Latest Foundation News
Dear Members and Friends,
Well it’s 2020 and what else is new – another gathering cancelled! We are very disappointed not to have our
annual meeting and dinner with all of you this year. But even with this disappointing news, I do have GREAT
NEWS to report. Under the stewardship of Jim Zoldy, a past president, our endowment has grown to
$3,999,831 as of August 31st. So close to the $4,000,000 mark!!
Despite the pandemic, we fulfilled our mission to support area organizations and scholars. This year we
awarded twenty-six scholarships totaling $71,000 and distributed grants to 39 local organizations in the
aggregate amount of $77,000. That is $148,000 invested in the future of our community!
As you know, our mission is “to foster charitable giving that benefits a variety of community organizations
and scholars in Greater Watertown now and into the future.” We are dedicated and determined to continue
into the future the vision that our founders created when they started the Watertown Foundation in 1925.
I am also proud to announce that the Watertown Foundation received a gift of $150,000 from the Woodward
Fund to endow future scholarships in the name of M. Heminway Merriman 2nd… yes, my husband. An
annual scholarship will be awarded “to a high school senior who has shown a contribution to Watertown
through time and energy devoted to improving their community.” As you can imagine, I’m extremely pleased
with this wonderful way of honoring my sweet husband.
There is a great need in our community and we could do more if we as members increased our annual giving
to the foundation and help in recruiting new members by suggesting the foundation to your friends. As we
go forward into the next year we are starting our preparation towards our 100th Anniversary to be celebrated
in 2025!!!
Stay safe and healthy,
Linda L. Merriman
President of the Board of Trustees
Watertown Foundation, Our Heritage
The Watertown Foundation will celebrate 100 years of charitable giving to Watertown and Oakville in a few short years. The Watertown Foundation and its members invite you to join our milestone journey to a century of community service.
The Watertown Foundation is the only community foundation dedicated solely to the Watertown and Oakville community.
A group of residents established the Watertown Foundation in 1925 to enhance the quality of life in our community through local charity. By combining their gifts and working together to invest their contributions and assess the community’s needs, our charter members began an extraordinary legacy.
Today, many of your neighbors continue to support the foundation’s exceptional tradition of community giving. This invitation to membership is your opportunity to join them.