May 2023

Friends,

Spring is the time of our annual meeting, which celebrates both the last calendar/fiscal year of Foundation activities and the start and end of a board of directors’ year. I want to start this letter by thanking our four outgoing directors: Jack Foley, Nadia McGourthy, Linda Looft, and Chris Collins (Chair).

Martin Luther King Jr. once commented that it is easy to lead when things are going well but the true measure of a person is how they lead when things are difficult. The Foundation has had some “interesting” times of late and the entire board and particularly these four gave of their time and wisdom to help us successfully navigate to not just a better place, but a great place. They are truly leaders. Many, many thanks.

Tim Johnstone

Interim President & CEO

GWCF Annual Meeting

On Tuesday, May 16, the Foundation hosted its Annual Meeting. Phil Buchanan, the President of the Center for Effective Philanthropy, served as the guest speaker. Both Tim Johnstone, Interim President/CEO of the Foundation, and Chris Collins, outgoing board chair, also made remarks. Thank you to all those who attend this year’s event.

Link to Annual Meeting Video

Annual Report

Link to Annual Report

Welcome New Board Members

Welcome New Corporators

Edward Augustus Jr., MA State Housing Secretary

Lisa Cohen, Health New England

James Donahue, Old Sturbridge Village

Peter Dunn, City of Worcester

Grace Elton, New England Botanical Garden at Tower Hill

Anne Fine, Seven Hills Behavioral Health

Elizabeth Hamilton, Boys & Girls Club of Worcester

Lauren Howe, EmpHowered PR

Kim Miner, Worcester Red Sox

Karen Pelletier, Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce

Scott Rossiter, Lampin Corporation (retired)

Jacob Sanders, Architectural Heritage Foundation

Naomi Sleeper, Imperial Distributors

Elizabeth Wambui, Fontaine Bros.

2023 Renaissance Winner: Dave McMahon

We are proud to announce that Dave McMahon, co-executive director of Dismas House in Worcester, has been awarded its 2023 Renaissance Award. McMahon is being recognized for his work at Dismas House, a nonprofit organization that provides housing and support services to those transitioning from prison back into society. Since 1998, he has helped build an infrastructure of support for homeless ex-offenders in greater Worcester which has included the launch of Father John Brooks House, the Dismas Family Farm, the community-wide legal support program BAR None and much more.

Learn more about the Dismas House

Leicester Savings Bank Fund Celebrates 25 Years!

The Leicester Savings Bank Fund, a town fund founded to improve the vibrancy of the Leicester Community is celebrating its 25^thanniversary of grantmaking. The fund perfectly exemplified our endowment model of philanthropy as an initial $1 million gift from the sale of Country Bank is now celebrating reaching $1 million in grants to the community while maintaining a fund balance of another $1million. To celebrate this huge milestone, the committee, chaired by local business owner and GWCF fund holder Paul Fontaine threw a celebration at the Castle Cantina with previous grantees and community leaders. We were honored to be part of the celebration as well.

^{Scholarship Awardee Announcements Coming Soon!}

Thanks to the hard work of our Volunteers, Scholarship Awardees have been selected and will be announced soon! Stay Tuned for more.

Grant News and Announcements:

Community Grants:

Operating Support Grant Cycle Now Open:

The Foundation is accepting applications for our annual unrestricted operating support grant cycle through August 11. We seek to support strong nonprofit organizations with missions highly aligned to one of our four strategic focus areas. We encourage all prospective applicants to review our website for updates and changes to this grant program and to be in touch with a member of the program team with any questions.

Project Support Grants:

Project Support Grant Cycle Closing June 16.

Organizations with discrete projects and programs with outcomes highly aligned to one of our four strategic focus areas are encouraged to submit a Letter of Interest for our Community Grant: Project support grant cycle. This grant cycle has undergone significant updates from 2022 and all interested applicants should review our website for guidance and be in touch with a member of the program team with any questions.

To learn more about Community Grants for Project Support, click here.

To learn more about Community Grants for Operating Support, click here.

For more information on GWCF grant opportunities, click here

Stay tuned for what's to come at the Foundation, from upcoming grant opportunities to workshops, and more. Together, we are building a stronger, more equitable Central Massachusetts.

Thank you to our GWCF Corporate Sponsor:

Connect with the Foundation on social media!

Greater Worcester Community Foundation

508-755-0980 | donorservices@greaterworcester.org | greaterworcester.org