We have determined meeting dates and times for each FAC so that members can choose a committee that fits with their schedule. Please be aware that you do NOT need to choose a committee based on your particular expertise. Many members have found significant value in the experience of serving on different committees from year to year.
Arts and Culture: Includes projects that foster greater exposure to or participation in the arts, expand arts education, or use art as a medium for creative expression. Priority will be given to programs that target residents in underserved communities that have lacked access to quality arts programs. Meeting schedule: Wednesdays at 5:30 PM. Chairs: Ellen Goldstein and Linda Skalet
Environment: Includes projects that focus on improving or preserving the natural and built environments, including places that experience a disproportionate amount of pollution as a result of heavy industry, or that lack access to clean air and water, natural resources, and green spaces. Also includes projects that address neighborhood crime and violence. Meeting Schedule: Thursdays at 6:00 PM. Chair: Dana Hirschenbaum
Education: Includes projects that expand or improve learning opportunities for students who lack access to a quality education, including projects focused on providing early childhood education, language and literacy skills training, and tutoring and mentoring, as well as programs to increase high school graduation rates and/or enrollment in higher education, especially for populations that have experienced systemic racism or discrimination. Meeting Schedule: Mondays at 5:30 PM. Chairs: Kate Rodgers and Dorothy Durden
Family: Includes projects that support the lives of individuals, children, families, and seniors, especially but not limited to immigrant communities and people of color who have been the subject of systemic racism, focusing on housing, living wage, food insecurity, job skills training, and other basic needs. Meeting schedule: Mondays, 6:00 PM. Chairs: Mary Ellen Taylor and Francine Lamoriello
Health and Wellness: Includes projects that address access to health care and that seek to improve the physical or mental health of people who experience discrimination, including people of color, the disabled, and incarcerated individuals, as well as projects that foster healthy living habits and holistic wellness. Meeting schedule: Wednesdays at 6:30 PM. Chairs: Lois Nembhard and Heather Johnson
Finance Review Committee: This committee differs from the other focus area committees as it will focus on the evaluation of nonprofit financial statements. These committee members will interact with all five of the focus area committees to conduct an in-depth financial review of the FAC committee identified applicants. Familiarity with financial statements or evaluation procedures helpful but not required. We will hold an initial training for all committee members to walk through our review process. Commitee work will take place March 20 to April 11, following initial FAC deliberations. Meeting schedule: Thursdays at 5:30. Chairs: Meagan Van Orden and Latina Fauconier