GLCF Continues Support of Local Nonprofits during COVID-19 Pandemic

Greeter at Lowell General Hospital, new staff position required for screening staff and visitors to the hospital to ensure safe protocols funded in part by the Massachusetts COVID-19 Relief Fund grant through GLCF.

The Greater Lowell Community Foundation (GLCF), a philanthropic organization comprised of over 350 funds, announced that it has granted an additional $282,000 in emergency funds to community nonprofits since the COVID-19 pandemic began. This rapid response funding has been directed to nonprofits providing crucial assistance to the most vulnerable populations, such as the elderly, low-income and homeless in Greater Lowell.

“As our healthcare system adapts to a new normal to protect the safety of our patients, visitors and staff, this Massachusetts COVID-19 Relief Fund grant opportunity through GLCF will help fund a new greeter role that ensures every person coming into the building has a clean mask, clean hands and no signs of COVID-19 exposure,” says Jody White, President and Chief Executive Officer of Circle Health and Lowell General Hospital. “This crisis has taken a significant financial toll on our organization, making the GLCF’s support all that more impactful on our efforts to provide the best possible care for this community.” 

The following nine nonprofits receiving grants in the latest round of the Massachusetts COVID-19 Relief Fund are:

  • Alternative House – to alleviate stresses on victims of domestic violence due to COVID-19, especially those residing in confidential emergency shelters and in high-risk community-based households
  • Budget Buddies, Inc. – to provide emergency basic needs for low-income women and girls
  • Catie’s Closet, Inc. – to purchase and distribute toiletry items and feminine hygiene items at school-based emergency food sites
  • Greater Lowell Health Alliance – to provide PPE for those working with underserved populations and assistance in coordination of food pantry delivery services
  • Life Connection Center, Inc. – to provide meals and other supports for people living in homelessness and poverty during COVID-19
  • Lifelinks Inc. – to provide hazard pay for frontline staff, program nurses, and managers who provide direct, hands-on care to people with disabilities
  • Lowell General Hospital – to support new staff position required for screening staff and visitors to the hospital to ensure safe protocols and PPE distribution
  • Middlesex Community College Foundation, Inc. – to address food insecurity and basic needs for community college students
  • UTEC Inc. – to support youths working in UTEC Food Enterprises’ kitchen operations to prepare meals to be delivered to those in need in Greater Lowell.

The grants are thanks to funding from the Massachusetts COVID-19 Relief Fund. The Massachusetts COVID-19 Relief Fund works in concert with regional community foundations and nonprofit leaders to support those across the state most impacted by the COVID-19 health crisis, focusing on essential frontline workers and vulnerable populations including the homeless, immigrant populations, people with disabilities and those facing food insecurity. For more information, visit MACovid19ReliefFund.org.

Budget Buddies graduation, prior to the pandemic, at House of Hope in Lowell, Budget Buddies received a recent Massachusetts COVID-19 Relief Fund grant through GLCF.

“Budget Buddies is so incredibly grateful for this Massachusetts COVID-19 Relief Fund grant opportunity through GLCF, which will go to support some of the most vulnerable low-income women and girls in our community,” said Danielle Piskadlo, Budget Buddies. “Many of our clients, 69% women of color and 67% women with children, were already living on the margin with little safety net and have been deeply impacted by COVID-19 losing work, income, childcare, and access to public school meals overnight. This support will allow us to support our clients through this unprecedented crisis with basic necessities such as groceries, diapers, baby formula, and rent assistance so we help see them through this, and be there for them on the other side with the financial empowerment and coaching programs they need to get back on their feet.”  

Grants totaling more than $1.5 million have been distributed from the GLCF COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund and the Massachusetts COVID-19 Relief Fund, created to meet the growing need for urgent resources and services.

Donations to the GLCF COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund can be made online at www.glcfoundation.org or by mail to the GLCF COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund c/o GLCF, 100 Merrimack Street, Suite 202, Lowell, MA 01852.