Lowell, MA – The Greater Lowell Community Foundation (GLCF) has announced the 3rd Annual LGBTQ+ Fund Brunch, which will take place on Saturday, June 13, at 10 a.m. at Cobblestones in Lowell. This annual event aims to raise vital funds for the GLCF’s endowed LGBTQ+ Fund, which supports nonprofits working to improve the quality of life for the LGBTQ+ community in Greater Lowell.
The brunch will feature delicious food, lively music by DJ Mocha, and an opportunity to connect with others in the community to celebrate PRIDE and show support for the local LGBTQ+ population. All proceeds from the event will directly benefit the LGBTQ+ Fund, ensuring that resources and services remain available for individuals in need.
The LGBTQ+ Fund, which was established in June 2023, is an endowed fund designed to provide annual financial support to nonprofit organizations in Greater Lowell. These organizations offer essential services and programs for the LGBTQ+ community, including legal assistance, healthcare, educational resources, advocacy, and other high-demand services.
“We are thrilled to host this annual brunch to not only raise funds but to also unite the Greater Lowell community in support of our LGBTQ+ neighbors,” said Jay Linnehan, President and CEO, Greater Lowell Community Foundation. “The LGBTQ+ Fund is a crucial resource in ensuring that services the community needs are available for years to come.”
The second round of grants from the LGBTQ+ Fund will be announced at this event, marking a significant step forward in providing much-needed support to local LGBTQ+ organizations.
/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Logo.png00glcf/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Logo.pngglcf2026-04-15 10:33:162026-04-15 10:33:17Greater Lowell Community Foundation to Host LGBTQ+ Fund Brunch on June 13
Arts Elevate Expands Pipeline for Artists to Lead Wellness-Focused Residencies
The Greater Lowell Community Foundation (GLCF) is now accepting applications for the Arts Elevate Artist Training Program, a comprehensive training opportunity that prepares local artists to lead embedded residencies with nonprofit organizations serving youth, veterans, and seniors across the Greater Lowell region.
The redesigned full-day training, scheduled for May 23, 2026, builds on the success of Arts Elevate’s pilot program, which has successfully placed resident artists with four nonprofit partners since fall 2025. The new training program expands access to this innovative model by creating a pipeline of prepared artists ready to partner with organizations throughout GLCF’s 21-community service area.
“When young people engage in art, they discover what they are capable of, who they are, how they belong, and how they contribute to the world around them,” said Jennifer Aradhya founder of Arts Elevate and GLCF’s VP of Marketing, Programs and Strategy. “Through Arts Elevate, we’re building the infrastructure to bring this transformative experience to communities across Greater Lowell.”
The training led by area experts covers Arts Elevate’s core CREATE-CONNECT-CATALYZE framework, evidence-based approaches to arts engagement for wellness, practical facilitation techniques, and insights from current resident artists. Participants will learn from expert facilitators from the Teaching Artist Project and hear directly from artists currently leading successful programs at Boys & Girls Club of Greater Lowell, Danny’s Place, Prescott Community Center, and The Umbrella Arts Center.
Artists interested in working with local youth serving nonprofits in a more meaningful way should apply to this program. All disciplines are encouraged to apply, including visual arts, music, dance, theater, film, spoken word, poetry, literary arts, multimedia, craft, and folk/traditional arts. Priority consideration will be given to artists who live or work in GLCF’s 21 community region and those from underrepresented backgrounds.
Arts Elevate is developed with lead funding from the Barr Foundation through its Creative Commonwealth Initiative, which supports strengthening arts and culture across Massachusetts. GLCF has committed to raising at $1 million over five years to expand and support this important program.
How to Apply
Applications are due by May 1st. Space is limited to 15-20 participants. The training is free, with all materials and lunch provided. For more information and to apply, visit: https://glcfoundation.info/3NunjE2or contact Rita Sahu at rita@glcfoundation.org.
About Arts Elevate
Arts Elevate is GLCF’s comprehensive initiative to improve youth wellness and strengthen communities through creative engagement. The program includes embedded community artist residencies, Arts Equity Grants supporting nonprofit-artist collaborations, and professional development training for creatives. Learn more at glcfoundation.org/arts-elevate.
