The Massachusetts Convention Center Authority (MCCA) is pleased to announce the distribution of $135,000 in community grants to local nonprofits, and $7,500 in hospitality scholarships to three Massachusetts-based culinary and hospitality students at its annual awards luncheon on Wednesday, July 31.

“I’m honored to issue the 2024 community partnership grants and hospitality scholarships on behalf of the MCCA to these worthy nonprofits, as well as the next generation of leaders in the hospitality industry.” said Gloria Larson, Interim Executive Director of the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority. “It was inspiring hearing directly from the recipients the impact these funds will have on the vital work they do in the community, and I would like to thank our internal committee of employees for reviewing all of the applications for this important program.”

The 27 nonprofits selected to receive funding this year represent the following Boston neighborhoods:

Allston (1)

· West End House Boys & Girls Club

Boston (8)

· Bay Cove Human Services

· Boch Center

· Boston Children's Chorus

· Boston Ravens Football & Cheer

· Mothers for Justice & Equality

· Operation P.E.A.C.E. Northeast

· Rodman For Kids

· Uganda Boston Community Association

Brighton (1)

· 2Life Communities

Charlestown (1)

· Junior Achievement of Greater Boston

Dorchester (6)

· All Dorchester Sports and Leadership (ADSL)

· Boston City Singers

· Boston Raiders Football & Cheer

· Mujeres Unidas Avanzando

· No Books No Ball Basketball Program

· Playworks New England

East Boston (2)

· Piers Park Sailing Center

· Salesian Boys & Girls Club of East Boston

Jamaica Plain (4)

· Hyde Square Task Force

· Ine't Entertainment Corporation

· WriteBoston

· BalletRox

Mission Hill/Fenway (1)

· Mission Hill Fenway Buccaneers

Roxbury (3)

· Boston Missionary Baptist Community Center

· Roxbury Titans Pop Warner

· Whittier Street Health Center

The three scholarship winners hail from communities throughout the state:

· Hopkinton – Emmanuel Barris, Boston University

· Hudson – Camille Graffeo, Framingham State University

· North Andover – Jacob Thorn, Michigan State University

Nonprofits were each awarded $5,000 grants and each student was awarded a $2,500 scholarship. Since the launch of the program in 2007, over $2 million has directly supported non-profits operating in neighborhoods across Boston and Massachusetts-based culinary and hospitality students.

For more information on the MCCA’s Community Partnership & Hospitality Fund, please visit: https://www.massconvention.com/community/grants-program-overview

About the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority (MCCA)

The Massachusetts Convention Center Authority owns and oversees the operations of the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center, the John B. Hynes Veterans Memorial Convention Center, the MassMutual Center in Springfield, MA, the Boston Common Parking Garage, the Lawn on D, and the Lot on D. The MCCA's mission is to generate significant regional economic activity by attracting conventions, tradeshows, and other events to its world-class facilities while maximizing the investment return for the residents and businesses in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.