Above: Over the years, the Choate Grant has supported many recreation projects in Southborough. If you have a project you’d like to see funded, now is the time to act. (images cropped from photos previously contributed or posted to Facebook by past grant recipients or grant administrators)
Have a public recreation project you think deserves funding? The Choate Fund Trustees are looking for applicants for this year’s round of awards, with approximately $5,000 available for grants.
It’s worth highlighting that the opportunity might be less competitive than you would assume.
I always like to note in these posts the awards that were made the prior year. When I reached out this time, I learned that no one applied in 2025! And, as I noted last year, the only submission they received for 2024 didn’t follow up with the necessary info to receive an award.
Let’s hope that this year they are instead inundated with applications for projects that would benefit the community!
The Choate grants are meant to be used for capital projects rather than operating costs.
Applications should include: 1) a brief statement of purpose; 2) a proposed budget; and 3) a description of the intended beneficiaries. You can find a template for proposals here.
Completed paperwork should be submitted by July 31st to: Marissa Papazian, St. Mark’s School, 25 Marlboro Road, Southborough, MA 01772.
Proposals will be reviewed by the Choate Fund Trustees.1 They hope to make their final decision by August 31st.
In past years, Choate grants have supported a wide range of recreation, including AEDs (Automated External Defibrillators) at recreation fields, a “Cozy Cocoon” at Fayville Playground, outdoor basketball hoops, giant outdoor chess, piloting a youth Rugby team, resources for Town Trails, and much more.
The recreation fund was established to benefit the town 115 years ago by Southborough’s Charles F. Choate.2 Choate wanted his estate to support recreation projects, particularly for young people.
The fund continues to give, these days through annual grants decided upon by the heads of Southborough’s main school systems: public schools, St. Mark’s School, and Fay School.
- Choate Fund Trustees are currently: Superintendent of Schools, Southborough and Northborough, Gregory Martineau; Head of School, St. Mark’s School, Ivory D. Hills; and Head of Fay School, Susanna Waters.
- I used to link to a 2011 article in the MetroWest Daily News that described Choate’s endowment. Unfortunately, that’s now archived behind paywalls. I can share that Choate died in 1911 and subsequent grants were awarded through the family estate.
