WHALE is delighted to share some good news. We have recently received funding from three very distinguished sources: the Island Foundation, the Massachusetts Cultural Council, and the NationalTrust for Historic Preservation. Each of these organizations carefully vetted WHALE’s proposals, and they each responded YES! Their funds will support WHALE’s work in New Bedford, as well as our work to craft a new strategic plan.
The Island Foundation doubled its support for WHALE this year. They’re backing our focus on strategic planning — developing an exciting vision and plan for WHALE’s next half-century. The Marion-based Island Foundation was founded in 1979 by W. Van Alan Clark, Jr. and Mary H. Clark. They envisioned a family foundation that was capable not only of reacting to the needs of the community, but also providing leadership grants and taking chances other foundations might be unwilling to consider.
The Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency, awarded funding through its Cultural Investment Portfolio to support WHALE’s programs and services. These state grants are awarded through a competitive process. This grant signifies that WHALE provides a high level of public value through its programs and community service, according to MCC’s executive director, Anita Walker.
MCC has a budget of $11.2 million, including an appropriation of $9.5 million from the state of Massachusetts and grants from the National Endowment for the Arts and other sources. Its funds reach every community in Massachusetts. The mission of the MCC is to promote excellence, education, access and diversity in the arts, humanities and sciences in order to improve the quality of life for all Massachusetts residents and to contribute to the economic vitality of our communities. The not-for-profit cultural industry has a $4.2 billion economic impact in the state.
The National Trust for Historic Preservation dispenses grants for local projects through its Preservation Funds grant program. Grants range from $500 to $5,000 and have provided over $5.5 million dollars of funding since 2002. The grant to WHALE came from the National Trust’s Preservation Fund for Eastern Massachusetts.
“Without organizations like WHALE, communities and towns all across America would have a diminished sense of place,” said Stephanie Meeks, president of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. “The National Trust for Historic Preservation is honored to provide a grant to WHALE, which will use the funds to help preserve an important piece of our shared heritage.”
Please join us in thanking WHALE’s supporters at the Island Foundation, the Massachusetts Cultural Council, and the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
