WCF: Community Engagement Grants

The Watertown Community Foundation offers Community Engagement Grants aimed at enhancing access and participation in community-based programs. These grants, up to $5,000, support projects that foster intercultural dialogue, remove barriers to participation, and strengthen community connections. Eligible applicants include public entities and non-profits based in Watertown that serve local residents. Projects should focus on increasing accessibility and promoting understanding among diverse cultural groups.

Community Engagement Grants fund programs that increase access and engagement to the Watertown community, and remove barriers to community-based programs and services. These grants invest in programs that foster intercultural communication, increase connection and understanding between people, and make it easier for Watertown residents to access programs, events, and places.
Projects must align with one or more of the following focus areas:
Increasing Access to Programs and Services:Projects with a focus on making community-based programs, events, and services more accessible to all Watertown residents, particularly those who may face barriers to participation. These barriers might include economic, linguistic, cultural, or disability-related factors. Some examples of these barriers and potential corresponding programmatic focus are:

• Financial Barriers: Reducing costs for participation (e.g., free or low-cost programs, subsidies, or scholarships).Language and Cultural Barriers:

Language Access: Offering translation or interpretation services at events and programs, providing materials in multiple languages, providing ESL classes, or creating multilingual outreach campaigns.Outreach Efforts: Partnering with cultural organizations and leaders to connect with underrepresented groups and spread awareness about available programs.Cultural Competence Training: Ensuring staff and volunteers are trained with the skills, knowledge, and attitudes necessary to navigate and work effectively in multicultural environments.Disability-Related Barriers:
Inclusive Program Design: Offering adaptive activities or services designed to accommodate individuals with physical, sensory, or cognitive disabilities.Assistive Technologies: Providing tools such as screen readers, closed captions, sign language interpreters, or braille materials to improve access.Fostering Intercultural Communication and Understanding:Programs that promote dialogue, understanding, and connection between different cultural, racial, and religious groups in Watertown. These projects should seek to do one or more of the following:Increase Intercultural Dialogue: Programs that provide opportunities for different cultural or community groups to interact, share experiences, and develop mutual understanding.Celebrate Diversity: Initiatives that highlight and celebrate the cultures, identities, and communities that are represented in WatertownStrengthening Community Connections: Projects that create shared experiences, strengthen social connections among residents, and benefit the Watertown community as a whole.
Funding
Grant awards are up to $5,000, depending on the scope and scale of the proposed project. Funded programs are expected to be completed by the specified deadline.

Eligibility

Eligible applicants must be one of the following:A public entity.
A non-profit organization with 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status.An organization that is sponsored by a Watertown-based 501(c)(3) organization.Eligible applicants must be based in Watertown and serving the city's residents. If not based in Watertown, applicants are eligible if they demonstrate:a partnership/collaboration with a Watertown nonprofit
and, funds will primarily serve Watertown residents, and can detail the number of Watertown residents to be served/reached.Eligible Costs:Direct programmatic costs, including service delivery, participant fees, scholarships, fee reduction or cost to fully cover program cost participation, presenter fees, room rental fees, purchase of materials, supplies, and equipment necessary for delivering services.Costs associated with community outreach, education, and awareness-raising activities related to the program focus areas.

Ineligibility

Applicants are ineligible if:They hold only a 501(c)4 tax status.
They are applying to fund a program that will be run with the approval of and in collaboration with Watertown Public Schools. Such programs are eligible to apply for Watertown Community Foundation School Program Grant funding in the fall.Funding Exclusions:Grants will not fund general operating costs unrelated to the scope of the project.Political or lobbying activities.Capital campaigns or construction costs.