Greater Lowell Community Foundation endows LGBTQ+ Fund through Brunch Fundraiser
Lowell, MA – The Greater Lowell Community Foundation (GLCF) hosted a successful LGBTQ+ Fund Brunch on Saturday, June 15, raising more than $130,000 for its endowed LGBTQ Fund through tickets, donations, and sponsorships. Over 100 attendees gathered at Cobblestones in Lowell to support this initiative to improve the quality of life for the LGBTQ community in Greater Lowell.
The brunch featured a DJ and delicious food, creating a celebratory atmosphere for this event in GLCF’s core commitment to diversity and inclusion. The event featured notable speakers, including fund cofounders Julie Chen, Chancellor of UMass Lowell, and her spouse, Susu Wong, owner of Tomo360. History UnErased founder Deb Fowler also spoke about the history of Pride Month and the importance of this endowment fund for the LGBTQ community.
“This fund is vital to not only ensure hard-fought and hard-won extensions of liberty for the LGBTQ+ community to remain secure in Greater Lowell but also to continue to advance and ensure lived equality for all,” shared History UnErased founder Deb Fowler.
In honor of PRIDE month, GLCF’s President and CEO Jay Linnehan, alongside VP Jennifer Aradhya, presented History UnErased with a $5,000 grant that will be used to partner with five schools in GLCF’s catchment area. The first grant from GLCF’s LGBTQ Fund will be awarded in Spring 2025.
“This endowed fund will support nonprofit organizations working to improve the quality of life for the LGBTQ community in Greater Lowell – forever,” said Jennifer Aradhya, GLCF’s Marketing, Programs and Strategy. “We’re thrilled to announce that GLCF will include this new grant focus area in our 2025 Discretionary Cycle next spring.”
“We were delighted to have the generosity of the Saab family that matched GLCF’s and Julie and Susu’s initial contribution. This helped us tremendously in reaching our goal,” said GLCF’s CEO and President Jay Linnehan. “The sponsorship and support of this important fund helps to ensure everyone in our community can live their lives with equity and dignity.”
The GLCF’s LGBTQ+ Fund is an endowed fund established in June 2023 to provide a source of annual funds to support nonprofit organizations working to improve the quality of life for the LGBTQ+ in Greater Lowell by providing legal, health, education, advocacy, or other high-demand services/programs.
For more information about the LGBTQ Fund or to donate, please visit: https://glcfoundation.info/3Bd8Dzn
About Greater Lowell Community Foundation –Established in 1997, the Greater Lowell Community Foundation (GLCF) is a philanthropic organization comprised of more than 450 funds dedicated to improving the quality of life in 21 neighboring cities and towns. With financial assets of nearly $65 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 $40 million to the Greater Lowell community.
###
CAPTION: Members of the Greater Lowell Community Foundation, History UnErased, the Saab Family Foundation stand together for a photo during the GLCF LGBTQ+ fund benefit brunch inside Cobblestones Restaurant in Lowell on June 15, 2024. Front row, from left: Fatima Al-Muntafik and Triana Wilson from History UnErased, UMass Lowell Chancellor Julie Chen, History UnErased founder Deb Fowler, GLCF Vice President Jennifer Aradhya, Susu Wong, Elisia Saab, Mark Saab, and Alana Saab. Back row, from left: Chris Marino and Danny Roberts from History UnErased, and GLCF President Jay Linnehan.
