Greater Lowell Community Foundation awards more than $2.2 million with additional COVID-19 relief grants to 19 nonprofits in latest round

 

LOWELL – The Greater Lowell Community Foundation (GLCF), based in Lowell, announced it deployed a new round of COVID-19 related grants, providing an additional $421,000 to area nonprofits.  The grants were part of the sixth round of distributions to assist area nonprofits serving vulnerable populations during the coronavirus pandemic. Over the last 19 weeks, the GLCF COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund has supported 95 local nonprofit organizations with grants totaling $2,277,750.

 

“Although community foundations are most known for building permanent charitable endowments, they play a critical role during challenging times like this pandemic,” said GLCF President & CEO Jay Linnehan. “Being able to respond to community needs is a key element of GLCF’s work and role in Greater Lowell.”

 

The following 14 nonprofits receiving grants in the latest round of the Massachusetts COVID-19 Relief Fund are:

• Boys & Girls Club of Greater Lowell – Grab & Go meals and Weekend Care Family Care Packages
• Bridging Independent Living Together Inc. (BILT) of Lowell – provide recreational space for individuals with disabilities
• Cambodian Mutual Assistance Association – food through gift cards and food deliveries
• Dignity Matters – 3-month supply of menstrual pads and underwear for women in Greater Lowell
• Eliot Presbyterian Church – sanitation of outdoor area
• Girls Incorporated of Greater Lowell – provide daily safe snacks and bottled water for girls participating in their summer programs
• Greater Lowell Family YMCA – Breakfast & Snack for 9 weeks
• House of Hope – hotel rooms for use as emergency quarantine shelter spaces for homeless families
• Lowell Community Health Center – bolstering Call Center capacity to aid Khmer and Portuguese speaking clients through September.
• PCEA Neema Church Inc. of Lowell – purchase of food supply & household items (diapers, formula); essential supplies (masks, gloves & sanitizer)
• The Center for Hope and Healing Inc. – distribution of essentials in response to COVID (food, sanitary supplies, gift cards, etc.) via mobile outreach
• The Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless – provide hand sanitizer to 5 homeless shelters in the City of Lowell that are serving over 500 homeless through the end of September
• Westford Council on Aging – provide Grab and Go Meals for seniors in need
• YWCA of Lowell, Inc. – acquisition and distribution of food including staples, and fresh produce, along with sanitization costs associated with safe delivery

 

The grants are thanks to funding from the Massachusetts COVID-19 Relief Fund. The Massachusetts COVID-19 Relief Fund works in concert with regional community foundations and nonprofit leaders to support those across the state most impacted by the COVID-19 health crisis, focusing on essential frontline workers and vulnerable populations including the homeless, immigrant populations, people with disabilities and those facing food insecurity. For more information, visit MACovid19ReliefFund.org.

 

“Dignity Matters is proud to partner with the Greater Lowell YMCA and the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Lowell to provide 500 women and girls with 3 months of menstrual care and a year’s supply of underwear,” said Dignity Matters’ Executive Director Kate Sanetra-Butler.  “We’re grateful to the Massachusetts COVID-19 Relief Fund for supporting this effort through the Greater Lowell Community Foundation.”

 

The 5 nonprofits receiving grants in the latest round of the GLCF COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund are:

• Coalition for a Better Acre – Community Access to Technology – equip families with reliable technology to ensure their ability to participate fully in virtual activities important for their well-being.
• Elevate NE – Provide technology (devices and connectivity) to support digital education to students in Lowell.
• Lowell Humane Society – Support to keep their food pantry open and to be sure animals in danger or at risk would have their needs met.
• Minute Man Arc for Human Services – Provide tablets for adults with disabilities living in group homes to participate in programs/therapies.
• Westford Community Access Television – COVID-19 Relief for Safe Reporting (PPE and sanitation)

 

“Coalition for a Better Acre is eager to implement our Community Access to Technology initiative thanks to funding from the GLCF’s Emergency Response Fund,” said Yun-Ju Choi, Executive Director, Coalition for a Better Acre. “This vital support will allow CBA to provide internet access, internet-ready devices, and technical assistance to dozens of households in our community. As we have all learned, access to reliable and easy to use technology has become essential in the COVID-19 world as a means of participating in education, healthcare, public benefits like unemployment, and social services.”

 

Donations to the GLCF COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund can be made online at www.glcfoundation.org or by mail to the GLCF COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund c/o GLCF, 100 Merrimack Street, Suite 202, Lowell, MA 01852.

About Greater Lowell Community Foundation

The Greater Lowell Community Foundation (GLCF), founded in 1997, is a philanthropic organization comprised of over 350 funds, currently totaling over $40MM, which is dedicated to improving the quality of life in 20 neighboring cities and towns. The Community Foundation annually awards grants and scholarships to hundreds of worthy nonprofits and students. It is powered by the winning combination of donor-directed giving, personal attention from its staff, and an in-depth understanding of local needs. The generosity of our donors has enabled GLCF to award more than $20 million to the Greater Lowell community.