Looking forward. Giving back!
A Message from the President & CEO
Dear Friends,

It’s that time of year again – a time when much of our discussion revolves around how and where we are going to celebrate Thanksgiving. About traveling distances (or not) to see family and friends to spend the day around a table filled with good food and good stories. This is my favorite time of year.

It is a time when I stop and reflect on many things: how lucky I am; about my faith in God who provides (me) guidance and inspiration; about the values that were instilled in me by my mom and dad; about all the people in my life that mean so much to me; about how I have been able to live my life and hopefully made a difference for others; and so much more! 

It is a time when I look around to see all the good that is happening in our community. A community that takes great pride and satisfaction in helping those that are less fortunate. I am so thankful to be part of such a giving community. During this giving season, if you have a little bit more than you need – give some to someone with less.

With deep gratitude and a heartfelt thank you, wishing you and yours a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Regards,
November 2019
The Hidden Battles Endowment Fund, this new field of interest fund, supports programs to help preserve the healthy minds of military veterans and first responders. From l to r: Leslie Cregg-Hyder, Cregg Hyder, GLCF President and CEO Jay Linnehan, Scott Hyder and Chris Hurst.
GLCF Announces New Fund Established in Honor of Veterans and First Responders
The Greater Lowell Community Foundation is honored to announce the establishment of the Hidden Battles Endowment Fund. This new field of interest fund supports programs to help preserve the healthy minds of military veterans and first responders for treatment and counseling to address suicide prevention, depression, PTSD, and other mental health issues.

Hidden Battles began as a fiscal sponsorship fund of the Greater Lowell Community Foundation in 2017. The organization was started by Scott Hyder, an Army veteran and retired Westford police officer. “By teaming with GLCF, we know our money is in the right hands. We started this new field of interest fund because we know that the Foundation will bring Hidden Battles to a whole new level – a level that can expand on the programs that are keeping our men and women in uniform mentally safer,” said Scott Hyder of Pelham, NH, Founder of Hidden Battles.

“We see the establishment of the Hidden Battles Fund as a great opportunity to support veterans and first responders now and for generations to come,” said Jay Linnehan, GLCF President and CEO. “It is a privilege to support the important work of Scott Hyder and Hidden Battles.”

Tom Leggat Opportunities Fellowship Award Connects Local Youth Back to Nepal

Ashik Tamang is a young man who believes in giving back. Since arriving in the United States, Tamang has dreamed of returning to Nepal to give back to the children in the refugee camp where he lived from age 12 until he resettled in Lowell, Mass. in April of 2016. His dream was fast tracked this month when he received the Tom Leggat Opportunities Fellowship that will provide $5,000 to support his efforts to distribute educational supplies and hygiene kits to children within the refugee camp.

In fact, as a dean’s list student at Middlesex Community College, it was his mentor Maria Cunha, the Director of Out of School Youth Development Center and English Learner Institute who nominated Tamang for the Tom Leggat Opportunities Fellowship to support his dream of assisting children in Nepal. As Cunha noted, “I have been in my position for over 20 years and have worked with hundreds of young people but not too many have shown the compassion, determination and desire to learn and help others as Ashik.”
GLCF Receives Grant from GLHA for Asthma Spacers for School Kids
A recent $20,000 grant was awarded to GLCF from the Greater Lowell Health Alliance for Asthma Spacers for School Kids. In partnership with Respiratory Delivery Systems Inc., the community foundation will make two 510k FDA-approved asthma medicine delivery devices, the Microspacer and Microchamber, available free of charge to schoolchildren in need in the Greater Lowell area.
Billerica Food Market volunteers Jasper Coughlin and Emilee Laskey prepare food allotment deliveries for Billerica’s Council on Aging and Housing Authority.
From l to r: Becca Story, School Nutrition Specialist, New England Dairy & Food Council; Jennifer Aradhya, VP for Marketing & Programs, GLCF; Cheryl Green, Asst. Director of Nutrition, Billerica Public Schools; Sharon Kim, Advancement Coordinator, GLCF; and Carly Ciarletta, Experiential Marketing Manager, New England Dairy & Food Council at the Billerica Food Market at the Marshall Middle School.
GLCF provides New England Dairy & Food Council with Grant to support Billerica Public Schools Food Market
The Greater Lowell Community Foundation (GLCF) awarded $8,780 to the New England Dairy & Food Council this year as part of the 2019 Help Alleviate Hunger and Homelessness in Massachusetts Grant. The funds awarded were used to support the Billerica Public Schools (BPS) Food Market, which is one of nine school-based food pantries in high-need areas of eastern Massachusetts receiving monthly food donations from Greater Boston Food Bank.

In March, GLCF awarded a total of $90,000 to 11 area nonprofit organizations through a 2019 Help Alleviate Hunger and Homelessness in Massachusetts grant. This generous one-time capital grant was made possible from an anonymous donor that partnered with the GLCF to distribute the funding to area nonprofits that are battling hunger and homelessness in the community.
GLCF Fiscal Sponsorships in Action
Leaders in Lowell:
A Talk with Deesha Dyer
Join Leaders in Lowell on December 2, 2019 from 5:30 to 6:45 PM for a talk with Deesha Dyer, the former Obama Administration White House Social Secretary. 

This talk will be focused on Dyer's life, career, and civic engagement. The White House Social Secretary "is responsible for the planning, coordination and execution of official social events at the White House". In her time with the Obama Administration she planned state visits, official ceremonies, private events, and numerous other functions at the White House. In 2014, Dyer founded beGirl.world a "non-profit organization empowering teen girls through global education and travel."
Mon., Dec. 2, 2019
5:30-6:45 p.m.
Donahue Family Academic Arts Center
Lowell, MA 01852

FREE COMMUNITY EVENT
Lowell Chamber Orchestra
presents
Friday, December 13, 2019
7:30 PM  8:30 PM
MCC Donahue Academic Arts Center
240 Central StreetLowell, MA, 01852

Down a hot and dusty road, a soldier marches home, and you should not miss what happens next! Come and see this enduring Russian folk tale, as imagined by Ramuz, with Igor Stravinsky’s iconic music. Fully staged. In collaboration with the Theatre Department of Middlesex Community College.

Abby McIsaac, the narrator • Jared LeMay, the soldier • Peter Carranza, the devil
GLCF Featured Photos
On November 19 at the Old Court in Lowell, GLCF hosted a Future of Philanthropy Focus Group led by UMass Lowell's Rianna Grissom (front row - third from left), Community Researcher & Evaluator and Doctoral Candidate, Applied Psychology & Prevention Science
On November 21 at Mill No.5, the Lowell Transitional Living Center hosted An Evening of Inspiration with guest speaker GLCF President and CEO Jay Linnehan who presented to LTLC a check for $1000 to address immediate needs at the shelter.
Partners in Philanthropy
PREMIER PARTNER:
PLATINUM PARTNERS:

Nancy L. Donahue
GOLD PARTNERS:

SILVER PARTNERS:

A complete list of our sponsors is viewable on the Foundation's website (click here ).
978-970-1600


GLCF is Confirmed in Compliance with National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations.

Our accreditation provides assurance that we have sound policies and practices in place. In short, it means we meet the highest standards for local giving.