Community Fund Committee

The Community Fund Committee is now accepting applications to distribute $200,000 to qualifying non-profits for the next round of grant funding, Mayor Breanna Lungo-Koehn announced. Last year, the committee funded projects for 25 non-profits. To apply, visit medfordma.org or access the application here. Hard copies of the application are available at the Mayor’s office at City Hall Room 202. The deadline to apply is April 24, 2024.

The committee was initially created as part of the Surrounding Community Agreement between the City of Medford and Wynn, MA LLC (Encore) and is tasked with determining the best utilization of the annual Community Fund Payments received by the City. The City will distribute $200,000 through the selection process by the committee ranging from $1,000 to $25,000 this year. Any remaining funds will be deposited into a reserve account.

The Community Fund Committee consists of:

• Mayor Breanna Lungo-Koehn
• City Councilor Justin Tseng
• Melanie McLaughlin
• Arun Rajendran
• Myrlande Paul
• Erin Murphy Rafferty
• Kevin Wentworth

Eligibility and Reporting Requirements

To be eligible to receive funds, applicants must be a registered 501(c)(3) and either a Medford-based organization or an organization that services Medford residents. If your organization received funding in the previous grant round and has yet to expend all monies relevant to your project, you are NOT eligible to apply.

If you were awarded funding, as a requirement, you are expected to produce quarterly reports on your project's progress. In addition, you are also required to send monthly invoices and/or receipts to the City of Medford for reimbursement. As a reminder, this money should only be used to support Medford residents or for the benefit of a Medford based 501(c)(3).

Group Voted to Approve Grants to 25 Organizations Serving the Community

(MEDFORD)—Through the City’s Community Fund Committee, twenty-five nonprofits that serve the Medford community have been awarded over $230,000 in grant funding to be used to expand services, resources and outreach, Mayor Breanna Lungo-Koehn announced.

Upon forming the committee in September, the application process was open until October 30^th. Every applicant that applied identified areas where funding would be most effective and outlined the reasoning for why this grant would help their organization support the community. All twenty-five nonprofits that applied were awarded funding.

“The work being done by these nonprofits is critical to supporting our residents and by providing this funding the awardees will be able to make adjustments and improvements to their operations that will lead to more meaningful and engaging experiences for the community,” Mayor Breanna Lungo-Koehn said. “Thank you to our volunteer committee members for their guidance and help reviewing the applications and assessing where this funding would have the most impact.”

Congratulations to the following organizations who have been awarded grant funding:

• American Legion Post 45
• Arts Collaborative Medford, Inc.
• Baden-Powell Service Association of Mystic Valley, Inc
• Brooks Elementary School PTO
• Chapters Coffee Carts Corp
• Congregational Church of West Medford (DBA) Sanctuary UCC
• Federation for Children with Special Needs
• GU Institute of Earthquake Prediction
• Kesem at Tufts University
• Looking Back at Medford History Inc.
• Mcglynn Elementary PTG
• Medford Chamber of Commerce
• Medford Community Chorale
• Medford Educational Foundation
• Medford Farmers Market
• Medford High School Alumni Association
• Medford Historical Society & Museum
• Missituk Elementary School PTO
• Mystic Valley YMCA
• Roberts Elementary Parent Teacher Organization, Inc.
• Saint Raphael’s Food Pantry
• Temple Shalom
• The Center for Citizenship and Social Responsibility
• TreesMedford
• Waypoint Adventure, Inc.

The Community Fund Committee was initially created as part of the Surrounding Community Agreement between the City of Medford and Wynn, MA LLC (Encore) and was tasked with determining the best utilization of the annual Community Fund Payments received by the City.

The Committee is responsible for reviewing financial requests and awarding funds to qualifying organizations throughout the City. The Committee consists of: Mayor Breanna Lungo-Koehn, City Councilor Justin Tseng, School Committee Member Melanie McLaughlin, Ludovino Gardini, Arun Rajendran, Myrlande Paul, Erin Murphy Rafferty and Kevin Wentworth.

Group Will Distribute $250 Thousand in Grant Funding

(MEDFORD)—The City of Medford has formed its Community Fund Committee for 2022 and is now accepting applications to distribute $250,000 in funding to qualifying local non-profits, Mayor Breanna Lungo-Koehn announced.

The group was initially created as part of the Surrounding Community Agreement between the City of Medford and Wynn, MA LLC (Encore) and is tasked with determining the best utilization of the annual Community Fund Payments received by the City. The City will distribute $250,000 through the selection process by the committee ranging from $1,000 to $25,000 this year.

