BPDA awards $100,000 in community benefits to local nonprofits in the Fenway neighborhood

May 17, 2023

The BPDA Board approved the disbursement of $100,000 in grant funding to nine community nonprofit organizations from the Boston Red Sox Fenway Park Demonstration Project Community Benefits at their May board meeting. The community benefits funding is aimed at creating temporary or permanent beautification projects in the neighborhood.

The funds stem from the Fenway Park Demonstration Project, an agreement made with the Boston Red Sox in September 2013 for certain game day and event easements in the area. As part of the agreement, the Red Sox pledged to contribute funds to support beautification efforts in the Fenway neighborhood.

The awardees for this round of funding are as follows:

• Emerald Necklace Conservancy - The Emerald Necklace Conservancy manages 1,100 acres of parkland to protect it and make it accessible to everyone. They were awarded $20,500.
• Charlesgate Alliance - The Charlesgate Alliance works to bring together Kenmore, Back Bay, and Fenway residents to improve the Charlesgate area parks. They were awarded $20,000.
• Friends of the Public Garden - The Friends of the Public Garden, one of the oldest parks advocacy groups in the country, works to renew, care, and advocate for the Boston Common, Public Garden, and Commonwealth Avenue Mall. They were awarded $6,500.
• Fenway Garden Society - The Fenway Garden Society nourishes partnerships with individuals, local businesses, corporations, and foundations to encourage interest in the Richard D. Parker Memorial Victory Gardens. They were awarded $9,000.
• Fenway Community Center - The Fenway Community Center works to serve as a gathering place for all Fenway residents to build connections, share information, deliver programs, and provide services. They were awarded $9,500.
• Boston Rhythm Riders - The Boston Rhythm Riders have curated fitness boot camps, wellness functions, and line dance events for various groups ages 14 to 70. They are looking to expand programming in the Fenway neighborhood. They were awarded $5,000.
• Muddy Water Initiative - The Muddy Water Initiative is an organization dedicated to cleaning up the Muddy River. They were awarded $12,000.
• ARCK - ARCK works to provide vital arts programs to under-resourced public school students. They were awarded $17,500.

The BPDA is pleased to announce these recipients of the Fenway Community Benefits Fund, and looks forward to the results of these organizations’ projects!