Community Organizations
Arts! Ashland Alliance
is a 501©(3) nonprofit that was created to support access to diverse expressions of arts and cultural programming, cultivate Ashland’s cultural economy, and promote Downtown Ashland, as a cultural & business destination. Arts! Ashland works with other nonprofit organizations, in a collaborative approach, to benefit Ashland residents. Our signature event is the Dragonfly Festival held in September, and Once Upon a Book Fest held in the Spring.
Ashland Business Association
The ABA provides networking, learning programs, and marketing opportunities for its members; advocates for Ashland-based businesses in an effort to build a strong, local economy; strives to strengthen our community by keeping dollars and jobs in Ashland; educates consumers about the benefits of shopping local.
Ashland Community Theater
ACT produces two quality theater productions per year that entertain, enrich, and educate Ashland, MA. while offering an opportunity for adults and teens interested in acting, directing, writing, and stage work. We encourage the creation of original material revolving around social issues and values pertinent to our lives and community and partner with WACA-TV and All Flowers Productions to produce film and video projects.
Ashland Emergency Foundation Inc.
AEFI is a community-based organization dedicated to providing enhanced educational opportunities for students in the Ashland Public Schools. AEFI does this through competitive teacher grants and capital campaigns. Since 2010, the AEFI has raised over $445,000 towards funding innovative projects within the Ashland Public Schools.
Ashland Emergency Fund
AEF was founded in 1987 to establish a source of money for emergency assistance, to create a permanent fund, to build an organization of citizens ready to respond, and to provide a heightened sense of responsibility for the welfare of others within the Town of Ashland.
Ashland Farmers Market
This MetroWest Famous market provides a venue for local farmers and small businesses to sell their products, improve nutrition by providing greater access to fresh local produce, educate residents about nutrition and sustainable agriculture and to build community while contributing to a vibrant town center in downtown Ashland.
Ashland is United
Ashland is United (AiU), based in Ashland, MA, is a group of residents and town officials who provide a portal for meaningful conversations across identities, ethnicities, ideological differences, abilities, and life experiences. As a sounding board and an action partner, we are committed to educating and sharing ideas to create a deeper understanding of what unites us even as we celebrate our differences.
Ashland Lions Club & Greater Ashland Lions Club
Here in Ashland, we have 2 Lions clubs. Both groups meet the needs of local communities and the world. The Lions support many programs in the Ashland community for the betterment of the community and to help the less fortunate.
Ashland Residents for Equity & Action
AREA is a group of people of color and their allies in Ashland working together to ensure that their voices are represented in local civic organizations, government, and schools. This 501©(3) nonprofit supports and promotes people of color-run businesses in Metrowest as engines of economic development that benefit the community at large. AREA is committed to working with the Ashland Public School systems to ensure an equitable education for all students. Through community action, we want to make Ashland a safe and inclusive community for all.
Ashland Special Education Parent Advisory Council
AshPAC works towards the understanding, respect, support and appropriate education for all children with special needs and/or disabilities in our community. As a volunteer organization, we count on our members to share valuable knowledge, help keep information current, and increase the awareness of the activities and works of this group to the whole community.
Decisions at Every Turn Coalition
DAET is dedicated to creating a safe and healthy Ashland by working as a community to prevent, reduce and solve the problems that can lead to youth substance use and abuse. We have many behavioral health promotion and prevention resources for parents and community members available on our website. We have many opportunities for volunteer involvement.
MetroWest Humane Society
As an advocate for animal welfare, MWHS focuses on the well-being of cats in the Metrowest Boston area, including finding loving homes or providing life-long care while educating the community and reducing the feral/stray cat population. MWHS is a volunteer-led, non-profit, no-kill shelter dependent on charitable donations.
Rotary Club of Framingham
This local service organization consists of local business men and women from Ashland, Framingham, Holliston and Hopkinton, who want to better the community in which we live and/or work. They undertake a variety of community projects which range from building a new playground to clean-up of a town park to serving Thanksgiving dinner to those in need.