March 2021
‘Worcester Together’ Announces $1 Million in Reimagining Phase Funding

The Worcester Together fund recently announced $1 million in Reimagining Grants to six local nonprofits. The fund has provided over $10.6 million in the last year to Central Massachusetts nonprofits that are helping families to address lost income, unstable housing, food insecurity, and challenges in healthcare access. The Reimagining Grants are the fund’s final phase of grant-making.
 
“Worcester Together’s Reimagining grants were designed to encourage local leaders to step back from the immediate consequences of a social issue and address the root causes. The scale of these grants, at over $100,000 each, will position organizations to make lasting and fundamental changes,” said GWCF President and CEO Barbara Fields.

Read more about Worcester Together’s final phase and the grantees in this recent coverage:

Worcester Business Journal 

Worcester Telegram and Gazette 

This Week in Worcester 
GWCF Agency Funds Support Nonprofit Impact 

Does your nonprofit organization have a rainy day fund or an endowment? By opening an Agency Fund with GWCF, you will protect your organization’s long term assets, gain access to experienced investment managers and our Investment Committee.
 
We are a trusted partner in helping our donors to achieve their philanthropic goals. For nonprofits, we offer the opportunity to establish an Agency Fund. Those Funds are invested with GWCF’s endowment pool, providing regular distributions to support your work, while preserving the Fund’s principal for the long-term.
 
Recently, two local cultural institutions – The Worcester Public Library Foundation, and Music Worcester, have established agency Funds with GWCF. We are proud to support their efforts to provide for their current and long-term fiscal needs.
 
GWCF Distributes over $1 Million in State Funding to Local Nonprofits 

Leveraging the Foundation’s deep connections across the region is one of the critical ways that GWCF supports the community. In December 2020, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts 
announced the availability of $10 million - the first-ever program for community foundations. Greater Worcester Community Foundation is one of the 14 community foundations in the Commonwealth that were eligible to apply for these critical funds. 
 
Working in partnership with Worcester Community Action Council (WCAC), GWCF will allocate just over $1.1 million to 10 nonprofit organizations who
will assist individuals and families as they manage through the pandemic. 
These funds will provide for a range of needs including housing support, emergency food, technology needs for remote work and school, and childcare. The 10 grantees are:

  • Angels Net Foundation
  • Ansaar of Worcester
  • Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Worcester
  • Friendly House
  • Muslim Community Link
  • Parent Professional Advocacy League
  • Rock of Salvation
  • Southeast Asian Coalition of Central MA
  • Worcester Interfaith
  • World Youth Opportunity

GWCF is proud to work with our many partners to move our community forward through the pandemic. 
Dr. Lynn Eckert Appointed President of Fairlawn Foundation

The one thing all GWCF Board Members past and present have in common is a commitment to serving their community.
 
Former Board Member and current Fund Holder Dr. Lynn Eckert is the Director of Academic Programs at Partners Healthcare International and is a Visiting Lecturer at UMass Medical School. Dr. Eckert was recently elected President of the Fairlawn Foundation by her fellow board members. The Fairlawn Foundation is an endowed fund administered by GWCF that focuses on behavioral health innovations.

Congratulations to Dr. Eckert! 
Join our next NSC virtual event 3/25 at 9:00 AM
“Making meaningful connections in 2021”

The first in our spring conversation series – helping you to build community, find new ways to collaborate and celebrate successes of the nonprofit sector. Register here.
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Greater Worcester Community Foundation