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 $75 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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Caption: Students from Boys & Girls Club of Greater Lowell where members hosted a spoken word event at the Club, where youth were invited to perform original pieces as part of Arts Elevate.
/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Logo.png00glcf/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Logo.pngglcf2026-04-10 15:30:162026-04-15 10:25:32Greater Lowell Community Foundation Announces Artist Training Program
Lowell, MA – The Women Working Wonders (WWW) Fund, a permanently endowed fund of the Greater Lowell Community Foundation, is proud to announce the awarding of $15,000 in mini-grants to seven local nonprofit organizations serving women and girls in the Greater Lowell community.
“We are continually inspired by the strength, creativity, and dedication of the organizations serving women and girls in our community,” said Kerrie D’Entremont, Women Working Wonders Fund board president. “These mini-grants allow us to respond quickly and meaningfully to programs that are creating real impact across Greater Lowell.”
The Women Working Wonders Fund this year awarded mini-grants of up to $3,000 each to support programs in three key areas: assisting women in transition; providing leadership development opportunities for girls and women; and/or contributing to the beautification of environments that benefit women and girls. Organizations that receive a mini-grant remain eligible to apply for a full grant during the Fund’s summer grant cycle.
2026 Mini Grant Recipients
Ellie Fund, Inc.: Equitable Pathways to Breast Cancer Care for Patients and Families in Massachusetts – $3,000
Lowell Parks & Conservation Trust: Women in Stewardship: Intergenerational Leadership through Environmental Beautification – $3,000
Strongwater Farm Therapeutic Equestrian Center: Lowell Women Veterans Group at Strongwater Farm – $3,000
Project Kompass, Inc.: Project Kompass Residential Program: Supporting Young Women in Transition – $2,000
Learn to Lead Foundation of Lowell, Inc. in partnership with Lowell Community Charter Public School: Leading Today, Shaping Tomorrow – $1,500
The Wish Project, Inc.: Mothers Supported, Families Strengthened – $1,000
Founded in 2004, the Women Working Wonders Fund has awarded more than $600,000 in grants to organizations supporting women and girls in the Greater Lowell area. The Fund operates under the fiscal sponsorship and receives funding from the Greater Lowell Community Foundation. Learn more at www.womenworkingwondersfund.com.
Save the date for WWW’s annual signature fundraising event, the Power of the Purse, on Thursday, October 22, 2026, at Vesper Country Club in Tyngsboro.
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Caption:Lowell Parks & Conservation Trust was awarded a $3,000 mini grant from the Women Working Wonders Fund for their Women in Stewardship: Intergenerational Leadership through Environmental Beautification program.
/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Logo.png00glcf/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Logo.pngglcf2026-03-16 10:47:062026-03-18 14:35:20Women Working Wonders Fund Awards $15,000 in Mini-Grants
Three Strategic Grant Programs Support 48 Organizations Across 21 Communities as Survey Shows Nonprofit Sector Facing Mounting Financial Pressure and Service Reductions
LOWELL, MA – The Greater Lowell Community Foundation (GLCF) today announced it has deployed $1 million in emergency funding to 48 nonprofit organizations across its 21 community service area in response to unprecedented funding cuts that a 2026 survey reveals are affecting 64% of the region’s nonprofit sector.
GLCF’s 2026 Federal Funding Impact Survey, released last month, found that 54% of responding nonprofits experienced direct federal funding cuts in 2025, with an additional 10% reporting indirect impacts through partner organizations. The survey of 41 organizations reveals a sector under mounting pressure: 37% report conditions have worsened since Fall 2025, nearly two-thirds express concern about long-term financial sustainability, and eight organizations report significant or severe impact on their ability to serve the community.
“The data tells a sobering story about the state of our nonprofit sector, but it also reveals the remarkable resilience and creativity of organizations working to maintain critical services for our community’s most vulnerable residents,” said Jay Linnehan, GLCF President and CEO. “Our $1 million investment, made possible through our generous funding partners, represents an immediate, strategic response to help organizations weather this transition while maintaining the safety net our communities depend on.”
