Press Releases

A deadline of Oct. 1 has been set for the submission of strategic focus grants to the Cape Cod Foundation. Strategic focus grants support requests of $5,000 or more and are accepted once a year.

These grants, new as of last year, address strategic initiatives and help build organizational capacity. “The strategic focus grants assist local nonprofit organizations with sustainability and building their capacity to have a positive, long-term impact on Cape Cod,” said Kristin O’Malley, Manager of Community Investment Services.

General grants, requests of under $5,000, are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year and generally support emerging opportunities, help launch creative initiatives, and cover costs of one-time, small projects.

Grant guidelines and other information may be found online at www.capecodfoundation.org or by calling (508) 790-3040.

Cape Cod Volunteers, which links nonprofit agencies with potential volunteers, has opened to the public. People who are looking for meaningful volunteer opportunities can visit www.capecodvolunteers.org, where they will find a database of listings posted by area nonprofits. Nonprofit organizations began listing opportunities in June and are encouraged to continue.

“People across Cape Cod are known for their willingness to be involved in their communities, and they have experience that makes them ideal volunteers,” said Brian O’Connell, chair of the initiative that started Cape Cod Volunteers and a board member of the Cape Cod Foundation. “Now they’ll have a central system to guide them in their efforts.”

Cape Cod Volunteers began four years ago with a community needs assessment. It is an initiative of the Cape Cod Foundation in partnership with CapeCodOnline.com, Barnstable County, and an Advisory Committee with representatives from Cape-wide organizations including Cape Cod Community College, Cape and Islands United Way, Habitat for Humanity, and Elder Services of Cape Cod and the Islands, as well as community members.

Besides listing available volunteer positions, nonprofit agencies also can solicit in-kind donations and list board openings and interview potential candidates. For help posting or searching for volunteer opportunities, contact Katie Mueller, the Cape Cod Foundation AmeriCorps/Vista, at cmueller@capecodfoundation.org or (508) 790-3040.

The Cape Cod Foundation announced its annual scholarship recipients June 1 at the Cotuit Center for the Arts. More than 150 guests attended the event, where scholarship fundholders and representatives met the students who received scholarships and their families. The reception was held in conjunction with the Foundation’s annual meeting.

“The scholarship reception is a wonderful event, allowing the Foundation to honor the students for their hard work and to thank our donors and our volunteer committee members,” said Kristin O’Malley, Manager of Community Investment Services. Representatives of local schools also attended.

The Cape Cod Foundation has awarded nearly $300,000 in scholarships this year to more than 100 local students. Scholarships have played an integral role in the growth of the Foundation, which began in 1989 with one scholarship fund and has grown to over 270 funds, including more than 65 scholarship funds. Since 2001, the Foundation has partnered with the Cape Cod Association, one of the largest independent scholarship funds in New England; this year the Association provided more than $400,000 in scholarship awards to 335 Cape and Islands students.

Cape Cod Foundation 2010 Scholarship Recipients (to date):

Adair/Collins Science & Engineering Scholarship of Barnstable American Legion Post 206
Samantha Beynor, Barnstable

American Association of University Women/Cape Cod Branch Student Re-Entry Scholarship Heather Hendershot, Brewster

American Legion Post 308, Orleans, MA Veterans Scholarship
Dylan Bittrich, Brewster
Stephanie Cleary, Brewster
Alana Driscoll, Brewster
Maya Hatch, Brewster
William Hersey, Brewster
Benjamin Nickerson, Orleans
Samuel Poole, Brewster
Madelyn Walters, Orleans

American Legion Post 308, Orleans, MA Veterans Toolship
April Brightman, Brewster

Sean Breen Memorial Scholarship
Michael Wall, Barnstable

Dorothy W. and Charles M. Campbell Scholarship
Andrew Barbato, Harwich
Amelia Crane, Barnstable

Cape Cod Foundation Scholarship
Dino Giancola, Falmouth

Cape Cod Investment Club Scholarship Honoring James H. Cummings
ChamBrais Medeiros, Brewster

Cape Cod Restaurants, Inc. Scholarship
Kirk Frazer, Falmouth
Andrew Mitchell, Falmouth
Lauren Tenney, Falmouth

