Strategic Priorities

Our evolving grantmaking priorities are developed through analyzing data and working in close partnership with nonprofit and communal leaders from across the social service landscape.

Leadership Development

Through workshops, learning cohorts and convenings, we seek to support the social service sector leadership pipeline by developing and strengthening local leaders.

Promoting Philanthropy

Greater Worcester Community Foundation enables those with philanthropic interests to easily and effectively support the issues they care about. We promote philanthropy that is visionary, diverse and inclusive.

Renaissance Award

The Renaissance Award is the Foundation’s signature prize, awarded annually to an outstanding individual for exemplary leadership in the nonprofit community.

2023 Renaissance Award Winner

Dave McMahon

McMahon was recognized for his work with formerly incarcerated individuals at Dismas House, a nonprofit organization that provides housing and support services to those transitioning from prison back into society. Since 1998, he has helped build an infrastructure of support for homeless ex-offenders in greater Worcester which has included the launch of Father John Brooks House, the Dismas Family Farm, the community-wide legal support program BAR None, and a community organizing and advocacy partnership that works on issues affecting the lives of former offenders in the area.