The Kyle W. Shapiro Foundation was established to support programs and projects in our community that foster social and emotional wellness, enhance civic engagement and recreation, and celebrate our youth.

programs that educate and support social and emotional wellness, mental health, and suicide prevention

Sponsored a fundraiser for Riverside Community Health Care in July, 2009 with guest speaker Kevin Youkilis of the Boston Red Sox. Funds raised by this event were used to support Riverside’s youth suicide prevention and post trauma treatment programs and underwrite a regional conference for healthcare providers and researchers.

Meetings with school administration, local health care providers, and social workers highlighted the difficulty in locating mental health information and resources for high school and middle school children and resulted in the Foundation funding a five-year grant totaling $25,000 for the INTERFACE mental health resources referral system made available to all town residents and students.

In July of 2015, the Foundation renewed funding for an additional five-years for the INTERFACE mental health resources referral system ($30,000) offered through William James College.

Ongoing support to Samaritans for Crisis Services, Grief Support Services, and Community Education & Outreach Program.

projects that build community and healthy lifestyles through recreation, parks and public art, and special events

Supported the planning and construction of the “Field of Dreams” project in 2008 – giving $25,000 from the Foundation and leveraging $25,000 in private donations. The new baseball field at the high school came on-line in the spring of 2009. 

The Kyle W. Shapiro Foundation was the Grand Sponsor ($50,000) of the Greene’s Field Revitalization Project. These funds were used to leverage other private donations and a community grant to fund this $550,000 project which included installing a new playground, renovating a basketball court and soccer and baseball fields, and landscape improvements within a treasured downtown park. The rejuvenated facility was completed in late 2013.

Major sponsor ($10,000) of the “Own Your Peace” public art project that created and installed a permanent and compelling sculpture for the community that embodies Needham’s commitment to caring, and inspires us to support our own and each other’s well-being.

awarding high school scholarships to deserving Needham residents

The Kyle W. Shapiro Memorial Scholarship was established in the winter of 2006 to benefit deserving Needham residents. To date, the Foundation has awarded more than $50,000 in scholarships.