Edward D. Cliggott Memorial Scholarship
Emma Bound, Barnstable

Patricia Colbert Donovan Memorial Scholarship
Kathryn Dussault, Barnstable

Bill Cotter Memorial Scholarship
Madison Kasheta, Barnstable

Priscilla M. (Wittenmeyer) Cotter Memorial Scholarship
Jennifer Hayes, Barnstable

William J. “Rusty” Cotter Memorial Scholarship
Daniel Pipe-Mazo, Barnstable

Annie S. Crowell Scholarship
Kerri Sadoff, Falmouth
Brandi Weber, Truro

Daysie Day Scholarship
Joseph Amara, Chatham
Kathleen Eldredge, Chatham
Celia Muto, Chatham

Paul Dever Daley & Robert Joyce Scholarship
Racine Oxtoby, Truro

Samuel D'Olimpio Scholarship
Benjamin Cohen, Barnstable
Kelsey Davis, Barnstable

Nancy Schofield Fadely Music Scholarship
Rebekah Nivala, Martha's Vineyard
Christopher Phillips, Chatham

Andrew Fayne Memorial Scholarship
Janelle Beckford, Barnstable
Alexandra Talerman, Barnstable

Daniel Bradley Gaylord Memorial Scholarship
Jessica Vella, Bourne

Melissa Gifford Memorial Scholarship
Meghan DeCosta, Barnstable

Jean W. Gordon Scholarship
Hannah Trumbo, Provincetown

Roberta A. Guzzetta Scholarship
Kathleen Eldredge, Chatham

Harwich Class of ’49 Scholarship
 Siobhan Smith, Harwich

J. G. Hinkle Scholarship
Charles Ferguson, Barnstable
Matheus Fiuza, Barnstable
Linnea King, Barnstable

Hyannis Normal School Alumni Scholarship
Katherine Horyn, Nantucket
Kerri Sadoff, Falmouth
Brandi Weber, Truro

Capt. Roger J. Jetté Memorial Scholarship
Craig Wade, Nantucket

Philip "PJ" Jones Memorial Scholarship
Shannon Pacella, Barnstable

Ketchum-Luft Scholarship
Sarah Porteus, Wellfleet

Peter Kirwin Memorial Scholarship
Mara Glatzel, Provincetown

Richard & Ethel Koff Memorial Scholarship
William Turner, Barnstable

Korean War Veterans Association, Cape & Islands Chapter 1, Scholarship in Memory of Lt. Col. Filmore W. McAbee 
William Hersey, Brewster

Kirk MacSwan Memorial Scholarship
Whitney Shufelt, Barnstable

Stanley V. Margolin Scholarship
Tyler Singer-Clark, Falmouth

Edward J. O'Hara Memorial Scholarship
Leo Rose, Jr., Truro
Brianna Russell, Provincetown

Orleans Chamber of Commerce, Inc. Pops in the Park Scholarship
Scott McLellan, Eastham

Orleans-Eastham Ambulance Association Scholarship
Kristina Adhikari, Orleans

George E. and Doris K. Parmenter Aeronautical Scholarship
Thomas DaLomba, Barnstable

Ruth B. Sears Scholarship
Timothy Depin, Dennis
Jordan Deshaies, Dennis
Kyle Magaliff, Dennis
Robert Nelson, Dennis

Kaitlin M. Silk Memorial Scholarship
Demi Miskiv, Barnstable
Anna Morgan, Barnstable

Bonnie Skane Memorial Scholarship
Lauren Fulone, Mashpee

H. H. Snow Family Scholarship
Brielle Tishler, Brewster

Mark Edward Thayer Scholarship
David McKiernan, Sandwich

Winthrop T. Trenholm Memorial Scholarship
Rachel Patchel, Sandwich

Megan Tripp Memorial Scholarship
Nancy Henry, Sandwich
Anthony Mele, Barnstable
Alexa Williams, Dennis

Esther M. Wallace Scholarship
Benjamin Denmark, Falmouth
Melanie Hopkins, Harwich
Christopher Inglis, Mashpee
Caleb Paus, Brewster
Michael Salyh, Sandwich
Crystal Santos, Yarmouth
Siobhan Smith, Harwich
Catherine Stone, Barnstable
Michael Struna, Brewster
Heidi Mead, Eastham
Rebekah Wiegand, Harwich

