Greater Lowell Community Foundation and Community Foundation of North Central Massachusetts Seek Request for Proposals for 2019 Nashoba Valley Healthcare Fund Cycle

The Greater Lowell Community Foundation and Community Foundation of North Central Massachusetts 2018 Nashoba Valley Healthcare Fund Grant Recipient Gaining Ground. From l to r: Kim Schmidt, Farm Staff; Hannah Lawson Assistant Farm Manager; and Amy Capofreddi, Executive Director at Gaining Ground.

Lowell, MA – The Greater Lowell Community Foundation and the Community Foundation of North Central Massachusetts opened its 2019 Nashoba Valley Healthcare Fund Cycle on October 22, 2019. The foundations are seeking requests for proposals from nonprofit organizations supporting the advancement of community health of residents in thirteen communities: Ashby, Ayer, Bolton, Dunstable, Groton, Harvard, Lancaster, Littleton, Lunenburg, Pepperell, Shirley, Townsend, and Westford.

Grant awards will range from $5,000 up to $20,000; however, larger scale collaborative projects that are more than $20,000 will be considered if the funding request is justified by the impact of the project. The Foundations are especially interested in seeing proposals that address systemic issues like (but not limited to) opiate addiction, food scarcity, obesity, substance abuse, suicide screening and prevention, and other specific issues as indicated by community needs.

Grant applications must be submitted by noon on November 27, 2019. Grant recipients will be announced in February. Application information is available on the website: www.glcfoundation.org/NVHCF.

For more information about the grant process, contact Fatima Palermo, GLCF Grants & Scholarship Coordinator with any questions at 978-970-1600 or fatima@glcfoundation.org.

GLCF Hosts New Bethany Peck Exhibit: Salt Water, Marsh & Meadow

Bethany Peck’s Morning Has Broken, 2019, Oil on Canvas will be featured at the Salt Water, Marsh & Meadow exhibit at the Greater Lowell Community Foundation from Oct. 15, 2019 to Jan. 10, 2020

Lowell, MA – Greater Lowell Community Foundation (GLCF) will host the new exhibition, “Salt Water, Marsh & Meadow.” This exhibit features paintings by artist Bethany Peck, a New England contemporary abstract landscape painter. The exhibition will be held at the Foundation’s offices at 100 Merrimack Street, Suite 202, Lowell, MA from Oct. 15, 2019 to Jan. 10, 2020 and can be viewed by the public between 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday-Friday.

Opening Reception: Thursday, November 7, 2019 from 5 – 7 p.m.

Artist Bethany Peck

Bethany Peck’s primary focus is in expressionistic landscape oil paintings. The artist’s studio is located in Western Avenue Studios (#214) in Lowell. She received a Bachelor of Fine Art degree from Montserrat College of Art in Beverly, Massachusetts. Peck’s paintings can be found in private and corporate collections across the United States. For more information on Peck’s work, visit: http://bethanypeck.com/

The Greater Lowell Community Foundation believes that not only do the arts provide a much-needed social escape for many in our communities, they also help drive local economies and enrich educational landscapes. Since 2013, the Foundation has exhibited the work of local artists. For further information on this initiative, visit: www.glcfoundation.org/art or email Jennifer Aradhya, GLCF Vice President of Marketing and Programs at jennifer@glcfoundation.org.

Women Working Wonders Fund (WWWF) Presents Power of the Purse Plus

The Women Working Wonders (WWW) Fund, a permanently endowed fund of the Greater Lowell Community Foundation, will host their annual Power of the Purse Plus fundraising event at the UMass Lowell Inn & Conference Center on Thursday, October 24. Ashley Buczynski of Tewksbury at Power of the Purse.

Lowell, MA – The Women Working Wonders (WWW) Fund, a permanently endowed fund of the Greater Lowell Community Foundation, will host their annual Power of the Purse Plus fundraising event at the UMass Lowell Inn & Conference Center on Thursday, October 24, starting at 6 p.m.

The Power of the Purse Plus, celebrating WWW’s 15th anniversary, features live and silent auctions, designer cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, and a buffet dinner. Guests enjoy the opportunity to bid on dozens of purses and fabulous accessories, including sunglasses, jewelry, and more. Tickets to the event are $80 and available at womenworkingwondersfund.com.

