February 2021
Civic Leadership Fund Raises more than $239,500 in 2020

GWCF is proud to share that the Civic Leadership Fund (CLF) raised an unprecedented $239,500 in gifts last year. The Foundation welcomed 48 first-time donors in 2020 and received generous contributions from across the community. The Foundation is grateful to everyone who supported the Fund. 
Gayle and Chick Weiss Make Long-term Commitment to Worcester with Donor Advised Fund

Gayle and Chick Weiss (left) are long-time forces for good in our community. Last year they established a donor-advised fund with the Foundation.
 
“Having served on the Foundation’s Board of Directors, I know that the GWCF team knows how to manage money,” said Chick. “They’ve been tremendous stewards of the gifts that have come in.”
 
The couple took this step with the Foundation not only for its knowledge of community issues, but also for its philanthropic leadership and flexibility in managing funds.
 
We took a moment in mid-February to catch up with the philanthropists. Read an excerpt from our conversation on the GWCF Blog.
GWCF Annual Investment Breakfast 

The topic of COVID’s impact on the markets was on the menu when the Foundation held its annual breakfast to review its investment portfolio with fund holders, Board members and Corporators recently. Jeff Croteau, Managing Principal at Prime Buchholz and Tom Bartholomew, GWCF Board Treasurer, discussed GWCF’s investment strategy and approach. The group reviewed the impact of the market during the first months of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the recent changes made to re-balance the portfolio in light of current market conditions. 
Grant Applications Open for Behavioral Health and Food Insecurity

GWCF is pleased to announce the Fairlawn Foundation Fund and the Worcester County Food Bank (WCFB) Fund to End Hunger are now accepting applications for grants.
 
The Fairlawn Foundation Fund supports innovative projects that serve the community's behavioral health needs. This year, for the first time in its history, Fairlawn will be offering two different types of grants: multi-year grants for demonstration projects; and one-time planning grants to advance emerging projects. The application deadline is March 31.
 
The WCFB Fund to End Hunger partners with nonprofits to achieve a shared goal of hunger-free communities, particularly critical given the pandemic and its resulting unprecedented levels of local food insecurity. Thanks to a generous donor, GWCF is matching WCFB’s contribution to expand the fund’s impact on combatting hunger. Deadline for submissions is March 1.
Join us on February 24 for the next Nonprofit Support Center workshop and learn how to build sustainable funding sources for your organization. Register here.

GWCF is a proud member of the Massachusetts Community Foundations Partnership, a new statewide collaborative effort. See their calendar of upcoming webinars where you can learn and network with fellow nonprofits across the state.
Local Leaders Gather at GWCF Legislative Briefing 

The Foundation was excited to host MA Sen. Harriette Chandler (left) and Worcester City Councilor Matt Wally (right) at our recent Legislative Briefing. GWCF President and CEO Barbara Fields described how the Foundation is building relationships with elected officials to secure new and additional resources for the region from the State of Massachusetts. The briefing also touched on ways government officials and community foundations can help meet the needs of local constituent groups.
 
GWCF will be hosting another briefing later this year – we’ll have details soon.

Applications are now being accepted for Greater Worcester Community Foundation's Scholarship Program. Apply online today until March 1!

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Greater Worcester Community Foundation