GLCF awards $208K in additional COVID-19 Response Grants to address Mental Health Needs

LOWELL – The Greater Lowell Community Foundation (GLCF) announced it deployed a new round of COVID-19 related grants, providing an additional $208,750 to 13 nonprofits in Greater Lowell addressing mental health needs. These grants were part of the latest round of distributions from the GLCF COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund.

From left: Cambodian Mutual Assistance Association of Greater Lowell (CMAA) received a recent $20,000 grant for their program: Supporting Mental Health Among Cambodian Americans; Community Teamwork received a $20,000 grant to support The Rita O’Brien Dee Center for Behavioral Health and Development, team pictured at a recent dedication of the Center; Operation Delta Dog in Hollis, NH received a recent $15,000 grant to support a PTSD Veteran/Mentor Program. Pictured, Operation Delta Dog client Paul with Dobby.

Grants were determined through a competitive process with community members serving on the selection committee. GLCF solicited applications from nonprofits and local programs addressing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health in Greater Lowell.

“GLCF received more than $600K in grant requests for this cycle – the needs are enormous as the community deals with the mental health implications of COVID-19,” said GLCF president & CEO Jay Linnehan. “We are grateful to our volunteer selection committee that used their collective expertise to review many worthy applications to make some hard decisions relating to grant funding.”

The 13 nonprofits receiving grants in the latest round of the GLCF COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund to address mental health needs are:

  • Adolescent Consultation Services (Cambridge) for Direct Mental Health Services for Court-Involved Children and their Families in Lowell – $15,000 
  • Boys & Girls Club of Greater Lowell for Youth Services – $20,000 
  • Cambodian Mutual Assistance Association of Greater Lowell (CMAA) for Supporting Mental Health Among Cambodian Americans – $20,000 
  • The Center for Hope and Healing for Providing Culturally-Competent, Inclusive & Gender-Responsive Mental Health Services for BIPOC Youth – $20,000 
  • Community Teamwork, Inc. (CTI) for Community Teamwork, Inc.’s Center for Behavioral Health and Development – $20,000 
  • Health Law Advocates for Mental Health Advocacy Program for Kids in Lowell – $15,000 
  • Lowell Community Health Center for Teen BLOCK Teen Talk Program: Building Resilience among Vulnerable Lowell Youth – $20,000 
  • Lowell Council on Aging for Lowell Elder Mental Health Outreach Startup – $15,000 
  • Massachusetts Alliance of Portuguese Speakers (MAPS) for MAPS Short-Term COVID Mental Health Initiative – $15,000 
  • Operation Delta Dog (Hollis, NH) for PTSD Veteran/Mentor Program in Greater Lowell – $15,000 
  • Rise Above Foundation for Activities for Lowell Area Youth in Foster Care – $15,000 
  • Wayside Youth & Family Support Network for Creating Capacity for Allyship – $15,000 
  • Westford Council on Aging for Mindfulness for Better Health and Mental Health – $3,750

Among the 13 grants funded, Cambodian Mutual Assistance Association of Greater Lowell (CMAA) received a recent $20,000 grant for their program: Supporting Mental Health Among Cambodian Americans. “We are grateful for the grant support from GLCF,” said Vichtcha Kong, Interim Executive Director, CMAA. “Cambodian immigrants and Cambodian American residents of Greater Lowell already cope with intergenerational trauma, so the isolation, stress, and disproportionate impact of the pandemic have had a significant impact within our community. This grant will help us by connecting and providing clinical interventions to support mental health.”

The $208,750 in grant funding includes significant funding from The Klarman Family Foundation who partnered with GLCF and other community foundations across Massachusetts to meet urgent community needs. GLCF continues to target pandemic-related community needs, especially after its recent survey of Greater Lowell nonprofits revealed that 100% of organizations had seen increased mental health challenges since the COVID-19 pandemic began. Many of these grants help to address two challenges the community faces: accessing mental health services and reducing the stigma for the need for these services, explained Jennifer Aradhya, GLCF’s Vice President of Marketing, Programs & Strategy.

Additionally, Operation Delta Dog in Hollis, NH, received a recent grant to support a PTSD Veteran/Mentor Program to combat isolation from the pandemic that has affected veterans significantly. “We are extremely grateful to have funding and support of Greater Lowell Community Foundation to help us continue supporting our veterans,” said Charlotte Troddyn, Executive Director, Operation Delta Dog. “The incorporation of a veteran mentor program will truly have a lasting impact on the mental health of our veteran community.”

