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Greater Lowell Community Foundation Inc

Annual Giving
$4.9M
Grant Range
$2K - $0.0M
Decision Time
3mo

Greater Lowell Community Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: ~$4.9 million (2023: $4,924,269)
  • Total Assets: $70 million
  • Grant Range: $2,000 - $20,000 (varies by program)
  • Geographic Focus: 21 communities in Greater Lowell, Massachusetts
  • Charity Navigator Rating: 97% (4-Star Rating)

Contact Details

Overview

Established in 1997, the Greater Lowell Community Foundation (GLCF) is a community foundation comprising more than 450 charitable funds dedicated to improving the quality of life in the Greater Lowell region of Massachusetts. With total assets exceeding $70 million, GLCF annually awards grants and scholarships to hundreds of nonprofit organizations and students. Since its founding, the foundation has distributed over $35 million in grants and scholarships to the community.

GLCF operates as a donor-advised fund manager, connecting philanthropic donors with local nonprofit organizations. The foundation has adopted Philanthropy Massachusetts' Common Grant Application to streamline the application process for nonprofit partners. In 2025, the foundation made its largest discretionary grant distribution in history, reflecting a strengthened commitment to addressing critical local needs. GLCF has achieved compliance with National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Discretionary Grants Program (up to $10,000)

  • Applications accepted annually, typically opening in February/March
  • Uses Philanthropy Massachusetts' Common Grant Application
  • Focus areas: Children's Services, Elder Services (Leclair Fund), LGBTQ+ Services

Community Connection Grants ($10,000)

  • Flexible funding for organizations advancing equity and strengthening community connections
  • Selection by community committee, approved by GLCF board

Women Working Wonders Fund (up to $15,000)

  • Four grants annually to programs empowering women and girls
  • Focus: Leadership development, transition assistance, environmental beautification

Creative Economy Grant ($15,000/year for 2 years)

  • One grant totaling $30,000 over two years
  • For innovative projects stimulating creative industries and arts participation
  • Preference for collaborative projects using arts for community revitalization

Arts Elevate: Arts Equity Grants ($5,000)

  • Nine grants supporting nonprofits partnering with local artists
  • Focus: Youth development, cultural expression, community wellness

Leadership Grants ($2,500)

  • Four grants for programs teaching leadership to the next generation

Healthy Communities Grants ($5,000)

  • Two grants for programs promoting healthy communities

Elder Services Grants ($5,000 - $20,000)

  • Four or more grants supporting services for elderly people

NETSCOUT Heart of Giving ($5,000 - $10,000)

  • Review of unfunded discretionary grant proposals
  • Three organizations selected for in-person presentations
  • Awards: 1st place $10,000, 2nd and 3rd place $5,000 each

Emergency/Special Grants

  • Refugee and Immigrant Resettlement Fund grants
  • Emergency response grants (e.g., $200,000 food insecurity response in 2025)

Priority Areas

  • Children's services and youth development
  • Elder services and healthy aging
  • LGBTQ+ community support
  • Racial justice and equity building
  • Healthcare access and prevention
  • Mental health services
  • Arts and creative economy
  • Food security
  • Women and girls empowerment
  • Refugee and immigrant support

What They Don't Fund

  • Religious organizations/programs
  • Political organizations or individuals
  • Organizations without 501(c)(3) status
  • Organizations outside the 21-community service area
  • Multiple applications from the same organization (one per cycle)
  • Incomplete applications

Governance and Leadership

Staff

  • James F. Linnehan Jr., Esq. - President & CEO
  • Howard Amidon - Vice President for Philanthropy
  • Jennifer Aradhya - Vice President for Marketing, Programs + Strategy
  • Janinne Nocco - Controller and Administrative Officer
  • Maria Papandreou - Grants Manager
  • Fatima Palermo - Scholarship Manager and Office Manager
  • Mike Durkin - Finance Coordinator

Board of Directors

  • Chair: Chet Szablak (Enterprise Bank)
  • Vice Chair: Karen Frederick (Community Teamwork, Inc. - Retired)
  • Treasurer: Michael King (Market Basket)
  • Assistant Treasurer: Charles H. Comtois, CPA (KLR)
  • Clerk: Dorothy Chen-Courtin (Marketing and Management Associates)
  • Plus 17 additional directors representing diverse community sectors

Leadership Quotes

Jay Linnehan on grantmaking:

"GLCF is committed to strengthening our nonprofit community through strategic grantmaking that addresses critical needs in Greater Lowell. By adopting Philanthropy MA's Common Grant Application, we are making the process more accessible and efficient for our nonprofit partners, allowing them to focus more on their missions and less on paperwork."

