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A Message from the President and CEO | |
Dear Jennifer,
If you’re like me, you start most mornings with a cup of coffee reading the newspaper and end the day with the evening news. The caffeine is great to help start the day as I catch up on current events and stay apprised of what’s happening. And a lot is going on. Much of which affects how I think and what I do. So, ensuring the integrity and authenticity of the news is paramount. That’s not something new. Distinguishing truth from fiction in the media has been going on for a long time. However, the dissemination of misinformation or disinformation has reached new heights today. And with 2024 being a presidential election year, it will get even more pervasive. Key organizations around the world are taking notice.
Last May, The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, the nation’s pre-eminent source of high-quality, objective advice on science, engineering, and health matters, held the Nobel Prize Summit (https://www.nobelprize.org/events/nobel-prize-summit/2023) to bring together Nobel Prize laureates, scientists, policymakers, business leaders, and today’s youth leaders to discuss how they can build trust in truth, facts and scientific evidence to create a hopeful future for all. Misinformation erodes our trust in science and risks becoming one of the greatest threats to our society today.
In January, The World Economic Forum, an annual gathering of top CEOs, world leaders, and industry experts, concluded that false and misleading information supercharged with cutting-edge artificial intelligence threatens to erode democracy and polarize society is the top immediate risk to the global economy. A growing distrust of information, media, and governments as sources will deepen divisive views that could trigger civil unrest and disruption. (https://www.weforum.org/publications/global-risks-report-2024/ )
Fundamental to philanthropy is civic duty. It’s the development of our capacity with the knowledge, skills, values, and motivation to engage and promote the common good for our community. Accurate information and clear communication are essential in developing our civic capacity. For a civil and just society, spread the word.
Follow the truth. It’s always the right path.
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Jay Linnehan
GLCF President + CEO
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Save the Dates:
June 11 - GLCF Annual Meeting
Oct. 23 - GLCF Celebrate Giving
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GLCF Seeks Request for Proposals for 2024 Discretionary Grant Cycle
The Greater Lowell Community Foundation will open its 2024 Discretionary Grant Cycle on February 5 and is seeking requests for proposals from nonprofit organizations. The Foundation will award more than $200,000 through the Discretionary Grant Cycle.
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 are invited to apply.
Grant funding from the Greater Lowell Community Foundation’s 2024 Discretionary Grant Program includes the following strategic funding categories:
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Racial Equity and Inclusion - The Foundation will award multiple grants of up to $15,000 that focus on racial equity and inclusion. The grant funding should focus on one or more of the following goals:
o Increase understanding of our community’s challenges with racial equity and race relations
o Provide access to stories and diverse perspectives on the lived experience of racial inequity in Greater Lowell
o Strengthen relationships among Greater Lowell residents, particularly across racial and ethnic groups
o Increase awareness of resources and best practices related to advancing racial equity
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Leclair Elder Services - The Foundation will award multiple grants of up to $7,000 each to organizations that support services to seniors (55+) in our service area.
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Children’s Services - Thanks to the generosity of our donors GLCF will award multiple grants of up to $10,000 each to projects that support services for children. The Foundation welcomes proposals that improve the quality of life for children and young adults (birth to age 22.)
Grant applications must be submitted by noon on March 7, 2024. Grant recipients will be announced in June. More information is available on the foundation’s website: www.glcfoundation.org.
For more information about the grant process, contact Sharon, GLCF Grants Manager with any questions at sharon@glcfoundation.org.
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WWW Awards $10,565 in Mini Grants for 2024
The Women Working Wonders Fund, a permanently endowed fund of the Greater Lowell Community Foundation, is pleased to announce the awarding of $10,565 in mini grants to deserving nonprofits impacting the lives of women and girls in Greater Lowell.
“Through these mini grants, as well as our annual summer grant cycle, Women Working Wonders fulfills our mission to empower women and girls by providing vital funding to the frontline organizations breaking down barriers and lifting up the women and girls we serve,” said Marcia Cassidy, Women Working Wonders Fund board president. “Now more than ever, our philanthropy and commitment are needed in the Greater Lowell community.”
The 2024 Mini Grants Recipients:
- Girls, Inc. of Greater Lowell, Outreach Program: $2,000
- Habitat for Humanity North Central Massachusetts, Keeping Our Senior Women Healthy and Safe at Home: $1,000
- Lowell Community Charter Public School, Girls Rise & Shine Program with Female Leaders: $880
- Project Kompass, Nurturing Parent Program: $2,000
- Tufts Medicine Lowell General Hospital, Beauty Cart for Patients: $1,000
- Wish Project, Transition to Motherhood Support: $2,000
- Women's Money Matters, Life Launch Financial Wellness Program Incentive: $1,685
Women Working Wonders provides annual grants in three key areas: assisting women in transition, providing leadership development for women and girls, and contributing to the beautification of the environment to benefit women and girls. Established in 2004, the fund is celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2024. To date, Women Working Wonders has granted $448,075 to nonprofits supporting women and girls in the Greater Lowell area.
