NEW BEDFORD, MA – The SouthCoast Community Foundation distributed over $800,000 to area non-profits in December. In addition to continuing to disseminate COVID-19 Emergency Relief Funds from the State, the Foundation made grants from the Jacobs Family Fund, New Bedford Education Foundation Fund, BankFive Foundation Fund, and the Jake Fabian Memorial Fund, among others.
“As the foundation serving the residents of the South Coast, it’s imperative that we steward funds that will have an impact on the greater good of the community. With nearly one million in funds distributed in the last month and a half to nonprofits doing important work on pressing matters such as housing and education, we’re proud to help move the needle on issues impacting our cities and towns,” said Leonard Lee, President and CEO of the SouthCoast Community Foundation.
The Jake Fabian Memorial Fund was established by Jake’s parents, Jeanne and John Fabian, to honor their late son’s life. “When Jake passed away suddenly three years ago from a fatal arrhythmia, it was so final – the realization that our family’s future would be altered forever. On the eve of what would have been Jake’s 30th birthday, we sent out a Facebook post to all our family and friends asking that they would donate $30 for Jake’s 30th birthday. Our goal was that we could perhaps raise $900 to start the Jake Fabian Memorial Fund. Well, instead we raised nearly $13,000. Jake’s family and friends had joined us in this dream that we could make philanthropy a reality. We could assume Jake’s cause of helping underprivileged youth and give to a community so much in need. It is a decision that we have never regretted,” said Jeanne Fabian. Last month, Child & Family Services received funds to support building a new sensory room. The Family Food Pantry – Damien’s Place, Boys & Girls Club of Greater New Bedford, and the Salvation Army of New Bedford also received grants.
The Jacobs Family Fund, led by long-time philanthropists Joan and Irwin Jacobs, supported seven organizations, including UMass Dartmouth and the New Bedford Whaling Museum, with nearly $500,000 in grants that are focused on advancing education. In addition to these end-of-year grants, the Jacobs provide scholarships of up to $35,000 annually in the spring to several New Bedford high school students.
“Joan and Irwin Jacobs continually prioritize the New Bedford community and the Whaling Museum. Thanks to the support from the Jacobs Family Fund, the New Bedford Whaling Museum bounced back to pre-pandemic visitation levels and advanced our work to ignite learning through our educational outreach and public programs. We remain grateful to the Jacobs Family for their support,” said Amanda McMullen, President and CEO of the New Bedford Whaling Museum.
The BankFive Foundation Fund awarded $17,000 to 18 area organizations in December, as part of their overall charitable giving in excess of $50,000 in 2022. The grants had a particular focus on helping those in need: Citizens for Citizens, Mercy Meals and More, M.O.L.I.F.E., Inc., Salvation Army of Fall River, and Seven Hills Food Pantry were a few of the organizations addressing food insecurity that received grants.
The SouthCoast Community Foundation is a nonprofit serving the communities of Southeastern Massachusetts through philanthropy. The Community Foundation’s mission is to mobilize philanthropy by matching donors and resources with community needs for the benefit of our region. Since 1995, the organization has distributed over $50 million from more than 200 funds to humanitarian, educational, and cultural organizations in the region. For more information, visit southcoastcf.org.