Jay Linnehan on 2025 discretionary grants:

"With the largest discretionary grant distribution in our history, we're affirming our commitment to addressing critical local needs."

Jennifer Aradhya on Community Connection Grants:

"At a time when federal funding cuts threaten vital services for our most vulnerable community members, local support has never been more important."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

  1. Review grant guidelines at glcfoundation.org/for-nonprofits/grants
  2. Submit applications through Philanthropy Massachusetts' Common Grant Application
  3. Access online portal at grantinterface.com for submissions and reports

Key Requirements:

  • 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status required
  • Must serve one or more of the 21 eligible communities: Acton, Ashby, Ayer, Bedford, Billerica, Burlington, Carlisle, Chelmsford, Concord, Dracut, Dunstable, Groton, Littleton, Lowell, Pepperell, Shirley, Tewksbury, Townsend, Tyngsboro, Westford, and Wilmington
  • One application per organization per grant cycle
  • Multi-site agencies submit one application covering all locations
  • Organizations may serve as lead applicant in one category while partnering on other proposals

Decision Timeline

  • Discretionary Grants: Applications open February, deadline typically early April (noon deadline), awards announced at Annual Meeting in June
  • Other Programs: Vary by specific grant; check website for current cycles

Success Rates

Specific success rates are not published, but the foundation awards to multiple organizations each cycle:

  • 2025 Discretionary Grants: 26 nonprofits received funding
  • 2025 Community Connection Grants: 10 organizations funded
  • 94 total grant awards made in 2023

Application Success Factors

Demonstrate Community Impact Successful grantees show clear, measurable impact on Greater Lowell residents. The foundation looks for organizations whose "collective work touches thousands of Greater Lowell residents annually."

Track Record Matters Recipients are evaluated on their "track record of meeting all grant requirements as past grant recipients." First-time applicants should emphasize organizational stability and capacity.

Collaboration is Encouraged The foundation strongly encourages collaborative projects. Organizations can apply as lead applicant in one category while partnering on other proposals. Projects that are "collaborative in nature" receive preference, particularly for Creative Economy grants.

Align with Current Priority Areas Current strategic focus areas include Children's Services, Elder Services, and LGBTQ+ Services. Applications addressing racial equity are prioritized, as the foundation "strongly believes that addressing racial equity is the first essential step towards their mission of building a more fair and just community."

Geographic Specificity Proposal narratives should explicitly show how programs benefit specific towns within the 21-community service area.

Second Chances Available The NETSCOUT Heart of Giving program reviews unfunded proposals from the Discretionary Grant Cycle, giving rejected applicants another opportunity for funding through in-person presentations.

Recent Funded Projects (for reference)

  • Boys & Girls Club: Youth programs for academic success, healthy lifestyles, leadership development
  • Project LEARN: Career-readiness programming connecting students with local employers
  • Cambodian Mutual Assistance Association: Cultural support services
  • Mill City Grows: Food security programming
  • The Center for Hope and Healing: Community wellness services

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Focus on the 21-community area: Geographic eligibility is strictly enforced. Clearly demonstrate how your program serves one or more of the eligible communities.

  • Use the Common Grant Application: GLCF has adopted Philanthropy MA's standardized application, making it easier for organizations already using this format elsewhere.

  • Apply to one program as lead: You can only submit one application as lead applicant per cycle, but can partner on others. Choose strategically.

  • Emphasize equity and inclusion: The foundation prioritizes racial justice and equity building. Frame your work within this lens where appropriate.

  • Don't give up after rejection: The NETSCOUT program provides a second chance for unfunded proposals through in-person presentations.

  • Attend the Annual Meeting: Grant awards are announced at the June Annual Meeting, providing networking opportunities and insight into the foundation's priorities.

  • Build relationships through the ecosystem: GLCF is embedded in the Greater Lowell nonprofit community and values organizations with demonstrated community presence and collaboration.

References

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