GLCF Announces New Fund to Support the LGBTQ Community at Annual Meeting
by Kathy Register
LOWELL, Mass. – The Greater Lowell Community Foundation (GLCF) announced at its annual meeting on June 7 that it established a new field of interest fund to support the local lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender & queer (LGBTQ) community in Greater Lowell.
While the foundation is comprised of more than 500 charitable funds dedicated to improving the quality of life in 21 neighboring cities and towns, this is the first GLCF fund specifically dedicated to nonprofits serving LGBTQ individuals.
“For more than 25 years, the Greater Lowell Community Foundation has pooled and invested charitable donations from generous donors for the benefit of the local communities we serve,” said Jay Linnehan, GLCF President and CEO. “We are proud to launch this new field of interest fund to support the LGBTQ community. It’s our hope that for years to come it will continue to grow and assist members of this often over-looked and under-served community.”
Two pioneering Asian-American women, life-partners for more than 30 years, have started this new GLCF fund as a way to give back to the local LGBTQ community. Julie Chen, Chancellor of UMass Lowell, and her spouse, marketing executive Susu Wong, donated $25,000 to start the fund.
“We have seen the great work that GLCF has done and wanted to support the foundation by opening our own fund,” explained Chen. “When we started considering what should be the focus of our fund, once we were made aware that an LGBTQ fund did not exist, we thought it was a great idea to support a group that is underserved.”
“We also wanted to plant a seed and hope others will come forward and contribute, too,” added Wong. GLCF’s board of directors unanimously voted in June to match the initial fund donation.
“Our field of interest funds encourage donor activism,” explained Jennifer Aradhya, GLCF’s Vice President of Marketing, Programs & Strategy. “Field of interest funds support specific areas of interest, such as the arts, environment or education, rather than an individual nonprofit organization. In this case, Julie and Susu wanted to focus their support on the LGBTQ community and create a fund that would serve the community in perpetuity.
“In the future, GLCF will award grants from this fund to support nonprofit organizations working to improve the quality of life for the LGBTQ community in Greater Lowell by providing legal, health, education, advocacy, or other high-demand services/program,” said Aradhya. “We work with our donors to help them increase the impact and outreach of their generosity through our variety of fund options that match their goals and interests.”
Chen and Wong are particularly focused on helping theLGBTQ community flourish in the GLCF service area, which includes Acton, Ashby, Ayer, Bedford, Billerica, Burlington, Carlisle, Chelmsford, Concord, Dracut, Dunstable, Groton, Lowell, Littleton, Pepperell, Shirley, Tewksbury, Townsend, Tyngsboro, Westford and Wilmington. “We think it’s a good thing to help the LGBTQ community in Lowell and surrounding suburbs,” said Wong. “There is not always a lot of support for our community in this geographic area.
“It’s our hope that the LGBTQ community will become more visible. Ideally, as more people recognize that our community is out there, more people within the community will feel safe about identifying as LGBTQ.”
“There can be challenges for all ages — whether it’s a youth whose family is not supportive of them coming out as LGBTQ, or a senior citizen whose kids are not supportive,” added Chen. “Susu and I know how important it is to have an inclusive support network for the LGBTQ community.
“We didn’t want to prescribe too strictly how the fund could be used,” Chen stressed. “We’re open to innovative new ideas and can’t wait to see what comes.”
The Wilmington couple is active in academic, business and LGBTQ circles. Wong is CEO and founder of Tomo360, a marketing agency, which is a state-certified LGBT Business Enterprise. She helped launch the Massachusetts LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce, and is on the board of OUTbio Boston, the biotech industry’s largest LGBTQ professionals group. She is also co-founder of Women Accelerators, a grassroots organization that helps women advance their careers.
Chen is the UMass system’s first LGBTQ chancellor. A mechanical engineer who earned Ph.D., master’s and bachelor’s degrees from MIT, she is a recognized leader in research, STEM and economic development. Appointed UMass Lowell’s fourth chancellor in 2022, Chen previously served as UML’s vice chancellor for research & economic development. She joined the UML faculty in 1997; has been an advocate for diversity, equity and inclusion at the university; and has led efforts to support and elevate female faculty in STEM disciplines.
