 |
A Message from the President and CEO |
Greetings!
Why is the pursuit of truth too often so elusive? Fundamentally, it’s very simple. Truth is the quality or state of being true; that which is true or in accordance with fact or reality. Truth is based on factual evidence, research and reason.
Yet, these days, the fundamental simplicity of truth gets distorted when fact is confused with opinion, and opinion is confused with fact. Moreover, so many of the digital platforms and social media outlets intentionally mix the two to mislead and advance their cause – whatever that may be – at the expense of the truth.
So we all need to hit the reset button in our brains and stop and listen. We must think openly and genuinely to determine the accuracy and authenticity of all the information we are bombarded with on a daily basis. I always like to examine both sides of an issue to understand different perspectives better. I do some research to separate the wheat from the chaff and ultimately conclude that I know it is honest and justified. Sometimes that process is straightforward (and inconsequential), sometimes it’s not. But it’s always worth the while.
Be safe, be well
|
Jay Linnehan
GLCF President + CEO
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
VOTE for GLCF!
MillTown Plumbing's Helping Hands is a community give-back program and GLCF is a January Nominee. Please support us and vote: http://bit.ly/3hVYht5
|
|
Greater Lowell Community Foundation awarded $829K for COVID-19 relief work |
Over the next few months, the Greater Lowell Community Foundation (GLCF) will distribute $829,983 to nonprofit organizations serving Lowell to alleviate hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic and address: emergency food, housing support, medical interpretation, educational program support, as well as youth program support.
This new round of COVID-19 funding is made possible by the Baker-Polito Administration’s $10 million Community Foundations Grant Program for COVID-19 Relief. The program, administered by the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development and the Department of Housing and Community Development through community foundations across the state, was announced in late November.
“GLCF is honored to partner with the Commonwealth to continue to address critical COVID-related needs in Lowell,” said GLCF president & CEO Jay Linnehan. “GLCF is developing a grantmaking plan to ensure that aid gets out to those who need it quickly and effectively.”
|
|
Partnering to Meet the Social and Emotional Needs of Greater Lowell During COVID |
A dozen local nonprofits, from organizations that provide essential supplies to individuals in need to those who serve the hungry, have been announced as the recipients of the Greater Lowell Community Foundation’s most recent round of COVID-19 response grants. The Greater Lowell Community Foundation (GLCF) announced that it granted an additional $55,000 in emergency grant funds from the GLCF COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund.
“It has been eye-opening to see how COVID-19 has compounded the profound inequities in Greater Lowell. Local nonprofits are stretched beyond capacity to provide services to vulnerable populations due to growing needs,” said GLCF president & CEO Jay Linnehan. “There has never been a more critical time for our community to work together on solutions to address long-term challenges, and we are incredibly grateful to our donors who have continued to step up to offer support.”
In total, the community foundation awarded $55,125 to 12 organizations serving Greater Lowell. The GLCF COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund awards were the 11th round of grants disbursed by the community foundation this year. Since March, through grants from the GLCF COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund and the Massachusetts COVID Relief Fund, the foundation has supported more than 100 local nonprofit organizations with grants totaling over $2.9 million.
|
|
Photo: Strongwater Farm Therapeutic Equestrian Center in Tewksbury, was a recent recipient of a GLCF COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund grant to purchase a horse trailer, the nonprofit plans to take its popular equine activities and therapies on the road. A hospice patient works with Peaches, the therapy pony and instructor Kassandra. |
|
GLCF awards additional $55K in COVID-19 response grants in latest round |
A dozen local nonprofits, from organizations that provide essential supplies to individuals in need to those who serve the hungry, have been announced as the recipients of the Greater Lowell Community Foundation’s most recent round of COVID-19 response grants. The Greater Lowell Community Foundation (GLCF) announced that it granted an additional $55,000 in emergency grant funds from the GLCF COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund.
“It has been eye-opening to see how COVID-19 has compounded the profound inequities in Greater Lowell. Local nonprofits are stretched beyond capacity to provide services to vulnerable populations due to growing needs,” said GLCF president & CEO Jay Linnehan. “There has never been a more critical time for our community to work together on solutions to address long-term challenges, and we are incredibly grateful to our donors who have continued to step up to offer support.”
