Bob Brack

Bob Brack was looking to increase his community involvement, despite his busy schedule, when he got a call from a friend to join the Foundation for MetroWest Board of Trustees.

I served on the Board at MetroWest Medical Center with several of the Foundation for MetroWest Board members,” explained Brack. “One day I received a call asking if I was interested in joining the Foundation’s Board. At the time, I was very busy, running a company with 12 locations and over 500 employees. I met with the Executive Director and realized that despite my schedule, I could increase my philanthropic involvement in my community by joining the Foundation’s Board.

Brack was already philanthropic but was looking to support smaller, local nonprofits. With his busy work schedule, he didn’t have the time to get a broader picture of the needs in MetroWest.

“The staff at the Foundation for MetroWest helped me understand the needs in my community, and how I could maximize my philanthropic giving while supporting the causes I care about,” explained Brack. “I knew that I would be retiring soon, and I wanted to find a way to stay active in the community. I realized that the Foundation had the resources to help me then, and after retirement. ”

Brack has lived in MetroWest his whole life. He spent his childhood in Newton, raised his family in Natick, and currently resides in Concord with his wife, Janet. He has fond memories of the Eliot Church in South Natick where he married his late wife, Joan, baptized his children, and spent many Sunday mornings with friends and family. He has deep roots in the community and believes in the importance of investing locally.

One of the benefits of working with the Foundation is the flexibility and ease of giving offered through Donor Advised Funds. “I’ve really been able to have fun with my Donor Advised Fund,” said Brack. “It’s been great because I have the opportunity to support occasional needs in the community that surface outside of the Foundation’s grantmaking cycle that are meaningful and timely. When I was running my business, it was important to have an operation that could be nimble – my Donor Advised Fund gives me that nimbleness to support the needs in my community.”

After retiring in 2012, Bob was able to dedicate more time to his work with MetroWest nonprofit organizations. As the current Foundation for MetroWest Board Chair, he is working to help increase visibility for two Foundation programs, the Center for Philanthropy Education and Youth in Philanthropy.

“The Foundation plays a significant role in the community beyond grantmaking. The Center for Philanthropy Education is a great educational resource for nonprofits. It provides local organizations the services and support they need, like trainings and seminars on budgeting, fundraising, social media, strengthening boards, and more. Additionally, the Youth in Philanthropy program is educating and inspiring the next generation of philanthropists, helping to ensure the future of our communities”

As a member of the Foundation for MetroWest Legacy Society, Brack has established a personal legacy that will support the MetroWest communities and ensure the longevity of the Foundation for generations to come. He joins the Legacy Society with, among others, some of the founding members of the Foundation. “It means a lot to me to see the dedication of the founders and to watch their continued commitment to the organization they started. Through the Foundation, there is this lifelong opportunity to stay involved, and one of the ways is through the Legacy Society.”

Brack continues, “I think we have an incredible Board and group of people working with the Foundation. We are a very capable and focused organization, and have positioned ourselves to continue to grow and maximize the impact we’re having in the MetroWest community.”

Learn more about starting a fund at the Foundation for MetroWest or contact Jay Kim, Chief Operating Officer, to discuss becoming a member of our MetroWest Legacy Society.

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