Chen and Wong — who were married in 2006 — have been open about their committed relationship for years. However, Chen’s new position as UML chancellor has put them in a brighter spotlight. “We were out before,” said Chen, “but not as out, I guess. The difference is now people know about me being LGBTQ before they know me.
“However, I think it’s important for people to see there are so many different types of identity that make up a person — and a leader,” she said.
Chen is especially energized by the opportunity to influence future generations. “When I talk with students, they are excited to know the head of their university is a woman, and that there is an LGBTQ person in this role. They have told me it gives them inspiration.”
Wong is also keeping an eye on the future. “One reason we have set up this fund is because we know if we’re not active and supportive of our rights, things can go backwards again,” she said.
“Over the years, we have gained a lot of rights. But if we get complacent, we can lose ground. You have to stay vigilant,” said Wong. “Julie and I will help jumpstart this fund. This GLCF fund is a good opportunity for other people to jump in and donate to help promote positive change in our communities. After all, it takes a community to build the momentum.”
For further information about donating to the Greater Lowell Community Foundation LGBTQ Fund, 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 almost $60 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 $35 million to the Greater Lowell community.
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GLCF LGBTQ Fund
In 2023, GLCF established a new field of interest fund to support the local lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender & queer (LGBTQ) community in Greater Lowell. Two pioneering Asian-American women, life-partners for more than 30 years, have started this new GLCF fund as a way to give back to the local LGBTQ community. Julie Chen, Chancellor of UMass Lowell, and her spouse, marketing executive Susu Wong, donated $25,000 to start the fund.
Racial Equity Action Fund
Created to advance racial justice and equity building in Greater Lowell. The Foundation strongly believes that addressing racial disparities is the first essential step towards our mission of building a more fair and just community for everyone.
GLCF awards $150K in additional grants to address mental health needs
LOWELL – The Greater Lowell Community Foundation (GLCF) announced it deployed a new round of COVID-19 related grants, providing an additional $150,000 to seven nonprofits in Greater Lowell addressing mental health needs. These grants were part of the latest round of distributions from the GLCF COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund.
Grants were determined through a competitive process with community members serving on the selection committee. GLCF solicited applications from nonprofits and local programs addressing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health in Greater Lowell.
“GLCF received more than $700K in grant requests for this cycle – the needs are enormous as the community deals with the mental health implications of COVID-19,” said GLCF president & CEO Jay Linnehan. “We are grateful to our volunteer selection committee that used their collective expertise to review many worthy applications to make some hard decisions relating to grant funding.”
The seven nonprofits receiving grants to address mental health needs are:
- Adolescent Consultation Services (Cambridge) for Direct Mental Health Services for Court-Involved Children in Greater Lowell – $25,000
- Alternative House (Lowell) for Support for Child Survivors – $15,000
- Boys & Girls Club of Greater Billerica for Club Social Worker – $50,000
- International Institute of New England (Lowell) for Lowell Refugee Youth Mental Health Initiative – $30,000
- ThinkGive (Concord) for SEL program expansion to five Greater Lowell sites serving under-resourced youth in 2022–2023 – $5,000
- UTEC (Lowell) for Improving mental health for proven-risk adolescents – $20,000
- Westford Health Department for applying under the shared grant service NorthWest Coalition (Lowell, Westford, Acton, and Dracut) Youth Mental Health First Aid trainings – $15,000
Among the grants funded, Boys & Girls Club of Greater Billerica received a grant to support a club social worker. “Mental Health is often overlooked, young people, today, more than ever, are facing pressures, stress and other mental health issues, post pandemic,” said Michelle Vichot, CEO, Boys & Girls Club of Greater Billerica for Club Social Worker. “We are so grateful to GLCF for their impactful generosity as we work on this critical issue together.”
