Lowell, MA – The Greater Lowell Community Foundation (GLCF) is honored to announce the establishment of the JUMP START Scholarship Fund by the Aldrich Family Foundation in conjunction with Project Kompass, a nonprofit based in North Chelmsford. This scholarship provides funding to students who have had some challenges in their lives and who desire a brighter future by continuing their education through an accredited vocational training program, community college, or four-year college/university. The bi-annual scholarship provides $2,500 scholarships to students who are aged 18+ from Lowell or Lawrence (and surrounding communities.)
“Sometimes it takes a little support and encouragement to achieve one’s goals in life,” said David Aldrich, Trustee, Aldrich Family Foundation. “Towards that end, the JUMP START Scholarship fund is designed to provide financial resources to those individuals who may have experienced adversities in their lives and wish to pursue a dream through education and training. Our scholarships are open to vocational and/or technical training programs in addition to community colleges and universities.”
“By giving students the resources they need, donors are giving them more control of their situation, goals, and their entire future,” said Jennifer Aradhya, GLCF’s Vice President of Marketing, Programs & Strategy. “The JUMP START scholarship is unique in that past academic excellence is not a requirement. Rather, the focus is on potential and passion. I commend the Aldrich Family Foundation for providing this opportunity and managing the selection process. GLCF is proud to partner and manage their fund and distributions.”
Donations to any fund at the Greater Lowell Community Foundation, including the JUMP START Scholarship Fund, can be made online at www.glcfoundation.org/donate or by mail to the JUMP START Scholarship Fund c/o GLCF, 100 Merrimack Street, Suite 202, Lowell, MA 01852.
The JUMP START Scholarship application for fall opens October 2. For more information on this scholarship, please contact Dave Aldrich by email: Dave.aldrich98@gmail.com.
Scholarships play a significant role in helping GLCF achieve its mission to improve the quality of life for the Greater Lowell community. For more information, call 978-970-1600 to learn how the community foundation can help a donor establish a scholarship fund.
For more information on the Greater Lowell Community Foundation please 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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PHOTOCAPTION: Greater Lowell Community Foundation announces the establishment of the JUMP START Scholarship Fund by the Aldrich Family Foundation.
/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Logo.png00glcf/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Logo.pngglcf2023-09-12 15:16:072023-09-12 15:16:08Greater Lowell Community Foundation Announces New Jump Start Scholarship
LOWELL, MASS. – On Wednesday, October 25, 2023, the Greater Lowell Community Foundation (GLCF) will host its annual Celebrate Giving at UTEC in Lowell, Mass. The event will focus on Creating an Inclusive Cultural Economy and will highlight our related work in the community, including Mosaic Lowell, a fiscally sponsored program of GLCF and other creative partners.
This year’s event will feature a keynote by Michael J. Bobbitt, Executive Director, Mass Cultural Council. Michael J. Bobbitt is a theater director, choreographer, and playwright who has dedicated his professional career to arts leadership. He joined Mass Cultural Council as Executive Director in February 2021, and is the highest-ranking cultural official in Massachusetts state government. Upon joining the Agency, he was invited to serve on the Board of Directors for the New England Foundation for the Arts (NEFA) and the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies’ (NASAA). As Executive Director Michael has led Mass Cultural Council through the development of its first-ever Racial Equity Plan; worked with staff, Council Members, and cultural sector advocates to secure and distribute a historic $60.1M in state pandemic relief funding; and overseen the drafting and adoption of the Agency’s FY24-FY26 strategic plan.
“This year’s Celebrate Giving will highlight creating an inclusive cultural economy and explore how using collective influence, voice, and support can move the progress forward,” said Jay Linnehan, Greater Lowell Community Foundation President and CEO. “We believe that philanthropy is something everyone can and should engage in, as fundamentally, philanthropy is about civic engagement – there are so many ways to get involved.”
Celebrate Giving reception will begin at 5:00 p.m. and the program will begin at 6 p.m. Tickets are $100 each and need to be reserved by October 18 at www.glcfoundation.org.Sponsorships are available.
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 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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Caption: GLCF Celebrate Giving 2023 will focus on creating an inclusive cultural economy in Greater Lowell with keynote Michael J. Bobbitt, Executive Director, Mass Cultural Council.
Photo credit: Johnny BTS Design Studio
/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Logo.png00glcf/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Logo.pngglcf2023-08-28 09:48:392023-08-31 14:47:17GLCF to Host Annual Celebrate Giving Event with Focus on Creating an Inclusive Cultural Economy
Lowell, Mass. – The Women Working Wonders (WWW) Fund, a permanently endowed fund of the Greater Lowell Community Foundation, has announced the recipients of $60,000 in grants to support local nonprofit programs that empower women and girls in the community.
