GREATER GIVING.
GREATER IMPACT.
On September 18, 1975, Greater Worcester Community Foundation was founded by a small group of community-minded individuals. We are proud to celebrate 50 years of impact as we reflect on our history and look ahead to the future.
THEN: The Jeppson Memorial Fund was first established on December 31, 1945, by George Jeppson, his wife, Selma, and their children: Britta, Betty, and John. Before its transfer to the community foundation, the fund had already made $3.1 million in grants to Worcester County nonprofits.
In order to ensure the assets would be preserved and that income from them will continue to be used for the good of the community, John Jeppson and family transferred $1.3 million to the community foundation shortly after it was established, marking the Foundation's first major gift and creating the designated Jeppson Memorial Fund.
NOW: The Jeppson family stayed connected with the Foundation over the years, growing its designated Jeppson Memorial Fund and creating two additional funds: the Jeppson Memorial Community Fund (a discretionary fund renamed in honor of John once he passed in 2013) and the Jeppson Memorial Fund for the Town of Brookfield.
Combined, these funds make up more than $5 million in assets and have granted close to $5 million back to the community, supporting the nonprofits and towns near and dear to the Jeppson family.
THEN: The first bequest ever made to the Foundation, this field of interest fund was established in 1984 to improve the lives of Worcester-area children living in poverty. Marian Kubelus, who retired in Worcester in 1964, left half of her remaining estate to the Foundation, totaling $252,000.
NOW: This bequest gift has grown to $683,221 since it was first established, and has granted more than $562,722 since 1998 back to the community to support nonprofits working with youth & families, including the YWCA of Central Massachusetts, the CASA Project, Friendly House, Boys & Girls Clubs throughout the county, Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Central Massachusetts, and many others.
THEN: The first scholarship fund established at the Foundation, Lawrence and Augusta moved this fund from a private trust once the community foundation was created. It is awarded to students from Northbridge who have financial need and strong motivation to succeed in college.
After the couple passed away, their bequest established a second fund at the Foundation that makes annual grants to organizations close to their heart and their community. These grants, and the Keeler Scholarships, are a permanent legacy of their generous philanthropy and a tribute to their great love for the town and citizens of Northbridge.
NOW: Originally started with a gift of $45,221, the Keeler Scholarship has grown to $176,000 and has made 119 awards totaling $140,250 since 1998, supporting students with renewable scholarships throughout their college journey.
Meghan Griggs, a recent graduate of Northeastern University, received the Keeler Scholarship throughout her studies and secured a job after graduating as an R&D Engineer at Boston Scientific.
First major gift in 1977
Total Foundation
Assets in 2024
Grants Awarded
in 2024
Our work would not be possible without the 600+ fundholders that have chosen Greater Worcester Community Foundation for their charitable giving. By establishing an endowment fund at the community foundation, you can make a positive impact in the Worcester County region now, and forever.
After months of study and planning by a small group of community leaders, the Foundation's Articles of Organization were approved by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts on September 18, 1975.
The Foundation's founders include: John Adam Jr., Robert Massey, Henry B. Dewey, Robert G. Hess, Sumner B. Tilton Jr., Anne M. Morgan, Marion S. Fletcher, Robert Cushman as the first President and Jack Lund as the first volunteer Executive Director.
Robert W. Booth (pictured) makes the largest gift in the Foundation's history at the time and the nation's largest gift to any community foundation that year: $10 million to the Robert W. Booth Fund in honor of his father, George F. Booth.
This endowment fund supports Worcester area cultural, educational and human service programs. George Booth ("Mr. Worcester" to some) "always had the interests of the city at heart." He was instrumental in creating the city's parks and playground system, and helped establish the Community Chest (now the United Way).
In 1998, the Coalition for Not-for-Profit Management Assistance became an established project of the community foundation and changed its name to the Nonprofit Support Center (NSC), with the purpose to help area organizations govern themselves effectively. Youth for Community Improvement (YCI) was also created this year to provide young people with a hands-on experience of grantmaking.
Pictured: An NSC workshop in 2008.
Founding Foundation member Jack Lund (pictured) establishes the Renaissance Award through an endowment, which provides a cash prize of $5,000 to a local nonprofit leader, intended to be used for personal renewal or inspiration through recreation, travel, study, retreat, or other experiences.
The first Renaissance Award was given to Patsy Lewis, Worcester Community Action Council in 2005.
Within days of the pandemic shutdown in 2020, the Foundation worked together with the United Way of Central Massachusetts to bring relief to vulnerable populations within Worcester County. Recognizing that a single fund would streamline collecting gifts and distributing grants, the two joined forces to create the Worcester Together: Central Mass COVID-19 Fund, which raised $10.8 million in its first year.
THANK YOU!
A community foundation is only as strong as its community. Thank you to the hundreds of fundholders, volunteers, nonprofits, corporators, staff and board members that have supported the Foundation over the past 50 years.
Over the Years...
Check back soon to see photos from our 50th anniversary kickoff event!