Timing for this grant aligned perfectly for Community Teamwork. The organization received a $20,000 grant for the Rita O’Brien Dee Center for Behavioral Health and Development. “This grant could not have come at a better time, and we are so grateful to the Greater Lowell Community Foundation. This meets a critical need and addresses a significant public health issue – children’s mental and behavioral health,” said Karen Frederick, CEO, Community Teamwork. “Now more than ever, it is essential that parents, staff, and partners in our community working directly with children have the capacity, skills, and support to foster children’s healing and posttraumatic growth. The Rita O’Brien Dee Center for Behavioral Health and Development will be a resource for CTI and providers across the community.”  

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 $4.8 million. 

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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Women Working Wonders Fund Presents Virtual Power of the Purse Plus Fundraiser

Lowell, MA – The Women Working Wonders (WWW) Fund, a permanently endowed fund of the Greater Lowell Community Foundation, will host their annual Power of the Purse Plus fundraising event as an Online Auction and Raffle from Oct. 10 to 15, 2021. This virtual Power of the Purse Plus fundraiser is where handbags and accessories take center stage.

A student at Refuge Lowell, a recipient of a 2021 Women Working Wonders Fund grant to fund a program for girls and young women creating community through public art.

“At Women Working Wonders, we know that a purse is more than a mere accessory or fashion statement. The purse is a symbol of power, of a collective philanthropic dedication to improve the lives of girls and women, and thus improve society,” said Carolyn Gregoire, Women Working Wonders Fund board president. “The Women Working Wonders Fund’s Power of the Purse Plus is key to our ability to raise funds for grants that improve the lives of girls and women in Greater Lowell.”

This year’s Power of the Purse Plus features exclusive Tory Burch and Louis Vuitton Raffles. Tory Burch raffle tickets are $20 each, or $10 each on October 10, which is National Handbag Day. Louis Vuitton raffle tickets are $50. Additionally, there will be over 65 auction items available. Participants may register to bid and purchase raffle tickets online through Bidpal (https://one.bidpal.net/wwwpurse2021).

Proceeds from the Power of the Purse Plus event support local programs that empower women and girls to effect positive change in the community. Women Working Wonders provides annual grants in three key areas: assisting women in transition, providing leadership development, and contributing to the beautification of the environment. WWW fund has distributed 51 grants totaling over $250,000 since its inception in 2004. In 2021 Women Working Wonders proudly awarded $56,800 to six Greater Lowell nonprofits.

Recipients of 2021 WWW grants: 

  • Budget Buddies: $10,000 for New Workshop for Women: Financial Health for Families with Children
  • Challenge Unlimited: $10,000 for Equine Encounter: Healing to Leadership for Girls and Women 
  • Coalition for a Better Acre: $10,000 for Sewing Training Program 
  • Girls Inc. of Greater Lowell: $10,000 for Leadership Academy
  • Refuge Lowell: $10,000 for Girls and Young Women Creating Community Through Public Art
  • International Institute of NE: $6,800 for Creating New Avenues for Success (CNAFS)

“The grant from the Women Working Wonders Fund will help to initiate an exciting new program that fosters education about public art, street art, community murals, and installations in a typically male-dominated arena,” said Nikki Giraffo, founder of Refuge Lowell. “This program will empower middle and high school girls to develop personal and conceptual content for their public art projects.”

For more information, visit womenworkingwondersfund.com or contact womenworkingwondersfund@gmail.com.

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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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Greater Lowell Community Foundation announces new Afghan Resettlement Fund

Lowell, MA – The Greater Lowell Community Foundation (GLCF) recently announced a new GLCF Afghan Resettlement Fund. Unanimously approved by the GLCF Board on Sept. 10, GLCF created this fund to support local nonprofits charged with Afghan refugee resettlements. With an influx of new refugees from Afghanistan arriving in Greater Lowell, the GLCF Afghan Resettlement Fund will support the efforts of Greater Lowell organizations to help ensure those in need are welcomed and connected with housing, employment, transportation, food, acculturation, and other related support.

