The Foundation announced the 34 awardees of its 2022 Community Grants - a total of $456,250. Community Grants are made possible by people who have set up discretionary funds with the Foundation. This type of fund provides GWCF with the maximum amount of flexibility to grant resources where community needs are greatest.

“Our community organizations are demonstrating their strong commitment to helping others in what is continuing to be a trying time for so many people in and around Worcester,” said Jonathan Cohen, Vice President for Programs & Strategy. “Each of these grants reflects the originality, ingenuity, and strong sense of community that distinguish Central Massachusetts from other places - and this Foundation is proud to be a large part of that philanthropic community.”

Rooted in the belief that together, everyone can collectively work towards a more equitable, vibrant and just community by offering flexible grant options, the Community Grant Program implements strategic focus areas, and emphasizes the underlying approaches nonprofit organizations apply to their work. For 2022, the Community Grants remained focused on three strategic areas: Health & Wellbeing, Thriving Families, and Creative Worcester. Additionally, GWCF sought to partner with grantee organizations with a commitment to Racial Equity, Community Voice, and Policy & Systems.

Those organizations receiving funds for operating support this year are:

Angels Net Foundation Inc

Launch of New Early Education Program

$17,000.00

Apple Tree Arts

Preschool Music Outreach Program

$10,000.00

ArtsWorcester

100 Views of Worcester

$5,000.00

Ascentria Community Services, Inc.

Safety Net Program for Refugees and Immigrants

$17,500.00

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Mass/Metrowest, Inc.

Worcester Area College Mentoring Program at Fitchburg State University

$15,000.00

Black Student Union - Worcester Technical High School (fs Worcester Public Schools)

Multicultural Immersion of Art & Education

$5,000.00

Boys & Girls Club of Webster-Dudley

Social-Emotional Learning at the Club

$25,000.00

Boys & Girls Club of Worcester

Summer Programs and Outdoor Classroom

$20,000.00

Building Futures, Inc. (fs Worcester Housing Authority)

BFI Lakeside Summer Program

$10,000.00

Colony Retirement Homes

Wellness Nurse Project

$12,500.00

Community Health Awareness Network (CHAN)

Graceful Aging Summer Elder Initiative "Walk with an Elder"

$10,000.00

Empower Children for Success (fs Highland Baptist Church)

Family Child Care Entrepreneur Program: (Business/Job Creation)

$10,000.00

Guardians of Tradition

A night to remember: Folk Guardians of Worcester

$20,000.00

Guild of St. Agnes of Worcester

Early Childhood Behavioral Health Intervention Project

$15,000.00

Living In Freedom Together (LIFT), Inc.

BRAVE: Building Real Action for Viable Employment

$25,000.00

Massachusetts Symphony Orchestra, Inc.

Jazz in the Park: An Evening Celebrating Great Latin/American Musical Influences

$10,000.00

Mustard Seed

Mustard Seed Summer Enrichment Program

$7,500.00

New England Botanical Garden at Tower Hill

Project Bloom: Strengthening Connections Between Nature and Greater Worcester's Youth

$25,000.00

North Quabbin Citizen Advocacy, Inc.

Building Relationships so Individuals with Disabilities & Their Families Thrive

$5,000.00

Northeast Organic Farming Association Massachusetts Chapter

Healthy Soils for Healthy Communities: A Worcester County Project with NOFA/Mass and SproutChange

$14,000.00

Pakachoag Music School of Greater Worcester

Quinsigamond Village Partners for Inclusive Children's Theater

$7,250.00

Pernet Family Health Service, Inc.

Youth Program - Family Outings & Activities

$20,000.00

Push Worcester (fs Worcester Roots Project)

Skate Camp

$6,000.00

Quinsigamond Community College Foundation

Mental Health Counseling

$20,000.00

Southeast Asian Coalition of Central Massachusetts

Mental Wellness

$25,000.00

Tenacity, Inc.

2022 Worcester Summer Tennis & Reading Program (STRP)

$10,000.00

Training Resources of America, Inc.

YouthBuild Worcester (YBW) - 33 Merrick St

$15,000.00

Whitin Community Center

WCC After-School Youth Resilience and Overall Wellness

$20,000.00

Worcester Chamber Music Society

Season 18 Fall Concerts

$5,000.00

Worcester Children's Chorus

Raise Your Voice! After School Choirs Partnership with Worcester Public Schools

$7,500.00

Worcester Islamic Center Social Services

WICSS Cares: Healthcare Services for Afghan Refugees and Others

$12,000.00

Worcester Public Library Foundation

2022 Summer Reading Program

$5,000.00

Worcester Youth Center

Violence Is Not Normal

$15,000.00

Youth Opportunities Upheld (YOU), Inc. (an affiliate of Seven Hills Foundation)

Dynamy Youth Academy

$10,000.00