Dance at The Yard
Chilmark Fields Owned and Managed by Vineyard Open Land Foundation
Vineyard House Fundraiser. Photo courtesy of petersimon.
Growth on a Mussel Line
One Vineyarder Helping Another
Vineyard Farmland
Our Funds
The Permanent Endowment for Martha’s Vineyard was established to build charitable resources to improve the quality of life on the Island. Our investment policy seeks both current income to support the needs of our Island community today and long-term growth of capital to ensure a lasting source of funds tomorrow.
Since the Endowment was formed in 1982 with an initial contribution of $60,000, our assets have grown to $6.6 million as of December 2009. Over the past five years, our assets have increased more than 40 percent in large measure due to the generosity of our donors – individuals, families, other philanthropies and institutions – as well as our prudent investment strategy.
Following is a description of each of our funds.
Funds for Grants
These funds range from unrestricted to those focused on specific donor interests or designated for individual organizations.
Ruth J. Bogan - Ruth Redding Memorial Fund
Ruth Redding, a long time Island resident, created this fund to honor the creative spirit and love of Martha’s Vineyard of her friend, Ruth J. Bogan. Funds are designated to a number of Island organizations supported by Ruth Bogan during her lifetime. In addition, the annual Creative Living Award was established in the name of the fund to honor an individual or individuals who exemplify Ruth Bogan’s creativity and love of the Vineyard and whose artistic, humanitarian and civic accomplishments have contributed significantly to life on the Island.
James P. Cahen Fund
This fund was created for the purpose of “defraying expenses of equipping and staffing medical, surgical or health care service providers, including preventive health care” serving the residents of Martha’s Vineyard, with priority given to low income families and individuals.
General Discretionary Fund
This unrestricted fund supports projects and programs addressing important Island concerns and, to a limited extent, capital investments. As a matter of policy, grants from the General Discretionary Fund are not available for an organization’s general operating expenses.
Alfred F. Ferro and Edward S. Redstone Fund for the Elderly of Tisbury
This fund was established in 1986 for the benefit of the elderly residents of the town of Tisbury.
Harriet N. Goldberg Fund
Harriet N. Goldberg, who was raised on Martha’s Vineyard, bequeathed a portion of her estate to address the physical and spiritual needs of the Island’s commercial seafarers and individuals pursuing educational programs in preparation for commercial maritime careers. The fund, originally associated with the Boston Seaman’s Friend Society, was transferred to the Permanent Endowment in 2006 to insure that members of the Vineyard maritime community would continue to benefit from the financial support of the Goldberg Fund.
Lillian Hellman Recreational Fund
Established in 2009 through a bequest from the estate of Lillian Hellman, this fund supports recreational, leisure and educational activities for school age children on Martha's Vineyard both after school and during the summer months. Preference is given to programs serving children from Aquinnah.
Island Fund
This fund was started in 2007 in response to the need for more flexibility in funding Vineyard nonprofit organizations. Unlike traditional endowed funds, the Island Fund distributes all of its assets annually. Donors interested in supporting particular Vineyard organizations or fields of interest can direct their contributions to benefit specific organizations, programs or projects. This allows donors to respond more effectively to current funding needs on the Island.
Martha’s Vineyard Savings Bank Charitable Fund
Established by the Endowment’s Trustee bank, this unrestricted fund is designed to support a wide range of programs and projects on the Island. Grants from the Martha’s Vineyard Savings Bank Charitable Fund are determined quarterly by the bank’s leadership in cooperation with the Permanent Endowment.
Mayhew-Nevin Memorial Fund
Created in 1945 and transferred to the Permanent Endowment in 1986, this fund honors two distinguished and devoted Vineyard physicians, Orland S. Mayhew and Clement C. Nevin. The fund helps pay for the medical expenses of families and individuals in need who have received care from the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital.
Jack Ware Fund for Martha's Vineyard
In honor of Jack Ware, founder of the Permanent Endowment, this grant fund was established in 2009 to support nonprofit organizations working to better the quality of life on the Island.
Funds for Scholarships
These funds are part of the Endowment’s permanent assets.
Dr. Clement N. Amaral and Vera E. Amaral Scholarship Fund
This fund is designated for graduates of the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School pursuing careers as dentists, dental hygienists, nursing or dental laboratory technicians. Scholarships are awarded primarily on the basis of financial need with secondary consideration given to scholastic achievement. Preference is given to students with a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or better. Multiple scholarships may be awarded in varying amounts.
Walter and Irene Dumais Scholarship Fund
Through a bequest from Walter Dumais, this fund joined the Endowment at the end of 2007. Scholarships are awarded to seniors and graduates of the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School who are continuing their education. Preference is given to students with a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or better. Multiple scholarships may be awarded in varying amounts.
Alfred F. Ferro and Arthur T. Silva Scholarship Fund
These scholarship funds are awarded to two high ranking seniors who have been students at the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School for all four years. The awards are based on the advice of the Guidance Department of the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School. Independently submitted applications for these scholarships are not considered.
