Chelmsford, MA – The Chelmsford Center for the Arts (CCA) was filled with laughter and goodwill on Saturday, January 25 as “A Night of Comedy” brought together top-notch comedians and generous supporters to benefit the Greater Lowell Community Foundation’s Chelmsford Community Fund. The event raised an impressive $8,300 with all proceeds directed toward local community initiatives that improve the quality of life in Chelmsford.
The evening featured a stellar lineup of local comedians, including:
Steve Sweeney, who brought his signature wit and charm to the stage, with credits like Back to School, Me, Myself & Irene, and appearances on The Late Show with David Letterman.
Paul Gilligan, a well-known comedian on NESN’s Dirty Water TV and Charlie Moore Outdoors, who has shared the stage with some of the biggest names in comedy.
Paul Nardizzi, whose performances on Late Night with Conan O’Brien and Evening at the Improv kept the audience in stitches.
“We’re thrilled to have raised over $8,000 for the Chelmsford Community Fund,” said Jay Linnehan, GLCF’s president and CEO. “The event was not only a night of great comedy but also a powerful reminder of what our community can achieve when we come together to support local causes.”
The success of the event was made possible thanks to the generosity of sponsors, who are instrumental in supporting both the event and the ongoing work of the Chelmsford Community Fund. The following sponsors were recognized for their outstanding contributions:
Platinum Sponsors: John and Linda Chemaly; Jack and Terry O’Connor; John and Elaine Thibault
Gold Sponsors: Chelmsford Police Athletic League; Four Oaks Country Club; Pridestar Trinity EMS
“We are so grateful to our sponsors and attendees who made this event a success,” said John Chemaly, Chelmsford Community Fund steering committee. “The funds raised will go a long way in supporting nonprofits and community initiatives that make Chelmsford a better place for everyone.”
Established in 2018, the Chelmsford Community Fund raises resources to grant exclusively to Chelmsford-based nonprofits and organizations serving people in our town. Grants are focused on alleviating the effects of poverty, battling addiction, reducing hunger and homelessness, and providing kids with access to healthy after-school activities. For more information on the Chelmsford Community Fund and the Greater Lowell Community Foundation, please visit www.glcfoundation.org.
About the 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 $70 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.
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Caption: On January 25, GLCF hosted a Night of Comedy to benefit the Chelmsford Community Fund. Pictured from left: Comedians Paul Gilligan and Paul Nardizzi with GLCF president and CEO Jay Linnehan, Chelmsford Community Fund’s John Chemaly with emcee Gary Leavitt.
/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Logo.png00glcf/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Logo.pngglcf2025-02-04 08:12:452025-02-04 08:12:46A Night of Comedy Raises $8,300 for the Chelmsford Community Fund
REPORTS TO: VP for Marketing, Programs and Strategy
LOCATION: Hybrid Role (with GLCF office in Lowell, MA) STATUS: Full Time
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Grants Coordinator The Grants Coordinator reports to the VP for Marketing, Programs and Strategy and is responsible for the general administration of multiple Community Foundation grant programs, including annual grant cycles and responsive grant opportunities.
DUTIES:
Coordinates grant-making cycles through development and oversite of program timelines.
Serves as the Foundation’s working contact with grantees.
Maintains relationships with grantees, nonprofit applicants, volunteer committee members and funding partners.
Conducts due diligence on grant applicants.
Maintains grant-making cycles through the administration of software programs, in this case Foundant’s GLM.
Maintains and updates annual grant cycle materials: including Request for Proposals, Application, Scoring Rubric, agreements/declinations, and Reporting.
Verifies accuracy or proposals/requests including supporting documentation, nonprofit status, and general eligibility.
Oversees the assigning of application packages to reviewers.
Manages grants review committees including recruitment of members, training and awarding of funds.
Leads training of selection committees and general grant information sessions for the nonprofit community.
Maintains and updates scoring rubrics and scoring tasks for grant cycles.
Supports grant reviewers with technical requests.
Serves as a resource and informs grant committees about nonprofit impact and programming in the community as relevant to funding requests.
Coordinates final grant selection meetings.
Works with GLCF team to provide necessary document support (agreements) for grants to be batched and paid in a timely manner.
Monitors status of funding requests reporting.
Verifies proper documentation is received from awardees before distributing grant awards.
Generates grant award letters, grant agreements, and declinations and other applicant communications.
