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A Message from the President and CEO |
Greetings!
As I sat in my office last Friday, I watched the snow falling outside. It was cold and miserable, and I could not wait to return to my home. I know I am fortunate to know where I will lay my head each night, but far too many people in Greater Lowell do not share this comfort. They’re homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.
It’s not their fault. Despite the myth that many choose to be homeless, that’s fundamentally not true. Public policy and social economics have made housing difficult, if not impossible, for the working poor in America. It’s very simple. There’s not enough housing for our population. As a result, homelessness is a significant issue across the country and right here in Greater Lowell, adversely affecting our community in many ways. It’s time to act.
We have to talk about housing. GLCF, Community Teamwork Inc., The Lowell Plan, and the Greater Lowell Chamber of Commerce have begun the conversation. Now, we need YOU to join the conversation. We need to create more housing in our community as it is critical to the stability and vitality of our community.
For more information about how you can help, please email: talkabouthousing@commteam.org.
Stay safe and warm.
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Jay Linnehan
GLCF President + CEO
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Save the Date
GLCF’s 25th Anniversary Annual Meeting
June 2, 2022 • 5 p.m.
UML Inn and Conference Center
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GLCF awards more than $30K in Grants from Afghan Resettlement Fund |
Lowell, MA – The Greater Lowell Community Foundation (GLCF) yesterday announced it had granted $30,300 to five nonprofits in Greater Lowell that are working to address the immediate needs of new refugees from Afghanistan resettling in the community.
These grants were disbursed from the GLCF Afghan Resettlement Fund, which was created last fall. The fund assists nonprofits who support refugees arriving from Afghanistan to Greater Lowell and ensures that those in need are welcomed and connected with housing, employment, transportation, food, acculturation, and other related support.
“As Afghan refugees and evacuees continue to arrive in our community, the GLCF Afghan Resettlement Fund is supporting area nonprofits providing the critical support needed to welcome and resettle this population,” said Jay Linnehan, GLCF’s President and CEO. “This work is ongoing, and we are so grateful to our generous donors who support these important resettlement efforts.”
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Women Working Wonders Fund Awards $10,000 in Mini-Grants |
Lowell, MA – The Women Working Wonders (WWW) Fund, a permanently endowed fund of the Greater Lowell Community Foundation, has announced the recipients of $10,000 in mini-grants. These grants will support local nonprofit programs that empower women and girls to effect positive change in the community.
“As we have worked hard to continue to grow our endowment, we have the privilege to increase grant support to our community beyond our annual grant cycle each summer,” said Carolyn Gregoire, Women Working Wonders Fund board president. “COVID-19 has increased the needs of the community, and WWWF is responding by providing $10,000 in mini-grants to help area nonprofits during this challenging time.”
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MARCH 4 DEADLINE APPROACHING:
2022 Discretionary Grant Cycles and Nashoba Valley Healthcare Fund
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Lowell, MA – The Greater Lowell Community Foundation opened its 2022 Nashoba Valley Healthcare Fund and Discretionary Grant Cycles on February 2 and is seeking requests for proposals from nonprofit organizations. The Foundation will award $160,000 through the Discretionary Grant Cycle. Funding areas for 2022 include children’s services, elder services, and racial equity/inclusion.
Nonprofit organizations serving the communities of Acton, Ashby, Ayer, Bedford, Billerica, Burlington, Carlisle, Chelmsford, Concord, Dracut, Dunstable, Groton, Littleton, Lowell, Pepperell, Shirley, Tewksbury, Townsend, Tyngsboro, Westford, and Wilmington are invited to apply.
Additionally, GLCF has opened its 2022 Nashoba Valley Healthcare Fund Cycle on Feb. 2. The foundation seeks requests for proposals from nonprofit organizations supporting the advancement of community health of residents in the following GLCF communities: Ashby, Ayer, Dunstable, Groton, Littleton, Pepperell, Shirley, Townsend, and Westford. The Foundation will award $80,000 through this grant program.
GRANT DEADLINE FOR BOTH: Friday, March 4 at noon.
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GLCF Scholarship Opportunities |
The following GLCF administered scholarship cycles are now open.
- Eric Sullivan Memorial Scholarship
- Chelmsford Business Association Scholarship
- College Club of Greater Lowell Scholarship
- College Club of Greater Lowell Scholarship Laura Greene Memorial Award
Deadline to submit applications for above is March 11th.
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FINAL CALL FOR 2022 LHS Scholarship Selection Committee Volunteers
Support Our LHS Seniors by Reviewing Scholarship Applications from the Comfort of Your Home (Training Provided)
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The Greater Lowell Community Foundation is seeking volunteers to assist with reviewing scholarship applications for students at Lowell High School. Last year, the Community Foundation awarded over $450,000 in scholarships at Lowell High School. These awards could not have been made without the help of the volunteer Honors Night Selection Committee.
The committee consists of parents, teachers, scholarship donors, and representatives from Greater Lowell businesses and the community. Participating offers an incredible opportunity to learn more about the accomplishments and work of many deserving students attending Lowell High School. Reviewers will read and score scholarships online in the month of March.
