GLCF awards $56K in additional grants to Greater Lowell nonprofits

From left to right, GLCF’s President and CEO Jay Linnehan, Open Pantry of Greater Lowell Executive Director Maureen Peirce and GLCF’s Jennifer Aradhya, VP of Marketing, Programs and Strategy, at Open Pantry of Greater Lowell. The pantry received a GLCF Community Needs Fund grant to address food insecurity in Greater Lowell

LOWELL – The Greater Lowell Community Foundation (GLCF) announced it deployed a new round of COVID-19 related grants, providing an additional $56,650 to 15 nonprofits in Greater Lowell serving vulnerable populations. These grants were part of the latest round of distributions from the GLCF’s COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund and Community Needs Fund.

“Greater Lowell nonprofits have demonstrated remarkable creativity and resiliency throughout the pandemic,” said GLCF president & CEO Jay Linnehan. “Through the generosity of our donors, we continue to support nonprofit programs that are so vital to our community through this latest round of funding.”

The 6 nonprofits receiving grants in the latest round of the GLCF COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund to address needs are:

  • $10,000 to The Phoenix for Community Recovery Support Program in Lowell
  • $10,000 to Budget Buddies for BB Signature Financial Empowerment Program
  • $10,000 to Troubled Waters (Lowell) for Avoiding Isolation during COVID
  • $6,900 to Dwelling House of Hope for Family Hygiene Day (PPE) And COVID-19 Educational
  • $10,000 to Whistler House Museum of Art (Lowell) for COVID Safe Support
  • $1,750 to Leaving the Streets for Holiday Assistance Food Baskets Program
The Phoenix, a recipient of a recent GLCF grant, gather for Recovery Dharma Meditation with staff, volunteers, and team members from their Lowell chapter.

Among the grants funded was The Phoenix for Community Recovery Support Program in Lowell. “We know that community support and meaningful relationships are key factors in helping folks thrive in recovery,” said Sydney Durand, Regional Director, The Phoenix. “While the isolation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated an already devastating addiction and mental health crisis, The Phoenix was able to adapt programs to ensure that many more individuals and families affected by addiction could access a safe, sober network. The Phoenix is so grateful to the Greater Lowell Community Foundation for its support and continued partnership to keep the community connected to free recovery support.”

Since March of 2019, through grants from the GLCF COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund and the Massachusetts COVID Relief Fund, the foundation has supported more than 130 local nonprofit organizations with grants totaling over $4.9 million. 

From left to right, Westford Food Pantry’s president Tim Baker with GLCF’s Grants and Advancement Coordinator Sharon Kim, GLCF Board Member Andrew Macey and GLCF President + CEO Jay Linnehan at the Westford Food Pantry, a recent recipient of a GLCF Community Needs Fund grant to address food insecurity in Greater Lowell.

The 9 nonprofits receiving $1,000 grants from the GLCF Community Needs Fund to support Thanksgiving food insecurity initiatives for vulnerable populations in Greater Lowell are:

  • Billerica Community Pantry, Inc.
  • Chelmsford Community Exchange
  • Elliott Church (Lowell)
  • End 68 Hours of Hunger/Dracut
  • Open Pantry of Greater Lowell
  • People Helping People, Inc. (Burlington)
  • Pepperell Aid from Community to Home (PACH Outreach)
  • Stone Soup Kitchen – Living Water Fellowship (Ayer)
  • Westford Food Pantry

About Greater Lowell Community Foundation
Established in 1997, the Greater Lowell Community Foundation (GLCF) is a philanthropic organization comprised of more than 390 funds dedicated to improving the quality of life in 21 neighboring cities and towns. With financial assets of more than $55 million, GLCF annually awards grants and scholarships to hundreds of worthy nonprofits and students. It is powered by the winning combination of donor-directed giving, personal attention from Foundation staff, and an in-depth understanding of local needs. The generosity of our donors has enabled the Community Foundation to award more than $25 million to the Greater Lowell community. 

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