BankFive Foundation, a fund of the Community Foundation of Southeastern Massachusetts, recently awarded grants totaling $30,000 to two community organizations in the SouthCoast.
Casa dos Açores da Nova Inglaterra (CANI), was awarded $25,000 support the upcoming FABRIC Arts Festival. CANI in conjunction with Tremor and Walk&Talk, will be hosting the festival on September 28th in the City of Fall River. Massachusetts Aquaculture Association (MAA) was awarded $5,000 to assist in coordination, communication, regional economic business expansion and scientific research in the aquaculture industry over the next three years.
“BankFive, through its fund at the Community Foundation, is an extraordinary example of smart, innovative, and responsive corporate philanthropy. As demonstrated by these two very different and very compelling grants to projects that are uniquely important to Fall River and our region. We are honored to be a part BankFive’s community support.” said John Vasconcellos, President of Community Foundation of Southeastern.
“These are two unique causes that we are very proud to support. Art and culture attracts tourists, diverse talent, and growth to the economy while instilling pride in the community. We are excited to support the FABRIC Arts Festival and for the positive impact it will have on the City of Fall River,” said William R. Eccles Jr., President and CEO of BankFive. “The MAA plays an active role in addressing the needs of aquatic growers and is one of the fastest growing forms of agriculture. We acknowledge the importance and value that the association has on the industry and the local economy.”
Fabric Arts Festival is a celebration of art, music, community and the city, taking place in Fall River, Massachusetts on September 25 - 28, 2019. Organized by Casa dos Açores de Nova Inglaterra, with the curatorship of Jesse James and Sofia Carolina Botelho and António Pedro Lopes, FABRIC Arts Festival is a platform for creation and presentation of artistic excellence through a program of arts, music and film.
Michael Benevides, Vice President of CANI, “We are pleased to bring FABRIC arts festival to the City of Fall River. We would like to thank Bank5 and the Community Foundation for supporting this initiative and investing in making Fall River a better community.”
The Massachusetts Aquaculture Association (MAA) is a non-profit aimed at supporting aquaculture in the state. It is the primary trade organization for representation of approximately 400 licensed growers of fish, shellfish and sea vegetables as well as ancillary support industries of aquaculture in Massachusetts. Growth in aquaculture has impacted the need for organizations like MAA to broaden services by providing greater education opportunities for producers and consumers alike. The broadening of support services and growth of the aquaculture industry has led to aquatic farms and their business increasing social environmental and economic impacts within their communities.
"We are honored to have received support from the BankFive foundation for our efforts to support Massachusetts aquatic farmers,” said Seth Garfield, MAA President. “Like BankFive, MAA and its members strive to have a beneficial impact in our communities and across our Commonwealth. This support will help us fulfill our mission and support the increasingly important role that aquaculture is playing as a significant contributor to our local economies and our food system.”
Pictured (L-R): John Vasconcellos, President at Community Foundation of Southeaster MA, Seth Garfield, President at Massachusetts Aquaculture Association, William R. Eccles, Jr. President & CEO of BankFive, Andrea Amaral Rodrigues, Vice President, Marketing Manager at BankFive.
Pictured (L-R): John Vasconcellos, President at Community Foundation of Southeaster MA, Francisco J. Viveiros, President at CANI, Michael Benevides, Vice President of CANI, William R. Eccles, Jr. President & CEO of BankFive, Andrea Amaral Rodrigues, Vice President, Marketing Manager at BankFive.
About the Community Foundation
Since 1995, area residents have been turning to the Community Foundation of Southeastern Massachusetts to make their philanthropic giving as effective as possible. The Community Foundation is a public charity serving thousands of people who share a common concern – improving the quality of life in Southeastern Massachusetts. To date, the Community Foundation has distributed more than $25 million to humanitarian, educational and cultural organizations in the region. More information about the Foundation can be found at www.cfsema.org.
About FABRIC Festival
FABRIC Arts Festival is a celebration of art, music, community and the city, that takes place in Fall River, Massachusetts. The pilot edition will take place on September 25 - 28, 2019.
About Massachusetts Aquaculture Association
The Massachusetts Aquaculture Association (MAA) is a non-profit trade association formed in 1986 and is the primary organization representing aquatic farmers and related support businesses in the Commonwealth. It is MAA's purpose to promote the aquaculture industry in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts by associating in membership appropriate personnel of firms and companies which are located in the Commonwealth and are primarily interested in aquaculture relate business.