Greater Lowell Community Foundation Awards $268,200 in Grants to Local Nonprofits at Annual Meeting

LOWELL, MA – On Tuesday, June 9, the Greater Lowell Community Foundation hosted its Annual Meeting at UMass Lowell’s Coburn Hall, bringing together community members, nonprofit partners, and donors to celebrate philanthropy in Greater Lowell. A total of $268,200 in competitive Discretionary Grants was awarded to 30 nonprofits serving Greater Lowell across three funding focus areas: Children’s Services, Leclair Elder Services, and LGBTQ+ Services.

These grant awards are part of a competitive grant process in which nonprofit organizations apply for funds and independent committees review proposals and select awardees. The GLCF Discretionary Grants program is one of several competitive grant programs offered through the Foundation each year.

“With the largest discretionary grant distribution in our Foundation’s history, these investments reflect the trust our donors place in us and the urgent needs of Greater Lowell’s nonprofit community,” said GLCF President and CEO Jay Linnehan. “At a time when federal funding cuts are creating real strain on local organizations, this local philanthropic support is more critical than ever.”

The Foundation presented Bill and Jan Haddad of On the Move with the 2026 Bankers’ Volunteer Award for Lifetime Achievement in recognition of their extraordinary dedication to volunteering and lifelong commitment to the Greater Lowell community. On the Move’s mission is to allow all children a better opportunity to affect their future by decreasing the disparity in educational achievement.

The program also featured Community Impact presentations from Lisa Ansara, Executive Director of the Lowell Youth Leadership Program, and Alexandra DePalo, Executive Director of Open Table, both of whom spoke to the value of community-centered services in today’s challenging funding environment.

 

2026 Discretionary Grant Awards

Children’s Services:

  • Aaron’s Presents: Lowell Youth Leadership – Givers & Visionaries and Agents of Change – $10,000
  • Angkor Dance Troupe: FEED Youth Initiative – $10,000
  • Cocotree Kids: Greater Lowell Clean Underwear for All – $10,000
  • Community Giving Tree: General Operations Support – $5,000
  • Elevate New England: Helping Students Graduate High School…and THRIVE! – $10,000
  • Girls Incorporated of Greater Lowell: GLOW Up! (Growth, Leadership, Opportunities, Workforce) – $10,000
  • Hope and Comfort Inc.: Greater Lowell Hygiene Access Initiative – $10,000
  • Lucy’s Love Bus Charitable Trust Inc: Lucy’s Children and Sajni’s Siblings of Greater Lowell – $5,000
  • On the Move: Advancing Childhood Literacy – $7,500
  • Project Kompass, Inc.: Basic Needs+ for Lowell Children & Families – $10,000
  • Rawkstars, Inc.: Hustle & Harmony – Lowell Middlesex Academy – $7,200
  • Sibling Connections, Inc. dba Camp to Belong – MA: Weekend Retreats: Continued Support – $10,000
  • The Bike Connector, Inc.: Holiday Bike Giveaway – $10,000

 

Leclair Elder Services:

  • Challenge Unlimited, Inc.: Senior Summer Camp – $7,500
  • MA Alliance of Portuguese Speakers: MAPS’ Lowell Immigrant & Elder Integration Services Program – $10,000
  • Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless, Inc.: The Casa Project – Homeless to Home Initiative – $10,000
  • Merrimack Valley Food Bank, Inc.: Food Assistance for Elders – $10,000
  • Mindful Musicians: Live concerts for connection and senior health – $6,000
  • Project Citizenship: Deepening Citizenship Services for Immigrants Age 55+ in Greater Lowell – $10,000
  • The Nature Connection, Inc.: Nature Connects: Outreach Programs & Memory Cafés for Elders – $10,000

 

LGBTQ+ Services:

  • BAGLY Inc dba Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition: MTPC’s 2026–2027 Working for Lived Equity Community Needs Assessment – $10,000
  • Danny’s Place Youth Services: Common Threads: Empowering LGBTQ+ Youth Through Expression and Belonging – $10,000
  • Greater Boston PFLAG: Affirming Families: LGBTQ+ Support & Education Growth – $10,000
  • Greater Lowell Health Alliance (GLHA): Pride Playbook 2.0: Expanding the Impact – $10,000
  • History UnErased, Inc.: Marty Meehan’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” Battle in Congress (Comic Book) – $5,000
  • Lowell House, dba Riverbend: Community building and support for our LBTGQIA+ clients – $5,000
  • Merrimack Repertory Theatre, Inc. (MRT): Pride Night/Matinee at MRT – 2026/2027 Season – $10,000
  • Pathway To Better Health: PTBHealth Practice Upgrade – $10,000
  • Rainbow Dracuteers: Rooted in Dracut – $5,000
  • Vinfen: Show Your Colors Project – $5,000

2026 Discretionary Grant Recommendations Total: $268,200

 

“These grants reflect the power of local philanthropy to step up when communities need it most,” said Jennifer Aradhya, GLCF’s VP of Marketing, Programs and Strategy. “We are proud to support organizations creating welcoming, supportive, and lasting impact across Greater Lowell.”

This year’s Annual Meeting was made possible in part by Premier Sponsor Rockland Trust.

 

About the Greater Lowell Community Foundation:

Established in 1997, the Greater Lowell Community Foundation (GLCF) is a philanthropic organization comprised of more than 500 funds dedicated to improving the quality of life in 21 neighboring cities and towns. With financial assets of over $77 million, GLCF annually awards grants and scholarships to hundreds of worthy nonprofits and students. The generosity of our donors has enabled the Community Foundation to award more than $55 million to the Greater Lowell community.

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PHOTO 1 CAPTION: Grant recipients gathered at GLCF’s Annual Meeting on June 9. Funding of $268,200 in competitive grants were awarded to 30 local nonprofits.

PHOTO 2 CAPTION: GLCF presented the 2026 Bankers’ Volunteer Award for Lifetime Achievement Recipients to Bill and Jan Haddad of On the Move in recognition of their lifelong dedication to volunteering. This honor celebrates her unwavering spirit of selflessness and commitment to local causes that have enriched the Greater Lowell community.