Inside the Foundation: O&E Site Visits, Leadership Worcester, Upcoming Events and more!

April 2019

This Month's News & Updates

Opportunities to connect with the Foundation on the important

work of building community come in many shapes and sizes.

In this month's Newsletter, we hope you'll find the right fit!

Outreach & Education Site Visitors Program Kicks Off

Get ready to be awed and inspired!

Conducting site visits of our grantee organizations is an important (and fun!) part of our grantmaking process. Beginning April 8, we're inviting you to come along as we tour and talk with grantees delivering critical services to our region.

Participating in an O&E Site Visit is a great way for GWCF Corporators and friends to experience first-hand the impact the Foundation's granting has on our community. Site Visits will be happening throughout the spring and summer.

We hope you'll join us on an upcoming O&E!

Learn More

April O&E Site Visits :

Central Mass Housing Alliance

April 8, 3:00-5:00pm

Area(s) of Interest : Homeless

Prevention Programs/Services

Interfaith Hospitality Network

April 18, 9:00-11:00am

Area(s) of Interest : Homeless

Prevention Programs/Services

Dress for Success Worcester

April 22, 9:15-11:00am

Area(s) of Interest : Adult Job Training/Placement/Supports

Don't Forget to Register for

the 2019 Spring PAN Event!

Coming up April 25

Our annual Professional Advisor's Network (PAN) Dinner is an education and networking opportunity hosted in collaboration with the Estate & Business Planning Council of Worcester County, the Montachusett Estate & Retirement Planning Council, and the Community Foundation of North Central Massachusetts.

Date: Thursday, April 25

Time: 5:00pm

Location: Wachusett Country Club

RSVP to Lindiana Semidei at events@greaterworcester.org .

New Philanthropy Tool:

Growing the Good, your guide to giving

Our latest publication is now available! With information and stories about the many ways to give, this resource is a conversation-starter that we hope you enjoy and share.

Read it here!

Leadership Worcester Builds Momentum with 5th Cohort

Here are 5 reasons you should apply

Connect with key leaders as you learn about our region's assets, challenges, and opportunities.
Build skills that will prepare you to take action on issues you care about.
Experience Worcester's anchor institutions and hidden gems from an exclusive, behind the scenes perspective.
Have fun while expanding your professional network and making lifelong friends.
Become freshly inspired by all Worcester has to offer and by the network of talented people working together to move the community and each other forward.

Applications are due May 24!

Learn More

Leadership Worcester is a joint initiative

of GWCF and the Worcester Regional

Chamber of Commerce.

Foundation Blog: New Post!

Balancing the Leadership Matrix

Foundation President Ann Lisi reflects on leadership, confidence-building, and ways to support developing leaders at this critical time of transition.

"The retirement wave for nonprofit executives has reached New England –just like they said it would."... Read on!

Considering a Leadership Role?

New NSC Workshop April 24 is an opportunity you don't want to miss!

Have you ever wondered if the role of Executive Director is right for you? This

NSC workshop brings together a panel of seasoned, local executives. Jill Dagilis, of Worcester Community Action Council , Jeff Chin, of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central/Metrowest , and Yolanda Coentro, of Institute for Nonprofit Practice will answer the important question: “If I knew then what I know now, what would I have done differently?" Join us to learn what this leadership position entails and how you can prepare for it.

So, You Want to Be An Executive Director?

Wednesday, April 24

11:30 AM - 1:30 PM

Inspiring a Love of Learning

FOLK Fund celebrates 20 years of community-supported grant making

The Friends of Learning in Killingly (FOLK) Fund was started by the members of Killingly High School Class of 1966 as

a way to give back to their school community. Thanks to the collective generosity of its many donors, the Fund has grown to become a thriving educational initiative, enriching the lives of thousands of students in Killingly, Connecticut public schools.

To celebrate the Fund's 20th anniversary, FOLK's founding members raised over $30,000 to achieve a $100,000 milestone! The FOLK Fund ensures that students will always benefit from innovative educational opportunities. Hats off to everyone involved!

The 2019 Friends of Learning in Killingly (FOLK) Grantees. Each of the 10 grantees represents one of the public schools in Killingly, CT.

Read About FOLK's 2019 Funded Programs

Upcoming Grant Program Deadlines

Leicester Savings Bank Fund

Deadline: April 12

This Fund, which honors the Leicester Savings Bank for its decades of leadership in the community, supports projects that improve the quality of life for residents of Leicester.

Grant Guidelines

Fairlawn Foundation Fund

Deadline: April 26

Since 2017, the Foundation has focused on innovative projects that address mental health needs in our community. The Foundation looks to be an incubator of scalable, replicable, sustainable projects.

Grant Guidelines

Basic Needs Capital Grant

Deadline: April 26

This one-time small capital grant seeks to advance projects that allow organizations addressing hunger and homelessness to increase efficiency, serve more people, and improve accessibility. This grant opportunity is made possible by a generous gift from an anonymous donor.

Grant Guidelines

Worcester County Food Bank Fund to End Hunger

Deadline: May 17

This fund seeks to support innovative

and sustainable solutions to the complex problem of hunger through advocacy and other programming. Funding priority is given to initiatives focused on accessibility to healthy food and economic self sufficiency.