A new initiative dedicated to supporting local climate action efforts throughout the region.

Inspired by a generous donor family passionate about combating climate change in Worcester County, the Worcester County Green Fund will be seeded with $100,000 a year for five years, matched by Greater Worcester Community Foundation for a total investment of $1 million. 

Land Trust Capacity-Building Grant Program

The Fund’s first investments focused on supporting the land trusts that cover Worcester County, providing capacity-building grants to support their land conservation efforts.  

The Land Trust Capacity-Building Grant Program is providing up to two years of support by investing in activities that will strengthen the capacity of land trusts to do their work, including strategic planning, volunteer management, grant navigation, project management, leadership development, and scaling internal systems. 

Read about the grantees here.

Exploring a County-Wide Climate Coalition

The Foundation is partnering with Mass Audubon’s Central Region to explore opportunities to form a county-wide climate coalition, bringing together the numerous organizations and nonprofits that are working to address climate change at the local level. 

Worcester County Climate Summit

On Saturday, April 11, Mass Audubon and Greater Worcester Community Foundation hosted the first-ever Worcester County Climate Summit in Gardner. Over 120 climate activists & environmentalists from nearly 40 towns and cities in Central Massachusetts attended. 

This event brought people together to share best practices, promote county-wide capacity, and foster collaboration around common priorities. It was the first step on the path to creating a Worcester County Climate Collaborative to increase resilience to climate impacts, restore natural habitats, and mobilize diverse communities for collaborative climate action.

Energy Affordability Assistance for Worcester County

With an additional $525,000 investment from National Grid received in 2026, GWCF will work with local partners to expand access to weatherization services and energy assistance enrollment through the Worcester County Green Fund.

This funding will focus on connecting seniors, income-eligible households, renters and those who fall outside Mass Save requirements to new resources and existing assistance programs that improve energy affordability across the region.