The Permanent Endowment Fund for Martha’s Vineyard (The Endowment) is dedicated to improving the quality of life across the Island. Since its founding as a public charity in 1982, The Endowment has channeled financial resources to Island causes, nonprofits and students, while building and prudently stewarding an endowment to serve as a source of funding for the Island’s future needs.

The Endowment’s volunteer board of eleven local civic leaders knows the Vineyard’s people and the nonprofit organizations that serve them. The Endowment brings people and resources together to better the quality of life on the Vineyard.

As the Island’s community foundation, The Endowment promotes responsible and effective philanthropy.

The Endowment’s major goals are to:

  • Help donors build and preserve enduring assets for Island causes;
  • Provide grants that nourish and assist Island-based charitable organizations;
  • Fund scholarships for Island students pursuing higher education;
  • Monitor and assess the Island’s changing needs and promote action on important issues

As one of the largest philanthropic organizations on Martha’s Vineyard, the Permanent Endowment is dedicated to serving as an advocate for important issues and as a resource for organizations throughout the Island.  In 2015, the Endowment’s assets have grown to roughly $10.2 million, a figure that includes a large pass-through fund to aid in the Save the Gay Head Lighthouse.

The Endowment provides grants for programs and services in a broad range of areas including art and culture, community and civic affairs, education, the elderly, the environment, health and human services, housing, recreation and youth.  Last year, our grant making totaled over $117,000 supporting the work of 58 organizations, or approximately one thrid of the nonprofits on the Island.  We also awarded 99 scholarships to Island students in the amount of $220,000.

At the Permanent Endowment, we work to promote local philanthropy and welcome contributions from anyone wishing to make a difference on the Island.  When you partner with us, we work together to support the causes you care about through our General Discretionary Fund or a fund of your own.  We offer a simple, personal approach to giving, accepting a range of assets of virtually any size from individuals, families, businesses and other organizations.  These assets are invested by the Martha’s Vineyard Financial Group, our trustee bank’s investment services group, for long-term growth to ensure that funds are available now and in the years to come.

60K
First Donation
74
Scholarship Recipients 2015