‘Worcester Together’ Fund Approaches $4 Million Mark

The Worcester Together: Central Mass COVID-19 Fund is a joint effort between the Foundation and the United Way of Central Massachusetts (UWCM), in collaboration with the City of Worcester. The Fund is supporting the needs of local organizations working with communities disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak in Worcester County.

The fund was seeded with $475,000 from GWCF after an historic vote by the Foundation Board, and as of April 9, the Fund is approaching the $4 Million mark. “We are grateful and inspired by the generous donors who stepped up to meet the challenge in our community over the last few weeks,” said Barbara Fields, President and CEO of GWCF. “We will put these funds to work quickly to meet the needs of Worcester County.”

The George I. Alden Trust set an early tone for generosity and commitment with a $1 million gift to Worcester Together. A big thank you to the many donors who have since stepped up to meet the challenge, including just in the past week:
  • The Stoddard Charitable Trust - $600,000   
  • The Barr Foundation - $250,000
  • The Ruth H. and Warren A. Ellsworth Foundation and the Fairlawn Foundation who both pledged $100,000
  • The Fallon/OrNda Community Health Fund - $118,000
  • Webster Five - $75,000
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, Berkshire Bank, the George F. & Sybil H. Fuller Foundation Charitable Trust, and the Mildred H. McEvoy Foundation, who each pledged $50,000
  • Fallon Health and Delta Dental who both pledged $25,000

“Our fundraising success so far reflects the generosity and community spirit that we all know is there, but our work is far from over,” said Tim Garvin, CEO of the United Way of Central Massachusetts. “COVID-19 creates both immediate and long-term needs in our community, and we will need to raise significantly more resources to meet those needs.”

'Worcester Together' Announces $400K in Grants 

The Worcester Together: Central Mass COVID-19 Fund is excited to announce over $400K in funding to 27 grantee organizations. The grants, which range from $2,500 - $50,000, represent the first two rounds of funding. Awards are currently directed toward meeting the immediate needs of communities and individuals who are heavily impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak.

The fund will continue to make grants on a rolling basis as fundraising continues through the outbreak and recovery phases of the COVID-19 crisis, and long-term needs will be addressed in future cycles.

“The Foundation is thrilled to be able to work with our partners at the United Way of Central Massachusetts to put these funds to work in the community,” said GWCF President and CEO Barbara Fields. “These grantees are doing amazing work to protect our community from the impacts of the COVID-19 outbreak, and we are proud to stand by their side.”

Read more about our grantees from the Worcester Business Journal here:
Dr. Mattie Castiel Provides an Alternative to Overcrowded Homeless Shelters

The COVID-19 outbreak is a particularly serious threat to Worcester’s homeless population as the close quarters in the city’s homeless shelters make social distancing impossible. Dr. Mattie Castiel (right), a GWCF and UWCM Board member and Worcester’s Commissioner of Health is leading the way to ensure that Worcester’s homeless are kept safe and are served with dignity.
 
Working with City Manager Ed Augustus, Dr. Castiel developed a plan to use school gyms and college dorms across the city to divide shelter populations into groups of 25. Doing so provides the space necessary to practice self-isolation and limit the spread of the virus. 
Thank you to Dr. Castiel for your tireless work on behalf of Worcester’s most vulnerable.
 
Leadership Worcester Alumni, UMass Med Student, Joins the COVID-19 Front-Line

GWCF is proud to see Leadership Worcester Alumni answering the call to service during the COVID-19 outbreak. Patrick Lowe, LW class of ‘16 (left) and his fellow UMass Medical School classmates celebrated an unprecedented virtual early graduation last week. Instead of starting their residencies as planned in July, Patrick and his classmates will immediately join the front-line fight against COVID-19.

Patrick embodies the spirit of Leadership Worcester – connected, prepared, and inspired. Best of luck to the UMass Medical School class of 2020, we could not be more grateful for your service to Worcester and beyond.

RSVP Today for GWCF’s Virtual Annual Meeting 

Our 45th Annual Meeting is coming up on May 13 and will be held virtually at 4:30pm via Zoom. This year’s agenda will be abbreviated, but we hope you’ll join us as we highlight achievements of the past year and look to the future.

Greater Worcester Community Foundation's Nonprofit Support Center,
in partnership with SederLaw , invites you to a timely and important workshop for our nonprofit community.

Navigating Coronavirus Legislation: What It Means for Nonprofits
Join us for a discussion of recent legislation, its impacts, the availability of federal resources, and other considerations for nonprofit organizations.

Tuesday, April 14
10 - 11:00 AM
Presentation and Q & A conducted via Zoom
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Greater Worcester Community Foundation