“In times of humanitarian need, GLCF gives where it is most needed in the community,” said Jay Linnehan, GLCF’s President and CEO. “As Afghan refugees and evacuees arrive in the coming months, the GLCF Afghan Resettlement Fund will support area nonprofits providing critical support needed to welcome and resettle this population.”

Donations to the GLCF Afghan Resettlement Fund can be made online at www.glcfoundation.org or by mail to the GLCF Afghan Resettlement Fund c/o GLCF, 100 Merrimack Street, Suite 202, Lowell, MA 01852.

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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GLCF to Host Annual Celebrate Giving Event with Focus on Cultural Equity

On Wednesday, October 13, 2021, the Greater Lowell Community Foundation (GLCF) will host its annual Celebrate Giving event as a hybrid event, predominantly virtual, with limited in-person tickets. The event will highlight the contributions of local organizations committed to making an impact on the community through cultural equity.

San San Wong, Director of Arts & Creativity, Barr Foundation

This year’s keynote speaker is San San Wong, Director of Arts & Creativity, Barr Foundation. San San Wong directs Barr’s Arts & Creativity portfolio. She currently serves on the board of Grantmakers in the Arts, a national leadership and service organization that supports the growth of arts and culture. Prior to joining Barr in 2012, San San served as director of grants at the San Francisco Arts Commission, executive director of the National Performance Network, director of development and special initiatives at Theatre Artaud, and a performing arts producer and presenter. As an international arts consultant, her clients included the Ford Foundation, Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, New England Foundation for the Arts, and Res Artis, among many others.

The event will be emceed by Sophan Smith, executive director of E for All Lowell. Celebrate Giving will feature presentations and performances by Lowell Chamber Orchestra, Free Soil Arts Collective, and We Are America Project.

The event will also include the 2021 GLCF Business Philanthropy Partner Award presented to Western Avenue Studios and Lofts for creating an ever-evolving art hub with hundreds of studios and live workspaces. Western Avenue Studios and Lofts has helped attract innumerable artists and craftspeople to practice in Lowell. In addition, their events draw art lovers and patrons from across the region.

“Cultural equity embodies the values, policies, and practices needed to build strong and interconnected creative communities of diverse and distinct cultures,” said Jay Linnehan, Greater Lowell Community Foundation President and CEO. “This year’s Celebrate Giving will provide an opportunity to showcase creative collaboration and hopefully inspire others in our community to get involved in this important work.”

Celebrate Giving will begin at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are free but need to be reserved by October 10 online 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 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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Helping Nonprofits Clean Up and Protect Local Rivers

By Kathy Register

(L-R) A young NRWA volunteer monitors samples from James Brook in Groton;
OARS volunteer citizen scientist collects water sample in Lowell stream.

Lowell, MA – Not all that long ago there was very little wading in our local river waters. In the late 1960s, the Nashua River, which runs through north-central Massachusetts and southeastern New Hampshire, was declared one of the 10 most polluted rivers in the United States. Other regional rivers were so foul-smelling that few people wanted to be near them — much less boat, fish or swim in them.

The water quality of our local rivers and streams has greatly improved over the past 50 years, thanks to state and federal Clean Water Acts and the dedicated work of local organizations like the Nashua River Watershed Association Inc. (NRWA) and OARS. With grants from the Greater Lowell Community Foundation, these two nonprofits continue to monitor the water in nearby rivers and streams, and advocate for their clean up.

“The Nashua River used to change color depending on what color of paper the mills were making that day,” said Martha Morgan, NRWA Water Programs Director. “Locals used to say it was so full of paper pulp and other debris that squirrels could run across it.”

The Assabet, Sudbury and Concord rivers were also heavily polluted, according to Alison Field-Juma, OARS Executive Director. “These were all ‘working’ rivers,” she said. “Factory mills and other industries have been built along their shores since the gunpowder mills of the Revolutionary War.”  

In addition to industrial discharge, rivers were also plagued by “nutrient pollution,” Field-Juma explained. “They were totally green, but not in a good way. These rivers were full of rotting plants, there was sewage and a lot of algae in them, which kills fish. They gave off foul odors and people didn’t like it.”

The Nashua River Watershed Association, Inc. (founded in 1969) and OARS (established in 1986 as the Organization for the Assabet River) were formed to help clean up the rivers and restore healthy ecosystems for humans and wildlife. Providing support for that work is a Water Resources Initiative Grant Fund, part of Greater Lowell Community Foundation’s annual discretionary grant cycle.

