Boston - The Massachusetts Convention Center Authority (MCCA) awarded $132,500 in community grants and $7,500 in academic scholarships to 28 Boston nonprofits and three Massachusetts hospitality students at the Authority’s annual awards luncheon on Thursday, June 28.

The awards were distributed as part of the MCCA’s Community Partnership and Hospitality Scholarship Fund, a two-part program established and sponsored by the MCCA and former State Senator Jack Hart and current MCCA board member. The program is funded by revenue generated from consumer shows held at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center. The goal of the program is for all of Boston’s neighborhoods to benefit from the work of the MCCA as well as to provide workforce development support for Massachusetts students entering the hospitality industry.

"The City of Boston is home to a vast network of nonprofits who are tackling some of our city’s toughest problems. In doing so, these organizations help improve the lives of our community members that need it the most," said David Gibbons, Executive Director. "Whether the organizations are using the funds to start a new program or buy needed supplies to keep their programs running, each grant winner will have a profound impact on individuals in the community who need help the most. Being able to award these grants and scholarships to such admirable organizations is very fulfilling for everyone at the MCCA."

The 28 nonprofits represent the following Boston neighborhoods:

• Boston – (6) Foundation for Boston Centers for Youth & Families; Kit Clarke Senior Services; Freelance Players, Inc. dba Urban Improv; Generations Incorporated; Playworks New England; WriteBoston

• Brighton — (1) Jewish Community Housing for the Elderly

• Charlestown — (2) Charlestown Little League; Charlestown Babe Ruth League

• Dorchester – (10) All Dorchester Sports & Leadership; Boys & Girls Club of Dorchester; Dorchester Youth Collaborative; Dorchester Baseball; Family Nurturing Center of Massachusetts; St. Mary's Center for Women and Children; Mujeres Unidas Avanzando; No Books No Ball Basketball Program; Project D.E.E.P.; Upham's Corner Community Center DBA Bird Street Community Center

• East Boston – (2) Piers Park Sailing Center; Salesian Boys & Girls Club of East Boston

• Jamaica Plain – (1) Ballet Rox

• Roslindale – (1) Immigrant Family Services Institute

• Roxbury – (5) Boston Missionary Baptist Community Center; Mothers for Justice and Equality; Madison Park Development Corporation; Sociedad Latina; WEATOC

When asked how the funds would directly impact her organization, Candice Gartley, Executive Director of All Dorchester Sports & Leadership, explained that "with the MCCA as a partner, we are able to create stronger communities by offering increased services to the vulnerable families who look to us for meaningful programs for their children. The MCCA has been a committed partner with All Dorchester Sports & Leadership for many years and their continued support indicates a clear understanding that the non-profits benefiting from this grant program provide vital services to our neighborhoods. We are grateful to have them on our team."

The three scholarship winners hail from communities across the state:

• Sutton – Zachary Corrente, Johnson & Wales University

• Walpole – Jennifer Flores, Newbury College

• Peabody – Hannah Kemp, Umass Amherst

Nonprofits were awarded grants ranging from $2,500 to $5,000 and each student was awarded a $2,500 scholarship. Since the program launched in 2007, the MCCA has awarded more than $1,228,500 in grants to hundreds of nonprofit organizations in Boston and $127,000 in academic scholarships to 51 Massachusetts students.

For more information on the MCCA’s Community Partnership & Hospitality Fund, please visit:

https://www.massconvention.com/community/grants-program-overview

About the 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 Powered by Citizens Bank, and The Lot On D. The BCEC and Hynes have earned a rare gold standard from the International Association of Congress Centres (AIPC), making Boston only the fourth city in North America and the 12th worldwide to have been awarded this top standard, the highest certification level a convention facility can achieve under strict AIPC guidelines.

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