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:
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Launch of New Early Education Program |
$17,000.00 |
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Preschool Music Outreach Program |
$10,000.00 |
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100 Views of Worcester |
$5,000.00 |
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Safety Net Program for Refugees and Immigrants |
$17,500.00 |
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Worcester Area College Mentoring Program at Fitchburg State University |
$15,000.00 |
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Black Student Union - Worcester Technical High School (fs Worcester Public Schools) |
Multicultural Immersion of Art & Education |
$5,000.00 |
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Social-Emotional Learning at the Club |
$25,000.00 |
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Summer Programs and Outdoor Classroom |
$20,000.00 |
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BFI Lakeside Summer Program |
$10,000.00 |
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Wellness Nurse Project |
$12,500.00 |
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Graceful Aging Summer Elder Initiative "Walk with an Elder" |
$10,000.00 |
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Family Child Care Entrepreneur Program: (Business/Job Creation) |
$10,000.00 |
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A night to remember: Folk Guardians of Worcester |
$20,000.00 |
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Early Childhood Behavioral Health Intervention Project |
$15,000.00 |
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BRAVE: Building Real Action for Viable Employment |
$25,000.00 |
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Jazz in the Park: An Evening Celebrating Great Latin/American Musical Influences |
$10,000.00 |
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Mustard Seed Summer Enrichment Program |
$7,500.00 |
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Project Bloom: Strengthening Connections Between Nature and Greater Worcester's Youth |
$25,000.00 |
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Building Relationships so Individuals with Disabilities & Their Families Thrive |
$5,000.00 |
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Healthy Soils for Healthy Communities: A Worcester County Project with NOFA/Mass and SproutChange |
$14,000.00 |
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Quinsigamond Village Partners for Inclusive Children's Theater |
$7,250.00 |
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Youth Program - Family Outings & Activities |
$20,000.00 |
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Skate Camp |
$6,000.00 |
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Mental Health Counseling |
$20,000.00 |
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Mental Wellness |
$25,000.00 |
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2022 Worcester Summer Tennis & Reading Program (STRP) |
$10,000.00 |
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YouthBuild Worcester (YBW) - 33 Merrick St |
$15,000.00 |
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WCC After-School Youth Resilience and Overall Wellness |
$20,000.00 |
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Season 18 Fall Concerts |
$5,000.00 |
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Raise Your Voice! After School Choirs Partnership with Worcester Public Schools |
$7,500.00 |
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WICSS Cares: Healthcare Services for Afghan Refugees and Others |
$12,000.00 |
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2022 Summer Reading Program |
$5,000.00 |
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Violence Is Not Normal |
$15,000.00 |
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Youth Opportunities Upheld (YOU), Inc. (an affiliate of Seven Hills Foundation) |
Dynamy Youth Academy |
$10,000.00 |