The Community Fund Committee consists of:

• Mayor Breanna Lungo-Koehn
• City Councilor Justin Tseng
• School Committee Member Melanie McLaughlin
• Ludovino Gardini
• Arun Rajendran
• Myrlande Paul
• Erin Murphy Rafferty
• Kevin Wentworth

Any remaining funds will be deposited into a reserve account. To be eligible to receive funds, applicants must be a registered 501(c)(3) and either a Medford-based organization or an organization that services Medford residents.

To apply click here. Hard copies of the application are available at the Mayor’s office at City Hall Room 202. The deadline to apply is October 30.

The City of Medford is currently accepting applications from Medford residents to serve on one of many City Boards & Commissions.

Residents who are interested in serving on any of the boards and commissions below should complete the Board and Commission Interest Form available at https://www.medfordma.org/boards-commissions. Completed forms should be submitted via email to, BoardsandCommissions@medford-ma.gov or mailed to the Office of the Mayor at 85 George P. Hassett Drive, Room 202, Medford, MA 02155.

Residents of all backgrounds and abilities are strongly encouraged to apply. Medford city services are available to all residents, regardless of economic situation, race, gender, ability, benefit eligibility, or religious affiliation.

In addition to the boards and commissions below, residents are always encouraged to submit letters of interest for any board of commission listed on our website. Should vacancies become available on any city board or commission in the future, we will contact you for opportunities within your area of interest.

Community Development Board

The Community Development Board serves as the City of Medford’s Planning Board. Responsibilities include administration of the Subdivision Control Law, conducting site plan review for major projects, reviewing and recommending changes to the Zoning Ordinance, adoption of a comprehensive master plan for the community, and general planning to guide growth and development in a coordinated and comprehensive manner.

Community Fund Committee

The Medford Community Fund exists to provide private, non-profit, 501(c)3 organizations with funding for programs or capital projects that will have a real and meaningful impact on the residents, community, and quality of life in Medford. The Community Fund Committee was formed as part of the Surrounding Community Agreement between the City of Medford and Wynn, MA LLC (Encore Casino) and is tasked with determining the best utilization of the annual Community Fund payments received by the City. The Committee is responsible for reviewing financial requests and awarding funds to qualifying organizations throughout Medford.

Community Preservation Committee

The Community Preservation Committee of Medford is responsible for evaluating the preservation needs of the City of Medford and making recommendations to the Mayor and Medford City Council to appropriate Community Preservation Act funds for projects that would best fulfill those needs. Through use of an open process, and actively engaging the community, we will endeavor to improve open space, recreation, affordable housing, and historic preservation through the allocation of funding provided by the citizens and businesses of the City of Medford.

Solid Waste Task Force

The Solid Waste Task Force will help to coordinate and plan Medford’s priorities for the future of its waste management operations. The City applied for and was awarded a Community Compact Grant from the state to develop waste contracts that are fiscally, environmentally, and otherwise beneficial to the community.

Zoning Board of Appeals

The Medford Zoning Board of Appeals is a statutory board created to hear appeals of denials of building permit and zoning enforcement requests to determine if a variance is allowed and appropriate under Massachusetts General Law c. 40A (The Massachusetts Zoning Act). The Board additionally serves as the Special Permit Granting Authority where required by local ordinance and regulation. The Zoning Appeals meets monthly or as required. 

Medford city services are available to all residents, regardless of economic situation, race, gender, immigration status, ability, benefit eligibility, or religious affiliation.  

Medford’s tree canopy is expanding! The fall 2020 planting season kicked off this week, starting in the South Medford area. Over the next several weeks, 120 new street trees of various species will be planted throughout the city. To see a list of upcoming planned plantings and their species you can visit the DPW Forestry page, or click on the lists below:

Fall 2020 Tree Planting – list 1
Fall 2020 Tree Planting – list 2

Medford adheres to “right tree, right place” philosophy, which is highly recommended by the National Arbor Day Foundation and MA Department of Conservation and Recreation (MA DCR), among other federal and local agencies. The goal is to plant trees, in greater numbers of species and varieties, in locations where they can grow and thrive into maturity. Diversification of species and planting of trees in appropriate locations, especially under urban conditions, will ensure success of trees and provide benefits to the community for many years, even generations, to come.

Pictured below are two new Red Maple “October Glory” trees at 127 Main Street.