October 15, 2009 — Six Boston area nonprofits received $1.6 million in grants from The Kresge Foundation, part of a nationwide program to fund human services, education, environment, arts and culture, health, and community development.

“We are trying to lead by example,” says Elaine D. Rosen, chair of the Kresge board of Trustees. “We are supporting exemplary nonprofit organizations in this time of financial hardship so they, in turn, may better serve and sustain those suffering in their communities.”

Kresge has been shifting its grantmaking in the education arena from its traditional support of facilities to the advancement of accessible, graduation-oriented two and four-year higher-education programs for students who are low-income and/or the first in their families to pursue a college degree.

With buildings and the activities within them accounting for more than 40 percent of the nation’s greenhouse gas emissions, the Environment Program continues Kresge’s longstanding efforts to advance energy efficiency in building design and operation.

The following organizations received grants:

• Alliance Foundation for Community Health, Inc., Cambridge – $180,000
• Castle Square Tenants Organization, Inc., Boston – $50,000
• Dorchester Bay Economic Development Corporation, Boston – $50,000
• Health Resources in Action, Boston – $500,000
• Union of Concerned Scientists, Inc., Cambridge – $750,000
• Urban Edge Housing Corp., Roxbury – $75,000