“In 1998, with a grant from the Massachusetts Environmental Trust, the Foundation was able to create an endowed fund to protect the water resources in Greater Lowell,” said GLCF President & CEO Jay Linnehan. “The vigilance of our nonprofit partners protects our critical watersheds for future generations. We are grateful for their partnership in improving our community.”

Based in Groton and founded by environmentalists, NRWA is dedicated to cleaning up the Nashua River and its tributaries, and helps protect the land and natural resources in the Nashua River watershed. That area covers 32 communities in Massachusetts and New Hampshire.

“Our three main program areas include land, water and environmental education,” explained Morgan.  “We teach youth and adults about water resources and how to be good stewards of the watershed. We preserve the land, too, because everything that happens on land affects the river. Every time it rains, all that run-off goes into our rivers and streams.”

NRWA’s most recent GLCF-grant funded program continues monitoring river-water quality in seven Greater Lowell towns: Ashby, Ayer, Dunstable, Groton, Pepperell, Shirley and Townsend. It also targets aquatic weed control – removing water chestnut – in Pepperell and Groton.

When monitoring the river, trained NRWA volunteers take monthly water samples in designated areas. Volunteers bring their samples to NRWA headquarters, where the water is analyzed. NRWA has a Quality Assurance Plan that’s approved by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP).   

“The state does some river-water testing, but it’s limited,” explained Kath Nelson, NRWA’s Water Monitoring Coordinator. “Our monitoring program supplements MassDEP sampling, and we are able to post a River Report Card days after testing.”

The state also sprays for the invasive water chestnut in the main channel of the Nashua River in Groton and Pepperell, and NRWA conducts “hand-pulls” in the inlets and coves that don’t get sprayed. NRWA summer staff and volunteers go out in canoes and kayaks to hand-pull the water chestnut plants, which, if not properly managed, can clog the river.

“The Greater Lowell Community Foundation really enables these citizen-science projects to happen,” said Elizabeth Ainsley Campbell, NRWA Executive Director. “Most of our volunteer monitors come back year after year and are very protective of this river. People really want to know what’s happening in their own streams and backyards, and they want a way to help.”

“The Nashua River is looking really good, but the work is never really done,” added Morgan. “We’re keeping an eye on it year after year.”

Based in Concord, OARS was founded by a group of sportsmen and conservationists. Originally focused on the Assabet River, the group added the Concord and Sudbury rivers to its purview in 2011, explained Field-Juma.

“Our focus is to restore the health of the Assabet, Sudbury and Concord rivers through science, advocacy and recreation,” she said. “We cover nearly 400 square miles and have about 35 cities and towns in our watershed.

“Our work is science-based: Our volunteers regularly observe and test the water. When we see a problem, we try to identify it, then work closely with our members and local stakeholders to find a solution.”

As part of OARS’ most recent GLCF-funded project, the group focused on tracking down sources of high bacteria pollution in the lower Concord River in Lowell. “Last year, we noticed elevated bacteria levels in the River Meadow Brook area,” said Field-Juma. “This year, we have refined our survey and added test sites, because it’s not that easy to track down these sources of pollution. There’s no one pipe that’s dumping pollution into the rivers any longer.”

There can be a variety of sources contributing to river pollution, she explained, including poorly maintained septic systems, storm water, wildlife (like Canada geese) and other warm-blooded animals living in the area, and, particularly, dog waste that is not properly disposed of.

High bacteria levels in rivers are very common problems, but they can be addressed, she added. “Our goal is for people to be able to safely enjoy recreation activities in our rivers.

“Thanks to the Greater Lowell Community Foundation, this funding has made all the difference in the world for us to be able to focus on this one part of the community,” said Field-Juma. “We would love for people in Lowell to have access to a clean river.”

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 $50 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. To learn more, visit: www.glcfoundation.org.

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GLCF’s Women Working Wonders (WWW) Fund awards six grants totaling more than $56,000

The Women Working Wonders (WWW) Fund, a permanently endowed fund of the Greater Lowell Community Foundation, has announced the recipients of $56,800 in grants. These grants will support local nonprofit programs that empower women and girls to effect positive change in the community.

