The Foundation has announced the awarding of $1.56 million to 132 nonprofits through its 2019 Community Grants program. Community Grants support organizations that build healthy, vibrant communities throughout Worcester County and are made possible by generous individuals and families who have set up discretionary funds with the Foundation. This type of fund enables the Foundation to grant resources where community needs are greatest.
Community Grants reflect the Foundation's commitment to improving the region and providing opportunities for people to benefit from Worcester's momentum,” said Barbara Fields, GWCF President and CEO. “As this is my first year, I am excited to see the scope of the Community Grants. It is essential that our community's nonprofits receive the resources they need to continue their work. We're privileged to be an investor in so many life-changing organizations,” she added.
The Community Grant program is one of the region's broadest funding opportunities, opening the door for nonprofits of varying sizes and missions to seek support. Areas of interest to the Foundation span a spectrum that includes civic life, the arts and the environment, early childhood development, economic security, healthy communities, and youth development and education.
This year, the Foundation made a significant investment in youth development with 30% of grant dollars going to programs that offer youth leadership, mentorship, summer learning opportunities, and other year-round programming. Another 26% of this year's funding will support early childhood development programs. Additionally, grants totaling over $150K are going to programs targeting affordable housing and homelessness prevention.
“It's our mission to continue aiding those whose work creates a stronger, healthier Worcester County for residents, starting with our community's youngest and most vulnerable,” said Carolyn Stempler, Chair of the GWCF Board. “We look forward to seeing the impact of these grants in the coming year and are eager to continue our work serving Worcester in perpetuity.”
Nonprofits receiving funds this year are:
Abby's House | Shelter, Housing, and Advocacy Operations | $ 18,000.00 |
Advocates | Recovery Aftercare | $ 5,000.00 |
African Community Education Program (ACE) | Family Outreach & Education Programming | $ 18,000.00 |
African Community Education Program (ACE) | Youth Academic & Social-Emotional Programming | $ 20,000.00 |
Alzheimer's Association Massachusetts New Hampshire Chapter | Increasing Core Services through Volunteer-Powered Delivery | $ 5,000.00 |
Angels Net Foundation Inc | Educational and Social Programs for Immigrant and Refugee Youth | $ 5,000.00 |
Anna Maria College | OpporTUNEity Music Connections | $ 2,500.00 |
Appalachian Mountain Club | Youth Opportunities Program (YOP) Worcester Summit Site 2020 | $ 2,500.00 |
Apple Tree Arts* | Head Start Preschool Music Outreach Program | $ 7,000.00 |
ArtsWorcester | Member Exhibitions | $ 8,000.00 |
Ascentria Community Services, Inc. | Immigration Legal Assistance Program (ILAP) | $ 17,500.00 |
Auburn Youth & Family Services | Youth and Family Support Programs and Services | $ 7,500.00 |
Audio Journal, Inc. | Audio Journal | $ 5,500.00 |
Bancroft School* | Worcester Partnership (WP) | $ 15,000.00 |
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Mass/Metrowest, Inc. | Worcester Area Mentoring Program | $ 17,500.00 |
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Franklin County | After School Mentorship Program in Athol | $ 5,000.00 |
Blackstone Valley Boys and Girls Club | 2020 Summer Program Camperships | $ 5,000.00 |
Boys & Girls Club of Webster-Dudley | General Operations | $ 5,000.00 |
Boys & Girls Club of Worcester | Youth Development Programs | $ 25,000.00 |
Building Futures, Inc. (fs Worcester Housing Authority) | Camp Lakeside | $ 10,000.00 |
