Lowell – Lowell Community Charter School Friends is one of 150 local nonprofits that will share in $30 million through Cummings Foundation’s major annual grants program. The Lowell-based organization was selected from a total of 630 applicants during a competitive review process. It will receive $105,000 over three years.

Lowell Community Charter School Friends is a mission-driven 501c3 organization led by parents and community leaders committed to ensuring that LCCPS can fulfill its mission of graduating creative, confident and independent thinkers, global citizens and leaders who give back to their community. The school serves 815 children, grades pre-k – 8, in the heart of downtown Lowell.

Robert J. Gignac, Chief Operating Officer of the school, says “We are thrilled that Cummings Foundation has made this incredible investment in our programs. This grant will allow us to provide additional free educational opportunities for students outside of the traditional school day. The after-school hours are a critical time for students to explore their interests, build skills, and form a better understanding of the role they can play as leaders in their community. Cummings Foundation funds will help us ensure that these programs are free and high-quality.”

The Cummings $30 Million Grant Program primarily supports Massachusetts nonprofits that are based in and serve Middlesex, Essex, and Suffolk counties.

Through this place-based initiative, Cummings Foundation aims to give back in the areas where it owns commercial property. Its buildings are all managed, at no cost to the Foundation, by its affiliate, Cummings Properties. This Woburn-based commercial real estate firm leases and manages 11 million square feet of debt-free space, the majority of which exclusively benefits the Foundation.