“During this time of economic hardship and public health crisis, Women Working Wonders is proud to support these six organizations in their work to improve the lives of women and girls,” said Carolyn Gregoire, Women Working Wonders Fund board president. “Now more than ever, our philanthropy and attention are needed in the Greater Lowell community.”

Recipients of 2021 WWW grants include:

  • Budget Buddies: $10,000 for New Workshop for Women: Financial Health for Families with Children
  • Challenge Unlimited: $10,000 for Equine Encounter: Healing to Leadership for Girls and Women
  • Coalition for a Better Acre: $10,000 for Sewing Training Program
  • Girls Inc. of Greater Lowell: $10,000 for Leadership Academy
  • Refuge Lowell: $10,000 for Girls and Young Women Creating Community Through Public Art
  • International Institute of NE: $6,800 for Creating New Avenues for Success (CNAFS)

Girls Inc. of Greater Lowell received a grant for their Leadership Academy, a new initiative planned for rollout in Fall 2021. “Girls Inc. of Greater Lowell is a place where all girls have the opportunity, resources, and support to become and be leaders,” said Executive Director Ashley Filipp. “With the generous support of the Women Working Wonders Funds, Girls Inc. of Greater Lowell’s Leadership Academy will directly elevate the cognitive, social, and physical skills of girls to improve their leadership aptitude.  Girls will discover and develop their inherent strengths to grow up healthy, educated, and independent.”  

Budget Buddies received a $10,000 grant for New Workshop for Women: Financial Health for Families with Children from the Women Working Wonders Fund.

Budget Buddies will use their grant to fund the New Workshop for Women, a program that provides strategies to address real-life costs of raising children. “Budget Buddies is so thankful for this amazing support from Women Working Wonders to develop a new workshop for our financial-resilience programs specifically focused on building the financial health of families with children,” said Danielle Piskadlo, Executive Director of Budget Buddies. “Almost 70% of the women in our financial wellness programs are moms, and women with children have been disproportionately impacted by job and/or income loss due to the pandemic because a lack of childcare forced so many women out of the workforce. This support from WWW will allow Budget Buddies to focus the women in our programs on making financial planning a family activity.”  

Coalition for a Better Acre (CBA) Director of Programs, Cecilia Gutierrez Yapur (left) stands with master sewing instructor and Director of the UMass Lowell Fashion Makerspace/Fabric Discovery Center, Diana Coluntino (right), in front of sewing machines donated to CBA by Lowell textile manufacturer, UnWrapped, Inc.

Coalition for a Better Acre (CBA) received grant funding for their Sewing Training Program, a pilot program to be taught in English and Spanish, providing the job skills needed for local textile employment opportunities. “With support from Women Working Wonders, Coalition for a Better Acre (CBA) is eager to offer an accessible, highly flexible job skills training program to low-income women in Lowell, particularly non-native English speakers,” said CBA CEO Yun-Ju Choi. “CBA’s job skills training program benefits from a close partnership with master sewing instructor and fashion designer Diana Coluntino. After completing the training, participants will be placed in various jobs including textile manufacturing and fashion design production – right here in Lowell.”

Women Working Wonders provides annual grants in three key areas: assist women in transition, provide leadership development, as well as contribute to the beautification of the environment.

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 $250,000 in grants to organizations supporting women and girls in the Greater Lowell area.

The Women Working Wonders Fund’s Power of the Purse 2021 event is scheduled for October 21. 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 390 funds dedicated to improving the quality of life in 21 neighboring cities and towns. With financial assets of more than $50 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. To learn more, visit: www.glcfoundation.org.

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GLCF Announces LHS Scholarship Established by Aaron’s Presents Founder in Honor of Gabriel Cuevas

GLCF announces the establishment of the Gabriel Cuevas Scholarship Fund, a memorial scholarship named for Cuevas, a Lowell High School student and dedicated Aaron’s Presents member who unexpectedly passed away in August 2020.

Lowell, MA – The Greater Lowell Community Foundation (GLCF) is honored to announce the establishment of the Gabriel Cuevas Memorial Scholarship Fund. This new scholarship fund honors Gabriel’s spirit of giving by annually awarding a Lowell High School (LHS) senior up to $1000.

