November 2020
GWCF Grantmaking with a COVID-19 Lens

The arrival of fall means the beginning of the Foundation’s community grant program – our biggest discretionary granting cycle of the year. This year, however, is different. While rolling out this year’s community grants program, we knew the 2020 criteria would have to reflect the pandemic’s impact on Greater Worcester’s nonprofit sector.

In this latest blog post,GWCF's own Vice President for Programs & Strategy Jonathan Cohen shares how the Foundation is applying a COVID-19 lens to its annual grant review.
Navigate Uncertainty with Free Webinars

The Foundation works closely with local nonprofits through its NSC programming in order to strengthen these organizations and help them adapt to a constantly changing world. Join a team of experts at these upcoming virtual events to explore strategies that can help overcome uncertainty. Register at the links below.
 
Monday, Nov. 16, 10:00 - 11:30 AM
Thursday, Nov. 19, 1:00 - 3:00 PM

GWCF is a proud member of the Massachusetts Community Foundations Partnership. This coalition offers targeted webinars to learn from and network with fellow nonprofit organizations.
Donate to the Civic Leadership Fund Today

GWCF’s Civic Leadership Fund helps the Foundation be nimble, respond quickly to critical issues as they emerge, and secure resources from beyond Worcester for the benefit of the entire community.


Giving to the CLF is the smartest investment you can make in your community. Think about:
  • How quickly the Foundation pivoted to raise more than $10 million to help its neighbors throughout the pandemic
  • Opportunities available through the Youth for Community Improvement program which empowers the next generation to use philanthropy to change our world
  • The strong, effective, and resilient nonprofit sector built through the dozens of workshops offered at the NSC

Please respond generously and email Kelly Stimson, director of donor services, with any questions.
Welcoming Clark University's David Fithian to the Worcester Community

Early last month, the Foundation hosted Clark University’s new president, David Fithian, for a donor briefing about his experience, what’s new at Clark University, and the future of collaborations between the university and GWCF.
 
“There is evidence everywhere you look for tremendous opportunities to partner and the kind of tightly-woven social partnerships for which Worcester is known,” commented President Fithian during the hour-long event. “Working with the GWCF, we can really help support young people in and around Worcester.”
 
The Oct. 8 virtual gathering was one in a series of ongoing donor briefings hosted by the Foundation.
PAN explores benefits of ESG investing

The Foundation engaged its Professional Advisors Network late last month with a lively conversation focused on the benefits of environmental, social, and corporate governance-minded investing. At the start of 2020, GWCF added an ESG option to its portfolio which allows donors to align their financial interests with their morals and values.

If you’re interested in learning more about the Foundation's ESG fund, please be in touch. 
Long Read: Three Steps to a Socially Conscious Portfolio

The Foundation's new ESG portfolio offering allows donors the opportunity to align their financial investments with their values by selecting funds that, for example, favor clean energy over fossil fuels and include shares of companies which meet a strict standard of internal governance practices.   

Learn how to get started on a sustainable path of investing with this New York Times feature.
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