Giving Back 365 Members Gather to Cast Votes for Area Nonprofits

The Watertown Area Community Foundation recently hosted its 2025 Giving Back 365 Voting Social at the beautifully decorated Redlin Art Center, welcoming Giving Back 365 members alongside past and present Foundation board members. The evening celebrated the collective impact of local philanthropy and the meaningful difference it continues to make throughout our community.

Now 173 members strong, Giving Back 365 reached a new milestone this year with its largest granting budget to date, $46,043, bringing the program’s total impact to more than $260,000 since its launch in 2012. Guests enjoyed festive holiday hors d’oeuvres from The Wheel Inn while reviewing and voting on 18 grant proposals submitted by local nonprofit organizations, totalling $59,676.

A highlight of the evening was viewing short videos created by each applicant, offering members an inside look at the critical and innovative work happening across Watertown’s nonprofit organizations. Votes cast during the Voting Social will be combined with email ballots from members unable to attend to determine the 2025 Giving Back 365 grant recipients.

This annual celebration reflects the heart of Giving Back 365, coming together through a dollar-a-day commitment to strengthen our community. Thank you to the members whose generosity continues to turn shared giving into lasting local impact. Together, we are helping build a stronger future for Watertown.