Massachusetts 911 Fund Inc

THE MASSACHUSETTS 9/11 FUND, INC. IS ORGANIZED TO PROMOTE MONETARY, LEGAL AND FINANCIAL PLANNING SERVICES TO MASSACHUSETTS FAMILIES DIRECTLY AFFECTED BY THE LOSS OF, OR INJURY TO, A FAMILY MEMBER AS A RESULT OF THE TERRORIST ATTACKS OF SEPTEMBER 11, 2001, OR OTHER TERRORIST ATTACKS WHICH MAY OCCUR IN THE UNITED STATES IN THE FUTURE, AND TO PROVIDE SIMILAR DISASTER RELIEF SERVICES AS PERMITTED, AND TO ENSURE THAT THOSE LOST ON SEPTEMBER 11, 2001 ARE NEVER FORGOTTEN.THE MASSACHUSETTS 9/11 FUND, INC. ORGANIZES AND PROVIDES OVERSIGHT FOR MAINTAINANCE OF PUBLIC MEMORIALS SUCH AS THE GARDEN OF REMEMBRANCE.

FAMILY PROGRAMS:FAMILY PROGRAMS WERE ORIGINALLY DESIGNED TO SUSTAIN TIES WITHIN THE LOCAL 9/11 COMMUNITY. THE FUND ORGANIZED AND PROVIDED FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR NUMEROUS GROUP ACTIVITIES. PRIOR TO THE COVID PANDEMIC THESE ACTIVITIES WERE DECREASING IN FREQUENCY AND/OR ATTENDANCE. BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC, ALL OF THESE ACTIVITIES WERE SUSPENDED DURING 2020, 21 AND 22. DURING 2023 ONE FAMILY EVENT WAS HELD. FAMILY MEMBERS HAVE BEEN ACTIVE IN THE ANNUAL COMMEMORATION EVENTS AND TO A LESSER EXTENT IN THE EDUCATION PROGRAM. GOING FORWARD, THE FUND PLANS TO SUPPORT A LIMITED NUMBER OF FAMILY EVENTS, WHILE ENCOURAGING FAMILY MEMBERS TO ACTIVELY PARTICIPATE IN THE EDUCATION PROGRAM AND THE ANNUAL COMMEMORATION EVENTS. THE FAMILY ADVISOTY COMMITTEE ALONG WITH THE BOARD PRESIDENT AND INDEPENDENT CONSULTANTS PLAN AND MANAGE THE ANNUAL COMMEMORATION OF THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE EVENTS OF SEPTEMBER 11, 2001.PUBLIC MEMORIALS:GARDEN OF REMEMBRANCETHE CONTEMPLATIVE GARDEN, THE GARDEN OF REMEMBRANCE, WITHIN THE BOSTON PUBLIC GARDEN WAS OFFICIALLY DEDICATED IN JULY 2004. IN 2007 THE FUND AND THE BOSTON PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT ESTABLISHED THE MASSACHUSETTS 9/11 MEMORIAL TRUST WITHIN THE BOSTON FUND FOR PARKS AND RECREATION FOR PERPETUAL CARE OF THE MEMORIAL AREA. IN ADDITION TO FUNDING CONSTRUCTION OF THE MEMORIAL, THE FUND PROVIDED CONTRIBUTIONS TOTALING $371,200 TO THE MASSACHUSETTS 9/11 MEMORIAL TRUST FUND FOR MAINTAINING THE MEMORIAL. THE TRUSTEES OF THE BOSTON FUND FOR PARKS AND RECREATION HAVE CUSTODY OF AND RESPONSIBILITY FOR MANAGEMENT OF THESE FUNDS. THE CARE AND MAINTENANCE OF THE MEMORIAL IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE BOSTON PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT WHICH HAS ACCESS TO THESE FUNDS. THE MASSACHUSETTS 9/11 FUND HAS THE RIGHT BUT IS NOT OBLIGATED TO MAKE ADDITIONAL CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE BOSTON FUND FOR PARKS AND RECREATION.FUND OPERATIONS:THE FUND UTILIZES VIRTUAL OFFICE SPACE IN BOSTON AND SERVICES PROVIDED BY OUTSIDE CONSULTANTS FOR BOOKKEEPING, ACCOUNTING, IT SUPPORT, WEBSITE SUPPORT, AUDIO/VIDEO SUPPORT AND DEVELOPMENT, PLANNING AND EXECUTING THE ANNUAL COMMEMORATION OF THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE EVENTS OF SEPTEMBER 11, 2001 AND DEVELOPMENT AND MANAGEMENT OF THE EDUCATION PROGRAM. THE PRESIDENT, TREASURER AND FAMILY ADVISORY COMMITTEE SHARE RESPONSIBILITY FOR OVERSIGHT OF THE CONSULTANTS.THE FUND TREASURER PREPARES ANNUAL BUDGETS THAT ARE REVIEWED AND APPROVED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS. IN 2023 REVENUE FROM LICENSE PLATES AND INVESTMENT INCOME INCREASED DUE TO INCREASED INTEREST RATES ON INVESTMENTS AND HISTORICAL FLUCTUATION IN ANNUAL LICENSE PLATE REVENUE. LICENSE PLATE REVENUE FLUCTUATES FROM YEAR TO YEAR AND OVERALL HAS TRENDED LOWER IN RECENT YEARS.EDUCATION PROGRAM: THE FUND'S EDUCATION PROGRAM WAS ESTABLISHED DURING 2016 TO EDUCATE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS ABOUT THE EVENTS OF SEPTEMBER 11, 2001. PRIOR TO THE COVID PANDEMIC THE FUND EMPLOYED CERTAIN STAFF, CONSULTANTS AND OTHER VOLUNTEERS TO DEVELOP A VIDEO CURRICULUM FOR USE BY MASSACHUSETTS HIGH SCHOOL TEACHERS. THE FUND WAS IN THE EARLY STAGES OF DEVELOPING CONTACTS AND SUPPORT FOR THIS PROGRAM BEFORE THE COVID PANDEMIC. DURING THE PANDEMIC ADDITIONAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE CURRICULUM CONTINUED, ALTHOUGH AT A SLOWER PACE, HOWEVER INTERACTION WITH EDUCATORS WAS ESSENTIALLY STOPPED UNTIL 2023. DURING 2023 THE FUND RE-EVALUATED THE CONTENT, GOALS AND "AUDIENCE" FOR THE CURRICULUM. GOING FORWARD THE FUND PLANS TO FURTHER DEVELOP THE CURRICULUM AND EXPAND CONTACT WITH EDUCATORS WITH ASSISTANCE FROM CONSULTANTS, VOLUNTEERS AND POTENTIALLY THROUGH COOPERATION WITH LOCAL MEDIA ORGANIZATIONS.