Tufts Neighborhood Service Funds Seeks Applications

Money from Employee Fund Dedicated to Help School’s Host Communities

Non-profit community organizations in Medford are invited to apply for 2011 grants from the Tufts Neighborhood Service Fund (TNSF). TNSF collects donations from faculty and staff throughout the year and then awards small grants to community-based, charitable organizations that serve Tufts’ host communities (Somerville, Medford, Grafton and Boston’s Chinatown).

Applicants must also have Tufts volunteers actively working with their organizations. In this way, TNSF supports not only community organizations, but also the work of the many Tufts students, staff, faculty, and alumni who volunteer with them.

Last year, awards were given to 34 organizations in Tufts’ host communities. The funds supported a wide range of programs and projects in each community including; financial literacy material for youth in Boston’s Chinatown; equipment to operate a mobile spay van offering low cost spay services in Grafton; Wii software to enhance activities for seniors in Medford; and winter clothing for unsheltered homeless people in Somerville.

The Tufts Neighborhood Service Fund is a giving option for members of the Tufts community during the Tufts Community Appeal. Each year, employees of Tufts University are asked to contribute to charitable organizations that provide service locally, nationally, and internationally.

Interested organizations should contact the Community Relations office at Tufts University (617) 627-3780 to request an application. Application materials are also available online at the following web address: http://communityrelations.tufts.edu/tnsf.

Individual grants will be made in amounts ranging from $250 to $2,000. Applications are due by November 18, 2011, and awards will be announced before the New Year.

– Information from Tufts University