Founded in 2012 by concerned Lexington residents, the Community Endowment of Lexington (CEL) is an endowed Fund of the Foundation for MetroWest that provides grants to qualifying nonprofits and municipalities serving Lexington in the areas of health & human services, arts & culture, environmental sustainability and community enrichment.

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CEL Awards $29,000 in 2017 Grants  

CEL recently hosted its fourth annual Grant Award Ceremony at the Lexington Community Center where over $29,000 was distributed to seven local nonprofit organizations in the areas of Health and Human Services, Arts and Culture, the Environment, and Community Building. To date, CEL has granted more than $100,000 to twenty nonprofit organizations serving the Lexington community.

Stephanie Lawrence, CEL Board Co-Chair, explains, "The CEL works to create solutions to our community's needs and improve the quality of life for all residents, and this mission has become even more critical during these uncertain times and with government funding cuts looming. This is a significant year for the Endowment as we celebrate our five-year anniversary and work to raise the additional $200K that will take us to the $1million fundraising mark by December 31st, at which point the CEL will attain permanent endowment status and become a financial resource not just for us, but for all future generations of Lexington residents."  
2017 Grantees   

FRIENDS OF MINUTE MAN NATIONAL PARK
For the construction of the Parker's Revenge Battle Site Trail Loop Project at the park, a 1,500-foot educational trail loop that will protect the area's archaeological and ecological sensitivity.

LEXINGTON RECREATION AND COMMUNITY PROGRAMS DEPARTMENT
For two CPR/First Aid/AED certification courses for Lexington residents, including one train-the-trainer course. This program will ultimately provide a safer community environment.

LEXINGTON YOUTH AND FAMILY SERVICES
For implementing "Balancing on the Hyphen," a six-part multicultural community education initiative designed to address the challenges and rewards of Lexington teens with multicultural heritages. This program will be in concert with The Korean Organization of Lexington and a multicultural sponsoring board. 

MUNROE CENTER FOR THE ARTS (MCA)
For the MCA's Refugee Diaspora project, produced by Munroe Saturday Nights, a free performing arts series serving Lexington audiences. This collaborative arts program is intended to educate Lexington residents about the refugee experience and promote civic engagement.

NEIGHBOR BRIGADE
For volunteer growth and diversification in Neighbor Brigade's Lexington chapter, a network of community-based volunteers that provides free support services to fellow Lexingtonians facing unexpected crises. By increasing volunteer engagement and diversity of volunteers in the areas of age, gender and ethnicity, the organization will better meet the needs of Lexington's diverse population.

SUPPORTIVE LIVING, INC. (SLI)
For the SLI Total Health Summer Camp that will bring together brain injury survivors and non-disabled Lexington residents in summer camp health and wellness programming. These programs are part of Supportive Living's Total Health initiative that includes a range of physical, cognitive and social fitness programs.

THE CHILDREN'S ROOM
For the operations of a Lexington High School-based peer support group for teens grieving the loss of a parent or sibling. The group is co-facilitated by a clinical staff member from The Children's Room and an LHS mental health professional, and is offered free of charge to students.
CEL grantee the Children_s Room with CEL co-chair Nancy White
Leadership of the Children's Room with CEL Co-Chair Nancy White
CEL grantee Neighbor Brigade with CEL co-chair Nancy White
Neighbor Brigade Executive Director Polly Mendoza with CEL's Nancy White
Thank You! 

 

CEL Civic Founders 
Lexington businesses and civic organizations contribute to the vibrancy of our community and are often strong philanthropic partners, as evidenced by our  "Civic Founders".
Thank you to: 

 

The Chinese American Association of Lexington 

Lexx Restaurant  

Finnegan Development  

Angel Dance Company  

 




To learn more about CEL's Civic Founders program and how your business or civic organization can contribute in a meaningful way to our community, contact Stephanie Lawrence. 

2016-17 Community Board
Stephanie Wolk Lawrence,  Co-Chair
Nancy White,  Co-Chair
Lisah Rhodes, Clerk
Riaz Adamjee
Nancy Adler
Yuci Ma
Roberta Messina
Hua Wang  
Leslie Zales

The Community Endowment of Lexington (CEL)
 is an endowed fund of the 
a 501(c)(3) nonprofit
Federal Tax ID:
04-3266789