Assists with the promotion of grant opportunities throughout the community.
Coordinates reports and data as needed for the Program Sub-Committee of the Board of Directors.
Maintains current list of grant recipients.
Support of GLCF Events.
Perform other duties as requested.
JOB SKILLS/QUALIFICATIONS:
Experience:
Two to five years minimum experience in the field.
Strong project management or program management skills.
Ability to manage multiple deadlines, schedules, and programs independently.
Experience in foundations, nonprofits, or the private sector, highly desirable.
Experience working with volunteer committees.
Demonstrated strategic, analytical, and project management skills.
Proficiency in grants management software (GLCF uses Foundant GLM).
Experience with grant applications, assessing project viability, performance measurement, and reviewing financial reports would be an asset.
Skills:
Strong organizational and project management skills that reflect ability to perform and prioritize multiple tasks seamlessly with excellent attention to detail.
Ability to work effectively independently and as a highly resourceful team player under pressure and within deadlines.
Creative and innovative thinker, who actively presents new opportunities, proposes solutions, and recommends best practices.
Ability to anticipate challenges and effectively resolve potential issues through creative problem solving. Able to solve problems and/or identify when an issue should be elevated.
Reliable, flexible team player who works well with minimal supervision, who can take initiative, has a good work ethic, and an ability to set and maintain personal boundaries.
Analytical: interested and able to seek out data to identify issues and trends, assess project viability and financial performance.
Intellectual curiosity: a desire to ask questions to learn and recommend improvements.
Adaptability: ability to be flexible and adapt to different work styles and changing environments.
Cultural competence: ability to work with diverse groups and personalities.
Proficiency in both written and verbal presentations.
Proficient with MS Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel)
Ability to quickly learn new systems and software.
Education:
Bachelor’s degree in relevant major preferred
Other:
Preference given to those who live in Greater Lowell catchment area
Valid driver’s license
BENEFITS:
Health insurance: Regular Full-time Employees are eligible for health insurance effective their first day of employment. GLCF will pay 75% of the health insurance premium costs for an individual or a family plan.
Dental Insurance: Regular Full-time Employees are eligible to purchase Dental Insurance on their own thru GLCF.
403B: Regular Full-time Employees are eligible after introductory period and up to 3% matching after one year.
Flexible Spending Account (FSA): Regular Full-time Employees are eligible to participate in a Flexible Spending Account (FSA—also known as a Section 125 Plan) after three months of employment.
Basic Life, Short-Term & Long-Term Disability: Regular Full-time Employees are eligible to participate, GLCF will pay 100% up to 1x of staff members salary.
Paid Holidays: 13 holidays
Vacation Time: 15 days/year
Sick Time: 10 days/year
Personal Days: 3 days/year
SALARY:
$52,000 – $57,000 per year
TO APPLY:
Interested candidates should submit resume and cover letter via email to jennifer@glcfoundation.org by noon on April 30, 2024. No phone calls please.
Established in 1997, the Greater Lowell Community Foundation (GLCF) is a philanthropic organization comprised of more than 400 funds dedicated to improving the quality of life in 21 neighboring cities and towns. With financial assets of almost $60 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 $35 million to the Greater Lowell community.
/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Logo.png00glcf/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Logo.pngglcf2024-04-01 13:09:512024-05-01 10:32:13THIS POSITION HAS CLOSED AND IS NO LONGER ACCEPTING RESUMES – GLCF is Hiring: Grants Coordinator
Exercises to retrain injured brains, holiday flower deliveries, and free classical-music concerts are just three ways the Greater Lowell Community Foundation (GLCF) is supporting efforts to improve the health and wellness of local older adults.
Through recent grants awarded from its Leclair Elder Services Fund, GLCF has provided financial support to Clear Path for Veterans New England, Power of Flowers Project, and Groton Hill Music Center. These local nonprofit organizations have developed programs specifically geared toward improving the lives of seniors.
“Following the recent pandemic, the Foundation has been concerned about the wellness and health of our seniors,” said Jay Linnehan, GLCF President and CEO.
“During COVID, many of these folks had to endure mandated isolation in order to stay safe. However, that often resulted in a growing sense of loneliness and despair. Thanks to our Leclair Elder Services Fund, we are pleased to support three local nonprofits in bringing some hope and balance to this long-suffering population.”
