Welcome
Slough Farm Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization located at Slough Farm. We strive to encourage the growth and independence of those helping others on Martha’s Vineyard through a variety of community focused initiatives. Slough Farm Foundation handles all philanthropic endeavors for the Slough Farm entities, granting funds to our partner organizations for our community support initiatives and to fellow non profits through our Slough Support Fund grant program
A History of Slough Farm Foundation
Slough Farm started out with a deep connection to the land. Our founders had spent many years admiring the farm and fields from a neighboring rental property. Although the property has a rich history of being both a working farm and an educational farm, at the time, it was what is often referred to as a “gentleman's” farm, with a handful of animals living in the fields and barns as a local family’s pets.
When the opportunity arose to purchase the farm lot and neighboring house, the founders thought “What if this could be something cool that truly gave back to and impacted the island community?” The idea of Slough Farm was born.
Beginning in the winter of 2015, through many brainstorming sessions and back and forths about what should be or could be or wouldn’t be, the original framework for Slough Farm came to fruition. Registered as an official 501c3 not for profit organization in 2018, the mission of being a place where artists, chefs, creators, thinkers, dancers, musicians, and those interested in health, wellness and the natural world could come together on a working sustainable farm. The food it would produce, from primarily heritage breed livestock and heirloom vegetables would all have a greater purpose of education and feeding those in need in our island. Slough Farm would strive to be a resource for fellow non profits and a true partner in community.
In 2025, Slough Farm divided into four separate entities, each with their own individual focus. The Slough Farm Foundation remains the parent entity and handles all grant making endeavors.
While it has taken some time to find the exact paths we wanted to take, we feel confident in where we are and who we have become.
Slough Support Fund
2026 Applications will be open March 1st through April 6th.
Part of Slough Farm’s mission is to support our fellow non-profit organizations. Sometimes that looks like partnering on a project or program, but organizations also come to us wanting financial assistance with a project, program or community event they are trying to do or a service they are trying to provide. This fund creates a structure to strategically plan around our grant opportunities and for us to filter grant asks into a streamlined process.
Since 2020, we have granted over $1.25 million to support the missions of island non-profit organizations.
In 2026, We will be awarding up to $125,000 to island-based recipients. Grants awarded can be between $5,000 and $25,000, with preference given to big impact, collaborative projects able to be completed within the next year. Capital projects are welcome to apply, but priority will be given to shorter term projects.
Applicants must apply through our website using our google form in order to be considered. Applications will be accepted between March 30 and April 6th. Grant recipients will be selected by our Slough Farm staff grants committee and will be notified by June 1st if their projects are chosen to be funded.
Award requirements:
Organization must be a Martha’s Vineyard based 501c(3) not for profit organization OR non profit organization with direct impact to the Martha's Vineyard community to be eligible to receive grant funding.
Awarded funds must be used within the following year (awards given in 2026 must be used by June 2027)
A written update on project progress is required by February 1, 2027 in order to qualify for the next grant cycle.
Upon completion of the project, you must be willing to notify Slough Farm that it is finished.
Organizations must acknowledge Slough Farm in all press and storytelling involving their project.
Projects could include things like: A summer teen program, a new walk-in freezer, staff trainings, small scale building projects, new software implementation, operational improvements, housing upgrades, sustainability projects etc.
FARMERS GRANT PROGRAM
Supporting our island farmers is at the forefront of Slough Farms mission. Since 2018 we have given over $85K to support the Martha's Vineyard Agricultural Society’s (MVAS) grant program for island production farmers and homesteaders. Funds are available to both production farmers and backyard growers each fall to support innovative projects not able to be funded by other initiatives.
Learn more about Farmer Support
Family Childcare Stipends
Since 2023, Slough Farm Foundation has partnered with Martha’s Vineyard Community Services to provide stipends to families between 80% and 125% AMI. Families below these percentages are served by the Community Development Block Grant
In 2025, $166,880 in subsidies were provided to 55 children (47) families.
The funds were distributed to 10 center-based programs and 7 Family Child Care Programs.
The Child Care Subsidy Program served infants, toddlers, and preschoolers.
43 families served had an income between 80% - 125% of the Area Median Income (AMI). • 4 families had an income under 80% of the AMI. We expanded our eligibility criteria to include families under 80% when the Community Development Block Grant funds (CDBG) were depleted in the fall.
