Lauren Dunne Astley Memorial Fund mini-grant program
Since its launch in 2013, the annual mini-grant program of the Lauren Dunne Astley Memorial Fund has offered small grants of up to $2,000 for innovative, creative projects related to the LDAMF mission. To date, the program has awarded nearly $300,000 in seed grants to over 170 individuals and organizations working to make a difference in the areas of healthy teen relationships, the arts, and community service. We are proud to have supported such a broad range of impressive initiatives over the years, work that has changed and enriched lives, promoted balance and safety in relationships, and carried Lauren’s joyful, creative spirit out into the world. She would have been 32 by now!
While in the past the mini-grant application season has opened in December, the board has decided to postpone the call for 2026 proposals due to an unusual year of growth and organizational change at the LDAMF. Having brought on our wonderful new Director, Anneke Reich, we are currently evaluating finances for the coming year and hope to open applications in early May, with an anticipated deadline for submissions of June 30 and award notifications arriving by the end of July.
With apologies to any potential applicants who may have had previous dates in mind, we look forward to hearing from you in May or June if you have a project in mind that will promote healthy relationships, celebrate and promote the creative or performing arts, or encourage community service. In Lauren’s spirit, “Keep on sparkling!”
We are honored to share that Governor Healey and Lieutenant Governor Driscoll established The Lauren Dunne Astley Recognition Award at the recent State Youth Summit focused on healthy relationships and breakups. This award recognizes and celebrates the core values that Lauren embodied: compassion, courage, and an unwavering dedication to creating positive change in young lives. Lauren’s memory inspires us all to work toward a future where young people can live free from the threat of violence, where survivors are supported, and where communities stand united in protecting our most vulnerable members.
Our new video premiered at Wayland High School on May 24
Help the Movement Move! Learn about three toolsets for school systems and universities
 |
 |
 |
The Lauren Dunne Astley Memorial Fund is a non-profit charitable organization founded to honor the life of Lauren Dunne Astley, a beautiful, talented and beloved 18-year-old young woman who had just graduated from Wayland High School in Massachusetts, and planned to attend Elon University in North Carolina. Lauren was passionate about her friends and family, the arts and community service. She died on July 3, 2011 at the hands of her former boyfriend, a victim of the disturbing phenomenon of breakup violence.
More broadly, the grim arithmetic is that, in our life times at the current rate, approximately 100,000 women in the U.S. will lose their lives in similar ways to how Lauren lost hers. Countless more women will face damaging experiences of emotional, sexual and physical abuse.
We are proud to be part of an increasingly strong network of organizations involving women and men committed to reversing and preventing this violent pattern.
Our mission is to promote dynamic educational programs, particularly those in the areas of the development of healthy teen relationships, the arts, and community service.
Wayland High School Mosaic Dedication
On June 16, 2012, Wayland High School unveiled a mosaic celebrating the life of Lauren Dunne Astley. Details are available online here.
As a member of the Wayland High School a cappella group “The Muses,” Lauren Astley sang the solo “Breathless” by The Corrs. Click here to listen.
