely reopen and recover, we will work with our partners in the Administration and the House to mitigate the economic distress felt by local businesses brought on by the unprecedented public health crisis.”

 

“As the COVID-19 outbreak continues to affect our economy, the House is proud of its ongoing efforts to reinforce restaurants, such as its passage of a restaurant recovery package thanks to the work of Chair Michlewitz and the membership,” said House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo. “We support the deferral of tax collections as it will provide a clear business pathway, especially to our restaurant and hospitality industries.”

 

The Department of Revenue will issue emergency regulations and a Technical Information Release to implement these administrative relief measures.