It does require a time commitment: last year the average number of scholarship applications assigned to each committee member was 65.
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Winterfest 2022: Youth Mural Competition
Mosaic Lowell sponsored events as part of this year’s reimagined Lowell Winterfest.
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The first-time Winterfest Youth Mural Competition drew seven teams of youths 13-17 to express their vision of the theme of Imagine Future Lowell.Congratulations to the winning team, Lowell Community Charter Public School, as well as Coalition for a Better Acre, Boys & Girls Club of Greater Lowell, Butler Middle School, STEM Academy, Refuge Lowell, and the YWCA Lowell. Special thanks to CTI YouthBuild for producing the mural boards. All murals are now on view at Lowell City Hall.
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The Winterfest Art Market drew hundreds of people to shop at more than 40 exhibiting artists and craftspeople.
Please Share Your Vision with Mosaic Lowell
Mosaic Lowell is seeking input and ideas to invoke a fresh vision for all this city can be - and to excite passion for delivering it. We need yours! How you would make Lowell an even more vibrant place to live, work, and visit for all? Tell us!
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Greater Lowell Community Health Needs Survey
The Greater Lowell Health Alliance continuously seeks input in determining the region’s most urgent health care needs. We are launching our 2022 Community Health Needs Assessment, and we need you to make it happen!
The community needs assessment provides a foundation for the GLHA and its partners to build ongoing consensus on the area’s priority health needs and develop future Community Health Improvement Plans (CHIPs) to improve the health of the area’s residents.
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Ste. Jeanne D'arc School Gala
Please join us as we honor
GLCF's James F. Linnehan, Jr., Esq.
Thursday, April 28
Lenzi’s, Dracut, MA
Reception/Cocktail Hour 6 p.m.
Dinner/Ceremony 7 p.m.
RSVP by April 8, 2022
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Pollard Memorial Library Foundation: Submissions open for Elinor Lipman Award |
The Pollard Memorial Library Foundation is delighted to announce that submissions are open for the first Elinor Lipman Award for Writing. This award honors Elinor Lipman, a distinguished, prolific and much-loved author born and raised in Lowell, by awarding a prize of $1,000 for a work of fiction or creative nonfiction written by a Lowell-based author.
Submissions are welcome on or before 11:59 pm EDT, May 20, 2022. For complete eligibility and submission guidelines:
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Theodore Edson Parker Foundation Announces 2021 Grants |
In 2021, The Theodore Edson Parker Foundation paid a total of $1,192,150 in grants to nonprofit organizations at work in Lowell, Massachusetts, and pledged a total of $530,000 for payment in 2022. Some grants are listed below with the complete list available on the Foundation’s website. All grants follow the 1944 will of Theodore Edson Parker to support vulnerable and underserved Lowell residents.
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Give to the Future: Make a Planned Gift |
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Everyone has a legacy. What’s yours? |
Your legacy can be shaped to support the causes you care about now and provide financial and estate savings.
To discuss creating a personalized estate plan that supports issues important to you, please call Jay or Howard at the Greater Lowell Community Foundation at 978-970-1600.
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GLCF COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund |
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For the latest info on the GLCF COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund, see the Fund webpage.
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Grant Update: Mass Audubon's Teens Representing Environmental Excellency and
Stewardship (TREES)
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TREES is a joint collaboration between Mass Audubon and the Lowell Parks and Conservation Trust that provides hands-on, in-depth environmental STEM education to high school students in Lowell. TREES offers youth the opportunity to engage in long-term, inquiry-based science with meaningful connections to their community and its natural resources. The TREES program received a $2,500 grant from GLCF's past discretionary grant cycle.
From Mass Audubon: The students participating in TREES met and surpassed the program goals. Over the course of the year they learned about topics related to environment and STEM education, participated in service projects, collaborated with other organizations, and engaged with their local community and the wider world.
When Lowell after-school programs began meeting again in January 2021, TREES engaged new participants. Prior to Covid-19 they had hoped to create a community garden and conduct environmental teaching with younger children. Unfortunately, Covid-19 restrictions made this impossible. Instead, they adjusted the program to be virtual and meet remotely on a weekly basis. They reassessed their goals to
succeed with a virtual format and within the limitations Covid-19 presented. They learned about climate change, watersheds, animal habitats, trees, and more, and took on environmental and community service projects.
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There are so many unsung heroes in our community and Hidden Battles trying to find them.
Do you know someone that goes above and beyond for their community?
If so, nominate them:
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WOMEN ACCELERATORS: Accelerating Women Leaders Coaching Program |
The 2022 Accelerating Women Leaders program is designed to equip female leaders with the specific strategies, mindsets, and behaviors they will need to confidently lead themselves and others as they advance within their organizations.
Financial assistance to qualified candidates.
Apply now, program begins on March 7, 2022.
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100 Merrimack Street, Suite 202
Lowell, MA 01852
PHONE 978-970-1600
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