What is your passion? At Greater Worcester Community Foundation, our expert staff is committed to understanding your charitable giving interests and connecting you to effective organizations and fellow donors who share your goals.

Greater Worcester Community Foundation is the leading philanthropic organization serving the region. Deep professional expertise, an unparalleled network of community partnerships, and a record of effective, high-impact grantmaking have made the Foundation a key resource for those who seek to make a difference in the world.

Our donors — individuals, families, and organizations — as well as their financial advisors enjoy many benefits in working with us, including:

• Maximum tax benefit for their gifts
• Access to the Foundation's expertise in community philanthropy
• A network of community partners
• A record of high-impact grantmaking
• Personalized service

There are many benefits to opening a fund at the community foundation rather than establishing a commercial gift fund or private foundation. To learn more, view our Foundation Comparison Chart.

How We Work

We offer a number of different types of funds to meet your individual values and giving goals. You can choose to give within your lifetime or leave a legacy; be involved in the grantmaking or leave the decisions up to us. Our philanthropic services are personalized and responsive to your unique vision for giving.

Once you have established a fund with us, we pool it together with other funds in one of two portfolio options, both designed to ensure the preservation and growth of principal and a dependable source of revenue for distribution and expenses. The interest earned on these invested funds are used to make grants to nonprofits working to make our communities better places to live, work and thrive, and we handle all of the administration for you.
 

The Foundation makes it easy for people of ordinary means like me to create a lasting legacy.

- Sarah B. Lange

What To Expect

• Experience and Integrity: With professional and volunteer leadership of the highest caliber and a long and distinguished track record of community partnerships, the Foundation is a trusted civic and philanthropic leader.
• Tax Advantages: As a 501(c)(3) public charitable corporation [PDF], we offer maximum deductibility for income, gift and estate tax purposes. EIN: 04-2572276
• Impact: We know our community’s challenges and work closely with the nonprofits striving to improve lives and conditions in our region. With our local expertise, we can match your passions with worthy programs that need and merit your support.
• Ease: With our expert staff just a phone call away, comprehensive donor services and flexible options for giving, we make it easy for you to create the fund that fulfills your charitable and financial goals, and we do all the reporting and administration.
• Efficiency: Our citizen-run model keeps costs and fees low so more of your money goes to your cherished cause rather than administrative overhead.
• Permanence: Your fund becomes part of our professionally managed endowment, allowing it to grow over time and gain grantmaking power. As your partner, we fulfill your charitable intentions in perpetuity.
• Confidence: The Foundation maintains and manages confidential information. We strive to treat all donors, grantees, applicants, board members, volunteers, and staff with the highest consideration for respect and privacy. View our Privacy Policy >
• Accountability: Our Board of Directors, comprising leading citizens from diverse sectors of our community, governs the Foundation. Serving without compensation and for limited terms, they oversee our direction and policies. An annual independent audit confirms our fiscal integrity.