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A Message from the President and CEO |
Greetings!
What do you do to make yourself feel good?
Well, if you’re looking for a suggestion, scientific research provides compelling data to support the notion that giving (whether it be one's time, talent or treasure) is a powerful pathway to finding purpose, fulfillment and meaning in life. Researchers from the National Institutes of Health found that giving stimulates the reward center in the brain releasing endorphins and creating what is known as the “helper's high.”
So, let’s all get high! – on life that is. And let’s be very intentional about it. It’s a mindset. It’s a perspective that little acts of kindness – whatever they may be – all add up to make a difference. Help a neighbor, call a friend, assist a cause, whatever. And if you’re so inclined, make a donation to the Foundation (or another nonprofit) to support our work, that’s fine too.
A little while ago, I did a favor for a friend and he said: thank you but you didn’t need to do that. To which I replied: I know. Aren’t those the best things to do – the ones you don’t have to?
Be well.
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Jay Linnehan
GLCF President + CEO
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Celebrate Giving 2020: Community Connection |
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GLCF announces virtual 2020 Celebrate Giving featuring keynote speaker Lauren Baker, First Lady of the Commonwealth |
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On Thursday, October 1, 2020 the Greater Lowell Community Foundation (GLCF) will host its annual “Celebrate Giving” event. This year’s virtual event will highlight the community connection of local donors and nonprofit organizations who are committed to making a positive impact in Greater Lowell.
“This year’s event will highlight the strong community connection we have seen during this pandemic,” said Jay Linnehan, GLCF president and CEO. “GLCF has mobilized both its funding resources and its ability to connect to the community during the COVID-19 crisis and these partnerships have been critical to supporting Greater Lowell.”
This year’s keynote speaker is the First Lady of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Lauren Schadt Baker, co-founder of the Massachusetts COVID-19 Relief Fund. The Massachusetts COVID-19 Relief Fund supported those across the state most impacted by the COVID-19 health crisis, focusing on essential frontline workers and vulnerable populations including the homeless, immigrant populations, people with disabilities and those facing food insecurity. The Massachusetts COVID-19 Relief Fund has distributed 70 grants to 48 Greater Lowell nonprofits totaling $2,161,030 through GLCF.
“Celebrate Giving” will be emceed by Christa Brown, founder of Free Soil Arts Collective. Trinity EMS will receive the 2020 GLCF Business Philanthropy Partner Award for their work on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Event sponsorships are available.
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2020 GLCF COMMUNITY CONNECTOR AWARD NOMINATION
NOMINATIONS MUST BE RECEIVED BY SEPTEMBER 15
Recipient will be honored at GLCF's Celebrate Giving on Oct. 1.
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The GLCF Community Connector Award recognizes an individual or organization that meets one or more of the following criteria:
- Helping individuals and/or their community through one or more extraordinary acts during the COVID-19 pandemic;
- Performing exemplary deeds of service to the community in the Greater Lowell;
- Making efforts to combat persistent problems that impact entire communities (for example those who have taken innovative steps to address hunger, homelessness, addiction, immigration barriers, and other issues).
All nominations must include a 250-500 word nomination essay that details how the nominee meets the criteria listed above, and why they should be recognized at GLCF’s annual Celebrate Giving event on October 1.
NOTE: Award recipient will receive a $500 grant, funded by GLCF, to give to the Greater Lowell nonprofit of their choice.
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Grant awards announced to support nonprofits helping women in Greater Lowell |
The Women Working Wonders (WWW) Fund, a permanently endowed fund of the Greater Lowell Community Foundation, has announced the recipients of $43,710 in grants. These grants will support local nonprofit programs that empower women and girls to effect positive change in the community.
“During this unprecedented time of economic hardship and public health crisis, Women Working Wonders is proud to support these five organizations in their work to improve the lives of women and girls,” said Susan West Levine, Women Working Wonders Fund board president. “Now more than ever, our philanthropy and attention are needed in the Greater Lowell community.”
PHOTO: At a COVID-19 emergency center at Stoklosa Middle School in Lowell, a volunteer hands out menstrual care packages from Dignity Matters, an organization recently awarded a grant from the Women Working Wonders (WWW) Fund.
