The Wellesley Field Fund Campaign

The successful Phase I project at the WHS Track and Field, which included a new track and a larger, artificial turf field, involved a team effort by multiple Town boards, commissions, and private donations.  Given the Town’s generous commitment to building two new elementary schools, School Committee did not want to ask the Town to contribute financially to Phase II. It will be up to private donors to secure adequate funding to allow the School Committee to make Phase II a reality.

The Natural Resources Commission approved Phase II in July 2022. Next, the Wetlands Protection Committee and Design Review Board will review the project where applicable. Finally, the project will go through a site plan review and special permit process with the Zoning Board of Appeals under the recent outdoor lighting bylaw passed by Town Meeting. Also required will be the School Committee approving the acceptance of private funding.  Since Phase I permitting included stormwater and utility connections envisioning future enhancements (like team rooms and bathrooms), we are hopeful most approvals can be secured by early Winter.

This is truly a community effort so if you'd like to share your support feel free to email/contact town stakeholders:

Natural Resources Commission

Wetlands Protection Committee

Design Review Board

Zoning Board of Appeals

School Committee

Select Board

Playing Fields Task Force / Recreation Commission

The Town will not permit construction to proceed until the fundraising goal is met. Once funded, the installation of lights/sound could be completed within 6 months, while the installation of the team room would likely take 9-12 months.  Please help us by donating today!

The process for improvements at the WHS Track and Field have been on-going for over a decade. The School Committee started in earnest looking at Phase II in February, 2021.  The School Committee’s website provides an excellent overview and background not only on the current Phase II proposal, but also documents and materials on Phase I. For more information visit:  https://wellesleyps.org/district-information/facilities-master-plan/hunnewell-track-field-projects

Absolutely! Just visit your DAF account at:

• Fidelity: https://fidelitycharitable.org
• Schwab: https://schwabcharitable.org
• BNY Mellon: https://bnymelloncharitablegiftfund.org

Search for “Community Investors” or use our EIN 47-2147009.

Please reach out with any questions via ContactUs@wellesleyfieldfund.com.

Fiscal sponsorship, at its core, is when a nonprofit organization extends its tax-exempt status to select groups engaged in activities related to the organization’s mission. Most often, fiscal sponsorship is used by organizations, individuals, or collaborations who are doing charitable work but who want an alternative to becoming a 501(c)(3) organization with the IRS. In a fiscal sponsorship arrangement, the sponsor accepts tax deductible donations and grants on behalf of the sponsored project/organization. The sponsor accepts responsibility for the use of those funds and ensures their application toward charitable purposes, along with any additional donor restrictions. To ensure this is not merely a pass-through of charitable dollars from the 501(c)(3) to the project, the IRS requires that the sponsor have “complete discretion and control” over the funds.

Fiscal sponsors often offer additional services and supports to their sponsored projects; the range of services provided varies by sponsor. Most fiscal sponsors charge sponsored projects a fee to offset the additional cost. Generally, that fee is somewhere between 5%-10% of all funds held on behalf of the sponsored group.

https://www.propelnonprofits.org/resources/a-boards-guide-to-fiscal-sponsorship/

100% of your donation goes to the Phase II effort. There are always costs/fees involved in running a fundraising campaign (especially when trying to raise $1.5M in three months) and we are very thankful that a generous group of donors will cover all Phase II fundraising fees (including fiscal sponsorship) and expenses.

So get on the team, donate today, and spread the word! Let there be lights!

Funding primarily but not limited to the following:

• Team Rooms: Includes locker rooms and bathrooms for both home and away teams.
• Dark Sky-Compliant Lighting: Designed to direct light to the ground and not the sky in an effort to mitigate light pollution, improve safety for our athletes attending dusk-time games/practices, and provide for night games.
• Directed Sound System: This new state-of-the-art system reduces excess sound via proximity technology and improved speaker locations.
• Necessary Paving and Landscaping
• Bathrooms/Concession Stand (if needed)

At the conclusion of the fundraising campaign, any funds remaining will be used for necessary capital maintenance and improvements or other expenses relating to the project.