The $1 Million Response: Three Strategic Programs
Between October 2025 and January 2026, GLCF launched three complementary grant programs totaling $1 million:
Community Connection Grants (October 2025): $100,000 distributed to 10 proven partners ($10,000 each) working to advance equity and strengthen community connections across diverse needs including youth development, cultural support, food security, education, healing services, and economic empowerment.
Food Insecurity Response Grants (November 2025): $200,000 to 15 food pantries and emergency feeding programs, including a $50,000 allocation to Merrimack Valley Food Bank that leverages an 8:1 purchasing multiplier to generate $400,000 in food value.
Resilience and Care Grants (January 2026): $700,000 to 47 organizations addressing eight priority areas including food security ($161,000), community connection/equity ($175,000), multi-service basic needs ($109,000), youth development and mental health ($80,000), health and mental health ($65,000), immigrant support and legal advocacy ($60,000), and housing and shelter ($50,000).
The initiative funded 48 unique organizations, with 15 receiving support from multiple programs, demonstrating GLCF’s commitment to sustained partnership with high-performing community anchors.
Survey Reveals Sector Under Pressure
The survey, conducted in February 2026, provides the most comprehensive assessment of funding impacts on Greater Lowell’s nonprofit sector:
Financial Impact: Thirteen organizations have lost between $50,000 and $500,000 or more cumulatively, with two organizations losing over $500,000.
Operational Strain: Increased staff workload and stress (22 organizations), increased administrative burden (16), reduced client capacity (14), staff/hour reductions (13), and eliminated programs or services (13) are the most common impacts.
Vulnerable Populations: Service reductions disproportionately affect low-income families (24 organizations), immigrants/undocumented individuals (19), and children/youth (19).
Uncertain Future: Twenty organizations (49%) say additional 2026 cuts are “possible but unclear,” while six know of planned cuts. Only two organizations have fully replaced lost funding; 14 (34%) say it’s “too early to tell.”
Response Strategies: Organizations are pursuing foundation grants (35), increased individual donations (35), state/local funding (22), and special events/fundraising (16). Notably, 13 organizations have had to dip into reserves, a concerning indicator of financial strain.
One organization reported receiving notice that, effective October 1, 2026, its federally funded Youth & Children Program, Health Advocacy program, and trauma-informed behavioral health services will be cut completely—core services for immigrant and refugee families that will cause immediate service interruptions and likely staff reductions.
What Organizations Need Most
When asked to identify their top support needs, 37 of 41 organizations (90%) prioritized unrestricted, multi-year funding that enables rapid response to evolving challenges and reduces administrative burden. Organizations also emphasized the need for emergency/rapid-response capacity, practical capacity-building support for financial management and donor engagement, and sector-wide collaboration opportunities.
The sector shows strong appetite for collaboration: 22 organizations (54%) are “very interested” in partnering with other nonprofits on shared challenges, and an additional 13 (32%) are “somewhat interested.” Multiple organizations requested GLCF convene similar service providers to identify collective impact strategies and shared funding opportunities.
“We are incredibly grateful that individual and foundation donors have stepped up with funding to help us address food insecurity,” one organization shared in the survey. Another emphasized: “Unrestricted, multi-year support helps our organization respond quickly to challenges and needs of the community.”
Sustaining the Safety Net
“This survey confirms what we’ve been hearing from our partners: the nonprofit sector is navigating a challenging and uncertain landscape,” said Jennifer Aradhya, GLCF’s Vice President of Marketing, Programs & Strategy. “But it also reveals tremendous resilience and a clear appetite for collaboration. Our role is to provide the flexible funding, strategic convening, and capacity-building support that enables organizations to continue their vital work.”
All $700,000 in Resilience and Care Grants funding has been distributed. The combined impact of GLCF’s three grant programs establishes a model for community foundation response to systemic crises, balancing immediate emergency relief with strategic investments in organizational capacity and long-term community resilience. To contribute to GLCF’s Resilience and Care Fund, the foundation’s rapid response fund, visit: https://glcfoundation.info/resilience.
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 neighbouring cities and towns. With financial assets of over $75 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 $50 million to the Greater Lowell community.
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CAPTION 1:An Open Table volunteer loads up their refrigerated van to bring food to a mobile partner, the organization received recent grant funding through the Resilience and Care Fund.
