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A Message from the President and CEO
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Greetings!
When I was young, oh so many years ago, I don’t remember the world being as complicated as it is today. Back then there was no internet, no mobile phones and no cable TV. Advances in transportation, communication, technology and more have globalized everything. Information of all sorts is disseminated from everybody and from everywhere 24/7/365. The ability to discern what’s truth, what’s fiction is overwhelming. Consequently, many of us are tuning out at a time when, now more than ever, we need to be tuned in as there is so much at stake.
It was with that in mind that the Foundation decided to allocate $150,000 from our discretionary grant awards over the past two years to promote social education. We defined social education as civic engagement, community building, and working with local officials and community leaders. Our hope, among other things, is to enhance understanding and participation in our community, in our government and ultimately increase voter turnout.
While there are many factors that affect voter turnout, age and social education are among the strongest factors. That is, the young and less engaged vote less than the older and more engaged adults.
Many attribute low turnout to disillusionment, indifference, or a sense of futility (the perception that one's vote won't make any difference). To some degree, I understand that perspective (with corporate and PAC money controlling so much), but I won’t give in to it.
The 2020 Massachusetts Democratic primary will take place on next Tuesday, March 3, 2020, with the Presidential and congressional elections not far away on November 3, 2020.
So to all of you who do vote and are engaged, please reach out to someone you know that doesn’t. Remind them that thi
s is a right that our forefathers fought and died for. Talk to them about the issues. Tell them that everyone’s vote does count because it always matters. Convince five people that if they don’t vote, they can’t complain.
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GLCF Events - SAVE THE DATES
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- Wed., June 10 - GLCF Annual Meeting
- Thurs., Oct. 1 - GLCF Celebrate Giving
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(Wicked Local Reading, 1/29/20)
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GLCF awards nearly $140,000 in community grants to 21 local nonprofits
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Grant recipients gathered at the Greater Lowell Community Foundation’s discretionary grant awards announcement ceremony on February 6, 2020.
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The Greater Lowell Community Foundation celebrated and honored the work of local nonprofits at its Discretionary Grants Program announcement reception on Thursday, Feb. 6. Nearly $140,000 in competitive grants were awarded to 21 local nonprofits within a framework of Social Education, Children’s Services, Elder Services and Water Resources initiatives. The focused areas collectively work toward creating a better quality of life for all residents in Greater Lowell.
These grant awards are part of a competitive grant process in which nonprofit organizations apply for funds and an independent committee reviews the proposals and selects awardees. The Discretionary Grants Program is one of several competitive grant programs offered through the Community Foundation each year.
“Through generous contributions from our community, we are thrilled we have been able to grow our assets as a foundation in order to provide increased critical financial support through our grants program to nonprofits serving Greater Lowell,” said GLCF President and CEO Jay Linnehan. “We know this support allows our community to thrive now and in the future.”
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Lowell Waterways Vitality Initiative Announces Hirings to Further Action Plan Goals
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The Lowell Waterways Initiative is pleased to announce the hiring of two consulting professionals who will work together to further the goals of the group’s Action Plan. This plan includes implementing lighting activities, supporting events, recreation, development, arts and culture centered around the city’s historic waterways. Partnering with the Greater Lowell Community Foundation (GLCF), Malika Leiper and Jonathan (Jon) Geer have been hired to work on programs, technical issues and fundraising, with a focus on expanding community engagement.
Initially, Mr. Geer of Lowell will help coordinate construction related work for the illumination of the historic Ouellette (Aiken Street) Bridge. Ms. Leiper, who will commute between Lowell and Brooklyn, New York, will assist with community involvement, design and planning issues, as well as communications.
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Pictured, from left, GLCF President and CEO Jay Linnehan; new hires Jon Geer and Malika Leiper with Fred Faust, Co-Chair of the Waterways Initiative Steering Committee.
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Mya Neary, UML Business major with a concentration in entrepreneurship and management
Minor in nutrition
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William Cole-French, UML psychology major
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GLCF announces UML Honors College Fellowship Partnership
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GLCF announced two University of Massachusetts Lowell Honors College Fellows have joined the staff of the Foundation this semester. Students Mya Neary and William Cole-French will be devoting 100 hours each on a research project to advance the mission of GLCF under the mentorship and support of both the Foundation and the University.
UML Honors College challenges, encourages, and celebrates undergraduate students who pursue academic excellence while deepening and broadening their scholarship and creativity. The Honors College is offering eighty-three Honors College Student Fellowships.
Mya stated that she selected the fellowship at GLCF because, "I was first introduced to GLCF when I went to the Celebrate Giving event with Professor Finch’s nonprofit marketing class. Currently, I am working on an honors project based on a nonprofit startup idea. When I heard about the fellowship, I saw it as an opportunity to learn more about the role of a community foundation in supporting local nonprofits. I know my experience here will not only help me with my honors project, but with my future career in the nonprofit field. "
William explained that he chose GLCF "to deepen my understanding of the community of Lowell and because I thought it would be a valuable learning experience."
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Community Needs Assessment Survey
Community Input Needed to Help Strengthen our Community
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There is a digital version available in English, Spanish, and Portuguese, and a print version available in English, Spanish, Portuguese, and Khmer.
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Project Citizenship
A 2019 Discretionary Social Education Grant Recipient
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Legal permanent residents (green card holders) who want to become U.S. citizens are invited to contact
Project Citizenship
, a GLCF grantee, for free legal services that will help applicants every step of the way. Call 617-694-5949 to learn more and to make an appointment to meet with Project Citizenship’s legal staff in Lowell.
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GLCF loves the creative ways that our donors engage the community. Through his
GLCF Donor Advised Fund, donor Drew Weber found a great way to name his new dog while giving back to a cause that matters.
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Name That Pooch Contest!
Longtime Lustgarten Foundation supporter, Drew Weber of New York recently held a friendly competition among his friends and families through FaceBook to help name is newly adopted puppy. The incentive was that the winner received $1,000 for their favorite nonprofit (requirement was that it had to be a vetted 501(c)3 organization).
While the competition was fierce, but friendly, Drew and his team of judges ultimately chose the name Rookie, which is the perfect name given the Weber's long involvement in Major League Baseball as the former owners of the
Lowell Spinners
(a Class A team of the Boston Red Sox), and their pure love of the game.
After notifying the winner Ashley Petteys that her name was the winner, she sent this touching note in response:
Drew, I'd be honored to have the donation made to Lustgarten Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research. Thank you for this wonderful opportunity! Rookie sure is lucky to have found a family with you - as was I to have had the pleasure of you and Joann impacting my life. Wishing you many happy years of companionship! 🐾❤️⚾ Also, please post more puppy pics!!!
Joann Weber was Drew's amazing wife of 35 years, who tragically passed away in 2006 after a hard-fought battle with Pancreatic Cancer and would be so tickled with the contest and that the winner chose her favorite charity as the recipient!
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Featured Video:
GLCF Discretionary Grants Reception
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The Greater Lowell Community Foundation celebrated and honored the work of local nonprofits at its Discretionary Grants Program announcement reception on Thursday, Feb. 6. Nearly $140,000 in competitive grants were awarded to 21 local nonprofits within a framework of Social Education, Children’s Services, Elder Services and Water Resources initiatives. The focused areas collectively work toward creating a better quality of life for all residents in Greater Lowell.
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100 Merrimack Street, Suite 202
Lowell, MA 01852
PHONE
978-970-1600
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