“Women Working Wonders is proud to support these six outstanding organizations in their work to effect positive change in the lives of women and girls in Greater Lowell,” said Marcia Cassidy, Women Working Wonders board president. “Every year the need grows for funding of programs to support women and girls, and every year Women Working Wonders answers that call.”
Recipients of the 2023 WWW grants (each for $10,000):
Boys & Girls Club of Greater Lowell for “Within Reach” to empower the girls served at Boys & Girls Club of Greater Lowell to develop aspirational goals
Challenge Unlimited for Equine Assisted Therapeutic Programs for Female First Responders
Community Teamwork for Financial Foundations for Women
Greater Lowell Health Alliance for It Takes a Village: The Breastfeeding-Friendly Communities Project
International Institute of New England for IINE-Lowell Family Literacy Class – English and Empowerment for Refugee Women
Mill City Grows for Merrimack Valley Growers’ Aid to provide access to land, training, and technical assistance to growers who identify as women
Women Working Wonders, an all-volunteer group of women dedicated to effecting positive change, provides annual grants in three key areas: assisting women in transition, providing leadership development in girls and women, and/or contributing to the beautification of the environment to benefit women and girls. Founded in 2004 by a small group of women coming together to form a collective giving organization that focused on women’s issues, the fund has made more than $370,000 in grants to organizations supporting women and girls in the Greater Lowell area.
One of the 2023 grant recipients, Mill City Grows, received funding for their Merrimack Valley Growers’ Aid project. This program will provide access to land, training, and technical assistance to 12 growers who identify as women.
“To ensure that people have food to eat, we need to make sure that farmers have land and tools to grow that food. We are excited to provide training, support, and land access to BIPOC women farmers who are providing food for our community,” said Jessica Wilson, executive director, Mill City Grows.
The Women Working Wonders Fund’s Power of the Purse 2023 event, which raises funds to support the annual grants, is scheduled for October 19. For information about WWW Fund and the upcoming event, visit www.womenworkingwondersfund.com.
About Greater Lowell Community Foundation
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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Caption: Mill City Grows received a $10,000 Women Working Wonders Fund grant for their Merrimack Valley Growers’ Aid. This program will provide access to land, training, and technical assistance to 12 growers who identify as women. Taking a break from constructing a high tunnel for winter growing for local farmers. An example of technical assistance provided through the Merrimack Valley Growers Aid Program. From left to right, K Cardenas, Seona Ban Ngufor, Gabriella Batista, Grace McKay, Randy Violette, and Brian Mariano.
/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Logo.png00glcf/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Logo.pngglcf2023-08-15 15:12:122023-08-15 15:15:47GLCF’s Women Working Wonders (WWW) Fund Awards Six Grants Totaling $60,000
LOWELL, Mass. – The Greater Lowell Community Foundation (GLCF) is promoting inter-generational communication and showcasing the shared experience of Lowell’s Cambodian community through the foundation’s Racial Equity and Inclusion Grants awarded to local nonprofits.
Two arts organizations — The Cambodian American Literary Arts Association (CALAA), and Merrimack Repertory Theatre (MRT) – received grants in 2021 and 2022 to support literary and theater workshops, and community dialogues. All events were designed to lift Cambodian voices and showcase Khmer artists to the wider community.
“For the past three years, GLCF has focused on racial equity and inclusion in our grantmaking,” said GLCF President and CEO Jay Linnehan. “These grants collectively work toward creating a better quality of life for all residents, and support local nonprofits providing essential programs and services.”
Thanks to its 2021 GLCF grant, the Cambodian American Literary Arts Association was able to host a series of six workshops and one community dialogue. “CALAA was born from wanting to highlight Cambodian writers — both emerging and established writers,” explained Sanary Phen, a past CALAA president and local writer.
All six workshops were led by local artists and writers and covered such topics as “What Does Being Khmer Mean to You?” and “Peeling Back the Layers of Our Identity.”
The community dialogue, titled “Racism, Anti-Blackness and Colorism in the Khmer Community,” featured a panel of community leaders. All the gatherings were designed to engage participants in envisioning what an inclusive community might look like to them.
MRT’s 2022 GLCF grant supported a week-long workshop of the first full production of Cambodian American playwright/actor Kalean Ung’s “Letters From Home.” The autobiographical one-woman play, starring Ung, was staged last January and February at MRT.
