This Month's News & Updates

Greater Worcester Community Foundation is partnering with the  Barr Foundation  to support and elevate the creative community of Worcester with "Creative Worcester," a project of the Barr Foundation's "Creative Commonwealth" initiative. Two grant programs have emerged from Creative Worcester, and the grant guidelines are now available on the Foundation's website.

Creative Spark Grants
Deadline: May 4
The Creative Spark Grant Program will support organizations and individuals engaged in the creative sector who have innovative ideas that align with our values and demonstrates programmatic excellence. These grants are meant to "spark" more connections with and expressions by diverse community voices. Full grant guidelines can be found here. A Spark Grant orientation session is being held at GWCF on Thursday, April 5 at 4:00pm.

Creative Community Engagement Grants
Deadline: May 18
The Creative Community Engagement Grant Program will support organizations who actively seek to develop deeper engagement with our changing and diverse community in alignment with their strategic visions and our values. Full grant guidelines can be found here.

For questions, contact Jonathan Cohen, Program Officer, at 508-755-0980.
Story2Outreach & Education Site Visits for April
Site visits are an outstanding way for Foundation volunteers, fund holders and corporators to experience the strong impact our grantmaking has on the community. Outreach & Education visits are scheduled to various GWCF grantees across Worcester County throughout the spring, summer and fall. Volunteers are invited to come hear from top agency leaders and see where programs are delivered. The best visits end with participants informed and inspired, both by the work of the agencies, and by how the Foundation is having a real impact.    For more information, and to see what other visits are scheduled in coming months, please visit our  Outreach & Education Site Visitors Program  page.

The following site visits are scheduled for April.  Click on the individual link to learn more about each visit and sign up:

Monday, April 9, 3:00-5:00pm
Area(s) of Interest: Immigrant/Refugee Programs/Services

Thursday, April 19, 9:00-11:00am
Area(s) of Interest: Youth Academic Success, Family Supports

Tuesday, April 24, 9:00-11:00am
Area(s) of Interest:  Service Animals

Thursday, April 26, 3:00-5:00pm
Area(s) of Interest:  Multi-Service Agency, Women's Empowerment, Racial Equity, Youth
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RSVP today: April 26 - Professional Advisor Network Event

Join us for our next Professional Advisor Network Event! GWCF, the  Estate & Business Planning Council of Worcester County, the Community Foundation of North Central Massachusetts and the Montachusett Regional Estate & Retirement Planning Council invite you to a special di nner and  an informative discussion on Charitable Aspects of the New Tax Act. 

A reception will begin  at 5:00PM on Thursday, April 26 at Wachusett Country Club in West Boylston, MA. Donald J. Greene, Philanthropic Client Relationship Executive for U.S. Trust, Bank of America Private Wealth Management, will be speaking. To reserve, contact Kelly Stimson at 508-755-0980 or email [email protected].
Story3April NSC Workshops
The Nonprofit Support Center (NSC) Spring sessions are now open for registration. 

The next NSC workshop will be held on Wednesday, April 25 entitled Sustainability Planning. Presenter will be Nancy Jackson, Consultant, TSNE MissionWorks, and President, Gammy Bird Consulting.

To view the full calendar and RESERVE YOUR SEAT, click here. Additional sessions may be added in the coming weeks; stay tuned!
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Save the Date: May 16 - Annual Meeting

Dr. Heather Forkey, MD
In May we hold our Annual Meeting as a way to highlight the Foundation's achievements over the previous year. This event is open to the public with a reception following. 

Wednesday, May 16, 2018
Mechanics Hall
321 Main Street, Worcester
Program begins at 4:30pm

This year's guest speaker will be Dr. Heather Forkey, MD, UMass Memorial Children's Medical Center, Division of Child Protection. 

To RSVP, please contact Kelly Stimson at 508-755-0980 or email [email protected].
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Join Youth for Community Improvement (YCI) 2018
Youth for Community Improvement (YCI) is now accepting applications for the class of 2018.  High school sophomores and juniors from the Greater Worcester area are encouraged to apply!  YCI is a 12 week youth led program run through the fall geared towards learning about grantmaking as a tool to effect change in your community.  Students who are interested in working with their peers to identify community assets and needs, develop their leadership and critical thinking skills and award $20,000 in grants to nonprofits in their community should apply. 

If you are going to be a high school sophomore or junior in Worcester County in the fall of 2018 and interested in making a difference in your community, join YCI! 1st and 2nd year applicants can apply online here. 1st year applicants have until Friday, June 1, 2018.

For questions, please contact Sarah Shugrue, YCI Coordinator and Program Officer, at [email protected] or 508-755-0980.
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Upcoming Grant Deadlines
The Foundation is currently accepting applications for the following funds:

Leicester Savings Bank Fund
The Leicester Savings Bank Fund is  seeking proposals for projects that work to build a stronger community and improve the quality of life for all in Leicester. Any non-municipal association or nonprofit organization serving Leicester is encouraged to apply. Online applications are due by April 13, 2018. For more information, click here.

Fairlawn Foundation Fund
The Fairlawn Foundation Fund is dedicated to helping innovative projects that improve health and health care in the Worcester area. The Foundation is particularly interested in projects that address mental health needs in the community. Online applications are due by April 27, 2018. For more information, click  here .
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Join the Foundation's Acorn Society
Our Acorn Society honors donors who have established planned gifts or provided for the Foundation in their wills. While recognizing our donors' generosity, we hope their example will inspire others to consider this creative and effective form of philanthropy.

Become a member simply by notifying us that you have included the Foundation in your estate plan or will. There is no minimum gift level and membership is lifelong, complementary and nearly 100 strong. 

For questions,  contact Kelly Stimson at 508-755-0980 or email [email protected].
Read Our Blog
We use our blog as a way to engage with you to create an ever more vital and prosperous community and region, where opportunity is extended to everyone. Click here to read our latest blog post. 

Questions? Comments? Contact our Vice President  of Donor Services , Kelly Stimson. Call 508.755.0980  or email at [email protected]