First Parish Church is offering $20,000 in grants through a new program established through the generosity of two longtime members.
When the Charles River Broadcasting Trust in 2006 sold WCRB radio, the value of shares in the station became available. The owners were members of the Unitarian church and decided to leave shares in the station to the church for charitable uses.
In honor of the station's founder, Ted Jones, and his wife, Nathalie, both longtime church members who are now deceased, First Parish has established the Jones Partnership Fund, which will annually award grants to Waltham community organizations.
Ron Adams, a member of the church who is on the Partnership Fund Grant Committee, said that local groups can apply for the grants through members of the church's congregation.
The grants are available to a wide variety of organizations. One of the provisions is that those groups who apply have to partner with the church on the project.
``The parameters are very broad, it could include almost anything you can imagine,'' Adams said.
In its first year, the Jones Partnership Fund will offer $20,000 for projects. The committee would deliberate on the proposals.
``The goal is to have as many projects as possible,'' Adams said.
Over the next decade, Adams said the church is expected to offer up to $150,000 for community projects.
Applications and fund guidelines are available on the church Web site: www.walthamuu.org. The deadline for this year's proposals is April 15.
The church is also hosting a launch party for the fund on Saturday at 4 p.m. where those who are interested in applying can learn more about the program.
Help will be available for organizations new to grant proposal writing.
Richard Conn can be contacted at 781-398-8004 or rconn@cnc.com.
WALTHAM —
