Legacy giving has long played a quiet but powerful role in strengthening the greater Worcester region, allowing donors to turn their deeply held values into lasting impact.

Across the county, many of the programs, scholarships, cultural institutions and nonprofit services people rely on today trace their roots back to gifts made years (sometimes decades) ago. At Greater Worcester Community Foundation, the work done today is made possible because individuals and families chose to be forward-looking in their charitable giving, creating permanent funds that will open doors, protect vulnerable populations and expand opportunity well into the future.

A commitment to those in need

For Evelyn Silver, legacy giving grew out of her lifelong concern for the natural world and growing awareness of how environmental challenges often affect people facing the greatest hardships.

Through her involvement with the Regional Environmental Council, Silver saw how environmental issues intersect with public health, housing and economic stability. Together with her husband, Sumner Silver, she established a field of interest fund at Greater Worcester Community Foundation to support local environmental organizations working at that intersection.

“The Foundation knows where the money is needed and where it will do the most good,” Silver said.

In addition to their initial gift, the Silvers strengthened their long-term commitment by establishing a charitable gift annuity. This approach allowed them to receive fixed income during their lifetime, with the remainder of the gift ultimately supporting their fund and the causes they care about most.

Opening doors through education

For many donors, legacy giving is rooted in a belief that opportunity should not be limited by circumstance. That belief is at the heart of the Mary T. Cocaine Scholarship.

Established as part of a large gift from the Mary T. Cocaine Trust, the Mary T. Cocaine Scholarship is a reflection of Mary’s lifelong belief in providing pathways to opportunity. The Scholarship supports students in Worcester and surrounding communities, with a particular focus on children of immigrants and refugees.

Because of the size of the fund, the Foundation is able to award renewable scholarships that significantly reduce financial barriers. For many recipients, this support means beginning college with little or no debt and greater freedom to focus on academic success.

“As a first-generation college student learning how to do things on my own, I am grateful to be given an opportunity to alleviate my financial burdens and pursue my studies and goals,” one recipient shared. Another noted that the scholarship brought her “one step closer to being able to graduate college without financially burdening my family.”

These are the ripple effects of legacy giving, reaching far beyond the original gift to shape futures that are still unfolding.

Creating impact now and for the future

For some donors, legacy giving begins during their lifetime and grows through continued involvement.

The Krikorian family’s relationship with Greater Worcester Community Foundation began with a donor advised fund established by Anna and George Krikorian Sr. After their passing, their son, George Krikorian Jr., continued stewarding that fund, directing close to half a million dollars in grants to local nonprofits over the next two decades.

That ongoing involvement deepened the family’s connection to the Foundation and its work. When George Jr. passed away, he left a $1.3 million bequest to establish a new permanent fund at the Foundation to support people with physical disabilities across Worcester County. The gift carried forward both his parents’ original vision and his own belief in sustained community support.

Others choose to begin on a smaller scale, growing their impact step by step. Linda and Fred Looft created a field of interest fund to support youth and families, working with the Foundation to determine a starting contribution that felt accessible.

By establishing a fund during their lifetimes and including the Foundation in their estate plans, the Loofts are able to see their philanthropy at work today while ensuring it continues well into the future.

“Knowing that one person, family or group may experience a transformative change in their lives, that’s the most meaningful part of leaving a legacy gift for us,” the Loofts shared.

Together, these approaches show that legacy giving is not one-size-fits-all. It is shaped by personal values, family stories and a shared hope for what the community can become.

A tradition of lasting impact

From supporting the environment to investing in the next generation, legacy gifts have helped define what is possible across Worcester County. They also sustain cultural institutions like museums and arts organizations, preserving creativity, history and public access to the arts across the region.

Each legacy represents a belief in the community’s future and a commitment to ensuring that opportunity continues across generations. Through careful stewardship, Greater Worcester Community Foundation carries those intentions forward, strengthening Worcester County today and shaping what it can be tomorrow.

Learn more about creating your legacy

To learn how you can include Greater Worcester Community Foundation in your estate plans, visit greaterworcester.org/giving/give-later.

Taking the generous step of remembering the Foundation in your will is always completely up to you. But if you choose to share your plans, the Foundation would love the opportunity to thank you and welcome you to the legacy Acorn Society.

Your story is part of the story of Worcester County. A legacy gift can make sure it continues strong, vibrant and full of possibility.