CAPTION 2:Discovery Museum’s fully accessible Discovery Woods nature playscape brings nature exploration, gross motor play, and pure joy to kids of every ability. Pictured here is the accessible Nest Swing. Discovery Museum received recent grant funding through the Resilience and Care Fund.
CAPTION 3:St. Paul’s Soup Kitchen’s Richard forest stand next to a sampling of food distributions offered. St. Paul’s Soup Kitchen received recent grant funding through the Resilience and Care Fund.
/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Logo.png00glcf/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Logo.pngglcf2026-03-05 16:31:242026-03-05 16:43:11Greater Lowell Community Foundation Deploys $1 Million Emergency Response as Survey Reveals 64% of Nonprofit Partners Hit by Funding Cuts
More Than Half of Organizations Experience Direct Cuts While Others Feel Cascading Effects Through Partner Losses, State Funding Shifts, and Rising Demand
A new survey from the Greater Lowell Community Foundation (GLCF) reveals that federal funding reductions are affecting nearly two-thirds of local nonprofits — through both direct cuts and a cascading ripple effect across the sector. Of the 41 organizations surveyed, 54 percent experienced direct federal funding cuts, while an additional 10 percent report indirect impacts as partner organizations lose funding, state dollars are reallocated to fill federal gaps, and demand increases from residents losing federal benefits.
“These findings confirm what we’ve been hearing from our nonprofit partners across the region,” said Jay Linnehan, President and CEO of the Greater Lowell Community Foundation. “The impact extends far beyond organizations that receive federal funding directly. When one nonprofit loses funding, the effects ripple outward — straining partners, shifting resources, and ultimately reducing services for our most vulnerable residents.”
Key Survey Findings:
• Sixty-four percent of organizations report being affected — 54 percent through direct cuts and 10 percent through indirect impacts
• Thirty-seven percent report conditions have worsened since Fall 2025, while 39 percent describe mixed conditions
• Low-income families, immigrants, and children/youth are the populations most affected by service reductions
• Sixty-six percent of organizations express concern about long-term financial sustainability
• Only two organizations have fully replaced lost funding; most say it’s “too early to tell”
The survey revealed significant operational impacts across the sector. Twenty-two organizations reported increased staff workload and stress, while 13 have had to eliminate programs or services entirely. The sector’s most vulnerable clients — including 24 organizations serving low-income families, 19 serving immigrants and undocumented individuals, and 19 serving children and youth — are bearing the brunt of these reductions.
Organizations are responding with diversified funding strategies. Thirty-five organizations have applied for foundation grants and increased individual donation efforts, while 22 have pursued state or local funding. However, 13 organizations have been forced to dip into reserves — a concerning indicator of financial strain.
When asked what support would be most helpful, the response was clear: Thirty-seven of 41 organizations identified unrestricted, flexible funding as their top need. Organizations also expressed strong interest in collaboration, with 86 percent indicating they are somewhat or very interested in partnering with other nonprofits on shared challenges.
“The Greater Lowell Community Foundation is committed to supporting our nonprofit partners through this challenging period,” said Linnehan. “We will continue to prioritize flexible funding, facilitate collaboration across the sector, and advocate for the resources our community needs to thrive.”
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 $75 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 $50 million to the Greater Lowell community.
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CAPTION: GLCF President and CEO Jay Linnehan at the Fall 2025 Celebrate Giving. GLCF released findings from a follow up survey to determine the impact of funding cuts on Greater Lowell Nonprofits.
/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Logo.png00glcf/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Logo.pngglcf2026-02-19 07:54:002026-03-16 13:54:13GLCF Survey Reveals Direct Cuts and Ripple Effects: Sixty-four percent of Greater Lowell Nonprofits Impacted by Federal Funding Reductions
Over the last three years, Alyce Moore talked many times to her husband John about Lowell High School (LHS) scholarships and her role as a volunteer evaluator of the scholarship applications for the Greater Lowell Community Foundation (GLCF), the fiscal agent for several LHS scholarships.
