Town Of Brookline To Launch Racial Equity Fund

BROOKLINE, MA — The Town of Brookline and the Brookline Community Foundation are set to launch a Racial Equity Fund to support organizations and efforts to advance local racial equity and justice.

The new fund will provide grants to local nonprofits and community efforts working to address racial equity gaps in economic advancement, education, health and wellness, housing, and more.

“As one of the first communities in Massachusetts to allocate mitigation fees from cannabis dispensary revenue to fund racial justice grantmaking, I am excited we’ve reached this milestone and look forward to the next phases of this program launching in the coming months,” said Town Administrator Mel Kleckner in a statement.

The Brookline Community Foundation, which has invested $500,000 to start the fund, will manage the finances and facilitate the program. The foundation will also assemble an inclusive Racial Equity Fund Committee comprised of community members, town representatives, and Brookline Community Foundation representatives.

“The creation of this dedicated fund signals a tremendous and unprecedented step in Brookline for racial justice," said Giselle Ferro Puigbo, Executive Director of the Brookline Community Foundation. "Reversing the impacts of racial injustice will require persistent effort for many years to come, and by leveraging our partnership with the Town and actively seeking other funding partners, we can move resources more equitably and strategically in commitment to the strengths and visions of communities of color.”

The Brookline Community Foundation is a public charity that works to advance opportunity and promote equity by supporting local efforts and organizations. For more information, click here.