Nonprofits benefit from inaugural remnants
By Andrea Estes, Globe Staff
The Patrick-Murray Inaugural Commitee will distribute $540,000 left over from the $1.9 million in private donations raised for last January's inauguration, the most expensive in state history.
More than 200 nonprofit organizations will receive $2,500 each to carry "forward the Inauguration's mission of civic engagement," according to Liz Morningstar, co-chair of the Inaugural Committee.
Former Governor Mitt Romney had held the record for the costliest inauguration, raising $1.3 million and spending $750,000.
Corporations, law firms, developers and other businesses covered most of the cost of the Patrick-Murray inauguration; among the top donors, who gave $50,000 apiece, were auto insurers Arbella Insurance Group, Commerce Group, Liberty Mutual Group and Hanover Insurance Group.
More than 1,500 organizations applied for the funds. Rejected applicants were notified yesterday by e-mail. To qualify, an organization had to be Massachusetts-based, with an operating budget of less then $3 million.
Among those who will receive the grants are the Chinese Progressive Association of Boston, the Christian Center of Pittsfield Inc. and Community Music School of Springfield. A full list of the recipients can be found here.
A committee spokesman said $540,000 represents all the money remaining after the Committee paid all inaugural bills, totalling more than $1.3 million.
