GWCF's May e-news

May 2021

2020 Annual Report Features

Stories of Resilience and Compassion

Now Available Online

Anh Vu Sawyer & Ernie Floyd Awarded GWCF's Highest Honor

This week, the Foundation marked its 46th Annual Meeting with a virtual event, at which time we celebrated the achievements of not one but two Renaissance Award winners: 2020 recipient, Anh Vu Sawyer, Executive Director of the Southeast Asian Coalition of Central Massachusetts, Inc and 2021 recipient, Ernie Floyd, founder of Unity Radio.

Each year, the Renaissance Award recognizes talented, dedicated individuals serving our community through invaluable nonprofit roles.

Anh Vu Sawyer

Southeast Asian Coalition of Central Massachusetts, Inc.

2020 Renaissance Award Winner

Ernie Floyd

Unity Radio

2021 Renaissance Award Winner

Please Welcome Two New Members to the Foundation's Board of Directors

Two new members were welcomed to the Foundation board of

directors. Che Anderson (right) is currently the University of Massachusetts Medical School’s assistant vice chancellor for city and community relations. Prior to his current role, he served as Worcester’s deputy cultural officer where he brought a wide array of cultural and artistic programs to the residents of the city - most notably the international mural festival known as POW! WOW! Worcester. The festival brings artists from around the world and has curated more than 100 pieces of public art in the city since its inception in 2016. Anderson has volunteered with GWCF for several years on scholarship selection committees and recently served on the Creative Arts Committee which was the impetus for the city of Worcester's arts and culture plan. Anderson has a Bachelor of Arts in political science from College of the Holy Cross and is completing a Master of Public Administration in senior leadership from Clark University.

After receiving the 2020 Renaissance award, Anh Vu Sawyer was also named to a four-year term. Current board member Kimberly Salmon was renewed for an additional four-year term.

If You Missed This Year's Annual Meeting, Please Enjoy a Full Recording of the Event Below!

Still Time to Sign Up!

Igniting Equity

A Conversation with Promoting Good

Thursday, May 27, 9:00 - 10:30 am

At this upcoming Nonprofit Support Center (NSC) virtual conversation, Valerie Zolezzi-Wyndham, President of Promoting Good will introduce attendees to Ignite, a five-step process for organizations seeking to move Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging (DEIB) work forward with honesty, openness, and commitment.

Following this conversation, Promoting Good and the NSC will launch a partnership program, a six-month Equity Leadership Cohort, where 12-16 organizations dedicated to their DEIB journey will be selected to deeply engage on the Ignite model. Don’t miss your opportunity to learn more and get the details on how to apply!

Worcester County Food Bank Fund to End Hunger Awards $142K in 10th Anniversary Year

The COVID-19 pandemic caused a public health and economic crisis, the effects of which continue to be widely felt.

This year, through the Fund to End Hunger, a decade-long collaboration between the Worcester County Food Bank and GWCF, twenty-three local nonprofits were awarded grants to support programs addressing food insecurity and expanding food access among those disproportionately impacted by the pandemic.

You can read more about this year's grantees and the critical work they are leading here.

Stay tuned for what's to come at the Foundation with upcoming grant opportunities, workshops and more. Together, we are building a stronger, more equitable Central Massachusetts.

Connect with the Foundation on social media!

Greater Worcester Community Foundation

508-755-0980 | donorservices@greaterworcester.org | greaterworcester.org