Greater Worcester Community Foundation is proud to announce the inaugural round of grants awarded through the Worcester County Green Fund, established last year to advance local climate action efforts throughout the region.
This first series of investments focuses on building the capacity of land trusts that serve parts of Worcester County. Seven land trusts will receive a total of $138,000 to support internal projects that will help them advance their mission of land conservation in the region.
This is an exciting initial investment from the Worcester County Green Fund. By supporting the capacity of land trusts, we believe these local climate partners will be able to achieve long-term, meaningful outcomes that strengthen our region’s environmental stewardship.
- Pete Dunn, President & CEO, Greater Worcester Community Foundation
The land trusts receiving grants through this initiative are:
- Dudley Conservation Land Trust will receive $20,000 to improve public awareness and engagement by scaling its internal systems, including a website refresh, development of a social media strategy, and communications training for the volunteer board.
- Greater Worcester Land Trust will receive $20,000 towards hiring a full-time Stewardship Coordinator, who will focus on project management and volunteer engagement, enabling the organization’s existing staff to dedicate more time to other critical initiatives.
- Metacomet Land Trust will receive $18,000 to support the creation of a strategic plan, helping this volunteer-led organization outline its vision and priorities for future growth and impact.
- Mount Grace Land Trust will receive $20,000 to conduct a feasibility study exploring a shared services arrangement with North County Land Trust. By merging administrative functions, the two organizations aim to free up resources for conservation and community engagement.
- North County Land Trust will receive $20,000 to support its grant navigation and fundraising strategy, in an effort to increase grant submissions and improve the management and stewardship of secured funds.
- Opacum Land Trust will receive $20,000 to support the development of an expanded fundraising program, with a focus on acquiring major gifts and strengthening stewardship efforts.
- Sudbury Valley Trustees will receive $20,000 to help enable the full implementation of a revised volunteer program, enhancing outreach and engagement efforts.
In addition to the land trust grants, the Foundation has also made a grant of $40,000 to Mass Audubon to support a scoping analysis of the people and organizations working on climate resilience and mitigation across Worcester County. The results of this analysis will help inform the next investments of the Worcester County Green Fund.
About the Worcester County Green Fund
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. Additional contributions to the Worcester County Green Fund are welcome and can be made online or mailed to Greater Worcester Community Foundation, 1 Mercantile Street Suite 010, Worcester, MA 01608.
