‘Commitment to equity’: Worcester receives national award for programs that address public health
This week, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation - a prominent national foundation committed to improving health and health care for everyone in America – announced that Worcester is one of ten winners of its 2020-2021 Culture of Health Prize. The prize honors and elevates communities for working at the forefront of advancing health, opportunity, and equity. GWCF partnered with the Coalition for a Healthy Greater Worcester to apply for the prize.
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Empowering a Stronger Community Through the Arts
Earlier this month, the Foundation’s Creative Intersections program distributed $54,762 in its first round of grants to six arts and cultural organizations across Worcester including:
- Music Worcester, Concert Truck for Community, $5,000
- Creative Hub Worcester, Strengthening Families & Raising Resilience, $10,000
- Indian Lake Community Association, Cultivating the Arts in an Urban Community Garden, $10,000
- Día de los Muertos Event, “Recuerda la Memoria”: Latino storytelling on loss and hope during COVID. A mixed media art project, $10,000
- Worcester Center for Crafts (WCC), Fiber Arts, from Sheep to Craft, $10,000
- College of the Holy Cross, Telling Journeys: Visual Storytelling in Recovery, $9,762
Arts, culture and creativity are uniquely positioned to move people—inspiring us,
inciting new questions, and provoking curiosity, excitement, and emotion. They are an essential ingredient empowering the hearts and minds of people in Worcester. We are excited to provide these organizations with the funding needed to strengthen their impact in our community.
Photo above: Germán Chiriboga (left) and José Criollo (right) next to one component of the Sculpture Recordando La Memoria (Remembering the Memory). Germán and José will be unveiling the sculpture at the JMAC reception on Friday evening.
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Application Deadline for The Business of Art Has Been Extended to November 1
While individual artists are essential to a vibrant arts and culture ecosystem,
developing a successful creative career has unique challenges. The Business of Art is a 6-month cohort program providing Worcester artists of color or those who identify as low to moderate income individuals with the entrepreneurial support they need to grow and thrive in the post-pandemic arts and cultural sector.
Workshop with Artist-Entrepreneurs
From developing a strategic business plan for your creative career to addressing financial trauma, GWCF will coordinate a series of five workshops led by the Assets for Artists team.
Members of the cohort will have the following resources available:
- $1,000 mini-grant (upon completion of the program)
- Priority sign-up for 5 free online workshops
- Individualized support and guidance from Assets for Artists staff or trainers
- Social media promotional support for 1-2 projects per artist with GWCF
Funded by the Greater Worcester Community Foundation’s Creative Worcester Initiative in partnership with the Barr Foundation and administered by MASS MoCA's Assets for Artists Program
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There’s Still Time to Apply for a Nonprofit Effectiveness Grant
At the Foundation, we believe investing in the systems of nonprofit organizations is critical. Our Nonprofit Effectiveness Grant Program is designed to support fresh perspectives on routine operations that demonstrate nonprofit's learning agenda and values. Nonprofits with values-driven activities that increase capacity, enhance organizational culture, and create a space for critical planning are encouraged to apply! Grants up to $10,000 will be awarded.
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Celebrate Philanthropy this #GivingTuesday
Are you ready for #GivingTuesday? The global day of local giving will occur this year on November 30, the Tuesday after Thanksgiving. Just as Black Friday, Cyber Monday and Small Business Saturday kick off the holiday shopping season, #GivingTuesday kicks off the season of philanthropy, inspiring people to collaborate to improve their local communities and give back in impactful ways to charities and causes they support. Join the movement of #GivingTuesday by supporting your local community today!
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Stay tuned for what's to come at the Foundation, from upcoming grant opportunities to workshops, and more. Together, we are building a stronger, more equitable Central Massachusetts. |
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Connect with the Foundation on social media! |
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Greater Worcester Community Foundation
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