Camp Putnam, Inc. | Overnight Camp Experiences | $ 8,000.00 |
Center for Health Impact* | Enhancing the Future of Children through Cultural and Linguistic Navigation (EFC) | $ 18,000.00 |
Central Massachusetts Housing Alliance, Inc. | Public Education & Advocacy (PE&A) | $ 10,000.00 |
Children's Friend | Gender Wellness Initiative (GWI) | $ 8,000.00 |
City of Worcester Department of Health & Human Services | Narcan Distribution Harm Reduction Initiative | $ 5,000.00 |
Clark University | Adam Achiever Program | $ 7,500.00 |
Clinton Adult Learning Center | Core Programs for Adult Learners | $ 7,500.00 |
Coalition for a Healthy Greater Worcester (fs YWCA of Central MA) | Strengthening and Diversifying Community Engagement in the CHIP | $ 2,500.00 |
Community Harvest Project | Volunteer Farming Program | $ 12,000.00 |
Community Healthlink (fs UMass Memorial Healthcare)* | Together For Kids | $ 12,500.00 |
Community Legal Aid, Inc. | Greater Worcester Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project | $ 17,500.00 |
Community Servings | Nutrition Program for Residents Affected by Critical & Chronic Illnesses | $ 9,000.00 |
Creative Hub Worcester | After School Program | $ 2,500.00 |
Crocodile River Music/African Arts in Education (fs Fractured Atlas) | Community Enrichment through African Music & Arts | $ 5,000.00 |
Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health | Vocational Programs for Youth with Developmental, Behavioral, Emotional and Learning Challenges | $ 2,500.00 |
Discovery Museum | Discovery Science: Worcester | $ 4,000.00 |
Dismas House of Massachusetts, Inc. | Prisoner Reentry Program | $ 15,000.00 |
Dress for Success Worcester Inc | More Than A Suit | $ 5,000.00 |
EcoTarium (Worcester Natural History Society)* | 2020 Countdown to Kindergarten Program | $ 7,500.00 |
Edward Street Child Services* | Early Childhood Matters | $25,000.00 |
Edward Street Child Services* | Master Teacher Consultation Program | $58,000.00 |
Elder Services of Worcester Area, Inc. | Nutrition Program | $ 7,500.00 |
Family Health Center of Worcester, Inc. | Dental Care for Un/Underinsured Low-Income Individuals | $ 20,000.00 |
Family Health Center of Worcester, Inc. | Health Care for Homeless Families Program | $ 10,000.00 |
Family Health Center of Worcester, Inc. | Positive Directions Summer Jump Start | $ 7,500.00 |
Family Health Center of Worcester* | Baby Café | $15,000.00 |
Family Health Center of Worcester* | Centering Pregnancy | $12,000.00 |
Fathering Fathers Inc. | REAL MENtors | $ 2,500.00 |
Fresh Start Furniture Bank, Inc. | Furniture Distribution Center | $ 5,000.00 |
Friendly House, Inc. | Frances Perkins Transitional Housing Program | $ 20,000.00 |
Friendly House, Inc. | Youth Program | $ 5,000.00 |
Friends of St Luke's, Inc | St. Luke's Guesthouse | $ 7,500.00 |
Friends of the Shrewsbury Public Library | English Conversation Circle | $ 5,000.00 |
Friends of the Shrewsbury Public Library | Memory Cafe | $ 2,500.00 |
Genesis Club House, Inc. | Supported Education with Young Adult Focus | $ 20,000.00 |
Girl Scouts of Central and Western Massachusetts | It's A Girl's World | $ 5,000.00 |
Girls Incorporated of Worcester | Eureka! Program | $ 5,000.00 |
Girls Incorporated of Worcester | General Operations | $ 17,500.00 |
Greater Worcester Land Trust | Community Based Environmental Conservation | $ 7,000.00 |
Growing Places Garden Project | Equitable Healthy Food Access in North Central MA | $ 8,500.00 |
Habitat for Humanity MetroWest/Greater Worcester | General Program Support | $ 7,500.00 |
Hope Coalition (fs UMass Memorial) | Peer Leadership Program | $ 10,000.00 |
Hope Coalition (fs UMass Memorial)* | Worcester ACTs (Addresses Childhood Trauma) | $ 15,000.00 |
Horizons for Homeless Children | Worcester Playspace Program | $ 2,500.00 |