Michael B. Wallace Memorial Scholarship
Benjamin Cohen, Barnstable

Patricia A. Ward Memorial Nauset Nursing/Medical Scholarship
Heidi Mead, Eastham

Bev Watters Memorial Scholarship
Erin Dow, Barnstable

Frank X. and Mary E. Weny Scholarship
Chelsea Miller, Yarmouth

Henry and Minnie Whittemore Scholarship
Alyssa Ellard, Brewster
ChamBrais Medeiros, Brewster
Kareem Sanjaghi, Brewster

Joseph F. Woodson Scholarship
Samantha Borges, Dennis
Leandro Campos, Barnstable

June A. Zenke Memorial Scholarship
Tyler Higgins, Eastham
Andrew Leandre, Dennis
Sylvia Tomayko- Peters, Truro

The Cape Cod Foundation has announced a new scholarship for adults returning to school. The Scarbrough Adult Learner Scholarship Fund is open to students who are citizens of the United States and who are pursuing an undergraduate education in an accredited program. Students must have at least 24 consecutive months as a non-student. Preference is for students pursuing a two-year degree or professional certificate and/or attending a technical school. Applicants from Southeastern Massachusetts will be considered, but preference will be given to students from Cape Cod or the Islands. Up to 4 awards of up to $3,000 will be awarded.

All applications must be postmarked by July 15, 2010. Applications can be obtained from the Cape Cod Foundation by calling (508) 790-3040 or by visiting www.capecodfoundation.org. For questions regarding the scholarship, contact Kristin O’Malley, manager of community investment services, at (508) 790-3040 or komalley@capecodfoundation.org.

Jennifer S.D. Roberts has been elected to the 2010 Board of Directors of the Cape Cod Foundation. Roberts, a resident of Sandwich, is an attorney with the firm of LaTanzi, Spaulding & Landreth, P.C. in Orleans. She is a graduate of Bryn Mawr College and received her law degree from Boston University. Roberts formerly served on the Cape Cod Foundation Board from 1999 to 2006.

Foundation Board Chair Richard M. Page said that Roberts’ background and history with the Foundation will be a strong asset to local philanthropy, especially as the Foundation continues its work to enhance civic engagement. “Jennifer’s strong ties to the local community, and her familiarity with Cape Cod and the Foundation itself, bring many strengths,” Page said. “We look forward to welcoming her to the board.”

Roberts also served as a director of Cape Cod Healthcare from 1999 to 2008 and is the former president of the Barnstable County Bar Association. She joined LaTanzi, Spaulding & Landreth in 2006, where she concentrates on civil litigation.

Cape Cod Volunteers, a website-based service that will link nonprofit agencies with potential volunteers, is open to nonprofits to post their volunteer opportunities. The initiative, a project of the Cape Cod Foundation, plans to open to the public in four to six weeks so that residents and visitors can find volunteer positions.

“Volunteers are an invaluable resource for Cape Cod,” said Lisa McNeill, Vice President of the Cape Cod Foundation. “The website (www.capecodvolunteers.org) is an easy, cost-free way for area nonprofits and volunteers to link for their mutual benefit. The potential for our region is enormous.”

On the website, nonprofits can specify what kind of volunteers will best fit their organization’s needs and also list other information, such as a wish list and board openings. Nonprofits can post as many volunteer opportunities as they wish.

Cape nonprofits are encouraged to sign up now by visiting www.capecodvolunteers.org. Individuals who want to volunteer should wait until July, when more volunteer opportunities will be posted.

Cape Cod Volunteers was created in partnership with CapeCodOnline.com and is guided by an Advisory Committee of community representatives and several groups including Barnstable County, Cape Cod Community College; Cape and Islands United Way; Elder Services of Cape Cod and the Islands; Habitat for Humanity; Falmouth Service Center; Cape Cod Regional Transit Authority; and the Councils on Aging of Mashpee, Yarmouth, and Orleans. Funding is provided by The Atlantic Philanthropies’ Community Experience Partnership, Tufts Health Plan Foundation, Bank of America, and an anonymous grant matched by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation.

For questions, feedback, or help posting information, contact Katie Mueller, the Cape Cod Foundation AmeriCorps*VISTA and Volunteer Initiative Coordinator, at volunteers@capecodfoundation.org or (508) 790-3040.