An endowed discretionary fund, GLCF’s Leclair Elder Services Fund was established to support nonprofit organizations located in or servicing the elder population in the 21 communities the Foundation serves, explained Jennifer Aradhya, GLCF’s Vice President of Marketing, Programs & Strategy.
“Every year, the Foundation awards grants up to $7,000 each to organizations providing services to adults (ages 55 and up) in our local area,” said Aradhya. “This is an annual discretionary grants process and the 2024 application period for Leclair Elder Services Fund grants opens in early February.”
Neuro Fit Brain Retrain
Clear Path for Veterans New England, a 22,000-square-foot wellness and community center, is located in Devens, explained Donna Bulger, Executive Director. Founded in 2017, it offers a variety of “wrap-around services” for veterans and their families.
“Most of our clients are elderly veterans — especially since Vietnam War vets didn’t have any of these kinds of support services when they came home,” said Bulger.
Clear Path offers peer-to-peer wellness programs, all centered around small groups, so clients can develop bonds with other members of the group, she said. “This bonding is particularly important for seniors,” added Bulger, “because as we get older, it can be hard to find and make new friendships.”
Clear Path’s recent GLCF grant provided financial support for its Neuro Fit Brain Retrain program. Under the direction of Dr. Lars Landers, the program is designed for veterans with a history of combat-related traumatic brain injury (TBI), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or military sexual trauma (MST).
Veterans experiencing a variety of symptoms – including anxiety, dizziness or sleep disorders — can find relief through Neuro Fit, which maximizes brain health through brain exercises, Landers explained.
“Our brains can remodel and improve their function through a process called neuroplasticity,” he said. “Neuro Fit is designed to get the brain to recognize where it’s not able to adequately perform certain functions, or where it has lost function. We do exercises to facilitate healing of the brain, teaching it better ways to do things.”
These brain exercises can definitely make a difference, according to Landers. “Over my career, I’ve worked with patients as young as 11 and as old as 90, and I’ve seen improvement with everyone,” he said.
Power of Flowers Project
Another GLCF/Leclair grant supported Power of Flowers Project’s Special Delivery Program, which was designed to lift spirits and bring smiles to lonely elders.
A nonprofit based in Tewksbury, Power of Flowers Project takes flowers discarded after funerals or weddings – any event where flowers are left behind or tossed in the trash while still fresh – and repurposes them, explained Michelle Silveira, Executive Director.
With the help of its 175 active volunteers, these donated flowers are crafted into colorful, fragrant bouquets and delivered to residents in about 75 local nursing homes and veterans care facilities.
“Every year, we try to deliver 14,000 to 15,000 bouquets in the Merrimack Valley and southern New Hampshire area — that’s about 400 bouquets a week,” said Silveira. Power of Flowers Project estimates it has delivered approximately 155,000 bouquets since the organization was founded in 2009.
“When you think about folks in nursing homes, their families can’t always visit every day and it can get lonely,” she said. “When we bring our flowers in, it’s an unexpected treat! We get calls from family members all the time saying how much their loved ones appreciated our flowers.”
Through its Special Delivery Program, Power of Flowers Project was able to augment and customize its bouquets. “We’re limited in funds, all our flowers are donated,” Silveira explained.
“However, we wanted to buy some custom flowers and seasonal embellishments to dress up our bouquets for the various holidays, like Valentine’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day or Veterans Day. We wanted to make them more fun and festive. People really liked it,” she said.
Engagement, Enrichment & Solace Through Music
Live music can also promote mental health and wellness. With support from its GLCF/Leclair Elder Services Grant, Groton Hill Music Center now offers a trio of free music programs that cater to older adults.
Founded in Groton in 1985 (as Indian Hill Music), Groton Hill Music has grown and expanded, explained Laura Altenor, Community Engagement & Summer Program Manager. “We now offer music performances and classes all year, for all ages. We have a summer program, and also offer community-engagement programs.”
One of its most popular on-going community-engagement offerings is the Bach’s Lunch concert series. Held monthly, this series of free, daytime concerts was designed to attract local older adults – which it does, in droves. “Our Bach’s Lunch audience has grown so much over the years that we couldn’t seat everyone who wanted to attend,” said Altenor.
So, Groton Hill Music added another free daytime concert series. “This year, we started our Community Concerts, which are held in our 1,039-seat concert hall, so we can serve more people.”
