Framingham Union Aid Association accepting grant applications

Local agencies and groups have a few weeks left to submit applications to the Framingham Union Aid Association's annual grant program, which last year awarded more than $65,000.

Applicants must be a 501c3 organization and have a worthwhile health-related program or service that would benefit from the money. And new this year, they must be from one of a dozen towns the association has identified to replace its former, more ambiguous definition of "MetroWest": Ashland, Framingham, Holliston, Hopkinton, Marlborough, Medway, Millis, Natick, Sherborn, Southborough, Sudbury, and Wayland.

According to association president Betsy Swartz, the more specific geographic range is meant to ensure the grants only go to applicants within the association's service area.

"We don't want to fund something in Worcester," she said. "We want to help programs in our home territory."

Founded in 1892, the association provides about 25 grants each year to organizations ranging from the Framingham schools and Framingham State University, which has traditionally relied on the program to provide scholarships to nursing students, to the local Boys & Girls Clubs and food pantries.

Last year, the association provided an award to a program at the Danforth Museum focusing on the therapeutic benefits of art.

"One artist took all the MRIs of his father, who had died of cancer, and painted on them," Swartz said. "The whole exhibit was about using art as a healing method."

While the association has a small group of repeat grant applicants each year, Swartz said newcomers are welcome.

"We're always encouraging new people," she said. "It's just a matter of getting the information out, and letting them know this program exists."

Applications, which are reviewed by the association's board of directors, can be obtained by calling either 508-881-4575 or 508-383-1299. Completed forms must be returned by 3 p.m. on Feb. 1, and award recipients will be announced in March.

Scott O'Connell can be reached at 508-626-4449 or soconnell@wickedlocal.com
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Source: http://www.wickedlocal.com/framingham/news/x1503801321/Framingham-Union-Aid-Association-accepting-grant-applications

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