“Our grant was connected to amplifying Khmer writers and voices, and centered around ‘Letters From Home,’ ” explained Courtney Sale, MRT’s Nancy L. Donahue Executive Artistic Director. “It allowed us to do thoughtful and robust community engagement around the show, so audiences had ways to better connect with the play.”
In addition to hosting an April 2022 gathering where the playwright spoke with community leaders, MRT brought the play’s creative team (Ung, director Marina McClure, lighting and set designers, etc.) to Lowell to plan the production. And after “Letters From Home” opened in early 2023, three Talk-Back Sessions were held following the shows. These gatherings allowed the multi-generational audiences to communicate directly with Ung (and each other) about what they had just seen on stage.
MRT also engaged with Lowell High School students in November 2022. Ung and Khmer teaching artist Princess Moon led a week-long workshop with students in LHS English teacher Kendra Bauer’s “Race in Literature” class.
“Because the play is an autobiographical piece, first Kalean and Princess shared content about the play,” explained Sale. “Then the students explored how they might write their own stories and wrote letters to themselves. Those letters were displayed in the theater lobby during the run of the play.”
According to Sale, all these interactions with the local community provided multiple “touch points” and deepened the experience for “Letters From Home” audiences.
“It’s our hope, for example, that when those students saw the play, they thought, ‘Hey, I saw who wrote this play in my class. And there’s my letter in the lobby,’ ” said Sale. “We want them to realize they can have ownership, and that it’s their theater too.”
CALAA also wanted to connect more deeply with the local community through its grant-supported gatherings, said Phen.
“In addition to supporting Cambodian writers, CALAA is building an archive of the Khmer experience,” she explained. “A lot of deep inter-generational discussions happened in our workshops and the community dialogue.”
Members of her parents’ generation endured the trauma of fleeing for their lives when the brutal Khmer Rouge took over Cambodia in the mid-1970s, according to Phen. Many Cambodian refugees lost loved ones and lived for years in camps in Thailand. By the time they were able to come to the U.S. – many settling in Lowell — they had lost just about everything, she said.
“A lot of younger people told us they had never heard these harrowing stories of their parents escaping Cambodia and living in the camps,” Phen said. “I think it’s painful for our parents to bring up these old traumas. They don’t want to relive it, so they never talk about it with their children.
“But if we don’t document our parents’ stories, that piece of our history will be gone forever,” she said. “It’s really important that we are building a bridge that connects these generations.”
“The Foundation has made a multi-year commitment to addressing racial equity and inclusion in Greater Lowell,” said Jennifer Aradhya, GLCF’s Vice President of Marketing, Programs & Strategy. “By investing in creating a space where members of our community are heard, seen, considered and valued, everyone will ultimately benefit.”
For further information about the Greater Lowell Community Foundation, 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 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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Photo 1: Local writer Sanary Phen, a past president of the Cambodian American Literary Arts Association, led one of six recent CALAA workshops made possible by a grant from the Greater Lowell Community Foundation.
Photo 2: In addition to hosting an April 2022 gathering where the playwright spoke with community leaders, MRT also brought the play’s creative team (Kalean Ung, director with Marina McClure, lighting and set designer) to Lowell to plan the production “Letters From Home.”
/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Logo.png00glcf/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Logo.pngglcf2023-07-13 10:02:332023-07-13 10:02:34Greater Lowell Community Foundation Grants Lift Up Cambodian Voices
Lowell, MA – The Greater Lowell Community Foundation recently awarded $321,000 in multi-year grants to six local nonprofits from the Nashoba Valley Healthcare Fund to help improve residents’ health in area communities.
Priority was given to proposals pertaining to prevention of health problems, access to healthcare, elder, youth, and adolescent health, mental health, and health care service provision. This is a competitive grant cycle and recipients of the grants were scored and selected by the Nashoba Valley Community Healthcare Fund selection committee, comprised of local leaders in business, health care, and education.
“The Nashoba Valley Healthcare Fund provides impactful grants to our community,” said Jay Linnehan, president and CEO of the Greater Lowell Community Foundation. “We greatly appreciate the hard work and diligence of the volunteer NVHC selection committee in prioritizing the health needs of residents in our local communities.”
GLCF recognizes investments to improve residents’ health takes time. “Multi-year grants allow new projects time to develop and take root, giving them a better chance of succeeding,” said Jennifer Aradhya, GLCF’s Vice President of Marketing, Programs & Strategy. “This is the first year we have done this approach and we were impressed by the caliber of the nonprofit grant proposals. We are pleased to be able to provide three years of support for their efforts across areas including food insecurity, cancer supports, veteran services, senior care and more.”