Now, the Bach’s Lunch concerts focus on elders who need special accommodations, especially those from nursing homes and memory-care units, Altenor explained. “All Bach’s Lunch concerts are held in our multi-purpose rehearsal space, which is one level. It seats about 100 people, and is set up with tables and chairs. There’s plenty of room for wheelchairs and walkers.”
The larger Community Concerts are offered four times a year and are open to everyone. “Community Concerts serve local COAs and senior centers. Even children and home-schoolers attend,” said Altenor. Both concert series feature a variety of musical styles – including classical, jazz and gospel – and all feature professional musicians.
Groton Hill’s third, GLCF grant-supported program is Threshold Singers. These professional singers perform bedside singing for those in hospice care. “Small groups go out whenever they are called – day or night — to comfort patients, as a service for families,” Altenor explained. All bedside singing is free and the singers are volunteers.
“Groton Hill Music is especially engaged with our local elders,” Altenor added. “We have a large population of seniors who come to our concerts and take classes. They are an important part of our community.”
For further information about the Greater Lowell Community Foundation and its grant-funding opportunities, visit: www.glcfoundation.org.
About Greater Lowell Community Foundation — Established in 1997, the Greater Lowell Community Foundation (GLCF) is a philanthropic organization comprised of more than 400 funds dedicated to improving the quality of life in 21 neighboring cities and towns. With financial assets of almost $60 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 $35 million to the Greater Lowell community.
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/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Logo.png00glcf/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Logo.pngglcf2023-12-18 11:02:482023-12-18 14:02:44Promoting the Health and Wellness of Older Adults in Greater Lowell
At the GLCF Annual Meeting on June 7 featuring Attorney General Andrea Campbell, the Foundation announced the establishment of the Greater Lowell Community Foundation LGBTQ Fund. From l-r: GLCF’s president and CEO Jay Linnehan, GLCF’s VP of Marketing, Programs & Strategy Jennifer Aradhya, Attorney General Andrea Campbell, GLCF Board Chair Chet Szablak and Greater Lowell Community Foundation LGBTQ Fund founders Susu Wong, Tomo360 owner and her spouse, Julie Chen, Chancellor of UMass Lowell.
LOWELL, Mass. – The Greater Lowell Community Foundation (GLCF) announced at its annual meeting on June 7 that it established a new field of interest fund to support the local lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender & queer (LGBTQ) community in Greater Lowell.
While the foundation is comprised of more than 500 charitable funds dedicated to improving the quality of life in 21 neighboring cities and towns, this is the first GLCF fund specifically dedicated to nonprofits serving LGBTQ individuals.
“For more than 25 years, the Greater Lowell Community Foundation has pooled and invested charitable donations from generous donors for the benefit of the local communities we serve,” said Jay Linnehan, GLCF President and CEO. “We are proud to launch this new field of interest fund to support the LGBTQ community. It’s our hope that for years to come it will continue to grow and assist members of this often over-looked and under-served community.”
Two pioneering Asian-American women, life-partners for more than 30 years, have started this new GLCF fund as a way to give back to the local LGBTQ community. Julie Chen, Chancellor of UMass Lowell, and her spouse, marketing executive Susu Wong, donated $25,000 to start the fund.
“We have seen the great work that GLCF has done and wanted to support the foundation by opening our own fund,” explained Chen. “When we started considering what should be the focus of our fund, once we were made aware that an LGBTQ fund did not exist, we thought it was a great idea to support a group that is underserved.”
“We also wanted to plant a seed and hope others will come forward and contribute, too,” added Wong. GLCF’s board of directors unanimously voted in June to match the initial fund donation.
“Our field of interest funds encourage donor activism,” explained Jennifer Aradhya, GLCF’s Vice President of Marketing, Programs & Strategy. “Field of interest funds support specific areas of interest, such as the arts, environment or education, rather than an individual nonprofit organization. In this case, Julie and Susu wanted to focus their support on the LGBTQ community and create a fund that would serve the community in perpetuity.
“In the future, GLCF will award grants from this fund to support nonprofit organizations working to improve the quality of life for the LGBTQ community in Greater Lowell by providing legal, health, education, advocacy, or other high-demand services/program,” said Aradhya. “We work with our donors to help them increase the impact and outreach of their generosity through our variety of fund options that match their goals and interests.”