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GLCF COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund News |
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Greater Lowell Community Foundation awards additional response grants for rent relief |
The Greater Lowell Community Foundation (GLCF) announced that it awarded $290,000 from its GLCF COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund to nonprofit organizations, this includes targeted funding to provide rent relief to families and individuals that face a loss of housing due to the economic impacts of COVID-19. The grants were part of the seventh and final round of distributions from the Massachusetts COVID-19 Relief Fund to assist area nonprofits serving vulnerable populations during the coronavirus pandemic.
“We are so grateful to the Massachusetts COVID-19 Relief Fund for supporting our neighbors in Greater Lowell who are unhoused or at risk of becoming homeless,” said GLCF President & CEO Jay Linnehan. “These grants boost the efforts of our tremendous nonprofit partners who have continued to go above and beyond during the pandemic to support those who need it most.”
PHOTO: Volunteers provide fresh food delivery for adults with disabilities at Minute Man Arc, a recent grant recipient from the Massachusetts COVID-19 Relief Fund through GLCF.
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GLCF COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund |
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- Nonprofit Partner Highlights - |
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Seven Hills Pediatric Center (Groton)
One click closer to connection
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With the help of the GLCF COVID-19 Emergency Response Grant, Seven Hills Extended Care has been able to provide children with technology that enables them to connect with friends, family and medical specialists during a time when in-person services have been prohibited. In addition, a virtual classroom was created that involves educational tools as well as music therapy. In adaptation has been helpful in creating social, educational and telehealth opportunities that have improved the overall health and wellbeing of children in their care.
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Kids in Tech
Bringing STEM education closer in times of social distancing
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In an effort to create Digital Equity for around 200 kids and their parents, Kids in Tech Inc. is using their GLCF COVID-19 Emergency Response Grant to hire a tech facilitator and online curriculum design consultant trained to adapt learning materials to an online curriculum.
The conversion is necessary to bring STEM concepts and ideas to parent’s and children’s homes and providing them with all the information needed to help be prepared to meet the challenges that affect us globally, advance academically and contribute to global wellbeing.
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For the latest info on the GLCF COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund, see the Fund webpage.
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This month, the Greater Lowell Community Foundation remembers the recent passing of GLCF Founding Members: Arthur C. Anton, Sr., local business leader and philanthropist and Winslow Hincks Duke, avid supporter of nonprofits and wholehearted philanthropist.
They modeled generosity to their community and inspired philanthropy among many. They will be greatly missed.
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Arthur C. Anton, Sr., Former President and CEO of Anton's Cleaners |
Arthur C. Anton, age 95, the patriarch of the Anton family of Greater Lowell, passed away peacefully due to natural causes at his home in North Andover on Sunday, July 26, 2020. Prior to moving to North Andover, he resided in Boston, Chelmsford and Palm Beach, FL. A highly respected area businessman, longtime philanthropist, and well-known leader in the Greek Orthodox community, Arthur recently celebrated his 95th birthday with those who brought him the most joy, his children and grandchildren. He was the loving husband for 67 years of the late Madeline (Kanavos) Anton, who passed away in 2018. Arthur was born in Lowell, MA, July 8, 1925, a son of the late Charles and the late Paula (Vacass) Antonopoulos. He was a graduate of the Lowell High School Class of 1943, where he was the Class Valedictorian and a Carney Medal Winner. Following high school, Arthur proudly served his country in the U.S Army Air Force through the conclusion of World War II. After the war, he attended Boston University, where he graduated in 1950 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. In addition to graduating with Honors, Arthur was elected University Class President and Man of the Year at Boston University. In 1950, Arthur joined his father and brothers at Anton's Cleaners, in Lowell, where he served as President and CEO from 1950 to 2000 and developed the company into the largest dry cleaning operation in New England and one of the largest in the United States.
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Winslow Hincks Duke, travelled beyond this earthly planet and took the road to the heavens, passing away peacefully on July 19, 2020 at his beloved farm in Pepperell, MA. He was born on August 21, 1930 to Florimond (Dusossoit) and Mary M. (Hincks) Duke of Greens Farms, CT. After graduating Tufts University in 1953, he was commissioned by the US Navy. He completed Underwater Demolition Team (UDT) training, graduating in 1954 with a rank of Lieutenant Junior Grade and served in the Korean War. After the Navy, Win began a long running career as a broker in the investment business eventually becoming Vice President at Tucker Anthony and R.L. Day in Nashua, NH.
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100 Merrimack Street, Suite 202
Lowell, MA 01852
PHONE 978-970-1600
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