GWCF Grants $1.56 Million to 132 Local Nonprofits
The Foundation is proud to announce the 2019 Community grant recipients, 132 local nonprofits receiving a total of over $1.56 million. Community grants support organizations that build healthy, vibrant communities throughout Worcester County, and are made possible by generous individuals and families who have set up discretionary funds with the Foundation. This type of fund enables the Foundation to grant resources where community needs are greatest.
This year, the Foundation made a significant investment in youth development – 30% of grant dollars going to programs for youth leadership, mentorship, summer learning and other year-round programming, and another 26% of the funding will support early childhood development programs. Additionally, another $150K will go toward programs for affordable housing and homelessness prevention.
“It’s our mission to continue aiding those whose work creates a stronger, healthier Worcester County for residents, starting with our community’s youngest and most vulnerable,” said Carolyn Stempler, Chair of the GWCF Board.
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Over $650,000 available in College Scholarships for 2020 – 2021
The Foundation is now accepting scholarship applications for the 2020 – 2021 academic year. Since 1978, the Foundation has distributed more than $11.9 million in scholarships to support the academic goals of Worcester County students.
In 2019, 397 students benefitted from more than $686,000 in GWCF scholarships.
High school seniors who live in Worcester County are encouraged to apply. The application deadline is Monday, March 2, 2020. Students can apply online, and with a single application they can be considered for any of the Foundation’s 138 scholarships. Scholarships range in size up to $5,000 per year and are made based on a variety of criteria including financial need, area of study, community involvement, high school, and hometown.
Thanks to the generosity of our donors, thousands of local students have been given access to higher education and a brighter future.
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Empowering the Next Generation of Community Philanthropists
A program of the Foundation, YCI empowers young people from high schools across Worcester County to make a difference in the community. Since 1999, YCI has awarded over $386K in grants to over 75 nonprofits and engaged 230 young people in the process.
The 2019 YCI cohort was made up of 22 students from 15 local high schools. Over the course of 14 weeks they learned about philanthropy, their communities, and how to collaborate to create positive change.
Grants were awarded at YCI’s recent year-end celebration hosted at the Worcester PopUp. At the event, YCI members shared insights about their granting experience and State Representative Dan Donahue honored their achievements with a Proclamation on behalf of Mayor Joe Petty.
“Helping nonprofits through YCI grants is inspiring,” said Michelle, a 2019 YCI graduate. “Before the program, I never thought youth could make a difference like this.”
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Supporting Worcester’s Housing First Initiative
At GWCF we continue to put our money where our heart is. As of of 2018, there were over 100 chronically homeless people in Worcester. The Foundation is teaming up with the City and two local partners – UMass Memorial Healthcare and The Health Foundation of Central Massachusetts, to support Worcester’s latest Housing First initiative by becoming loan guarantors for the Finally Home Loan Fund, a $4.5 million fund for affordable housing.
In 2018, Worcester City Manager Ed Augustus and the Sustaining Housing First Solutions Task Force completed an in-depth examination of Worcester's needs and resources in addressing adult chronic homelessness. The Task Force’s final report lays out a plan to sustain a long-term system of permanent and supportive housing within the City of Worcester, including a $4.5 million loan pool being made by Bay State Savings Bank, Commerce Bank/Division of Berkshire Bank, Fidelity Bank, IC Federal Credit Union, Uni Bank and Webster Five to develop new affordable housing.
GWCF is proud to give this effort a vote of confidence by lending the financial backing needed to make the development of new housing for the homeless a reality.
Learn more here.
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