It was just ten years ago when Greater Worcester Community Foundation received a challenge grant from the National Gay & Lesbian Funding Partnership to develop the region’s first (and still only) community fund serving the LGBT communities of Central Massachusetts.

As a modest resource with large ambitions, the Foundation’s LGBT Partnership Fund seeks to improve access and foster leadership of the diverse community of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender folks in our area. Grantees have included: Safe Homes (The Bridge), the LGBT Aging Project (Elder Services of Central Mass.), and Treated as Family (UMass Memorial Health Care). Grants are awarded through the fall community grants cycle.

Today, Worcester Pride celebrates its 40th Pride March, according to the organization’s website. As a Foundation, we’re excited to see that the celebration has expanded with a flag raising at City Hall, block parties, music festivals, and, of course, parades. The events run from Thursday, Sept. 8th through Sunday, Sept. 11. The calendar of events can be found here.