Fifty Local Residents & Teens Volunteer as Evaluators for The Community Fund’s Grantmaking Process
By Sophia Nay
Feb. 12, 2025: Each year the Bronxville, Eastchester, and Tuckahoe community comes together to support the most vulnerable among us.
On Thursday, January 30th, residents from Bronxville, Eastchester, and Tuckahoe gathered at the Eastchester Community Center to kick off The Community Fund’s 2025-2026 grant application evaluation cycle.
Since 1919, The Community Fund has supported local organizations with annual grants to ensure that the most vulnerable members of the community are taken care of in times of need.
Last year alone, The Community Fund allocated more than $500,000 to 17 local agencies and nonprofits. To help determine how funds are distributed, community members volunteer as Evaluators — they read applications, meet with agency representatives, and complete an evaluation to share their observations and recommendations.
Young People Shaping Funding Decisions
A unique aspect of the evaluation process is The Youth Community Fund’s involvement. High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors are eligible to volunteer as Youth Evaluators. Working alongside the adult evaluators, they fully engage in the process. Co-Chair of The Youth Community Fund Beth McKeighan shares, “I believe it’s a great opportunity for our YCF members because they get to see the nuts and bolts of how funding decisions are made and be part of a team.”
Youth Community Fund Evaluators are able to learn more about their local communities, appreciate the positive impact of philanthropy, and develop important skills in critical thinking, teamwork, and leadership.
Eastchester High School Sophomore Stella Lorge shared, “I wanted to get involved with The Community Fund because I love the idea of young people directly shaping funding decisions that impact our communities. It’s inspiring to be surrounded by so many passionate people.”
Co-chair of Evaluations Katrina Nay added, “Volunteer Evaluators are a hallmark of The Community Fund’s grants process. It’s such a unique and impactful way for community members to get involved, and we’re thrilled to have our Youth Community Fund members share in the experience.”
In addition to participating in The Community Fund’s grants cycle as Youth Evaluators, Youth Community Fund members will have a chance later this year to engage in their own grantmaking cycle. Each spring, they receive applications, evaluate the requests, and allocate $5,000 to local organizations.
How to Apply for YCF, Discretionary, or Mental Health Grant Funding
Agencies and nonprofits offering youth development programming to Bronxville, Eastchester, and Tuckahoe residents are invited to apply for a YCF Grant.
Any non-sectarian social service agency of a permanent or emergency nature serving this area’s residents is welcome to apply for a general Discretionary Fund grant or a mental health grant.
Please CLICK HERE for details and to apply.
Information about The Community Fund
For more information about the The Community Fund of Bronxville, Eastchester, and Tuckahoe; the Evaluations process; or The Youth Community Fund, visit: www.thecommunityfund.org or contact Shannon McDonough, Executive Director, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 914.337.8808.
Community Service Organizations Directory
HOME & GARDEN
Bronxville Beautification Council
Organized in 1982, the Bronxville Beautification Council (BBC) is a not-for-profit organization administered by a volunteer Board of Directors. The mission of the BBC is to enhance and maintain the natural and man-made beauty of the village of Bronxville, with an emphasis on the downtown business district.
Click here to learn more
Boulder Ledge Garden Club
Founded in 1966, the Boulder Ledge Garden Club is rooted in a mission to inspire a deeper appreciation and love for gardening and flower arranging. The club is dedicated to fostering and promoting interest and knowledge in gardening.
The Club maintains Bronxville’s Bicentennial Park and other civic gardens. In 2019–2020 the club raised $18,000 to replace trees in the village, reflecting its active role in community beautification. It also holds garden therapy projects and educational garden trips for members.
Contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.m or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Bronxville Giving Garden
The Bronxville Giving Garden is a community-centered garden that donates organic produce to Eastchester Community Action Partnership in Tuckahoe and Community Service Associates in Mount Vernon. The garden is also a gathering place where school children and volunteers can discover the joy of tending plants and growing food.
Contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Bronxville Green Committee
The Bronxville Green Committee is a volunteer organization that is part of the Village of Bronxville. It proposes and implements environmentally sustainable programs in our community.
You can contact them HERE.
SCOUTING
Bronxville Boy Scouts
The village of Bronxville has a long tradition of scouting. “The troops and packs of Bronxville have maintained the finest scouting organizations and have taught the boys of the Bronxville area to be leaders and outstanding members of the local, national and global communities.”
Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information
Bronxville Girls Scouts
The Girls Scouts is “the world’s preeminent organization dedicated solely to girls where, in an accepting and nurturing environment, girls build character and skills for success in the real world.” In Girl Scouts, “girls discover the fun, friendship and power of girls together. Through the many enriching experiences provided by Girl Scouts, they can grow courageous and strong.”
Here is more information about girl scouts.
HISTORY
Bronxville Historical Conservancy
Inspired by the highly successful Bronxville Centennial Celebration in 1998, the Bronxville Historical Conservancy was founded to record and preserve Bronxville's history and life in the village today.
BRONXVILLE SCHOOL
Bronxville School Foundation
The Bronxville School Foundation, founded in 1991, is a non-profit organization independent from the school with the sole purpose of supporting the school.
The mission of the Bronxville School Foundation is to enhance the quality of public education in our community by engaging the support and energies of educators, citizens, parents, students and alumni.
The Foundation awards grants for projects
CLICK HERE to learn more.
LECTURES, EXHIBITS, CONCERTS
Bronxville Women's Club
The Bronxville Women’s Club offers lectures, exhibits and concerts. It also has a beautiful clubhouse which is available for rental for events.
135 Midland Avenue
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-337-3252
Concordia Conservatory
Concordia Conservatory, a preeminent center for music education in Westchester and Fairfield Counties, is a welcoming community where children and adults find lifelong inspiration and joy through learning, performing, listening to, and participating with others in music.
The Conservatory’s mission is to inspire, instruct, and enrich lives through music offering excellence in education and performance.
CLICK HERE for more information.
COUNSELING
Counseling Center
Founded in 1971, the mission of the Counseling Center “is to provide a wide range of psychotherapeutic and counseling services to individuals, couples and families by a staff of highly trained, experience and dedicated psychotherapists.
The Counseling Center
180 Pondfield Road
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-793-3388
www.counselingcenter.org
SERVICE & VOLUNTEERISM
Community Fund of Bronxville, Eastchester & Tuckahoe
The mission of the Community Fund is “to support broad social services in Bronxville 10708, Eastchester and Tuckahoe through grants and technical support to local agencies and community projects. All money raised here in our community stays here in our community.”
15 Park Place
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-337-8808
www.thecommunityfund.org
Junior League of Bronxville
The Junior League of Bronxville is “an organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women and to improving the community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Its purpose is exclusively educational and charitable.”
Rotary Club of Bronxville
The Rotary Club of Bronxville is part of a national network of 1.25 million problem-solvers. They see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change – across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves.
READING & LEARNING
Friends of the Bronxville Library
The Friends of the Bronxville Library is a not-for-profit membership association whose mission is to focus attention on the “Library’s services, facilities and needs” as well as sponsor projects and provide materials that are beyond the reach of the Library's regular budget and perform other services.
SENIORS
Gramatan Village
Gramatan Village is a unique community model offering programs, services and social connections that help members continue to live independently in their homes as they age. In addition, GV offers one-on-one consultations and counseling with our experienced staff to guide members through life’s transitions.
Senior Citizens of Bronxville
Senior Citizens of Bronxville is a not-for-profit organization that provides services and programs to seniors within the 10708 zip code area. “Programs cover a wide range of activities from educational seminars and cultural enrichment to community services, bridge classes and exercise.”
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