While reviewing applicants’ academic, extra-curricular and personal experiences, Alyce learned each student’s unique story. “Every student wrote a personal essay. It is the most compelling part of evaluation, a glimpse into the mind and motivation of these young scholars. I was blown away by this process and shared this with John regularly,” noted Alyce.
This review process underscored the need to create scholarships and help a student achieve their higher education goals. The couple turned their attention to how they could help. Looking over their estate plans in 2025, it was John who felt strongly the need to include philanthropy in their financial planning. The couple reached out to Howard Amidon, Greater Lowell Community Foundation’s Vice President for Philanthropy. As a GLCF scholarship evaluator, Alyce knew and trusted GLCF and the process.
The Moores endowed the Lily Ann Moore Scholarship Fund as a multi-year scholarship in memory of their daughter who died at age 28 of a brain aneurysm. Lily Ann would have turned 52 this March. The first Lily Ann Moore Scholarship will be awarded at LHS Honor Awards Night on May 19.
The multi-year scholarship made sense to Alyce and John. “What do students do after that first and only year of a one-year scholarship? “A multi-year scholarship gives a student the time to focus on goal-oriented studies and maintain a specific GPA, without the worrisome ‘extra costs’ like meals, rent, books, added Alyce.
“In creating this multi-year scholarship, Alyce and John exemplify thoughtful philanthropy. This new scholarship will impact young lives for generations to come. We are grateful for their incredible generosity,” said Amidon. GLCF currently manages seven multi-year scholarships.
Alyce understands the impact of philanthropy, having served as the former Executive Director of The Wish Project (where she also served as a volunteer Development Director), after a 28-year career as a Corporate Lawyer and General Counsel for Kronos Inc.
She quoted the “Learn, Earn, Return” mantra of a corporate boss. “Basically, it meant go to school, get a job, give back. Giving back can take the form of donating money, volunteering, and/or sharing one’s talent as a tutor or mentor. Some people might not have the money for a scholarship at this point in their lives, maybe later. Right now, they might have the time and experience to help steer someone toward a better life.”
The Greater Lowell Community Foundation (GLCF) provides opportunities for donors to create a fund and establish a lasting charitable educational legacy. To learn more about Lowell High School Scholarships, contact Jay Linnehan or Barbara Dunsford at 978-970-1600 or info@glcfoundation.org
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/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Logo.png00glcf/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Logo.pngglcf2026-02-16 13:08:332026-02-13 15:04:13Lily Ann Moore Scholarship Endows Multi-Year Lowell High School Scholarship with the Greater Lowell Community Foundation
The Greater Lowell Community Foundation (GLCF) 2026 Discretionary Grants Cycle will close on Monday, March 2, 2026, offering funding opportunities to improve the quality of life for residents in its 21-community service area. GLCF’s Discretionary Grants Program supports nonprofit organizations serving the communities of Acton, Ashby, Ayer, Bedford, Billerica, Burlington, Carlisle, Chelmsford, Concord, Dracut, Dunstable, Groton, Littleton, Lowell, Pepperell, Shirley, Tewksbury, Townsend, Tyngsboro , Westford, and Wilmington.
GLCF continues to utilize Philanthropy MA’s Common Grant Application, streamlining the application process for nonprofits.
Strategic Grant Categories
Funding in the 2026 Discretionary Grants Cycle will focus on three key areas:
Leclair Elder Services
Children’s Services
LGBTQ+ Services
Key Application Considerations:
To encourage collaboration, a nonprofit may apply as a lead applicant in one category and serve as a partner on other grant proposals.
Agencies with multiple service locations should submit one application that encompasses all sites.
Grant requests of up to $10,000 will be considered.
Application Information
Nonprofits interested in applying can review the grant guidelines at: www.glcfoundation.org/for-nonprofits/grants/. Grant proposals are due by 12:00 p.m. on Monday, March 2, 2026.
Caption: Thanks in part to 2025 Greater Lowell Community Foundation Children’s Services grant, Lowell Youth Leadership Program was able to increase summer camp attendance by 20 percent.