Wendy Weisman Jenkinson Culinary Arts Fund
Established in 2008 in memory of Island resident, Wendy Weisman Jenkinson, the Wendy Weisman Jenkinson Culinary Arts Fund provides scholarships to graduates of accredited schools on Martha's Vineyard who have demonstrated a passion for cooking, a good academic record and good citizenship. Applicants must be pursuing further education at a culinary school and preference is given to those showing promise as a chef.
Harriet N. Goldberg Fund
A portion of the funds available from the Harriet N. Goldberg Fund is awarded in scholarships for students pursuing educational programs relating to maritime careers. Preference is given to students with a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or better. Multiple scholarships may be awarded in varying amounts.
The Harriet N. Goldberg Fund also awards scholarships for students enrolling in Coast Guard Master Captain's License courses.
Thomas H. Lee and Barbara F. Lee Scholarship Fund
This fund, established in the memory of Fin Miller, awards scholarships primarily to high school seniors planning to concentrate on biological and environmental studies in college and sharing the donors’ concern for the protection, preservation and enhancement of the environment. Preference is given to students with a cumulatiave grade point average of 2.0 or better. Multiple scholarships may be awarded in varying amounts
Betty Ann Lima-Bryant Scholarship Fund
Named in memory of Betty Ann Lima-Bryant, this fund supports an Island resident who has demonstrated a commitment to community service and who has an active interest in human rights and the welfare of others.
Anne Madeiros Kent Scholarship Fund
This scholarship was established in 1991 through a bequest by George Albert Kent in honor of his wife, Anne. Though priority is given to a male student preparing for the Roman Catholic priesthood, if there is no such applicant, the funds are awarded to a high school senior that has been a resident of the Vineyard for at least four years and demonstrated his or her ability to benefit from higher education. Preference is given to students with a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or better. Multiple scholarships may be awarded in varying amounts.
Agnes Mello Scholarship Fund
With assets from the estate of Edward C. Mello, the Agnes Mello Scholarship Fund was established in 2005 to support graduates of the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School pursuing careers in the medical field with an emphasis on nursing. Preference is given to students with a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or better. Multiple scholarships may be awarded in varying amounts.
Dr. David Rappaport Memorial Scholarship Fund
The Rappaport family, to honor the memory of Dr. David Rappaport, established this fund to provide scholarships primarily to graduating seniors or recent graduates of the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High school pursuing careers in medicine and health care. Preference is given to students with a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or better. Multiple scholarships may be awarded in varying amounts.
James S. and Violet M. Rego Scholarship Fund
Since 1982, this scholarship fund has supported graduates of the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School who have lived on the Vineyard at least four years and who are seeking careers in therapy, medical services or other educational programs that benefit the disabled or handicapped. Preference is given to students with a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or better. Multiple scholarships may be awarded in varying amounts.
Caroline A. Secor Scholarship Fund
Designated for graduates of the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School, scholarships from this fund are for students pursuing careers in the field of health care with priority given to those working to become registered nurses. Scholarships are awarded primarily on the basis of financial need with secondary consideration given to scholastic achievement. Preference is given to students with a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or better. Multiple scholarships may be awarded in varying amounts.
Albridge C. and Margaret Righter Smith Scholarship Fund
Established in 2000, this scholarship fund supports students with a special interest in the environment and/or community service with priority given to graduates of the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School. Preference is given to students with a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or better. Multiple scholarships may be awarded in varying amounts.
Other Scholarship Funds
These funds are supported by annual contributions.
Gus BenDavid Scholarship Fund
Established in honor of Gus Ben David, the former Director of the Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary, this fund supports high school seniors graduating from the Martha's Vineyard Regional High School who are pursuing further studies in animal or environmental science. Preference is given to students with a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or better. Multiple scholarships may be awarded in varying amounts.
Island Community Chorus Peter R. Boak Music Award
This award was established in 2002 to honor Peter R. Boak, Director of the Island Community Chorus and transferred to the Endowment in 2008. The award is given each year to a graduating high school senior pursuing a career in the field of music. Recipients must have a permanent Island address and be a student of the Martha's Vineyard Regional High School, the Martha's Vineyard Charter School, a private secondary school or home schooled. This scholarship requires the Island Community Chorus Peter R. Boak Music Award application form.
Lumina/Darrell Scholarship Fund
Annual gifts from seasonal Vineyard resident Norris Darrell and the Lumina Foundation for Education provide the funds for scholarships for students from low income backgrounds. Preference is given to those who are the first in their family to attend college, whose primary language is not English and who have overcome a handicap or challenging background to pursue further education. Preference is given to students with a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or better. Multiple scholarships may be awarded in varying amounts.
Jacqueline Ann Pimentel Scholarship Fund
Established in 2009 to honor the memory of Jacqueline Ann Pimentel and to celebrate her love of the arts. Criteria pending.
