Funding and Programming Resources for Park Friends Groups

Grants and Technical Assistance
Brookline GreenSpace Alliance: Neighborhood Initiatives for Parks. The Brookline GreenSpace Alliance offers small grants of $500 or less to affiliated organizations of the Alliance. The program is designed to encourage citizen initiative and stewardship in local parks, school grounds, median triangles, street tree lawns and conservation areas throughout Town. There is a rolling application process with no deadlines. Click here for our grant guidelines and application. Grant proposals will be reviewed at the next board meeting of the Brookline GreenSpace Alliance (the Board meets every other month).

Brookline Community Fund
The Brookline Community Fund offers larger grants to community groups in Brookline through their unrestricted grant program and through their newly established environmental fund. They have two granting cycles a year. Deadlines are March 15th and October 15th. Call 617-566-4442 for more information or go to www.brooklinefund.org for more information.

Blossom Fund
The Blossom Fund is an independent foundation that makes grants for community based educational and cultural projects in Brookline. It also funds programs for youth that increase the use and awareness of Boston area outdoor resources such as project that promote increased access to and use of parks, sanctuaries, urban wilds, rivers, lakes and harbors. Grant sizes are $2,000 - $10,000. Contact Lindsey Parker at Loring Wolcott and Coolidge, 617-523-6531 for more information.

Bay State Federal Savings Charitable Foundation
The local charitable foundation of the Bay State Federal Savings Bank. It is focused on giving grants in Brookline and other communities where it has offices. Contact Sue Kelliher, Executive Director at 617-739-9577. Grant sizes range from small to large.

William P. Wharton Trust
This fund supports conservation, study and appreciation of nature through projects with tangible and lasting results, those that seek partnerships and that leverage funds to gain matching contributions. In order of priority, the Trust specifically supports:

1. Acquisition of land for conservation and preservation of natural areas, primarily in MA and NE;
2. Management techniques designed to improve environmental quality and species diversity;
3. Bird and forestry research & management at the applied level vs. the theoretical or molecular level;
4. Creation of materials or projects designed to foster an appreciation and a concern for wildlife and natural systems.

Range of award is usually from $2,500 to $10,000 and usually for the duration of one year. Application deadlines are April 1st and October 1st. For more information, contact Pearl E. Bell, Estate & Trust Administrator, The William P. Wharton Trust, Choate, Hall & Stewart, Exchange Place, Boston, MA 02109-2804 or call (617) 248-5000.

Local Businesses
Local businesses may not be in a position to donate cash to your organization, but are often happy to provide in-kind products or services to your organization for a special event, particularly if you give them public recognition for their contribution. Start by calling the store manager and owner and ask if you can meet with them to explain the goals of your event. When you are there, make a specific request, such as a certain amount of food or drink for your event. If they need to think about it, or if they say yes, follow up with a phone call and letter

Other resources
Please see the related links page of this website for information contact information for Brookline Town government, and other local organizations. See the Park Friends Group page for a list of other park friends groups.

In addition, the links below provide useful information and resources.

Partnerships for Parks
An organization devoted to assisting community groups and individuals who help support and maintain city parks and playgrounds in New York City. It has great ideas and resources for any park friends group. http://www.partnershipsforparks.org/resources/workshops/tip_sheets_index.html

Project for Public Spaces
Project for Public Spaces is a nonprofit technical assistance, research and educational organization with the mission to create and sustain public places that build communities. It has good information and links. Website: www.pps.org Trust for Public Land National nonprofit land conservation organization with a focus on urban parks. www.tpl.org

Resources for Schoolyard Greening Projects
Schoolyard Greening Workbook produced by the Boston GreenSpace Alliance. http://www.msp.umb.edu/texts/gs0index.html

Learning Outdoors at Lincoln: A Resource Book
for Students and Teachers
A great resource book put together by the Lincoln School Landscape Committee. Click here to download (1MB)

Links to information about schoolyard greening projects at schools in the US and Canada http://www.ifdn.com/nature/schools/beacon.html
http://www.nb.lung.ca/schools/3000e/ehi_sgg_e.htm
http://www.schoolgrounds.ca/schoolgrounds/projects/trees_shrubs.html
http://www.bccf.com/ecoed/Kids/success.html#Black_Mountain_Elementary

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