Gabriel Cuevas, beloved son, brother, and friend passed away unexpectedly in August 2020, just before beginning his senior year at LHS. Gabriel used his voice to lift those marginalized and excluded in school and society. Additionally, Gabriel was also a dedicated member of Aaron’s Presents, an organization that provides opportunities for young people to build community and care for others. Aaron’s Presents founder Leah Okimoto established the Gabriel Cuevas Memorial Scholarship Fund through GLCF to honor his memory.

“Gabe was one of those rare people who brought kindness, thoughtfulness, laughter, and smiles wherever he went. I will forever be grateful for the time we spent together volunteering and going to the theatre. In addition, he was committed to his education and looked forward to continuing to grow and develop as a leader and activist in college,” said Leah Okimoto, founder and executive director of Aaron’s Presents. “I know without a doubt that Gabe would have jumped at the chance to nominate a classmate for a scholarship, so his family and I thought that creating an opportunity for both generosity and help for young people would be a fitting way to honor him.”

Donations to any fund at the Greater Lowell Community Foundation, including the Gabriel Cuevas Memorial Scholarship Fund, can be made online at www.glcfoundation.org/donate or by mail to the Gabriel Cuevas Memorial Scholarship Fund c/o GLCF, 100 Merrimack Street, Suite 202, Lowell, MA 01852.

The Lowell High School scholarship program is made possible by a partnership between Lowell High School and the Greater Lowell Community Foundation. Scholarships are provided through the generous contributions of donors, many of whom are Lowell High School graduates themselves, families honoring a loved one, or local business leaders supporting their community. 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.

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 390 funds dedicated to improving the quality of life in 21 neighboring cities and towns. With financial assets of more than $50 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. To learn more, visit: www.glcfoundation.org.

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Greater Lowell Community Foundation Elects Three to Board of Directors

Lowell, MA – At the Greater Lowell Community Foundation Virtual Annual Meeting on June 8th, the Board of Directors approved the election of three local business and community leaders to the board. These newly elected directors represent business, housing, and the technology sector. The new board members will each serve a three-year term.

Joining the board of directors are:

  • Stephanie Cronin of Dunstable, Executive Director of Middlesex 3
    Stephanie Cronin is the Executive Director of the Middlesex 3 Coalition, a regional economic development organization (www.middlesex3.com), which fosters business development and job growth and retention along the Route 3 corridor. In addition, Stephanie currently serves on the MCC Foundation Board of Directors, MassHire Greater Lowell Workforce Board, FORGE Northeast Massachusetts Advisory Council, Burlington Area Chamber of Commerce, and Hanscom Air Force Civic Leader Program. 
  • Daniel Donahue of Lowell, Gavin and Sullivan Architects, Inc.
    Daniel Donahueearned his associate’s degree in Architectural Engineering Technology from Wentworth Institute of Technology in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1984. That same year he worked for the National Park Service in the North Atlantic Regional Office as an architectural, mechanical, and electrical draftsman. In 1985 he joined Gavin & Sullivan Architects, Inc. (formerly William J. Gavin Associates) as an architectural designer/draftsman and has remained with the company ever since.
  • Diana Nguyen of Westford, Project Manager at MilliporeSigma
    Diana Nguyen is currently Project Manager at MilliporeSigma in Burlington, MA. In this position, Nguyen provides critical support to the Integrated Supply Chain Operations leadership team, manages strategic projects, and develops a global talent pipeline of aspiring and curious leaders. Nguyen has been with MilliporeSigma since April 2017. Prior to joining the organization, she worked as  a Project Manager and participated in the Global Organizational Leadership Development Program at Avery Dennison. Nguyen is a Lowell High School graduate, and received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Management and Psychological Science from Worcester Polytechnic Institute and is pursuing a Global Executive Master of Business Administration degree from the Rotman and SDA Bocconi schools.


“I am pleased that such wonderful community leaders have accepted to serve on our board of directors. These individuals bring with them a wealth of experience and diverse perspectives,” said Jay Linnehan, GLCF’s President & CEO. “We are excited to welcome the talent, expertise, and energy of Stephanie, Daniel, and Diana to further GLCF’s mission.”

Left to right: Diana Nguyen of Westford and Stephanie Cronin of Dunstable
Photo unavailable for Daniel Donahue

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 $50 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. To learn more, visit: www.glcfoundation.org.