Chen and Wong are particularly focused on helping theLGBTQ community flourish in the GLCF service area, which includes Acton, Ashby, Ayer, Bedford, Billerica, Burlington, Carlisle, Chelmsford, Concord, Dracut, Dunstable, Groton, Lowell, Littleton, Pepperell, Shirley, Tewksbury, Townsend, Tyngsboro, Westford and Wilmington. “We think it’s a good thing to help the LGBTQ community in Lowell and surrounding suburbs,” said Wong. “There is not always a lot of support for our community in this geographic area.
“It’s our hope that the LGBTQ community will become more visible. Ideally, as more people recognize that our community is out there, more people within the community will feel safe about identifying as LGBTQ.”
“There can be challenges for all ages — whether it’s a youth whose family is not supportive of them coming out as LGBTQ, or a senior citizen whose kids are not supportive,” added Chen. “Susu and I know how important it is to have an inclusive support network for the LGBTQ community.
“We didn’t want to prescribe too strictly how the fund could be used,” Chen stressed. “We’re open to innovative new ideas and can’t wait to see what comes.”
The Wilmington couple is active in academic, business and LGBTQ circles. Wong is CEO and founder of Tomo360, a marketing agency, which is a state-certified LGBT Business Enterprise. She helped launch the Massachusetts LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce, and is on the board of OUTbio Boston, the biotech industry’s largest LGBTQ professionals group. She is also co-founder of Women Accelerators, a grassroots organization that helps women advance their careers.
Chen is the UMass system’s first LGBTQ chancellor. A mechanical engineer who earned Ph.D., master’s and bachelor’s degrees from MIT, she is a recognized leader in research, STEM and economic development. Appointed UMass Lowell’s fourth chancellor in 2022, Chen previously served as UML’s vice chancellor for research & economic development. She joined the UML faculty in 1997; has been an advocate for diversity, equity and inclusion at the university; and has led efforts to support and elevate female faculty in STEM disciplines.
Chen and Wong — who were married in 2006 — have been open about their committed relationship for years. However, Chen’s new position as UML chancellor has put them in a brighter spotlight. “We were out before,” said Chen, “but not as out, I guess. The difference is now people know about me being LGBTQ before they know me.
“However, I think it’s important for people to see there are so many different types of identity that make up a person — and a leader,” she said.
Chen is especially energized by the opportunity to influence future generations. “When I talk with students, they are excited to know the head of their university is a woman, and that there is an LGBTQ person in this role. They have told me it gives them inspiration.”
Wong is also keeping an eye on the future. “One reason we have set up this fund is because we know if we’re not active and supportive of our rights, things can go backwards again,” she said.
“Over the years, we have gained a lot of rights. But if we get complacent, we can lose ground. You have to stay vigilant,” said Wong. “Julie and I will help jumpstart this fund. This GLCF fund is a good opportunity for other people to jump in and donate to help promote positive change in our communities. After all, it takes a community to build the momentum.”
Established in 1997, the Greater Lowell Community Foundation (GLCF) is a philanthropic organization comprised of more than 500 funds dedicated to improving the quality of life in 21 neighboring cities and towns. With financial assets of almost $60 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 $35 million to the Greater Lowell community.
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/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Logo.png00glcf/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Logo.pngglcf2023-06-08 13:15:202023-06-08 13:24:16GLCF Announces New Fund to Support the LGBTQ Community at Annual Meeting
In 2023, GLCF established a new field of interest fund to support the local lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender & queer (LGBTQ) community in Greater Lowell. Two pioneering Asian-American women, life-partners for more than 30 years, have started this new GLCF fund as a way to give back to the local LGBTQ community. Julie Chen, Chancellor of UMass Lowell, and her spouse, marketing executive Susu Wong, donated $25,000 to start the fund.
/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Logo.png00glcf/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Logo.pngglcf2023-06-01 07:57:282023-06-01 07:57:29GLCF LGBTQ Fund
Created to advance racial justice and equity building in Greater Lowell. The Foundation strongly believes that addressing racial disparities is the first essential step towards our mission of building a more fair and just community for everyone.
/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Logo.png00glcf/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Logo.pngglcf2023-05-19 14:11:442023-05-19 14:13:28Racial Equity Action Fund
/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Logo.png00glcf/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Logo.pngglcf2023-05-19 13:57:142023-05-23 12:41:05Geraldine “Geri ” DiGiacomo Memorial Women’s City Scholarship Fund
/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Logo.png00glcf/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Logo.pngglcf2023-01-23 10:05:452023-01-23 10:05:46Moses Greeley Parker Memorial Library Fund