The event is made possible by many generous supporters and sponsors, including Premier Sponsor Nancy Donahue.

This year’s Power of the Purse Plus features a raffle with an opportunity to win four amazing Tory Burch purses, one in each of her signature styles: Retro ($650 Sawyer Mortora Needlepoint Shoulder Bag), Modern ($525 Black Block T Grommet Drawstring Tote), Bohemian ($428 Navy Beaded Shoulder Bag, and Preppy ($395 Thea Patchwork Crossbody). Raffle tickets are $50 and only 100 will be sold. They may be purchased online or at the event.

Proceeds from the Power of the Purse Plus event support local programs that empower women and girls to effect positive change in the community. Women Working Wonders provides annual grants in three key areas: assisting women in transition, providing leadership development, and contributing to the beautification of the environment. The 2019 grant recipients ($5,000 each) will be highlighted at the Power of the Purse Plus event: 

  • Boys & Girls Club of Greater Lowell to support F.L.Y. (Forever Loving Yourself)
  • Girls Inc. of Greater Lowell to support Stepping Stones Early Education Program
  • International Institute of New England to support Lowell’s English for Empowerment Program (E-FEM)
  • Lowell Community Health Center to support Strong Women, Strong Families Program
  • Megan House Foundation of Lowell to support “Coming Home” Program

“These nonprofits work wonders to improve the lives of girls and women, and we’re honored to help them make a difference and create positive change in countless lives,” said Bopha Malone, Women Working Wonders Fund board president.

For more information, visit womenworkingwondersfund.com or contact womenworkingwondersfund@gmail.com.

GLCF Announces LHS Scholarship Established in Honor of Gerald “Jerry” C. Barnes II

Greater Lowell Community Foundation announces the establishment of the Gerald C. Barnes II Scholarship Fund, a memorial scholarship named for Barnes, a 2015 Lowell High School graduate and lacrosse player.

As a new school year begins, the Greater Lowell Community Foundation is honored to announce the establishment of the Gerald C. Barnes II Scholarship Fund. This new scholarship fund honors the spirit of Gerald “Jerry” C. Barnes II by awarding scholarships to a Lowell High School (LHS) graduating senior lacrosse player.

A 2015 graduate of LHS, Barnes completed his junior year at UMass Amherst as a Natural Resource Conservation major when he died unexpectedly in June of 2018. An active outdoor enthusiast, Barnes worked for the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation at Walden Pond in Concord and enjoyed playing lacrosse which he played throughout high school. To honor his memory, family and friends launched the Gerald C. Barnes II Scholarship Fund through the Greater Lowell Community Foundation.

“Jerry brought endless joy into so many lives. He always helped others and through the Gerald C. Barnes II Scholarship Fund a part of him will continue to help by assisting with college expenses,” said Donna Barnes, mother of Jerry. The first scholarship is scheduled to be awarded in Spring of 2020 at the Lowell High School Athletic Awards Banquet.

A fundraiser will be held on Friday, November 29 from 4 to 6 p.m. at The Keep, 110 Gorham St. in Lowell. All proceeds to benefit the Gerald C. Barnes II Scholarship Fund. To purchase tickets, visit: https://glcf.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/list/event?event_date_id=1363

Donations to any fund at the Greater Lowell Community Foundation, including the Gerald C. Barnes II Scholarship Fund, can be made online at www.glcfoundation.org/donate or by mail to the Gerald C. Barnes II Scholarship Fund c/o GLCF, 100 Merrimack Street, Suite 202, Lowell, MA 01852.

The Lowell High School scholarship program is made possible by a partnership between Lowell High School and the Greater Lowell Community Foundation. Scholarships are provided through the generous contributions of donors, many of whom are Lowell High School graduates themselves, families honoring a loved one, or local business leaders supporting their community. Scholarships play a significant role in helping GLCF achieve its mission to improve the quality of life for the Greater Lowell community. For more information, call 978-970-1600  to learn how the community foundation can help a donor establish a scholarship.

For more information on the Greater Lowell Community Foundation please visit www.glcfoundation.org.

GLCF Seeks Request for Proposals for 2019 Discretionary Grants

The Greater Lowell Community Foundation 2018 Discretionary Grant – Children’s Services recipient Merrimack Repertory Theatre, Inc.’s Young Company a professional theatre training program for high school students interested in all aspects of performing arts and new play development as a career.