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Hunger Free Support for Greater Lowell
Last month, the GLCF Grants Team visited local food pantries and programs through our annual Hunger Free Holiday Support for Greater Lowell program. This year's support recipients include: Acton Food Pantry, Billerica Food Pantry, PACH (Pepperell), Stone Soup Kitchen Ministries (Ayer) and St. Paul’s Soup Kitchen (Lowell).
Photo Caption: PACH's Robin Crocker with GLCF's Jennifer Aradhya
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GLCF Staff News
We're excited to share that one of our staff has recently been promoted! Please help us congratulate Sharon Kim in her NEW role as GLCF Grants Manager.
We are so grateful for our team at GLCF.
Photo Caption: GLCF Grants Manager Sharon Kim
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As we plan for this year's Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Nonprofit events, we ask for your feedback to guide our planning.
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Volunteers Needed:
2024 LHS Scholarship Selection Committee
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Support Our LHS Seniors by Reviewing Scholarship Applications from the Comfort of Your Home (Training Provided)
The Greater Lowell Community Foundation is seeking volunteers to assist with reviewing scholarship applications for students at Lowell High School. Last year, the Community Foundation awarded over $609,251 in scholarships at Lowell High School. These awards could not have been made without the help of the volunteer Honors Night Selection Committee.
The committee consists of parents, teachers, scholarship donors, and representatives from Greater Lowell businesses and the community. Participating offers an incredible opportunity to learn more about the accomplishments and work of many deserving students attending Lowell High School. Reviewers will read and score scholarships online in the month of March.
It does require a time commitment: last year the average number of scholarship applications assigned to each committee member was 45.
Contact: Fatima Palermo, Scholarship Coordinator at 978-970-1600 or email: Fatima@glcfoundation.org.
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GRANT HIGHLIGHT - Strengthening Mental Health Support for Children and Adolescents in Greater Lowell | |
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Founded in 2013, ThinkGive’s research-based and standards-aligned program empowers youth in grades K-1 and 4-8 to realize the depth of their ability to positively impact their own lives and the lives of others by engaging in a reflective, collaborative journey around simple acts of giving. Their flagship programs include ThinkGive Junior, ThinkGive Elementary, and ThinkGive Middle School; they also offer thematic programs on Social Justice, Perspectives, Allyship, and Gratitude. Students that have experienced ThinkGive’s program report that the program leads to strong increases in connection, belonging, self-esteem, and empowerment—which serve as protective factors against anxiety and depression.
ThinkGive received grant funding from 2022 GLCF COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund: Strengthening Mental Health Support for Children and Adolescents in Greater Lowell. These grants were designed to address mental health challenges exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic among children and adolescents.
The grant funds were used by ThinkGive to expand and engage under-resourced youth in GLCF’s catchment communities, who are not only more at risk in terms of emotional well-being but who otherwise largely have no access to social and emotional learning (SEL). In 2022-2023, they were able to partner with six schools and organizations to bring their programs to 360 under-resourced youth. According to a student that participated in the program, “ThinkGive has taught me to appreciate others' differences,” “I learned that I should be more confident in myself. I learned that you should love yourself no matter what,” and "ThinkGive definitely had an impact on me. I learned that no matter who you are, you can make a difference."
“These days, SEL instruction is as vital to the classroom as academic subjects. ThinkGive provides an engaging, interactive experience that unites the class, creates a sense of community around the goals of kindness and inclusion, and encourages students to challenge themselves to move out of their comfort zone to impact others.” – 5th grade teacher.
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Mosaic Lowell's CreativeGround Directory
Mosaic Lowell has collaborated with NEFA's CreativeGround Directory by featuring a Lowell based directory on our website! CreativeGround is a tool for network and knowledge building across the New England creative economy. Mosaic's directory features a list of Lowell-based artists, creatives, culture bearers, arts and culture organizations, and creative businesses, we encourage you to explore it HERE.
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She-Rise Gala
Thursday, March 21 · 6 - 9pm
Learn more.
Unlock Your LinkedIn Potential:
Master LinkedIn with AI for Job Success
Thursday, February 22 · 12 - 1pm
Learn more.
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- Sunday, February 18, 2024
- 3:00 PM 4:30 PM
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240 Central StreetLowell, MA, 01852United States (map)
Schreiner - Autumn Vistas (2022)
Séjourné - Concerto for marimba and strings (2005 - 2015)
Perry - Symphony for Violas and Basses
Bartók - Music for strings, percussion and celesta
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Become a 2024 Annual Sponsor |
Since 1997, the Greater Lowell Community Foundation has supported this community with grants to nonprofits, scholarships to deserving students, and leadership to help determine, address, and resolve a wide variety of needs and opportunities.
With more than 390 donor-driven funds and expert staff, the Foundation provides vital resources that build on our community’s strengths, addresses its challenges, and brightens futures by helping deserving students to achieve their dreams.
To achieve more, we need your partnership through a generous annual sponsorship.
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Give to the Future: Make a Planned Gift | | |
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Everyone has a legacy. What’s yours? |
Your legacy can be shaped to support the causes you care about now and provide financial and estate savings.
To discuss creating a personalized estate plan that supports issues important to you, please call Jay or Howard at the Greater Lowell Community Foundation at 978-970-1600.
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100 Merrimack Street, Suite 202
Lowell, MA 01852
PHONE 978-970-1600
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