Additionally, International Institute of New England received a recent $30,000 grant for their program: Lowell Refugee Youth Mental Health Initiative. “IINE has special programming for refugee youth and this grant support of our Lowell Refugee Youth Mental Health Initiative will allow us to add new strategies and resources to better support their healing from experiences of forced migration and other early traumas,” said Alexandra Weber, LICSW, Senior Vice President, International Institute of New England. “GLCF’s support will allow us to better educate staff, youth, and parents on risk and protective factors to promote youth emotional well-being.”
Since March of 2019, through grants from the GLCF COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund and the Massachusetts COVID Relief Fund, the foundation has supported more than 140 local nonprofit organizations with grants totaling over $7 million.
About Greater Lowell Community Foundation
Established in 1997, the Greater Lowell Community Foundation (GLCF) is a philanthropic organization comprised of more than 400 funds dedicated to improving the quality of life in 21 neighboring cities and towns. With financial assets of more than $55 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 $35 million to the Greater Lowell community.
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Mosaic Lowell – Plan Release and Barr Foundation Announcement
Lowell, MA – Members of Lowell’s arts and cultural community, gathered today to celebrate the launch of the much-anticipated creative economy plan, Mosaic Lowell. The event, held in the Hall of Flags at the Lowell Memorial Auditorium, marked the completion of a two-year planning process that focused on extensive community engagement and public outreach. The event also announced a $1M commitment from the Barr Foundation to support the plan’s implementation.
The Barr Foundation was the premiere sponsor of the planning initiative, and their additional support helps ensure that the implementation phase is off to a running start.
San San Wong, Director of Arts and Culture for the Barr Foundation, said: “At Barr, we believe that arts and creativity are essential for vibrant, vital, and engaged communities. I particularly love the Mosaic principle of DREAM BIG! Lowell has a plethora of dreamers. And, importantly, Lowell has many leaders committed to making those dreams a reality. So, to support this next phase in your journey, we’re pleased to announce a grant of $1 million to support the initial three years of Mosaic Lowell.”
Jay Linnehan, President and CEO of the Greater Lowell Community Foundation, which serves as the fiscal sponsor of Mosaic Lowell, added, “This plan can transform Lowell’s cultural economy and help elevate the City as a vibrant destination for many, both near and far.”
Mosaic Lowell came about through the collaboration of stakeholders working to enhance the quality of life in Lowell through arts, culture, and creative endeavors. It’s an initiative that brings together diverse individuals, neighborhoods, artists, and creative businesses to enliven Lowell as a place to live, work and visit. The planning efforts were led by a Steering Committee chaired by Howard Amidon of the Greater Lowell Community Foundation, Latifah Philips of the Lowell Public Schools, and Allison Lamey of the Lowell Plan & the Lowell Development and Financial Corporation.
Attendees at Thursday’s event were treated to performances by Angkor Dance Troupe and the Afro Percussionists from Lowell Community Public Charter School and were served food from a cross-section of Lowell’s diverse eateries.
Angela Ales, a member of the Mosaic Lowell Steering Committee and a local artist and faculty member at Middlesex Community College, spoke during the event. “There is definitely a lot to like about Lowell, and Mosaic has been and will be the fundamental force of Lowell’s renaissance. Lowell is becoming a destination. We are attracting new audiences due to our many cultural, creative, and artistic organizations, not just because of our wonderful Folk Fest and our Industrial Revolution history. As an artist myself, I am prospering from this new visibility. It is part of Mosaic’s mission, to position arts, culture, and the creative economy as core elements of Lowell’s strategic master planning for the future.”
The final plan is available online at www.mosaiclowell.org. Individuals interested in participating in the implementation of the plan are encouraged to connect with the Mosaic Lowell team online or via social media.
About Mosaic Lowell — Mosaic Lowell is a arts, cultural and creative economy plan for the City of Lowell. Lowell is a community of vibrant and diverse cultures, arts, and commerce. Throughout this captivating historical City, one can savor contemporary and classical cuisines and cultures of the world and experience a wide variety of art, dance, theater, music, and spoken word.
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