The Greater Lowell Community Foundation will open its 2019 Discretionary Grant Cycle on October 1 and is seeking requests for proposals from nonprofit organizations. The Foundation will award $140,000 through the Discretionary Grant Cycle. Funding areas for 2019 include children’s services, elder services, water resources, and social education.

“Our community is fortunate to have a network of exceptional nonprofits that provide tremendous services,” said Jay Linnehan, Greater Lowell Community Foundation President and CEO. “Our generous donors have allowed us to improve the quality of life in the communities we serve with these grants. Together, we can do so much more.”

Nonprofit organizations serving the communities of Ashby, Ayer, Bedford, Billerica, Burlington, Carlisle, Chelmsford, Concord, Dracut, Dunstable, Groton, Littleton, Lowell, Pepperell, Shirley, Tewksbury, Townsend, Tyngsboro, Westford and Wilmington are invited to apply.

Grant applications must be submitted by noon on October 29, 2019. Grant recipients will be announced in January. Application information is available on the website: www.glcfoundation.org/grants.

For more information about the grant process, contact Fatima Palermo, GLCF Grants & Scholarship Coordinator with any questions at 978-970-1600 or fatima@glcfoundation.org.

GLCF to Host Annual Celebrate Giving Event with Focus on Business Philanthropy and Community Impact

Lowell, MA – On Tuesday, October 15, 2019 the Greater Lowell Community Foundation (GLCF) will host its annual Celebrate Giving event. This year’s event will highlight the contributions of local philanthropists and business leaders who are committed to making an impact on the community through business philanthropy.

Keynote speaker Prabal Chakrabarti, Senior Vice President & Community Affairs Officer, Boston Federal Reserve.

This year’s keynote speaker is Prabal Chakrabarti, Senior Vice President & Community Affairs Officer, Boston Federal Reserve. The Federal Reserve Bank Boston initiated the Working Cities Challenge (WCC) program in 2013 and the City of Lowell is a grant recipient. The program is designed to advance collaborative leadership in gateway cities to transform the lives of their low-income residents.

The event will also include our community partner, Paul Blount, President of Custom MMIC who will talk about the company’s commitment to scholarship support of women in engineering. Additionally, the 2019 GLCF Business Philanthropy Partner Award will be presented to NETSCOUT for their Heart of Giving community grant program.

“GLCF is committed to working collaboratively with local businesses to make a meaningful and direct social philanthropic impact that supports and benefits our community. This year’s Celebrate Giving will provide an opportunity to showcase that work and hopefully inspire others to get involved,” said Jay Linnehan, Greater Lowell Community Foundation President and CEO.

Celebrate Giving will begin at 5:30 p.m. with the speaking program beginning at 6:30 p.m. Business philanthropy exhibitors will highlight the work being done in the community. Tickets are $100 and can be purchased online at the Community Foundation’s website: www.glcfoundation.org.

Women Working Wonders Fund Awards $25K in Grants to Support Local Women and Girls

  • The Women Working Wonders (WWW) Fund recently awarded $25,000 in grant funds to support local nonprofit programs that empower women and girls to effect positive change in the community. From l to r: Bopha Malone, WWW Board President, Brenda Costello, WWW Grants Committee Co-Chair, Jeffrey D. Thielman, President and CEO of International Institute of New England and Carrie Meikle, WWW Grants Committee Co-Chair.

Lowell, MA – The Women Working Wonders (WWW) Fund, a permanently endowed fund of the Greater Lowell Community Foundation, recently announced the recipients of $25,000 in grants. These grants will support local programs that empower women and girls to effect positive change in the community.

WWW Grant Recipients:

  • $5,000 to Boys & Girls Club of Greater Lowell to support F.L.Y. (Forever Loving Yourself)
  • $5,000 to Girls Inc. of Greater Lowell to support Stepping Stones Early Education Program
    $5,000 to International Institute of New England to support Lowell’s English for Empowerment Program (E-FEM)
    $5,000 to Lowell Community Health Center to support Strong Women, Strong Families Program
    $5,000 to Megan House Foundation of Lowell to support “Coming Home” program

“We’re proud to celebrate our 15th anniversary and provide an additional grant to the community this year,” said Bopha Malone, Women Working Wonders Fund board president. “These nonprofits work wonders to improve the lives of girls and women, and we’re honored to help them make a difference and create positive change in countless lives.”

