JP Centre/South Main Streets Fundraising Boom

JP Centre/South Main Streets is grateful for a grant from the Boston Foundation for $1000, from the donor-advised Shawkemo Fund, to assist with their work during the COVID-19 crisis and BLM movement. JP CSMS’ work has included the distribution of grants to eleven businesses in the district; the creation and distribution of the JP Main Streets Relief Fund; and their “Adapting, Reopening, Thriving in JP Centre/South” crowdfunding campaign to assist small businesses with reopening. This is coupled with the success of their recent online fundraiser, Zoom Cocktail Hour.

JP Centre/South Main Streets’ focus on helping businesses navigate the pandemic and shutdown left little time for them to continue their usual fundraising for operating expenses. Moreover, it was not possible to host in-person events. Instead, they pivoted to an online event format and called it the Zoom Cocktail Hour. They featured a wine tasting with Streetcar Wines, an art auction with a Q&A with local artist Mary McCusker, and recognized their 2020 Volunteer of the Year, Patti McKenna, and Business of the Year, On Centre with owner Phil Celeste. The whole event was opened by celebrity host, City Councilor Matt O’Malley.

Some of the work that JP Centre/South Main Streets has done since the shutdown includes:

•        facilitating eleven grants for $1000 from Boston Main Streets Foundation to businesses in the district;

•        partnering with other Main Streets organizations in Jamaica Plain to create the JP Main Streets Relief Fund. After raising over $15,000, these funds were distributed as $500 cash grants to residents or workers in Jamaica Plain, who were not eligible for other forms of public assistance;

•        raising over $10,000 with an online campaign to assist small businesses with reopening. The organization is hoping to combine this with the Commonwealth Places COVID-19 Response Round: Resurgent Places grant, for a possible total of over $30,000. JP Centre/South Main Streets thanks the 76 donors who contributed to this campaign.

JP Centre/South Main Streets is a volunteer-driven, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that seeks to guide the growth of Jamaica Plain’s Centre and South Streets’ business district through the active collaboration of residents, business owners, and others committed to a community-led initiative. In partnership with Boston Main Streets, we provide a direct conduit to the City of Boston and can provide technical assistance to help new businesses succeed.

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