House of Peace & Education* | HOPE for Kids | $ 5,000.00 |
Interfaith Hospitality Network of Greater Worcester (fs Friendly House) | Program Support | $ 10,000.00 |
Jeremiah's Inn | Nutrition Center | $ 8,000.00 |
Joy of Music Program, Inc. | Financial Aid Program | $ 10,000.00 |
Kennedy-Donovan Center* | Fostering Early Connections - Building Parent Confidence and Competency | $ 10,000.00 |
Latino Education Institute (fs Worcester State Foundation) | ENLACE (Encouraging Latinos to Achieve Excellence) Program | $ 15,000.00 |
Latino Education Institute (fs Worcester State Foundation)* | Early Connections Program | $ 25,000.00 |
Let's Get Ready | Worcester College Access Programs | $ 5,000.00 |
Literacy Volunteers of Greater Worcester | English Language Literacy for Economic Security: Job Seekers and other Adult Immigrants and Refugees | $ 20,000.00 |
Literacy Volunteers of Greater Worcester* | English Language Literacy for Immigrants and Refugee Parents Helping Schoolchildren | $ 5,000.00 |
Literacy Volunteers of South Central Massachusetts | ESOL Tutoring Programs | $ 8,500.00 |
Living In Freedom Together (LIFT), Inc. | Drop-In Center | $ 10,000.00 |
Main South Community Development Corporation | Grand Street Commons: Affordable Housing Development | $ 10,000.00 |
Massachusetts Adoption Resource Exchange, Inc. | Finding Adoptive Homes for Children and Teens in Foster Care in Worcester County | $ 5,000.00 |
Massachusetts Audubon Society Inc. | Nature Education and Recreation Programs for Worcester Youth | $ 15,000.00 |
Massachusetts Education & Career Opportunities, Inc. (MassEdCO) | Collegiate Success Institute (CSI) | $ 10,000.00 |
Massachusetts Education & Career Opportunities, Inc. (MassEdCO) | On Our Way | $ 12,500.00 |
Matthew 25, Inc. | Pleasant Street Affordable Housing Project | $ 5,000.00 |
Montachusett Opportunity Council, Inc. | Homework Help Center | $ 8,000.00 |
Music Worcester, Inc. | Perspectives: Exploring & Expanding Programmatic Diversity & Inclusion Initiatives | $ 8,000.00 |
Nativity School of Worcester | Graduate Support Program | $ 7,500.00 |
NEADS Inc. | Service / Assistance Dog Training | $ 7,500.00 |
Net of Compassion | Main Street Saturday Program | $ 7,500.00 |
New Hope, Inc. | MJ Ledenham Center Visitation Services | $ 10,000.00 |
NewVue Communities | Community Stewards Program | $ 10,000.00 |
North Brookfield Youth Center | After-School and Summer Programs | $ 10,000.00 |
North Star Family Services, Inc. | Family Pathways Project | $ 10,000.00 |
Notre Dame Health Care | Educational Bridge Center | $ 5,000.00 |
Open Sky Community Services | Safe Homes | $ 18,000.00 |
Open Sky Community Services | South County Homeless Assistance Program (SCHAP) | $ 12,500.00 |
Our Father's House, Inc. | Ensuring Health & Wellness in Homeless Children | $ 15,000.00 |
Pathways for Change | Sexual Assault Prevention & Survivor Services | $ 12,000.00 |
Pernet Family Health Service, Inc.* | Mental Health Collaborative | $ 15,000.00 |
Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts | Sex Education and Outreach to Worcester's Latinx Community and Others | $ 5,000.00 |
Preservation Worcester | Operating Support | $ 9,500.00 |
Project New Hope | Rebuilding with Honor – Easing the Transition to Civilian Life for Veterans and Their Families | $ 2,500.00 |
Quinsigamond Community College Foundation | Women in Technology STEM Program | $ 10,000.00 |
Rachel's Table (fs Jewish Federation of Central MA) | Support for Food Programs | $ 12,000.00 |
Rainbow Child Development Center* | Early Education Programs | $23,000.00 |
Reach Out and Read* | Worcester Rx for Success | $ 10,000.00 |
Refugee and Immigrant Assistance Center (RIAC) | Comprehensive Case Management | $ 10,000.00 |
Regional Environmental Council, Inc. | General Operations | $ 18,000.00 |