Women Working Wonders provides annual grants in three key areas: assist women in transition, provide leadership development as well as contribute to the beautification of the environment.

Founded in 2004 by a small group of women coming together to form a collective giving organization that focused on women’s issues, the fund has made 41 grants of $5,000 to organizations supporting women and girls in the Greater Lowell area.

“We are very thankful for your generous support of our English for Empowerment Program (E-FEM)!  The grant from the Women Working Wonders Fund will allow us to provide language and cultural orientation support to 30 refugee women in Lowell who are eager to contribute to their new community,” noted 2019 WWW Grant recipient Jeffrey D. Thielman, President and CEO of International Institute of New England. 

The Women Working Wonders Fund’s Power of the Purse 2019 event is scheduled for October 24, 2019. Tickets go on sale August 12. For information about WWW and the upcoming event, visit: www.womenworkingwondersfund.com.

GLCF Announces New Cambodian Mutual Assistance Association Agency Fund

The Greater Lowell Community Foundation recently announced the new Cambodian Mutual Assistance Association (CMAA) Agency Fund. Pictured, in back row from left, Sovanna Pouv, Executive Director, Cambodian Mutual Assistance Association with GLCF President and CEO Jay Linnehan with students from the CMAA After School Program.

The Greater Lowell Community Foundation announces the creation of the Cambodian Mutual Assistance Association (CMAA) Agency Fund. This new agency fund provides annual and capital support to the association to fulfill their mission to improve the quality of life for Cambodian Americans and other minorities as well as economically disadvantaged persons in Lowell through educational, cultural, economic and social programs.

“We are proud to hold an endowment fund with the Greater Lowell Community Foundation. We wanted to invest in the future of our community and found that this is a great option for CMAA. We look forward to providing scholarships to young people who will make a difference today and, in the future,” said Sovanna Pouv,Executive Director, CMAA.

“We are grateful for our partnership with Cambodian Mutual Assistance Association and the creation of their new agency fund. GLCF Nonprofit Agency Funds enjoy increased visibility provided by being a part of our larger giving community and gives organizations the opportunity to create a fund that generates investment income, year after year. We are happy to support the CMAA’s important work,” said Greater Lowell Community Foundation President and CEO Jay Linnehan.

More than 40 Greater Lowell nonprofit organizations have established agency funds at the Community Foundation.  For more information on the Greater Lowell Community Foundation please visit www.glcfoundation.org.

Greater Lowell Community Foundation Elects Three to Board of Directors

The Greater Lowell Community Foundation recently announced the election of three new board members at its Annual Meeting. Pictured, from left, GLCF President and CEO Jay Linnehan, Eric P. Healy of Groton, former U.S. Rep. Niki Tsongas with GLCF Board Chair Chet Szablak. (Ben James, not pictured)

 

Lowell, MA – At the Greater Lowell Community Foundation Annual Meeting on June 13th at the UMASS Lowell Inn & Conference Center, the Board of Directors approved the election of three local business and community leaders to the board. These newly elected directors represent marketing, finance and the public sector. The new board members will each serve a three-year term.

Joining the board of directors are:

  • Eric P. Healy, CEO, NorthOut, Groton
    Eric is a seasoned sales, marketing, strategy and business executive working with leading consumer brands at worldwide advertising, digital marketing and technology organizations. He has a proven history in assembling and leading cohesive teams, driving new business, forging C-level relationships, codifying new products and service offerings, delivering innovative multi-channel solutions, positioning organizations for future success and delivering results.In the process, Healy has pioneered new businesses, new business models, new technologies, and new markets. He has served as an “entrepreneurial spirit” starting up, turning around, acquiring business units, positioning organizations for future success and delivering high-impact results for shareholders, customers and employees.
  • Ben James, CFO, SchoolCNXT, Concord
    Successful finance and investment executive with 25 years of investment, management and consulting experience working with senior executives in companies to grow their businesses and build their values. Core competencies include private equity/principal investing, financial management, executive management, strategic planning, business plan development, fund raising, budgeting, forecasting, financial reporting, investor relations, management of legal and accounting functions through service providers and various other finance functions to drive company value.As start-up CFO and consultant, James built and managed all financial, strategic planning, legal and accounting functions within a lean, dynamic, entrepreneurial environment.
  • Niki Tsongas, Former U.S. Representative, Lowell
    Nicola (Niki) Dickson Sauvage Tsongas served as a U.S. Representative for Massachusetts’s 3rd congressional district as a Democrat from 2013 to 2018. She was previously the representative for Massachusetts’ 5th congressional district as a Democrat from 2007 to 2012.Prior to her election to the House, Tsongas worked as the Dean of External Affairs at Middlesex Community College, as a Board Member of Fallon Health and on the Lowell Civic Stadium and Arena Commission, which oversees several sites, including the Tsongas Arena.