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Greater Lowell Community Foundation announces new Steven Joncas Community Connector Award at Annual Meeting

Steven Joncas

Lowell, MA – Over 150 residents, business leaders, and nonprofit professionals attended the virtual Greater Lowell Community Foundation (GLCF)’s 2021 annual meeting on June 8. GLCF announced that a new GLCF Steven Joncas Community Connector Award has been established by the foundation in honor of outgoing longtime board member’s commitment to the community.

The inaugural GLCF Steven Joncas Community Connector Award will be given at GLCF’s Celebrate Giving on October 13. The award, given to a community member nominated by individuals and organizations who had stood out in their support of the Greater Lowell community through one or more extraordinary acts during the year. The award recipient will be able to select a Greater Lowell nonprofit to receive $1000 from GLCF. Nominations for the GLCF Steven Joncas Community Connector Award will open in September. 

Steven Joncas came onto the GLCF board in 2006 at the request of founding member Dick Donahue. Joncas served as GLCF board president from 2010-2013.Professionally,Steven Joncas has more than 40 years of real estate development and government experience. Joncas held key positions with elected officials. He served as Chief of Staff for Congressman Martin T. Meehan from 1993 to 1995 and as District Director for Congressman Paul Tsongas later becoming State Manager and Director of Economic Development when Mr. Tsongas was elected to the U.S. Senate.

“We wanted to honor Steve’s 15 years of dedicated service to GLCF,” said GLCF President & CEO Jay Linnehan. “The Steven Joncas Community Connector Award honors his valuable commitment to the community and will serve as a beacon for future community leaders. I speak firsthand as someone who has benefitted from his trusted advice and guidance. He cares about Greater Lowell, and his passion has been inspiring to GLCF.”

To find a video of the Annual Meeting or for further information about GLCF, visit www.glcfoundation.org.

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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 $50 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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Greater Lowell Community Foundation Supports Women in Philanthropy

By Kathy Register

(L-R) Cultivate Care Farms in Bolton, a recent 100+ Women Who Care Metrowest Grant Recipient, provides innovative Farm-Based therapy to individuals and families. Pictured: Cultivate Care Farms’ director Megan Moran with therapy cow Nora. (Photo Credit: Monica Justesen Photography)
  In 2020, Women Working Wonders (WWW) Fund awarded a  $10,000 grant to Lowell General Hospital’s Cancer Center’s to be used toward the purchase of breast boards. These devices are used to provide a comfortable prone position for women undergoing radiation therapy for breast cancer, which can also ensure a more accurate dose of targeted radiation.

Recognizing the important role women play in local philanthropy, the Greater Lowell Community Foundation (GLCF) manages a number of independent funds established by women who pool their resources to support their communities. 

Understanding there are a variety of ways women’s groups go about awarding grants to local nonprofits, GLCF supports well-established, endowed funds, such as the 17-year-old Women Working Wonders (WWW) Fund. GLCF also welcomes up-and-coming groups, like 100+ Women Who Care Boston Metrowest, a new collaborative “giving circle” just starting its third year.

“GLCF component funds, like these two philanthropic groups, inspire and empower women to make a difference where they live,” said Jay Linnehan, GLCF’s President & CEO. “GLCF is proud to support these generous women and welcome other groups eager to learn how they can collectively make a difference.”

“As a whole, women control more than half of private wealth in the U.S.,” added Jennifer Aradhya, GLCF’s VP of Marketing & Programs. “So, it makes sense that GLCF sees growth in this area of giving. Women in Greater Lowell are leveraging their resources via strategic donations to have a greater positive impact on the community.”

While Women Working Wonders and 100+ Women Who Care Metrowest operate differently, both groups have a common mission: combining resources to help others.

“One of the great things about Women Working Wonders is that we believe in establishing an endowment fund that will be there for younger women to work with,” explained Carrie Meikle, a WWW board member and co-chair of its grant committee.

“A lot of young women aren’t capable of writing a $5,000 or $10,000 check. But as a group, we can award grants in those amounts,” she said. “It’s a great way of collective giving, and shows how we can really have a positive impact.”

Started in 2004 by a group of 72 women who each gave $500, the WWW Fund has now grown to $1.3 million. But the group’s mission has remained constant: empowering women and girls to effect positive change in the Greater Lowell community.

WWW raises money via individual donations, as well as through its annual fundraiser, Power of the Purse, a fashion show and handbag auction. And in 2019, it launched a very successful 15th anniversary campaign.

