Greater Lowell Community Foundation Supports Women in Philanthropy
By Kathy Register
In 2020, Women Working Wonders (WWW) Fund awarded a $10,000 grant to Lowell General Hospital’s Cancer Center’s to be used toward the purchase of breast boards. These devices are used to provide a comfortable prone position for women undergoing radiation therapy for breast cancer, which can also ensure a more accurate dose of targeted radiation.
Recognizing the important role women play in local philanthropy, the Greater Lowell Community Foundation (GLCF) manages a number of independent funds established by women who pool their resources to support their communities.
Understanding there are a variety of ways women’s groups go about awarding grants to local nonprofits, GLCF supports well-established, endowed funds, such as the 17-year-old Women Working Wonders (WWW) Fund. GLCF also welcomes up-and-coming groups, like 100+ Women Who Care Boston Metrowest, a new collaborative “giving circle” just starting its third year.
“GLCF component funds, like these two philanthropic groups, inspire and empower women to make a difference where they live,” said Jay Linnehan, GLCF’s President & CEO. “GLCF is proud to support these generous women and welcome other groups eager to learn how they can collectively make a difference.”
“As a whole, women control more than half of private wealth in the U.S.,” added Jennifer Aradhya, GLCF’s VP of Marketing & Programs. “So, it makes sense that GLCF sees growth in this area of giving. Women in Greater Lowell are leveraging their resources via strategic donations to have a greater positive impact on the community.”
While Women Working Wonders and 100+ Women Who Care Metrowest operate differently, both groups have a common mission: combining resources to help others.
“One of the great things about Women Working Wonders is that we believe in establishing an endowment fund that will be there for younger women to work with,” explained Carrie Meikle, a WWW board member and co-chair of its grant committee.
“A lot of young women aren’t capable of writing a $5,000 or $10,000 check. But as a group, we can award grants in those amounts,” she said. “It’s a great way of collective giving, and shows how we can really have a positive impact.”
Started in 2004 by a group of 72 women who each gave $500, the WWW Fund has now grown to $1.3 million. But the group’s mission has remained constant: empowering women and girls to effect positive change in the Greater Lowell community.
WWW raises money via individual donations, as well as through its annual fundraiser, Power of the Purse, a fashion show and handbag auction. And in 2019, it launched a very successful 15th anniversary campaign.
“We raised $250,000 through that campaign,” said Meikle. “Our goal was to push our endowment over the $1 million mark, and we did it.” This year the group plans to award five $10,000 grants to local nonprofits. The 2021 grant application closes on June 17.
100+ Women Who Care Boston Metrowest was founded in 2018 by Amy Gleason, a teacher at Middlesex School in Concord. The group came under the GLCF umbrella in 2021.
Gleason was inspired to form the group after learning about the international “100 Who Care” philanthropic movement. “I started a U.S. nonprofit to support nonprofit organizations in South Africa, but feel strongly about supporting local communities, as well.
“I read about a Canadian 100 Women Who Care group, and the giving-circle idea appealed to me. Other women and I could have a significant impact on local nonprofits by pooling our resources.”
Unlike Women Working Wonders, 100+ Women Who Care Metrowest doesn’t have an endowment fund, nor does it organize fundraisers. Instead, its 53 members donate $400 each per year, and the group awards quarterly $5,000 grants, said Gleason. As membership grows, so will the size of grants.
The group meets four times per year and votes to award one grant each quarter to a worthy Metrowest nonprofit that addresses a pre-determined theme. “We decide our four themes at the beginning of the year,” she said. “Our grants are unsolicited – they’re like a shot in the arm for these (mostly) small nonprofits. In many cases, the organizations don’t even know we’re looking at them.”
Members of 100+Women Who Care Metrowest range in age from 30 to 85, Gleason added. “What we all have in common is that we want to support local communities, but we also lead very busy lives.”
According to Meikle, for more than 17 years, Women Working Wonders has awarded various grants to large and small organizations. “We try to spread it out as much as we can,” she said.
Last year, WWW donated to Lowell General Hospital’s Cancer Center, to support breast cancer treatment, as well as to Dignity Matters, which provides menstrual-period protection to homeless and low-income women. The group has also supported the Boys & Girls Clubs, and Mill City Grows, which addresses local food insecurity.
100+ Women Who Care Metrowest has awarded nine grants in just over three years, Gleason explained. Grants have been made to nonprofits such as Household Goods in Acton (which gives furnishings to formerly homeless clients setting up households); REACH, a Waltham-based domestic-violence service agency; and most recently Cultivate Care Farms, Bolton Farm-Based Therapy serving Greater Lowell.
“There is something wonderful about getting an unsolicited chunk of money from a group that has looked into your organization and appreciates what you do,” she said. “I wish we were giving more. That’s our goal: To grow our group to 100 members so that we can give $10,000 grants.”
Women Working Wonders is also focused on its future, according to Meikle. “Our board was meant to evolve as the role of women has changed,” she said. “We always ask younger women to join — it’s a good mentoring opportunity.”
But the mentoring goes both ways, she stressed, and the recent pandemic is a perfect example of how quickly things can change.
“COVID-19 has had a huge negative impact on women and girls,” said Meikle. “So, last year, we realized our mission is more important than ever. However, the pandemic totally changed how we could fundraise.”
“Suddenly, we had to figure out how to host Power of the Purse as a virtual event. We had to learn how to market via social media and host an online auction.
“But we did it, and our younger board members made that happen,” said Meikle proudly. “WWW is set up to pass the torch to new female philanthropists.”
For more information about Women Working Wonders (www.womenworkingwondersfund.com) and 100+ Women Who Care Boston Metrowest, visit the GLCF website: www.glcfoundation.org
About Greater Lowell Community Foundation:
Established in 1997, the Greater Lowell Community Foundation (GLCF) is a philanthropic organization comprised of more than 390 funds dedicated to improving the quality of life in 21 neighboring cities and towns. With financial assets of more than $50 million, GLCF annually awards grants and scholarships to hundreds of worthy nonprofits and students. It is powered by the winning combination of donor-directed giving, personal attention from Foundation staff, and an in-depth understanding of local needs. The generosity of our donors has enabled the Community Foundation to award more than $25 million to the Greater Lowell community.
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PHOTO: GLCF_CCFarms.jpg
Photo Credit: Monica Justesen Photography
Caption: Cultivate Care Farms in Bolton, a recent 100+ Women Who Care Metrowest Grant Recipient, provides innovative Farm-Based therapy to individuals and families. Pictured: Cultivate Care Farms’ director Megan Moran with therapy cow Nora.
PHOTO: GLCF_LGH_WWF21.jpg
Caption: In 2020, Women Working Wonders (WWW) Fund awarded a $10,000 grant to Lowell General Hospital’s Cancer Center’s to be used toward the purchase of breast boards. These devices are used to provide a comfortable prone position for women undergoing radiation therapy for breast cancer, which can also ensure a more accurate dose of targeted radiation.