GLCF President and CEO Jay Linnehan said: “I am pleased that such prominent community leaders have accepted to serve on our board of directors. Eric Healy, Ben James, and Niki Tsongas bring with them a wealth of experience and backgrounds. Their voices will be a tremendous addition to our board as we look to grow the Foundation.”

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GLCF Annual Meeting Highlights Homelessness in the Community and Impact of Philanthropy

The Greater Lowell Community Foundation recently hosted its Annual Meeting: Homelessness and Hope. Pictured, from left, GLCF Board Chair Chet Szablak, City of Lowell City Manager Eileen Donoghue, Barbara Poppe, event keynote and nationally recognized expert on homelessness with GLCF President and CEO Jay Linnehan.

 

Lowell, MA – Nearly 200 residents, business leaders, and nonprofit professionals attended the Greater Lowell Community Foundation (GLCF)’s 2019 annual meeting “Homelessness and Hope” on June 13th at the UMASS Lowell Inn & Conference Center.

GLCF Board Chair Chet Szablak opened the event speaking about the impact of charitable giving on the local level – citing the Foundation’s $1.95 million in grants and scholarships distributed to the community in 2018.

The meeting continued with remarks from GLCF President and CEO Jay Linnehan, as he discussed the power of partnerships to address the growing issue of homelessness in downtown Lowell. “Last June, the GLCF board voted to support and facilitate an initiative to address homelessness in the downtown. Since then, the Foundation, under the adept leadership of the City Manager Eileen Donoghue and the City of Lowell, along with CTI, the Lowell Plan and SMOC (South Middlesex Opportunity Council) regularly meet as the leadership team charged with the important task of creating an action plan to address this critical issue.”

Linnehan also highlighted the growth of the Foundation which current assets total $38.6 million. “The Greater Lowell Community Foundation is a public foundation. It is your community foundation. We are here to facilitate philanthropy at the local level where we can add significant value and impact. As I look back over this past year, I am very proud of what we accomplished together – preserving wealth in the community for the community. As I look ahead, I am heartened because the best is yet to come,” Linnehan said.

Barbara Poppe, the founder of Barbara Poppe and Associates and the former executive director of the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness gave the keynote address. Introduced by Eileen Donoghue, City Manager, City of Lowell, Ms. Poppe, a nationally recognized expert on homelessness and results-driven public-private partnerships was hopeful about solving homelessness in the downtown Lowell. “You’ve got many of the ingredients. You just got to put it together in an appropriate way,” she said. “The reality is you can solve homelessness, you just have to get yourself organized to do that.”

Additionally, the event showcased six recipients of the 2019 Help Alleviate Hunger and Homelessness in Massachusetts grant and their important work in the community: House of Hope, Life Connection Center, Lowell Transitional Living Center, Mill City Grows, New England Dairy & Food Council and The Open Pantry of Greater Lowell. This generous one-time capital grant was made possible from an anonymous donor that partnered with the GLCF to distribute $90,000 in grants awarded to 11 area nonprofit organizations that are battling hunger and homelessness in the community.

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About Greater Lowell Community Foundation
The Greater Lowell Community Foundation is a philanthropic organization comprised of over 350 funds, currently totaling over $38MM, which is dedicated to improving the quality of life in 20 neighboring cities and towns. The Community Foundation annually awards grants and scholarships to hundreds of worthy nonprofits and students, and is powered by the winning combination of donor-directed giving, personal attention from its staff, and an in-depth understanding of local needs. The generosity of our donors has enabled the Community Foundation to award over $15 million to the Greater Lowell Community since 1999. For more information on the Greater Lowell Community Foundation please visit www.glcfoundation.org.

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