Harwich Fund Awards $18K To Local Nonprofits

HARWICH – The Harwich Fund has awarded $18,500 in grants to local nonprofits.

Established in 2019, the fund awards grants to nonprofit organizations providing programs and services in the community.

Grants issued in this round will assist nonprofit organizations in addressing food and shelter insecurity, clothing and economic needs, mental and behavioral health challenges and substance use disorders in the community, according to Brian Scheld, the fund’s chair.

The Harwich Fund, a permanent endowment under the umbrella of The Cape Cod Foundation, has awarded $55,305 in grants to local nonprofit organizations since 2019. The contributions have also assisted with cultural programs and environmental needs within the community.

“In three short years, we have collectively touched the lives of hundreds of Harwich residents,” said Scheld. “It is clear, though, that the needs in Harwich far exceed what we have been able to do with our current resources. While our ‘Harwich Helping Harwich’ strategy has made an impact in our community, we see that the needs are growing exponentially. This year, grant requests exceeded $58,000; our current grant capacity could only fund 30 percent of those requests.”

Scheld said he wanted to recognize the contribution of PugFest organizers Pugga Routhier and DJ Thiele for a $3,000 donation they made to the fund. PugFest is an annual music and picnic event held each August in Brooks Park. The money raised from the event is donated each year to address worthy causes in Harwich.

“The Harwich Fund, and more importantly the 2023 grantees, are ever so grateful to PugFest for their support,” Scheld said.

The grants issued for this year include $5,000 to the Harwich Children’s Fund for the winter outerwear drive for children In need. The Homeless Prevention Council received $2,500 for personalized case management for local families. Behavioral Health Innovators was awarded $2,500 for the Positive Alternative to School Suspension (PASS) program at Monomoy Regional High School. The Cape Cod Theater Company received $2,500 for the Town Read Project which unites the Harwich Junior Theatre, Brooks Library, the 204 Cultural building and the Harwich Elementary School.

The Friends of the Harwich Council on Aging was awarded $2,500 for a cultural arts program assisting seniors in creative expression enrichment. Pleasant Bay Community Boating was granted $1,500 for field trips for Harwich elementary and middle school students. The Harwich Chamber of Commerce received $1,500 for the inaugural production of “A Cape Cod Christmas Carol.” Colorful Kidz got $500 for room makeovers for local children in need.

For more information about The Harwich Fund visit harwichfund.org. Donations can be made by sending a check payable to The Harwich Fund at The Cape Cod Foundation, 261 Whites Path, Unit 2, South Yarmouth, MA, 02664.