In total, the community foundation awarded $55,125 to 12 organizations serving Greater Lowell. The GLCF COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund awards were the 11th round of grants disbursed by the community foundation this year. Since March, through grants from the GLCF COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund and the Massachusetts COVID Relief Fund, the foundation has supported more than 100 local nonprofit organizations with grants totaling over $2.9 million.
|
|
Photo: CTI YouthBuild of Greater Lowell students help unload a donation of diapers at Lowell Alliance’s Diaper Bank, a recent GLCF COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund grant recipient. |
|
GLCF has a New Donor Portal
The team at the Greater Lowell Community Foundation has been working hard to implement this new technology to improve the experience for you, our Donors.
|
|
|
|
EVENT: Activism in Art Redefining “Classical” Music
-
Wednesday, March 3, 2021 from 4 - 6 pm
Classical music has traditionally been a white-male dominated medium, and arguably the slowest musical style to adapt to society’s ever-growing diversity.
In this panel, four luminaries of the contemporary classical music scene, will share their experiences, their ideas, and the work they do towards making classical music relevant again as a channel for racial and gender equality.
|
|
Lowell Five employees were honored to recognize Hidden Battles Foundation, a component fund of the Greater Lowell Community Foundation, as their second-quarter recipient.
Hidden Battles plans to use the $7,440 donation to fund additional therapy programs to help those on the frontlines of the pandemic.
|
|
|
|
|
February Podcast Party -
Self and Moments with Zoe Lynch
The February Happy Hour event will be like a book club, but with podcasts. Listen to the list of podcast episodes around a central theme and reflect on the discussion prompts. On the day of the event, we will come together to learn and discuss as a group! BYOB!
Wed, February 10, 2021
6:30 PM – 8:00 PM EST
|
|
GLCF COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund |
|
- Nonprofit Partner Highlight - |
|
|
|
Billerica Community Pantry
Addressing Food Insecurity in Billerica
|
Thanks to the 2020 GLCF COVID-19 Emergency Response Grants Program created by the Greater Lowell Community Foundation, Billerica Community Pantry can continue to provide their clients with the nutrition they need and keep them from having to choose between purchasing food or medication that they may need. Billerica Food Pantry had a successful month in November, serving 299 families and providing them with food items that make for healthy and nutritious meals. |
|
|
|
For the latest info on the GLCF COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund, see the Fund webpage.
|
|
Greater Lowell Development Group
The Greater Lowell Development Group is a volunteer-coordinated group of fundraisers, including executive staff. GLDC meets monthly for professional development through peer learning and to explore ways to collaborate as we all serve the Greater Lowell community. GLDC typically meets on the third or fourth Wednesday of each month from 11 am - 12 noon. Please join the GLDG mailing list!
|
|
MA Community Foundations Partnership - Nonprofit Strong Series
With input from the nonprofit community, the partnership will produce a series of technical assistance and capacity building programs. Virtual programs will address topics such as strategic planning, fundraising, financial management, and racial justice and diversity, equity, and inclusion work. Learn more - https://bit.ly/2KDj0Wo
|
|
Greater Lowell Chamber's Community Calendar
|
|
2021 LHS Scholarships -
Application is now OPEN
|
|
If you have an interest in establishing a scholarship or to sign-up as a volunteer, please contact Fatima Palermo, Scholarship Coordinator at fatima@glcfoundation.org.
|
|
LHS Honors Night Scholarship Application Details
OPENING DATE-The 2021 Honors Night Scholarship application will open to eligible LHS students on Friday, Jan. 15, 2021. The online application portal will be available in students' Naviance accounts after this meeting.
To be eligible to apply, seniors must have a minimum of a 2.5 gpa, attended LHS during their junior year and plan to further their education after high school.
HONORS NIGHT SCHOLARSHIP DEADLINE: FRIDAY, FEB. 5, 4:00PM.
If you have questions about the Honors Night Scholarship Program, please contact Karyn Cassidy.
*Please note dates may be impacted by COVID and subject to change
To apply, visit:
|
|
|
|
|
|
100 Merrimack Street, Suite 202
Lowell, MA 01852
PHONE 978-970-1600
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