“We raised $250,000 through that campaign,” said Meikle. “Our goal was to push our endowment over the $1 million mark, and we did it.” This year the group plans to award five $10,000 grants to local nonprofits. The 2021 grant application closes on June 17.

100+ Women Who Care Boston Metrowest was founded in 2018 by Amy Gleason, a teacher at Middlesex School in Concord. The group came under the GLCF umbrella in 2021.

Gleason was inspired to form the group after learning about the international “100 Who Care” philanthropic movement. “I started a U.S. nonprofit to support nonprofit organizations in South Africa, but feel strongly about supporting local communities, as well.  

“I read about a Canadian 100 Women Who Care group, and the giving-circle idea appealed to me. Other women and I could have a significant impact on local nonprofits by pooling our resources.”

Unlike Women Working Wonders, 100+ Women Who Care Metrowest doesn’t have an endowment fund, nor does it organize fundraisers. Instead, its 53 members donate $400 each per year, and the group awards quarterly $5,000 grants, said Gleason. As membership grows, so will the size of grants.

The group meets four times per year and votes to award one grant each quarter to a worthy Metrowest nonprofit that addresses a pre-determined theme. “We decide our four themes at the beginning of the year,” she said. “Our grants are unsolicited – they’re like a shot in the arm for these (mostly) small nonprofits. In many cases, the organizations don’t even know we’re looking at them.”

Members of  100+Women Who Care Metrowest range in age from 30 to 85, Gleason added. “What we all have in common is that we want to support local communities, but we also lead very busy lives.”

According to Meikle, for more than 17 years, Women Working Wonders has awarded various grants to large and small organizations. “We try to spread it out as much as we can,” she said.

Last year, WWW donated to Lowell General Hospital’s Cancer Center, to support breast cancer treatment, as well as to Dignity Matters, which provides menstrual-period protection to homeless and low-income women. The group has also supported the Boys & Girls Clubs, and Mill City Grows, which addresses local food insecurity.

100+ Women Who Care Metrowest has awarded nine grants in just over three years, Gleason explained. Grants have been made to nonprofits such as Household Goods in Acton (which gives furnishings to formerly homeless clients setting up households); REACH, a Waltham-based domestic-violence service agency; and most recently Cultivate Care Farms, Bolton Farm-Based Therapy serving Greater Lowell.

“There is something wonderful about getting an unsolicited chunk of money from a group that has looked into your organization and appreciates what you do,” she said. “I wish we were giving more. That’s our goal: To grow our group to 100 members so that we can give $10,000 grants.”

Women Working Wonders is also focused on its future, according to Meikle. “Our board was meant to evolve as the role of women has changed,” she said. “We always ask younger women to join — it’s a good mentoring opportunity.”

But the mentoring goes both ways, she stressed, and the recent pandemic is a perfect example of how quickly things can change.

“COVID-19 has had a huge negative impact on women and girls,” said Meikle. “So, last year, we realized our mission is more important than ever. However, the pandemic totally changed how we could fundraise.”

“Suddenly, we had to figure out how to host Power of the Purse as a virtual event. We had to learn how to market via social media and host an online auction.

“But we did it, and our younger board members made that happen,” said Meikle proudly. “WWW is set up to pass the torch to new female philanthropists.”

For more information about Women Working Wonders (www.womenworkingwondersfund.com) and 100+ Women Who Care Boston Metrowest, visit the GLCF website: 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 390 funds dedicated to improving the quality of life in 21 neighboring cities and towns. With financial assets of more than $50 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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PHOTO: GLCF_CCFarms.jpg

Photo Credit: Monica Justesen Photography

Caption:  Cultivate Care Farms in Bolton, a recent 100+ Women Who Care Metrowest Grant Recipient, provides innovative Farm-Based therapy to individuals and families. Pictured: Cultivate Care Farms’ director Megan Moran with therapy cow Nora.

PHOTO: GLCF_LGH_WWF21.jpg

Caption: In 2020, Women Working Wonders (WWW) Fund awarded a  $10,000 grant to Lowell General Hospital’s Cancer Center’s to be used toward the purchase of breast boards. These devices are used to provide a comfortable prone position for women undergoing radiation therapy for breast cancer, which can also ensure a more accurate dose of targeted radiation.