Nashoba Valley Healthcare Three-Year Grant Recipients:
Clear Path for Veterans New England for Integrative Wrap-Around Support for Nashoba Valley Veterans – $60,000
Ellie Fund for Equitable Pathways to Breast Cancer Care in the Nashoba Valley – $60,000
Gaining Ground for Sowing Seeds for Hunger Relief in the Nashoba Valley – $36,000
Habitat for Humanity North Central Massachusetts, Inc. for a Person Centric Approach to Keeping Seniors Healthy and Safe at Home in the Nashoba Valley – $60,000
North Star Family Services, Inc. for North Star Family Services, Inc. for Homeless Families in Nashoba Valley – $45,000
Virginia Thurston Healing Garden for Empowering Resilience: Enhancing Psychosocial Cancer Support Services for Nashoba Valley Residents – $60,000
Ellie Fund, headquartered in Needham, received grant funding for their “Equitable Pathways to Breast Cancer Care in the Nashoba Valley” program. “A multi-year grant will allow Ellie Fund to focus on growing our work in Nashoba Valley, not just covering the cost of patient services,” said Danna Remen, Director of Development, Ellie Fund. “A year goes by so quickly, and the relief knowing we can invest our time in process and progress rather than going back to the drawing board for funding to cover patient needs, is completely invaluable. We wish more donors were thinking this way.”
The Nashoba Valley Healthcare Fund provides multi-year distributions to nonprofit organizations, municipalities, and other agencies to advance the health of residents in 9 GLCF communities: Ashby, Ayer, Dunstable, Groton, Littleton, Pepperell, Shirley, Townsend, and Westford.
For more information on the Greater Lowell Community Foundation, please 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 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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Caption: Gaining Ground, in Concord, farmer Avery Indermauer harvests cabbage. Gaining Ground donates 100% of its harvests to people experiencing food insecurity. Three-year grant funding from the Greater Lowell Community Foundation will help fund Gaining Ground’s expansion, providing more food for Nashoba Valley residents experiencing food insecurity.
/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Logo.png00glcf/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Logo.pngglcf2023-06-22 09:27:012023-06-22 09:28:11GLCF awards $321,000 to improve residents’ health in Nashoba Valley
LOWELL, Mass. – At the Greater Lowell Community Foundation Annual Board Meeting, the Board of Directors unanimously approved the election of new board member Siddhi Shah Chhoeng, of Bedford, Head of Strategy Development, MilliporeSigma.
“I am very pleased to welcome Siddhi as the newest member of our Board,” said GLCF President and CEO Jay Linnehan. “As a Lowell High School alum and Bedford resident, Siddhi brings a wealth of knowledge about our Greater Lowell Community that will help the Foundation to be an asset for the next generation of donors who want to benefit our community.”
Siddhi Shah Chhoeng is a corporate strategist, author, and philanthropist. Siddhi brings over 15 years of achievement in the Life Science industry, holding various leadership roles at companies such as Sanofi Pasteur, Boston Scientific and Repligen. Currently, she is the Head of Strategy Development, Bioprocessing at MilliporeSigma.
Siddhi credits her professional success to the strong work ethic instilled by her immigrant parents, the help of amazing mentors, and the opportunities offered during her days as a student in Lowell’s unique, urban public school system. Thus, she holds a strong commitment to supporting and inspiring the next generation. Siddhi is LHS Class of ’98 alum, Carney Medalist and 2022 recipient of the prestigious LHS Distinguished Alumni Award. Additionally, in 2021, Siddhi published her first book “The Career Lab Formula” – a guide for recent STEM graduates as they transition into the workforce.
She holds a Bachelor’s from MIT, a Master’s from UPenn and a MBA from Simmons School of Management and currently lives in Bedford, Mass. with her husband and son.
“I am incredibly honored to be appointed to the GLGC Board,” said Siddhi Shah Chhoeng. “This organization embodies the true spirit of community. I am eager to contribute my skills and passion towards the foundation’s mission of empowering and enriching the lives of families in the greater Lowell area.”
About Greater Lowell Community Foundation
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.pngglcf2023-06-13 11:28:482023-06-13 11:28:49GLCF Elects New Board Member at Annual Meeting
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
You are hereby notified that the Annual Meeting of the Greater Lowell Community Foundation is scheduled for June 7, 2023, at 6:00 PM at the UMass Lowell Inn & Conference Center, 50 Warren Street, Lowell MA.
The Governance and Personnel Committee nominates the following individual to fill one vacancy on the Board of Directors:
Siddhi Shah Chhoeng, Bedford MA.
