The Lauren Dunne Astley Memorial Fund Mini-Grant Program
The annual mini-grant program of the Lauren Dunne Astley Memorial Fund offers small grants of up to $2,000 for innovative, creative projects related to the LDAMF mission. Since its outset in 2012, the mini-grant program has awarded nearly $200,000 in small grants to over 125 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 variety of initiatives that have changed and enriched lives, promoted balance and safety in relationships, and carried Lauren’s joyful, creative and independent spirit out into the world.
Do you (or does your organization) have an idea for a way to promote healthy and safe teen relationships, to celebrate and further the creative or performing arts, or to encourage community service? If so, please consider applying. The simple online application is online here. The application asks for a short description of the proposed project and its goals, planned action steps and a timeline, and a brief anticipated budget. Applications are accepted up until January 31, and funding decisions are announced by March 1.
The application process particularly values new and dynamic initiatives and projects that do not already rely on major backing from other sources. If considering applying, we encourage you to get a sense of the range of supported projects by looking at the 2022 and 2021 mini-grant recipients. Please contact us if you have any questions.
Virtual Remembrance for Lauren Astley. This video was created to remember Lauren on her 28th birthday. Please join us in celebrating her memory.
New Video:
Announcing a new video featuring Lauren’s friends, family and specialists thoughtfully discussing the meaning of her murder in our culture and patterns of gender abuse, as well as warning signs and prevention.
Watch Escaping Breakup and Relationship Violence, 9 minutes at https://youtu.be/tNGIvHaVGLU
Help the Movement Move! Learn about three toolsets for school systems and universities
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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.