The Cape Cod Foundation has announced the appointment of Kristin O’Malley as the Foundation’s first Manager of Community Investment Services. O’Malley has served at the Foundation for six years, most recently as Program Officer.

In her new position, O’Malley will work with current and prospective donors to help them meet their philanthropic goals. She will continue her previous duties as program officer to manage some of the Foundation’s grant programs and scholarship programs, said Vice President Lisa McNeill. O’Malley also will continue to manage the scholarship program for the Cape Cod Association, a supporting organization of the Cape Cod Foundation.

“We have been fortunate to have Kristin at the Foundation for these past six years,” McNeill said. “We’re looking forward to expanding her role to help the Foundation meet our goals of providing excellent services to donors and partnering with local community organizations.”

O’Malley holds a master’s degree in Business Administration with a focus on nonprofit management from Suffolk University, and a joint bachelor’s degree in Biology-Psychology and Pre-medicine from Middlebury College. She began working in the nonprofit sector nine years ago and joined the Cape Cod Foundation in 2004. O’Malley has served as co-chair of the Barnstable County Council for Children, Youth, and Families and is a graduate of the Community Leadership Institute of Cape Cod and the Islands, where she also served on the board. She is a member of the Beta Gamma Sigma Business Honor Society.

Two Provincetown nonprofit agencies are the recipients of grants in the Cape Cod Foundation’s spring grants program.

The Provincetown Center for Coastal Studies received $1,800 from the Foundation’s Environmental Trust Fund to develop a curriculum-based pilot program for grades 5 and 6 in area schools. The students will participate in hands-on field experiences that address water quality monitoring, nutrient loading, invasive species, and primary production in Cape Cod Bay. Jesse Mechling, the Coastal Center’s marine education director, said the new project tackles a subject that is forefront on Cape Codders’ minds. “Water quality is an incredibly important issue on Cape Cod today,” he said. “We’re extremely grateful for the funding.” Mechling expects to begin visiting classrooms in May to work with the new curriculum.

A $500 grant from the Jesse and Juanita Grimes Fund for Humanitarian Services of the Cape Cod Foundation will support the Soup Kitchen in Provincetown with a new computer and backup drive.

The Cape Cod Foundation, Bilezikian Family Foundation, and Edward Bangs Kelley and Elza Kelley Foundation are joining to kick off a fundraising campaign to support the merger of two of the Cape’s biggest arts organizations.

The Cape Cod Conservatory of Music and Arts and the Cape Cod Symphony Orchestra announced that they will pursue a merger in an unprecedented effort to expand music and arts education on the Cape. The three Cape foundations simultaneously announced their plans to help launch the fundraising effort for the merger with a combined $100,000 challenge grant.

“The Cape Cod Foundation is proud to collaborate on this effort, bringing together the strength of three of Cape Cod’s most respected funding agencies to strengthen music and arts education on the Cape,” said Elizabeth Gawron, Foundation President. “This merger is coming at a time when maximizing charitable resources is more critical than ever. Partnering to increase efficiency, and finding ways to further the programmatic missions for now and the future, is a very smart decision by the Conservatory and the Symphony. Our foundation and the Bilezikian and Kelley foundations are excited about the potential of this merger and proud to be in a position to help make it happen.”

The capital fundraising campaign, “Unite4Excellence,” must raise an additional $200,000 to qualify for the matching challenge grant.

The Cape Cod Foundation has been named the Gold award winner for excellence in communications, Special Reports category, by the 2010 Wilmer Shields Rich Award Program, sponsored by the Council on Foundations. The awards program recognizes effective communications efforts to increase public awareness of foundations and corporate giving programs.

The Cape Cod Foundation received the Special Reports commendation for Understanding Cape Cod, a color publication that details some of the area’s most pressing problems and some solutions. The award will be presented during the Council on Foundation’s Annual Conference, April 25-27, in Denver.

“We’re very proud that the Council on Foundations has recognized Understanding Cape Cod, and the effort behind it, with its Gold award,” said Elizabeth Gawron, Foundation President. For a copy of the report, visit www.capecodfoundation.org or contact the Foundation at info@capecodfoundation.org or (508) 790-3040.