/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Logo.png00glcf/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Logo.pngglcf2026-02-13 12:15:522026-02-13 12:15:52Greater Lowell Community Foundation 2026 Discretionary Grants Cycle Closes on March 2
Anonymous donor’s Resilience and Care Fund provides critical support for urgent basic human needs across 21 Greater Lowell communities
LOWELL, MA – The Greater Lowell Community Foundation (GLCF) today announced $700,000 in grants to 47 nonprofit organizations through its new Resilience and Care Grants program. Made possible by an anonymous donor, this rapid-response initiative provides immediate support for organizations serving vulnerable populations during a time of significant federal and state funding cuts.
“We are deeply grateful to the extraordinary generosity that makes this program possible,” said Jay Linnehan, President and CEO of the Greater Lowell Community Foundation. “Their investment demonstrates a profound commitment to our community during one of its most challenging moments. This is philanthropy at its best – responding quickly and strategically to help our neighbors when they need it most.”
Per the donor, the grant funding addresses basic human needs, including food insecurity, housing and shelter, fuel and rental assistance, immigrant support (including legal costs), clothing, childcare, and mental and/or physical health and well-being. This GLCF grants program uses a direct award notification model – no application required – allowing funds to reach communities as quickly as possible. All grants will be distributed by month’s end, with award amounts ranging from $1,500 to $40,000.
The funder chose community foundations for this initiative specifically because of their proven ability to deploy funding quickly through trusted, long-standing community relationships—exactly the capacity GLCF has built over its 29-year history.
“GLCF recognizes the critical work of Greater Lowell nonprofits that address urgent basic human needs in our community,” said Jennifer Aradhya, GLCF’s VP of Marketing, Programs and Strategy. “For our nonprofit partners affected by funding cuts, these grants arrive at a crucial moment. This generous grant allows us to channel resources quickly to proven organizations on the front lines serving our neighbors in need.”
Funding by Sector
The $700,000 investment is distributed across key sectors: Community Connection and Equity ($175,000, 25%), Food Security and Nutrition ($161,000, 23%), Multi-Service and Basic Needs ($109,000, 15.6%), Youth Development, Mental Health and Educational Access ($80,000, 11.4%), Health and Mental Health ($65,000, 9.3%), Immigrant Support and Legal Advocacy ($60,000, 8.6%), and Housing and Shelter ($50,000, 7.1%).
The program includes a significant investment in youth and children’s services, with $150,000 (21.4% of the total portfolio) supporting 12 organizations across clinical mental health, prevention programs, after-school enrichment, arts development, educational access, and basic needs.
Communities Served
The Resilience and Care Grants support organizations serving all 21 communities of the Greater Lowell region: Acton, Ashby, Ayer, Bedford, Billerica, Burlington, Carlisle, Chelmsford, Concord, Dracut, Dunstable, Groton, Littleton, Lowell, Pepperell, Shirley, Tewksbury, Townsend, Tyngsboro, Westford, and Wilmington.
Complete List of Grant Recipients
Community Connection Grants ($175,000): Boys & Girls Club of Greater Lowell, Inc.; Coalition for a Better Acre, Inc.; Mill City Grows; The Center for Hope and Healing, Inc.; Project Citizenship; Project LEARN, Inc.; Merrimack Repertory Theatre, Inc.; Fortaleza; Women’s Money Matters; YWCA of Lowell; Latinx Community Center for Empowerment
Food Insecurity Response Grants ($160,000): Merrimack Valley Food Bank; The Open Pantry of Lowell; Loaves & Fishes Food Pantry; Dwelling House of Hope; Acton Food Pantry; People Helping People; Carlisle Council on Aging; Bedford Food Pantry; St. Paul’s Soup Kitchen; Open Table; PACH; TEO; Project Kompass; Chelmsford Food Pantry; Humane Society of Greater Lowell; Ashby Food Closet at Ashby Library; Stone Soup Café
Housing & Shelter ($50,000): Lowell Transitional Living Center; House of Hope
Health & Mental Health ($65,000): Lowell Community Health Center; Health Law Advocates
Immigrant Support & Legal Advocacy ($60,000): International Institute of New England – Lowell; Northeast Legal Aid; Islamic Center of New England cs Andover
Youth Development, Mental Health & Educational Access ($80,000): Adolescent Consultation Services; Danny’s Place; ThinkGive; Boys and Girls Club of Greater Billerica; UTEC; Girls Inc. of Greater Lowell; Discovery Museum
How You Can Help
“While these funds have been quickly distributed to address immediate needs, there is more to do,” said Jay Linnehan, President and CEO of the Greater Lowell Community Foundation. “I encourage you to help grow our community’s resilience by adding your own contribution. Every gift, no matter the size, strengthens the safety net that catches our neighbors when they fall.”
