Lowell, MA – The Greater Lowell Community Foundation (GLCF) awarded $190,000 in grants to 19 local nonprofits within funding focus areas of: Children’s Services, Elder Services, and Racial Equity and Inclusion. The focus areas collectively work toward creating a better quality of life for Greater Lowell residents and supporting local nonprofits.

These grant awards are part of a competitive grant process in which nonprofit organizations apply for funds, and independent committees review the proposals and select awardees. The GLCF Discretionary Grants is one of several competitive grant programs offered through the foundation each year.

“As we embark on our 26th year of improving the quality of life in Greater Lowell, GLCF awarded 19 grants to support the important work of our local nonprofits. The 2023 grants highlight some great collaborations between nonprofit partners, something the foundation has worked hard to encourage,” said GLCF President and CEO Jay Linnehan. “These grants were made possible by generous donations from our community and strategic investments.”

Among the grantees was the Lowell Plan, who received a grant to support its Board Diversity Initiative. “The Board Diversity Initiative is a new collaborative effort of the Lowell Plan, the Lowell Alliance, the Coalition for a Better Acre (CBA), and the Greater Lowell Chamber of Commerce (GLCC). With the help of the GLCF’s Discretionary Grant, we aim to build a culture of inclusion among Lowell’s nonprofit boards and support diverse leaders seeking opportunities to serve their community,” said Allison Lamey, executive director of Lowell Plan/LDFC. “We greatly appreciate GLCF’s support of this new initiative and commitment to advancing DEI initiatives in the community.”

Merrimack Repertory Theatre, which received previous Racial Equity grant funding in 2022, was funded for an additional year for Amplifying Asian American Pacific Islander Theatre Artists. “With GLCF’s support, we continue to build on our community engagement efforts with Alaudin Ullah’s DISHWASHER DREAMS,” said Courtney Sale, Executive Artistic Director, Merrimack Repertory Theatre. “Alaudin’s ongoing dedication to creating stories and characters that counter, challenge, and correct the misperception of South Asians and Muslims shows up in all his writing. We know this work will resonate deeply with our community, and we could not deliver this impact without GLCF’s commitment.”

“Thanks to the GLCF’s Discretionary Grant Fund, Lowell Leaders in Stewardship (LLIS) is bringing nature-based environmental education to youth in Lowell,” said Scott McCue, Regional Director for Mass Audubon. “These funds will introduce local children and teens to wildlife, allow for hands-on nature explorations and learning, and help participants understand the impacts of climate change. Participating youth also explore opportunities to make positive impacts in their own community and beyond. We proudly run this program in partnership with Lowell Parks & Conservation Trust and deeply appreciate GLCF’s support.”

“At Gaining Ground, we fundamentally believe that equitable access to healthy food is a human right,” said Jennifer Johnson, Gaining Ground’s Executive Director. “Generous Greater Lowell Community Foundation support will fund a new partnership with UTEC’s Madd Love Meals program. UTEC youth will use Gaining Ground produce to create delicious and nutritious meals for community members experiencing food insecurity. It’s a ‘win-win-win’ initiative, and we are so grateful to partner with GLCF and UTEC in this important work.”

2023 Discretionary Grants

Children’s Services:

• Gaining Ground (Concord) for Pairing Farm-Fresh Food with Skills Development to Address Local Food Insecurity – a partnership with UTEC – $7,500
• Lowell Community Charter Public School for Playground Renovation for 815 pre-k – grade 8 Children – $7,500
• Lowell Community Health Center for Enhancing a Welcoming Environment at the LHS School Based Health Center – $7,500
• Mass Audubon for Lowell Leaders in Stewardship – $7,500
• Project Home Again (Andover) for Bed Bundles for Children in Lowell – $7,500
• Rise Above Foundation (Northbridge) for Activities for Lowell Area Youth in Foster Care – $7,500
• Seven Hills Extended Care (Groton) for Seven Hills Pediatric Center – Partnered Sports and Games Occupational Therapy Group – $7,500

Leclair Elder Services:

• Groton Hill Music for Senior Engagement, Enrichment, and Solace Through Music – $7,000
• Habitat for Humanity of Greater Lowell (Westford) for Seniors Living Safely at Home – $7,000
• Merrimack Valley Food Bank for Mobile Pantry – $7,000
• Open Table (Maynard) for Addressing Food Insecurity in Seniors via Pantry, Mobile & Meal Programs – $7,000
• VNA Care Network for Removing Barriers to Health – $7,000

Racial Equity & Inclusion:

• The Center for Hope and Healing for Supporting Trauma and Restorative Justice in Lowell Community Through Circle Keeper Training – $15,000
• Discovery Museum (Acton) for Inspiring Civic Engagement through Public Art and Artist Stories – $15,000
• Latinx Community Center for Empowerment (LCCE) for the Lowell Latinx Archive – $15,000
• Lowell Plan for Board Diversity Initiative – $12,500
• Merrimack Repertory Theatre (MRT) for Amplifying Asian American Pacific Islander Theatre Artists: DISHWASHER DREAMS – $15,000
• Northern Middlesex Council of Governments for At Home in Greater Lowell: Regional Housing Strategy Plan for 2024-2035 – $15,000
• One Can Help (Newton) for Providing missing and urgently needed resources to at-risk and foster children in Greater Lowell – $15,000