The Governance and Personnel Committee also nominates the following individuals for a one-year term extension on the Board of Directors:
Brian J. Stafford
John P. Chemaly
Brian Chapman
Dorothy Chen-Courtin
Karen Frederick
Glenn Mello
Susanne Beaton
Andrea Batchelder
Chet Szablak
Michael King
Patti Mason
Andrew Macey
Charles Comtois
Jay Stephens
Juan Carlos Rivera
Shiela Och
Yun-Ju Choi
Ryan Swartz
Ben James
Eric Healy
/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Logo.png00glcf/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Logo.pngglcf2023-05-26 13:10:352023-05-30 13:12:25A notice to all Members of the Greater Lowell Community Foundation.
LOWELL, Mass. – The Greater Lowell Community Foundation, a philanthropic organization comprised of over 400 funds, currently totaling over $59 million, dedicated to improving the quality of life in 21 neighboring cities and towns, announced that NETSCOUT SYSTEMS, INC., (NASDAQ: NTCT), a leading provider of cybersecurity, service assurance, and business analytics solutions, has awarded its Heart of Giving community program’s $15,000 grant program through the Greater Lowell Community Foundation to recipients Project Kompass, Women’s Money Matters and UTEC. This year’s grant focus was funding mental health and addiction support services for young adults aged 18-25.
Project Kompass, based in North Chelmsford, received the $10,000 grant. The organization works to provide safe and secure housing, life skills, parenting support, and training to young adults experiencing or at risk of homelessness. This grant award will provide funding for Project Kompass’ Youth Transitional Services: Life Coaching Program. “Project Kompass would like to thank NETSCOUT for believing in and recognizing the need to help our young adults navigate towards self-sufficiency and independent living,” said Ronnie Hoey, Project Kompass founder. “This grant award will be used for ongoing mental health support with a heavy concentration on individual life coaching to enhance and encourage personal growth, relationships, financial independence, and overall well-being.”
This annual grant partnership builds relationships between NETSCOUT and Greater Lowell nonprofit organizations and engages employees in learning about the community’s needs. The additional $5,000 in grant funding was distributed to Women’s Money Matters and UTEC.
“We are grateful for NETSCOUT’s continued commitment to supporting local nonprofits and addressing needs in our community,” said Jay Linnehan, president and CEO, Greater Lowell Community Foundation. “Connecting philanthropic businesses and individuals to the needs of their communities is at the heart of GLCF’s work. GLCF is proud to be in the 9th year of the NETSCOUT Heart of Giving Community Grant partnership.”
“We encourage our employees to build meaningful connections in our local communities through volunteer service,” said Michael Szabados, chief operating officer at NETSCOUT. “Through this grant partnership with GLCF, where we actively learn about important local issues and back that knowledge with financial support and volunteer efforts, we bring our ‘lean but not mean’ culture to life. We are pleased to support these three worthy organizations in their work to help young adults become confident, successful members of our community.”
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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Caption: Project Kompass received a recent $10,000 grant funding from NETSCOUT’s Heart of Giving community program. From l-r: NETSCOUT executive assistant Kim Hampson, Project Kompass presenters Ronnie Hoey, founder and resident Wislandie (Wiz) Wescottwith GLCF’s president and CEO Jay Linnehan at the Heart of Giving pitch presentation at NETSCOUT in Westford.
/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Logo.png00glcf/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Logo.pngglcf2023-05-25 14:00:072023-06-01 16:25:24NETSCOUT Awards $15K in Community Grants with the Greater Lowell Community Foundation
The Women Working Wonders Fund (WWWF), a permanently endowed fund of the Greater Lowell Community Foundation, requests proposals for this year’s grant cycle that opens on May 15. The Women Working Wonders Fund will award five (5) grants at $10,000 each to programs/projects that impact the lives of women and girls while advancing your organization’s mission.
WWWF provides annual grants in three key areas: assist women in transition, provide leadership development as well as contribute to the beautification of the environment. Started in 2004 by a group of 72 women who each gave $500, the WWW Fund has now grown to $1.3 million. The fund has granted more than $290,000 to nonprofits supporting women and girls in the Greater Lowell area.
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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Photo caption: A student at Refuge Lowell, a past grant recipient of a Women Working Wonders Fund grant to fund a program for girls and young women creating community through public art.
/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Logo.png00glcf/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Logo.pngglcf2023-05-17 14:07:072023-05-17 14:07:08Grant Applications sought by June 20 for Women Working Wonders Fund (WWWF)