Render Creative Inc/Main IDEA | Operating Support | $ 7,500.00 |
Rise Above Foundation | Activities for Foster Youth | $ 5,000.00 |
South Middlesex Opportunity Council (SMOC) | Greater Worcester Housing Connection: Triage Center Winter Emergency Resources | $ 10,000.00 |
Southeast Asian Coalition of Central Massachusetts | Building Healthy Asian and Arabic Speaking Communities | $ 25,000.00 |
Spanish American Center, Inc. | Nos Ayudamos Mutuamente (Helping Ourselves) | $ 6,000.00 |
Straight Ahead Ministries Inc | Worcester Youth Re-Entry Program | $ 12,500.00 |
Tasks for Transit, Inc. | WRTA Single-Day Bus Pass Program | $ 2,500.00 |
Tenacity, Inc. | Summer Tennis & Reading Program | $ 6,000.00 |
The CASA Project* | Early Childhood Support Services | $ 25,000.00 |
The Shine Initiative (fs Community Foundation of North Central MA) | Mindmatters Teams | $ 7,500.00 |
Together for Kids Coalition (fs Edward Street Child Services)* | Early Childhood Strategic Plan Implementation | $ 22,000.00 |
Tri-Valley, Inc. | Nutrition Program | $ 10,000.00 |
United Way of Central MA* | Summer Literacy Initiative - Funders Collaborative | $60,000.00 |
United Way of Central Massachusetts | YouthConnect Worcester 2020 | $ 18,000.00 |
United Way of Tri-County | Wheat Community Connections | $ 2,500.00 |
Visitation House | Bridging Back to Economic Resiliency | $ 2,500.00 |
VSA Massachusetts | Open Door Gallery at the Worcester Art Museum | $ 5,000.00 |
WCUW Inc. | The Voices of Worcester Sharing Passion, Heritage and Love of Community | $ 10,000.00 |
Whitin Community Center | Youth Outreach Program | $ 8,000.00 |
Worcester Academy | Summer Scholars | $ 2,500.00 |
Worcester Anti-Foreclosure Team (fs Worcester Common Ground) | Moratorium Now | $ 5,000.00 |
Worcester Area Mission Society (WAMS) | Summer CUBS (Comprehension and Understanding Bring Success) | $ 2,500.00 |
Worcester Center for Performing Arts (Hanover Theatre) | Adopt-A-School WPS Partnership | $ 5,000.00 |
Worcester Chamber Music Society | Neighborhood Strings | $ 8,000.00 |
Worcester Common Ground, Inc. | Community Building and Affordable Housing | $ 10,000.00 |
Worcester Community Action Council Inc. | Worcester Youth Leadership Institute | $ 10,000.00 |
Worcester Community Housing Resources, Inc. | Community Housing & Economic Stability | $ 10,000.00 |
Worcester Community Skateshop (fs Worcester Roots Project) | Youth Skate Program Spring/Summer 2020 | $ 2,500.00 |
Worcester Cultural Coalition | Implementing the Evolution of Worcester: the Creative City | $ 10,000.00 |
Worcester Earn a Bike Inc. | Youth Program Support | $ 2,500.00 |
Worcester Education Collaborative (fs United Way of Central MA) | Operating Support | $ 12,500.00 |
Worcester Interfaith | A Worcester That Works for Everyone | $ 10,000.00 |
Worcester Jewish Community Center* | Access to Quality Programming for All | $ 10,000.00 |
Worcester Public Library Foundation* | 2020 Summer Reading Program | $ 5,000.00 |
Worcester Public Library Foundation* | 2019 Summer Reading Program | $5,000.00 |
Worcester Public Schools (fs City of Worcester) | Building Youth Leadership Through Philanthropy | $ 10,000.00 |
Worcester Regional Research Bureau, Inc. | Operating Support | $ 8,500.00 |
Worcester Youth Center | Support for Core Programs | $ 15,000.00 |
Worcester Youth Orchestras | Financial Aid & Scholarship Program | $ 5,000.00 |
YMCA of Central Massachusetts | Minority Achievers Program | $ 8,000.00 |
YMCA of Central Massachusetts | Summer Play | $ 11,000.00 |
Youth Opportunities Upheld (YOU), Inc. | Dynamy Youth Academy | $ 10,000.00 |
YWCA of Central Massachusetts | Domestic Violence Services | $ 20,000.00 |
YWCA of Central Massachusetts | Girls CHOICE (Choosing Hope, Opportunity and Independence through Careers and Education) | $ 10,000.00 |
| YWCA of Central Massachusetts | Racial Equity Program | $ 5,000.00 |