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BRA solicits requests for $200,000 Fenway Community Benefits Fund

Oct 13, 2015

Nonprofits encouraged to apply for funding to support beautification of Fenway neighborhood
 
After successfully piloting a standardized application for community benefit funds in South Boston earlier this year, the Boston Redevelopment Authority is moving ahead with a similar approach to releasing funds for other neighborhoods. Today, the BRA released an application for $200,000 in community benefits associated with the Fenway Park Demonstration Project, an agreement with the Boston Red Sox that was approved under previous leadership by the BRA in September 2013.
 
As part of the agreement, which granted the Red Sox easement rights on Yawkey Way for game days and major events at Fenway Park as well as air rights over Lansdowne Street to accommodate additional seating on the Green Monster, the team will contribute $100,000 a year for ten years to support beautification efforts in the Fenway neighborhood. The BRA has received the first two payments and is now accepting applications from nonprofit organizations for the community benefits funding. Applicants are able to request grants of up to $50,000. Applications are due Tuesday, November 10.
 
“We witnessed the success of this application process in South Boston earlier this year, and we’re eager to get another round of funding out the door to support community organizations working to make the Fenway an even better neighborhood,” said BRA Director Brian Golden. “This funding is a way to ensure that the people of Fenway share in the value generated by games and events at the ballpark. We look forward to disbursing more grants in the coming years as we receive additional payments from the Red Sox.”
 
Nonprofits applying for funding are asked to submit to the BRA a detailed plan and budget that describes how their organization will utilize the grant to deliver a service or project that contributes in a measurable way to the beautification of the Fenway community. Successful applicants should be able to demonstrate experience in providing the type of service or program for which they seek funding. As with previously released community benefits applications, the Office of Workforce Development, which has wide-ranging grant-making expertise, will assist the BRA in evaluating submissions.
 
Funding recipients will be required to submit a written summary of accomplishments and expenditures within 90 days of the grant’s completion.
 
The BRA piloted the standardized community benefits application earlier this year when it released two rounds of funding associated with the D Street hotels project that is nearing completion across the street from the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center. $630,000 in grants was disbursed to community organizations working in South Boston as a result.

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