The Watertown Community Foundation Awards Inaugural Community Engagement Grants
More than $68,000 Awarded to Support Community-based Programs and Services
Watertown, MA, June 12, 2025—The Watertown Community Foundation awarded $53,185 to support 21 programs in the inaugural cycle of the Community Engagement Grant Program. Funded programs will strengthen community connections, increase access to programs and services, and foster intercultural communication and understanding in Watertown. An additional $15,000 was awarded to MetroWest Collaborative Development and Watertown Cable Access TV for operational support in the final grant cycle of the Institutional Grant Program.
“This first call for Community Engagement grants was extremely competitive, and the program ideas were top-notch,” said Mary Ann Mulligan, Board Co-President and Grants Committee Chair. “We received more than $100,000 in requests for funding and only had half that amount available to award. The Grants Committee and the Board worked diligently to support as many programs as possible.”
When applying, applicants identify the primary focus of their organization. Twenty-nine percent of awards will support non-profits with a primary focus on arts and culture;26% of awards will support non-profits that focus on community diversity and inclusion or education; and 19% of awards will fund organizations engaged in community building. The remaining funding will support organizations whose work emphasizes youth development, environmental education/preservation, healthy living and social services.
“The proposals we funded are thoughtful, creative programs that bring people together, inspire understanding and support community needs across our many diverse neighborhoods, histories, cultures and traditions,” said Tia Tilson, Executive Director, Watertown Community Foundation.
Funded initiatives include the Arshile Gorky Mural on the Watertown-Cambridge Greenway, the Unity Breakfast, piloting an ASL immersion class, financial assistance for Watertown youth at the YMCA, supporting enrichment programs at the Watertown Boys &Girls Club, support for strengthening civic engagement through community dialogue, and supporting volunteer park stewardship along the Charles River. You can see the full list of grantees here.
Education and Youth Development Grants will launch in 2026
A new Education and Youth Development Grant Program is currently under development and will be announced and launched in 2026. In November of 2025, the Foundation will conclude their final rounds of granting for School Program Grants. PO Box 334, Watertown, MA 02471 watertownfoundation.org
The new grant structure for the Watertown Community Foundation was announced on March 6, 2025.
About Watertown Community Foundation
Through the power of transformative giving, the Watertown Community Foundation advances and supports positive change for the people who live and work in Watertown, Massachusetts. We envision a welcoming community where people of all backgrounds can thrive, connect, and contribute to the strength and resilience of our city. Started with funds from the sale of the Arsenal property in 2003 and grown by local giving and grants, the Foundation has awarded more than $3,000,000 in grants to end food insecurity, keep people housed, educate kids, lift-up the arts, sustain the environment, and break down barriers to bring people together. See our list of 2024 grantees here.
WCF Board of Directors: Lauren Coughlin Unsworth and Mary Ann Mulligan,Co-Presidents; Albrik Avanessian; Emily Barclay; Ninos Hanna; Eileen Hsü-Balzer; Nathalie Highland; Heather Leary; Kathryn Madden; Jennifer Nicholson, Anthony Paolillo; Dwayne Parmley; Leah Pennino; Robert Shay; David Siegel; and Felicia Sullivan.