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A Message from the President and CEO |
Greetings!
The United States Declaration of Independence was signed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on July 4th, 1776. This weekend, we’ll celebrate our country’s independence amongst the festivities and fireworks. The United States of America is the greatest country in the world. I’m proud to be an American and call this land my home.
As we revel on the 4th of July, we mustn’t lose sight of the fact that many in this country do not share equally in its freedom. Oppression and prejudice persist. As a country, 245 years ago, we declared “that all men are created equal.” In this land of the free and home of the brave, we have the independence to treat everybody as equal.
Over this past year, the pandemic challenged our individual and collective freedoms. As I celebrate July 4th this weekend, I will do so with a much greater appreciation of my freedoms and that of my fellow men and women.
Let Freedom Ring,
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Jay Linnehan
GLCF President + CEO
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Save the Date
GLCF's Celebrate Giving 2021
Oct. 13 • UML ICC
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Annual Meeting 2021: VIDEO |
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GLCF awards $180K in additional COVID-19 Response Grants to address Youth Food Insecurity |
The Greater Lowell Community Foundation (GLCF) announced it deployed a new round of COVID-19 related grants, providing an additional $180,000 to 17 area nonprofits in Greater Lowell addressing youth food insecurity needs. These grants were part of the latest round of distributions from the Commonwealth COVID Grant Program and GLCF COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund.
GLCF connected with local nonprofits addressing barriers and needs related to youth food insecurity. In March of 2021, the Greater Lowell Community Foundation distributed a survey, via email, social media, and personalized GLCF team outreach, to organizations serving food to youths.
“Youth food insecurity is not a new community problem, but COVID-19 has exacerbated it, and our area has the third-highest increase in the nation (Feeding America, The Impact of the Coronavirus on Food Insecurity in 2020, Oct. 2020),” said GLCF president & CEO Jay Linnehan. “We listened to the community experts that know what it needs to mitigate this growing issue.”
“From the Greater Lowell youth food insecurity survey data, we were able to determine community needs and provide grants to fund short-term needs,” said Jennifer Aradhya, vice president for marketing and programs at GLCF. “Additionally, GLCF committed to funding a new Mill Market Pantry pilot that could serve as a model to address youth food insecurity at a systemic level.”
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GLCF announces new Steven Joncas Community Connector Award at Annual Meeting
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Over 150 residents, business leaders, and nonprofit professionals attended the virtual Greater Lowell Community Foundation (GLCF)’s 2021 annual meeting on June 8. GLCF announced that a new GLCF Steven Joncas Community Connector Award has been established by the foundation in honor of outgoing longtime board member’s commitment to the community.
The inaugural GLCF Steven Joncas Community Connector Award will be given at GLCF’s Celebrate Giving on October 13. The award, given to a community member nominated by individuals and organizations who had stood out in their support of the Greater Lowell community through one or more extraordinary acts during the year. The award recipient will be able to select a Greater Lowell nonprofit to receive $1000 from GLCF. Nominations for the GLCF Steven Joncas Community Connector Award will open in September.
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Greater Lowell Community Foundation Supports Women in Philanthropy |
Recognizing the important role women play in local philanthropy, the Greater Lowell Community Foundation (GLCF) manages a number of independent funds established by women who pool their resources to support their communities.
Understanding there are a variety of ways women’s groups go about awarding grants to local nonprofits, GLCF supports well-established, endowed funds, such as the 17-year-old Women Working Wonders (WWW) Fund. GLCF also welcomes up-and-coming groups, like 100+ Women Who Care Boston Metrowest, a new collaborative “giving circle” just starting its third year.
“GLCF component funds, like these two philanthropic groups, inspire and empower women to make a difference where they live,” said Jay Linnehan, GLCF’s President & CEO. “GLCF is proud to support these generous women and welcome other groups eager to learn how they can collectively make a difference.”
“As a whole, women control more than half of private wealth in the U.S.,” added Jennifer Aradhya, GLCF’s VP of Marketing & Programs. “So, it makes sense that GLCF sees growth in this area of giving. Women in Greater Lowell are leveraging their resources via strategic donations to have a greater positive impact on the community.”
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2nd annual “22 FOR THE 22” Memorial Ruck |
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On May 22nd Hidden Battles Foundation hosted the 2nd annual “22 FOR THE 22” Memorial Ruck. Hidden Battles Foundation is a nonprofit organization that strives to help preserve the healthy minds of Military / Veterans, Law Enforcement, Fire, EMS, Dispatch, and Nursing through activity-driven treatment and counseling for depression, suicidal tendencies, and PTSD.
The “22 FOR THE 22” was developed to raise awareness for the 22 veterans on average lost to suicide daily.
The event drew more than 225 participants from all over New England, including Bristol Selectmen Don Millbrand and Shaun Lagueux. It was requested, but not mandatory, that “Ruckers” carry a symbolic 22 lbs in their backpacks/rucks as they navigated the course. The event started and ended at Kathleen’s Irish Pub in downtown Bristol. Ruckers were able to choose their distance of 5k, 10k, or the complete loop of Newfound Lake, 30k.
Over 90 Ruckers completed the loop and were awarded a memorial medal. Some participants, like Massachusetts ROTC Bay State Battalion and Minutemen Battalion members, continued to complete 22 miles. More information can be found at www.HiddenBattlesFoundation.org.
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GLCF Celebrates Juneteenth with Free Soil Arts Collective |
On Saturday, June 19, 2021, Free Soil Arts Collective led the first downtown Juneteenth celebration featuring actors in the roles of self-emancipated peoples and Black activists. GLCF was proud to sponsor this important inaugural community event.
At City Hall, an actor portrayed Birdie Malbory, a woman who fought to make a more equitable city by claiming a place in the halls of power. At Lowell High School, an actor talked of what could have been if the first Black student could have become Lowell's first Black teacher. These and other stories showed that the struggle for freedom was not just delayed in Texas, but in the Spindle City, too.
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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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Strongwater Farm Therapeutic Equestrian Center |
GLCF, recognizing that due to COVID-19, many in our community may suffer from long term social/emotional effects of isolation, funded a grant for Strongwater Farm Therapeutic Equestrian Center to buy a new horse trailer. The nonprofit planned to take its popular equine activities and therapies on the road — once the pandemic began to recede.
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