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 neighbouring cities and towns. With financial assets of over $75 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 $50 million to the Greater Lowell community.
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Photo 1: Gaining Ground’s abundant harvests nourish thousands of people in Greater Lowell every year. Gaining Ground, which received recent grant funding through the Resilience and Care Fund, is a nonprofit organic farm in Concord, Massachusetts, grows vegetables and fruit with the help of several thousand community volunteers and donates all of this fresh food to area meal programs and food pantries.
Photo 2: Mom and son stopped by The Wish Project to get some much needed winter clothes. The Wish Project, which supports our local community by providing donated clothing, baby essentials, and household goods to aid families in need, received recent grant funding through the Resilience and Care Fund.
/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Logo.png00glcf/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Logo.pngglcf2026-02-12 13:33:552026-02-12 13:34:34Greater Lowell Community Foundation Awards $700,000 in Resilience and Care Grants to 47 Nonprofit Organizations
LOWELL, MA – One month after the Greater Lowell Community Foundation distributed $200,000 in emergency food grants to 15 organizations across its 21-community service area, impact statements reveal the unprecedented scale of food insecurity gripping the region – and the critical role these funds are playing in meeting exploding demand.
In Massachusetts, nearly 800,000 residents – including 240,000 children – face food insecurity, with working families increasingly unable to afford basic groceries despite employment. According to Feeding America’s 2024 Map the Meal Gap study, 11.2% of Massachusetts residents struggle with food access as grocery prices have risen 25% since 2020 while wages have failed to keep pace (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). In Greater Lowell’s 21 communities, thousands of employed residents now earn too much to qualify for SNAP benefits yet too little to cover rent, utilities, and food – creating a modern “working poor” crisis affecting families throughout the region.
The 15 grant recipients collectively serve more than 80,000 individuals each month, distributing millions of pounds of food through pantries, meal programs, home delivery services, and school-based initiatives. Their impact statements paint a vivid picture of communities in crisis – and organizations working at maximum capacity to respond with compassion and efficiency.
Crisis-Level Demand Surge
Organizations across the region reported unprecedented increases in need:
Project Kompass serving Lowell’s under-resourced Jackson-Appleton-Middlesex neighborhood, reported shocking increases in working poor families unable to afford nutritious food despite full-time employment.
Bedford Food Bank saw demand surge 60 to 70% from the previous year, now serving 220-250 households weekly and distributing approximately 9,000 pounds of food each week.
PACH (Pepperell Aid from Community to Home) distributed 76,665 pounds of food in 2025 – a 23.5% increase from 2024 – serving 212 households representing 1,473 individuals.
People Helping People in Burlington enrolled 31 new clients since the government shutdown, putting strain on financial resources for essential staples like milk, eggs, bread, and fresh produce.
Loaves & Fishes Food Pantry opened its doors to federal employees impacted by the shutdown, supporting over 60 additional households.
“These grants represent more than emergency funding – they represent our community’s commitment to ensuring no family faces hunger alone,” said Jay Linnehan, President and CEO of Greater Lowell Community Foundation. “The impact statements we’ve received demonstrate both the severity of this crisis and the extraordinary dedication of our partner organizations responding with compassion and efficiency.”
Working Families Priced Out of Grocery Stores
Tracy, volunteer coordinator of the Open Pantry of Greater Lowell, understands the issue of food insecurity isn’t just a problem for “poor” people. “Anyone can find themselves here at the pantry in need of food. Anyone. Nobody should be embarrassed. We are here to help, no matter your circumstances.”
