GLCF announces more than $235K in grants to local nonprofits at Annual Meeting

On Tuesday, June 11, the Greater Lowell Community Foundation hosted its annual meeting at UMass Lowell’s Coburn Hall. A record $237,230 in grant funding was awarded to 23 nonprofits serving Greater Lowell in the funding focus areas of Children’s Services, Elder Services, and Racial Equity and Inclusion.

These grant awards are part of a competitive grant process in which nonprofit organizations apply for funds, and independent committees review the proposals and select awardees. The GLCF Discretionary Grants is one of several competitive grant programs offered through the foundation each year. 

“These grants were made possible by generous donations from our community and strategic investments,” said GLCF President and CEO Jay Linnehan. “The 2024 GLCF Discretionary Grant Cycle is the largest distribution to date – it’s indicative of so much of what we do at the Foundation. It is a key part of our being.” 

Bringing Fresh Produce to Homeless Families & Individuals in Greater Lowell

Two local nonprofits – Community Teamwork Inc. and Mill City Grows – have teamed up to bring fresh produce to families and individuals experiencing homelessness. The Greater Lowell Community Foundation (GLCF) facilitated the project by partnering with a state-directed program to allocate federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds to nonprofit organizations addressing food insecurity in the region. 

In partnership with the Massachusetts Department of Housing & Community Development (DHCD), GLCF administered the CARES Act Community Development Block Grant Food Security Program throughout Greater Lowell, explained Jay Linnehan, GLCF President and CEO.

“Through this state program, the Foundation has been able to direct federal funds to support low- to moderate-income households in our service area who are facing food insecurities as a result of COVID-19,” Linnehan said. “Our goal was to partner with nonprofits in our region who provide services to individuals and households living below 80 percent of the applicable area median income,” he added. 

Last winter, thanks to this Food Security Program funding, Community Teamwork Inc. (CTI) launched a pilot program with the urban farm program Mill City Grows, to deliver Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) shares to 28 families living in CTI’s family shelter in Tewksbury, according to Amy F. Weatherbee, CTI’s Director of Planning & Quality Improvement.

NETSCOUT Celebrates 10 Years of Heart of Giving Partnership with GLCF

Philanthropic partnerships are the beating heart of the Greater Lowell Community Foundation (GLCF), enabling the organization to fulfil its vital mission to improve the quality of life for the people in our communities. For the past 10 years, NETSCOUT has been an important partner to the GLCF, providing grants and employee volunteers. NETSCOUT’s Heart of Giving Community Grant Program has awarded $115K to local nonprofits over the past decade. Along with those grants, NETSCOUT employees have volunteered countless hours of service. In recognition of this collaboration, an appreciation event was held on June 13.

At the appreciation event, NETSCOUT generously awarded an additional $46K in unrestricted grants, bringing the total awarded through the Heart of Giving Community Grant program to $161K. As a result, nine grant recipients received $4K each on top of the $10K previously awarded. GLCF also received $10K in support of its critically important mission. This annual grant partnership continues to build strong relationships between NETSCOUT and nonprofit organizations. This is accomplished by engaging employees in the grant selection process. They learn first-hand about local community needs and are able to get involved in supporting efforts to make a difference. The Heart of Giving Program is a direct reflection of the values of NETSCOUT and its many employees.

GLCF endows LGBTQ+ Fund through Brunch Fundraiser

The Greater Lowell Community Foundation (GLCF) hosted a successful LGBTQ+ Fund Brunch on Saturday, June 15, raising more than $130,000 for its endowed LGBTQ Fund through tickets, donations, and sponsorships. Over 100 attendees gathered at Cobblestones in Lowell to support this initiative to improve the quality of life for the LGBTQ community in Greater Lowell. 

The brunch featured a DJ and delicious food, creating a celebratory atmosphere for this event in GLCF’s core commitment to diversity and inclusion. The event featured notable speakers, including fund cofounders Julie Chen, Chancellor of UMass Lowell, and her spouse, Susu Wong, owner of Tomo360. History UnErased founder Deb Fowler also spoke about the history of Pride Month and the importance of this endowment fund for the LGBTQ community.

“This fund is vital to not only ensure hard-fought and hard-won extensions of liberty for the LGBTQ+ community to remain secure in Greater Lowell but also to continue to advance and ensure lived equality for all,” shared History UnErased founder Deb Fowler.