Participating families shared the impact of the Child Care Subsidy program on their families:
Our family is deeply grateful for the child care subsidy that helps cover our two children’s preschool tuition. With both of us working in education, this support makes an enormous difference, allowing us to provide our kids with a high-quality early learning experience while maintaining financial stability for our family. The subsidy not only eases the monthly burden of tuition but also gives us peace of mind knowing our children are in a nurturing, developmentally rich environment each day. We are truly appreciative of this investment in our children’s growth and in working families like ours. • The Slough Farm Child Care Subsidy has had a profound impact on our family. With two preschool-aged children and the high cost of living on Martha’s Vineyard, balancing work and child care would be nearly impossible without this support. I am a teacher and my husband works in landscaping, and both of our jobs require consistent, reliable schedules. The subsidy has made it possible for us to continue working full-time, knowing that our children are in a safe, nurturing, high-quality early childhood program each day. This stability means we can show up fully for our students and clients, while also providing for our family. Without this assistance, the cost of child care would far exceed what we could manage, and one of us might have been forced to leave the workforce. Instead, we feel secure, supported, and deeply grateful for the opportunity to keep our family rooted and thriving here on the island.
Applications and more information are available on the MV Community Services Website- no stipends are administered by Slough Farm Foundation
Frequently Asked Questions
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Slough Farm Foundation is an independent, stand-alone 501(c)(3) public charity. Slough Farm Foundation’s primary purpose, as authorized by the Internal Revenue Service, is to make grants and contributions to Non profit organizations and partners
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Slough Farm Foundation makes grants solely to 501 ( C) (3) support organizations, activities, operations and purposes that impact Martha’s Vineyard.
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Grant awards are determined each year by the board of Directors and Executive Director
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Yes, if all terms of the grant have been met.
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Slough Farm Foundation is governed by a Board of Directors currently composed of three (3) members who are responsible for the overall management, strategic direction, and fiscal oversight of the organization. The Board of Directors establishes policies and procedures to guide the organization's grants and contributions. Each director serves in a fiduciary capacity and is entrusted with the duty to act in the best interests of the organization and the communities it serves. The Board meets on a regular basis to review organizational performance, approve budgets, and make key decisions regarding grants and contributions. Through their collective leadership and dedication, the Board of Directors ensures that the organization remains accountable, transparent, and committed to fulfilling its charitable purpose.
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Slough Farm Foundation is the parent organization of Slough Farm Programs Inc. and 15 Butler’s Cove Road Inc. and makes contributions towards their operational and capital expenses. However, Slough Farm Foundation, Slough Farm Programs Inc. and 15 Butler’s Cove Road Inc. are all separate and distinct organizations with separate operations and missions. Each non-profit entity has its own independent board of directors, governance structure, and corporate purpose. Each of the organizations operates autonomously in furtherance of its own stated mission and objectives.
Prepared Meals Program
Slough Farm Foundation is now in its 6th year partnering with Island Grown Initiative (IGI)to provide homemade meals to those in need.
In 2025 we began splitting 50% of the costs associated with running the commercial kitchen leased by IGI to further support this program. The kitchen is also used to process gleaned and surplus produce for future use and for butchering donated deer.
History
Now in our fifth year of partnering with IGI on prepared meals, we have provided over 265,000 meals distributed through the Island food pantry, Hospice of MV, the MV Boys and Girls Club, the MV Councils on Aging, MV libraries, the YMCA, Community Services, Island Healthcare and others. In 2026, 70,000 meals are projected to be made and distributed to our island partners.
None of this work is possible without the devoted work of IGI. They are handling all aspects of meal production, kitchen organization and meal distribution. We are grateful for their partnership and all of the work they do to feed our island.
Originating during the peak of the Covid pandemic and modeled after the New York City based Feed the Front Lines program, Our prepared meals program, formally known as “Slough Farm Suppers” has made thousands of meals distributed by local food equity programs for islanders in need.
At its inception we collaborated with out-of-work chefs and used local produce and meats otherwise not sold due to wholesale markets closing during the pandemic. That first summer operating out of a rented kitchen from Camp Jabberwocky, SFS produced and distributed 5271 soups and meals for those experiencing food insecurity on our island. By fall 2020, it became apparent that if we wanted to grow we would need to look for a partner to expand our offerings and streamline our distribution. Naturally Island Grown Initiative (IGI) was up for the challenge. At the time their IGI2go soup program was creating meals with gleaned produce and donated meats and distributing to a handful of locations across the island. Our official partnership began in October 2020 with a grant given from Slough Farm to IGI for the costs of containers, products, administration, and other costs associated with distribution of the prepared meals.
Meals Prepared
Whether you have a question, an idea, or just want to say hello, feel free to reach out—we’re here to help.