Merrimack Valley Food Bank’s Operation Nourish program delivers food weekly to every Lowell public school. School personnel report that entire families are now seeking help through school food pantries. “There has been an uptick in pantry use and phone calls from parents asking for food,” reported Lowell public school personnel. “Parents often start their phone calls by apologizing for their circumstances, either a layoff, or cost of living increases that price out groceries. One parent called in and pleaded, ‘We have nothing. Anything, and I mean anything, would help.’”
Jennifer Aradhya, GLCF’s Vice President of Marketing, Programs & Strategy, emphasized the Foundation’s ongoing commitment: “The impact statements we’ve received confirm what we knew – this crisis demands sustained response. Every organization is working at maximum capacity with unprecedented compassion and efficiency. Our role is to ensure they have the resources to continue this essential work to help anyone in need, including these hardworking families in our community.”
About Greater Lowell Community Foundation Established in 1997, the Greater Lowell Community Foundation (GLCF) is a philanthropic organization comprised of more than 450 funds dedicated to improving the quality of life in 21 neighboring cities and towns. With financial assets of over $70 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 $40 million to the Greater Lowell community.
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CAPTION 1: Loaves & Fishes in Devens provides groceries for a record number of families this holiday season.
CAPTION 2: Dave Aldrich (Project Kompass Board Chair & Founder), volunteer Dan Keenan, and OPS Manager Kathy Moriarty, working tirelessly to fulfill food requests, manage deliveries, and keep Project Kompass’ shelves stocked.
Anyone who worked for the City of Lowell between 1981 and 2000 most likely met Ed Trudel, who served as the city’s Special Events Coordinator at that time. His love for ‘all things Lowell’ was purposeful and contagious.
A man of high integrity and community vision, Ed (Lowell High School Class of 1941) was very much a champion of the city and Lowell High School (LHS). A 20-year city employee, Ed extended his ‘retirement’ in Lowell with a part-time job for five more years. The term ‘part-time’ was not in Ed’s vocabulary. He continued to start his day at 6 a.m. and worked almost full-time hours. He did everything 300 percent.
It was not unusual for him to come home from work at 5 o’clock, cut his manicured lawn, fix the sprinkler system, cook a full supper and be ready for the next day with anticipation and enthusiasm,” noted Germaine Vigeant-Trudel, Ed’s loving companion and wife of 25 years.
In his role as Lowell’s Special Event Coordinator, Ed was in the pivotal position to spearhead logistics for the inaugural Lowell Folk Festival in 1990. No matter where he and Germaine traveled from Seabrook Beach to Quebec, to Europe, once the conversation turned to “where are you from?” Ed would be promoting Lowell: Its high school and notable distinguished alumni, artistic, cultural and community venues like his beloved Folk Festival or the all-volunteer Family Fun Day, a community wide July 4th carnival on Pawtucket Boulevard. Come Christmas, Ed was not to be undone by St. Nicholas. He loved playing Santa, visiting a scheduled list of relatives and friends while Germaine sat in the car not to give ‘Santa’ away.
Colleague and close friend Steven Joncas, GLCF President Emeritus and scholarship donor, said Ed always demonstrated a level of kindness, caring and friendship. “He was an extraordinary human being. He would be thrilled to know Germaine has established this scholarship because he cared so much about education. Scholarships in whatever amount demonstrate that a kid has value, it’s a recognition of their worth.”
When asked what advice Ed would pass on to the recipient of the Adelard T. ‘Ed’ Trudel Scholarship Fund established in November, Germaine’s quick response was, “This scholarship is a ‘feel-good’ deed and if it helps a student supplement his or her financial need, all the better.” Ed would say, “Do your best, work hard and you will succeed.”
The Greater Lowell Community Foundation (GLCF) provides opportunities for donors to create a fund and establish a lasting charitable educational legacy. To learn more about Lowell High School Scholarships, contact Jay Linnehan or Barbara Dunsford at 978-970-1600 or info@glcfoundation.org
About Greater Lowell Community Foundation – Established in 1997, the Greater Lowell Community Foundation (GLCF) is a philanthropic organization comprised of more than 450 funds dedicated to improving the quality of life in 21 neighboring cities and towns. With financial assets of over $65 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 $40 million to the Greater Lowell community.
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Caption: Adelard T. ‘Ed’ Trudel, left, with his wife, Germaine Vigeant-Trudel.
