Greater Lowell Community Foundation

Personal Stories

Belinda Juran and Evan Schapiro: Helping to Maintain and Grow the Merrimack Valley’s Rich Cultural Tradition

Belinda Juran and Evan Schapiro

As residents of the Merrimack Valley for the past 25 years, Belinda and Evan often took advantage of the rich and diverse cultural opportunities that the region offered. Unlike Boston, where the scene is dominated by large cultural institutions with a large donor base, the Merrimack Valley's arts scene typically consists of a more diverse group of smaller and less well-known organizations. So, Evan and Belinda were especially surprised to learn that the Merrimack Valley did not have a permanently endowed Arts Fund dedicated to the support of local cultural organizations. MORE

Peter S. Stamas: Dedicated to Education in Lowell for 17 Years

Peter Stamas

Peter’s Passion: Education and civic involvement.
As headmaster of Lowell High School for 17 years, Peter shaped the minds of Lowell’s future leaders and led by example. He believed community services was the way to better our region’s quality of life. More...

Greater Lowell Community Foundation History

Each year the Community Foundation distributes several types of grants to nonprofit organizations in our service area [link to Our Community page]. These include capacity grants to organizations selected by our board, which are designed to help organizations strengthen core administrative operations. In addition, we distribute funds according to the preferences of our individual donors. These may include allocations they have specifically requested, or allocations approved by our Board based on donors’ field of interest preferences. We invite you to review our grant history:

2004 Capacity Grants

  • Acre Family Day Care -$3,000 to provide professional development training for staff.
  • Alternative House - $2,350 to purchase computer equipment.
  • Bedford Historical Society - $444 to help create a management information system for artifacts.
  • Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Lowell - $2,500 to implement a new performance management system and database.
  • Boys & Girls Club of Greater Lowell - $2,000 to fund a photography project facilitating marketing and communication initiatives.
  • Challenge Unlimited, Inc. - $2,200 to upgrade fundraising software and print new brochures.
  • CTI/Small Business Assistance Center - $2,009 to purchase a computer and software for the resource library.
  • Girl Scouts of Spar and Spindle Council - $2,200 to purchase new computer equipment.
  • GRIP Project/Justice Resource Institute - $2,920 to send new staff to New England Network's Youthworker Conference.
  • Indian Hill Music Center - $3,000 to purchase software and equipment.
  • International Institute of Lowell - $1,870 to purchase a digital passport photo system.
  • Lowell Association for the Blind - $1,800: to provide computer training for staff.
  • Lowell Historical Society - $2,646 to design and print a promotional brochure.
  • Lowell House - $2,800 to review and update the organization's mission, vision, and strategic plan.
  • Lowell Parks & Conservation Trust - $1,946 to develop an organizational brochure in support of a new development plan.
  • Merrimack Valley Catholic Charities - $3,000 to purchase computer equipment for the Young Parents Program.
  • Nashua River Watershed Association - $1,824 to provide professional training for staff in use of membership and donation software
  • SuAsCo Watershed Community Council - $323 to help convert the Council's slide show into PowerPoint
  • Visiting Nurse Association of Greater Lowell - $3,000 to purchase a portable EKG for diagnosing homebound heart patients.

2004 Water Resources Grants

  • Lowell Parks & Conservation Trust - $1,500 to develop RiverFest 2005 in collaboration with the Revolving Museum .
  • Lowell Telecommunications Corporation - $1,079 to assist the production of a television program on environmentally safe alternatives for lawns and gardens to protect the watershed.
  • Massachusetts Audubon Society - $2,500 for the RiverSchools Initiative for 4th and 6th grade students at two schools in Lowell .
  • Merrimack River Watershed Council - $3,570 for an inventory and analysis of facilities and recreational opportunities along the Merrimack River
  • Nashua River Watershed Association - $2,500 to support the Watershed Association's volunteer water quality monitoring program.

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