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...

Supporting Greater Lowell’s charitable and educational institutions

Who We Are

Founded in 1997, the Community Foundation is dedicated to improving the quality of life in the Greater Lowell, Nashoba and western Merrimack Valley regions of Massachusetts by: 1) assisting donors to establish endowed funds serving their charitable interests; 2) supporting nonprofit organizations and community groups through grants and technical assistance; and 3) improving the quality of life of our communities by convening individuals and institutions, and by developing initiatives to respond to significant issues.

WHAT WE FUND

Administrative and Organizational Capacity Building Grants

Grants are intended to strengthen the administrative and organizational management capacity of nonprofit organizations so they can more effectively address their mission. Projects should address one or more of the following eligible activities: strategic planning, board development, staff training, human resource management, marketing, public relations, membership development, fundraising planning, development of financial and information management systems, intra-agency and inter-agency collaboration, facilitation of mergers, small equipment purchase, and other projects that increase organizational capacity.

Community and/or Organizational Capacity Building Grants for Coalitions

Coalitions are invited to apply for grants to address either specific achievable initiatives that strengthen the community’s capacity to address needs, or targeted organizational capacity projects that advance the coalition’s ability to achieve its mission (see definition of eligible organizational capacity building projects under Administrative and Organizational Capacity Building Grants, above)

WATER RESOURCES GRANTS

The Community Foundation seeks proposals that protect, conserve, and improve the Nashua, Sudbury - Assabet - Concord (SUASCO) and Merrimack River Watersheds in Northern Middlesex County. Proposals can include a broad range of water-related projects involving biological conservation and habitat restoration projects, water monitoring, community based clean-ups and other grassroots stewardship activities, point and non-point pollution prevention actions, GIS inventory of riparian and related open space features, school and community-based water resource education programs, and other science-based water resource management projects that have direct and practical application.

WHAT WE DO NOT FUND

Funding is not available for programs, building funds, endowment, multi-year commitments, political activities, government agencies, individuals, and organizations in which religious teachings are an integral part. The Community Foundation will not award funds to organizations that have not submitted final reports for prior grants.

WHO MAY APPLY

Nonprofit 501 (c)(3) organizations, coalitions, community associations, and other civic groups may apply if it provides services in one or more of the towns listed below. Applicants that do not have a tax-exempt status under IRC 501 (c)(3) must secure a commitment from a financial sponsor/fiscal agent that is a 501 (c)(3) organization, to take on fiduciary responsibilities in connection with this grant.

To be eligible for a grant, the project must:

  • Be located in, or directly serve the people and natural resources in Ashby, Ayer, Bedford, Billerica, Burlington, Carlisle, Chelmsford, Concord, Dracut, Dunstable, Groton, Littleton, Lowell, North Reading, Pepperell, Reading, Shirley, Stoneham, Tewksbury, Townsend, Tyngsboro, Wakefield, Westford and Wilmington.
  • Certify that your organization endorses the enclosed policy of non-discrimination.
  • Meet all other criteria in the guidelines and application.

HOW MUCH TO ASK FOR

Requests for support far exceed the Foundation’s ability to fund them. Requests should be appropriate to the project and demonstrate a wise and prudent use of funds. The maximum grant will be $3,000.

LOWELL-BASED ORGANIZATIONS

If you are a Lowell-based nonprofit, please contact the Jericho Road Project before applying for funding, to determine whether Jericho Road can support your project with a pro bono consultant or other assistance. Contact Dan Holin at 978-369-9602 x457 or dholin@earthlink.net.

You can see how we have helped other organizations by reviewing our grant history, flagship initiatives, and many existing charitable funds.