Greater Lowell Community Foundation Awards $80,000 in LGBTQ+ Grants at Third Annual Brunch

Lowell, MA – On Saturday, June 13, the Greater Lowell Community Foundation (GLCF) hosted its third annual LGBTQ+ Fund Brunch at Cobblestones in Lowell, celebrating the third year of the foundation’s LGBTQ+ Fund and recognizing $80,000 in grants to 10 local nonprofits. The event brought together more than 140 supporters and raised more than $90,000.

The brunch featured music, meaningful conversations, fabulous food and a joyful atmosphere that celebrated Pride Month and reaffirmed GLCF’s commitment to community connection. The event’s Premiere Sponsors were Susu Wong and Julie Chen, The Nancy K. and Richard L. Donahue Charitable Foundation, The Saab Family Foundation, UKG, Eastern Bank, and GLCF.

“GLCF’s LGBTQ+ Fund is building a future where all members of our community can live with dignity and opportunity,” said GLCF President and CEO Jay Linnehan. “We are proud to support these organizations doing vital work in Greater Lowell.”

Jennifer Aradhya, GLCF’s Vice President of Marketing, Programs, and Strategy, added, “It was heartening to see how this fund has grown since it was founded in 2023. The generosity of our community has allowed us to launch and grow this fund, and we’re excited to see these dollars going directly to nonprofits that are creating safe, affirming, and empowering spaces.”

The following 10 organizations received grants totaling $80,000:

  • 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)
  • 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)
  • Riverbend: Community building and support for our LGBTQIA+ clients ($5,000)
  • Vinfen: Show Your Colors Project ($5,000)

Among the speakers was Jessica Wisocky, NP, founder of Pathway to Better Health, who shared about her organization’s work and the importance of GLCF’s grants in sustaining and expanding services for the LGBTQ+ community across Greater Lowell.

GLCF established the endowed LGBTQ+ Fund in 2023 with cofounders Julie Chen, Chancellor of UMass Lowell, and her spouse, Susu Wong, owner of Tomo360 to support nonprofit organizations that serve and strengthen the LGBTQ+ community across Greater Lowell. This initial donation was matched by GLCF and the Saab Family Foundation. Recognizing the importance of sustained support during the fund’s early years, GLCF’s Board of Trustees unanimously voted to supplement annual grantmaking in 2025 and 2026 as the endowment grows.

For more information about the LGBTQ Fund or to donate, please visit: https://glcfoundation.info/3Bd8Dzn

About 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. 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 $55 million to the Greater Lowell community.

###

 

CAPTION: Grant recipients gathered at GLCF’s third annual LGBTQ+ Fund Brunch on June 13.