2022 Community Leadership Reception

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The Foundation for MetroWest hosted the 9th annual Community Leadership Reception on September 29, 2022. We officially launched the MetroWest Workforce Development Project and celebrated our corporate community’s commitment to the MetroWest.

The MetroWest Workforce Development Project focuses on income inequality that persists in the MetroWest and provides a path to financial stability for under resourced youth and underemployed or unemployed adults. Executive Director Jay Kim discussed the initial programs we are funding through this project, and why this is critical for our region.

We also honored the unwavering commitment of Middlesex Savings Bank as they received this year’s Community Leadership Award, and Robert A. Vigoda, former Trustee and champion of the Foundation’s mission, as he was inducted into the Distinguished Advisor Society.

Thank you to Andrew Gallinaro of National Development and Rachel Marks of CBRE for their support co-chairing this event.

Watch the honoree tribute videos to hear why they are so deserving of the awards they received!

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Our 2022 Honorees

Community Leadership Award

Middlesex Savings Bank

The relationship between the Foundation for MetroWest and Middlesex Savings Bank dates back more than 20 years, and during that time, the bank has granted over $1.25 million to the Foundation, supporting operations and special programs. The bank has invested in Impact MetroWest as well as the Center for Philanthropy Education. And, when the pandemic struck in March 2020, Middlesex Savings Bank stepped up right away and pledged $1 million in local emergency relief support. They were there when our neighbors needed them most.

Most recently, the bank has taken a leading role with the new MetroWest Workforce Development Action Project. They are matching corporate gifts given to the project over the next three years, to encourage local businesses to get involved.

Established in 1835 in Concord, Massachusetts, the founders of Middlesex saw a need to support the community and created a mutual bank where everyone was welcome to save and help build a better life. Today, Middlesex is one of the largest mutual banks in Massachusetts and in the country.

Since 2000, Middlesex has distributed over $20 million to the community, both from the bank directly and through its own charitable foundation. Middlesex Savings Bank is truly committed to supporting our community.

Distinguished Advisors Society

Robert A. Vigoda, Rubin and Rudman

Robert Vigoda is a Partner in the Trusts and Estates Department of Rubin and Rudman LLP as well as a member of the firm’s Executive Committee. He focuses his practice on high net worth families in areas such as estate planning, estate and trust administration, charitable planning techniques and business succession for family-owned businesses.

Rob was a member of the Foundation for MetroWest’s Board of Trustees from 2011-2018, and served on various committees and in many capacities. Most notably Rob has been a tremendous champion of the Foundation’s work, helping raise over $1,000,000 in the areas of arts and culture, hunger relief, general operations for the Foundation—and much more.

As a professional advisor, Rob inspires his clients’ charitable giving and advances philanthropy in MetroWest through his partnership with the Foundation. Rob leads by example and advocates for those in need.

We are proud to name Rob as the Foundation’s inaugural Distinguished Advisor Society inductee.