New grants received by the Edward M. Kennedy Institute

The Edward M. Kennedy Institute was awarded three grants in support of a range of programs and initiatives.

• The Government of Ireland Emigrant Support Programme gave $21,000 in support of the Institute’s public programs, especially those focused on political and issue-driven topics related to the Irish-American experience. The Consulate General of Ireland in Boston helps maintain and enhance links with the Irish-American diaspora, promote Irish culture in new and traditional forms, and pursue opportunities that will deliver economic growth and jobs for Ireland.
• The Martin Richard Foundation gave $25,000 to support greater access to student programs. The funds will go to the Martin W. Richard Bus Scholarship Fund, first established in 2015, and will cover the transportation costs to the Institute for youth and school groups from underserved communities of Boston and throughout Massachusetts. The Martin Richard Foundation invests its resources in partner organizations who manage direct programming in the areas of youth development through civic engagement, community building, and adaptive and inclusive efforts.
• The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) will invest nearly $100,000 in the Institute’s Civil Conversations initiative which is a project designed to help 8th through 12th grade teachers develop the skills necessary to lead productive classroom discussions on difficult public policy issues. The award from IMLS will enable the Institute to expand the New England pool of local educator-testers and offer summer institute and professional development opportunities. This most recent grant is in addition to the inaugural Leonore Annenberg Civics Award that the Institute earned from the Annenberg Public Policy Center of the University of Pennsylvania earlier in 2019 in support of Civil Conversations. The mission of IMLS is to advance, support, and empower America’s museums, libraries, and related organizations through grantmaking, research, and policy development.

The Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, civic education organization in Boston envisioned by the late Senator Edward M. Kennedy. Through a range of exhibits, interactive educational offerings, and topical programs, the Institute engages students and visitors in a conversation about the essential role each person plays in our democracy and in our society.