Lowell Sun – Greater Lowell Community Foundation disperses emergency grants

This article originally appeared in the Lowell Sun on April 27, 2020

LOWELL — The Greater Lowell Community Foundation has provided its first phase of emergency grants — totaling $75,000 — to dozens of local nonprofits.

The 60 grants were distributed from the GLCF COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund, which was established to assist nonprofits with unanticipated needs.

“Due to the rising concern of the impact of COVID-19, particularly on vulnerable populations in our community, such as the elderly, low-income and homeless, we know many want to support organizations that are front line in dealing with those most critically affected by the virus,” GLCF President and CEO Jay Linnehan said in a news release.

In the first phase of funding, 60 grants were awarded to help individuals who are essential workers, food insecure, homeless, immigrants, disabled, elderly, or in need of technological support and educational or essential supplies.

The GLCF seeded the COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund with an initial $10,000. It has since raised more than $525,000 to support the fund.

Major donors include the Barr Foundation, Cummings Foundation, Eastern Bank Charitable Foundation, Amelia Peabody Charitable Fund,and  Enterprise Bank, according to a news release.

Grants were awarded to: Aaron’s Presents, Alternative House, the Ashby Fire and EMS Association Inc., the Billerica Council on Aging, Billerica Schools Nutrition Services, the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Lowell, the Cambodian Mutual Assistance Association, Care Dimensions, the Carlisle Council on Aging, Challenge Unlimited Inc. at Ironstone Farm, the Chelmsford Board of Health, Clarendon Early Education Services Inc., Clear Path for Veterans New England, Coalition for a Better Acre, the Collegiate Charter School of Lowell, Dignity Matters Inc., Dwelling House of Hope, End 68 Hours of Hunger – Dracut, Gaining Ground, Girls Inc. of Greater Lowell, the Greater Lowell Family YMCA, Habitat for Humanity North Central Massachusetts, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Lowell, Hidden Battles Foundation, House of Hope Inc., the International Institute of New England, Ironstone Farm Challenge Unlimited Inc., Life Connections, LifeLinks Inc., Living Waters Center of Hope, Loaves & Fishes Food Pantry Inc., Lowell Alliance, the Lowell Association for the Blind, the Lowell Community Charter Public School, the Lowell Community Health Center, Lowell House Inc., the Lowell Transitional Living Center, the Megan House Foundation Inc., the Merrimack Valley Food Bank Inc., Mill City Grows, Northeast Arc, Open Pantry of Greater Lowell, the Paul Center for Learning and Recreation Inc., Power of Flowers, Project Learn, Provision Ministry Inc., the Seven Hills Foundation, St. Paul’s Soup Kitchen, Center for Hope and Healing Inc., The Wish Project, the Town of Chelmsford, the Bridge Club of GL, the Virginia Thurston Healing Garden, the Wayside Youth & Family Support Network Inc., the Westford Council on Aging, and the Westford Food Pantry.

“GLCF will be here for our communities from prevention through long-term recovery efforts,” Linnehan said in a news release. “These grants have assisted a multitude of incredible nonprofits help the populations they serve in unprecedented circumstances. We are grateful for our generous donors who have supported our response fund.”

The GLCF will continue to disperse emergency funds on a rolling basis. For more information or to make a donation, visit glcfoundation.org.