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Community Foundation of North Central Massachusetts Inc

Annual Giving
$7.2M
Grant Range
$2K - $0.0M
Decision Time
2mo
Success Rate
39%

Community Foundation of North Central Massachusetts Inc

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $7,162,320 (2023); approximately $515,000 in competitive grants (FY2024-2025)
  • Total Assets: $50 million
  • Success Rate: 39% (58 of 150 applications approved in FY2024-2025)
  • Decision Time: 4-8 weeks (varies by program)
  • Grant Range: $2,000 - $20,000 (typical); average $8,000
  • Geographic Focus: 33 communities in North Central Massachusetts

Contact Details

Overview

The Community Foundation of North Central Massachusetts is a tax-exempt public charity founded in 2001, created by and for the people of the North Central Massachusetts region. With $50 million in assets under management, the Foundation serves 33 communities along the New Hampshire border in Central Massachusetts, including the high-need city of Fitchburg. The Foundation's mission is to "improve the quality of life in North Central Massachusetts" by providing donors with philanthropic platforms, conducting grant-making informed by measurable results, and convening stakeholders around regional issues.

In 2023, the Foundation distributed $7,162,320 in grants across 98 awards. The Foundation holds a 4-star rating (100% score) from Charity Navigator, reflecting strong financial health and governance practices. The organization manages charitable funds established by individuals, families, businesses, and other nonprofits, emphasizing impactful grantmaking with measurable results while honoring donor intent.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Community Foundation offers six competitive grant programs:

  1. Career Readiness and Educational Access - $2,000-$10,000

    • Post-secondary education and training for family-supporting employment
    • Career-related training initiatives
    • Educational access programs

  2. Community Enrichment - $2,000-$10,000

    • Community development, arts/culture, civic engagement
    • Recent round: $104,761 awarded to 21 nonprofits (November 2024)

  3. Community Health (Nashoba Valley) - $5,000-$20,000

    • Health initiatives in 12 Nashoba Valley communities: Ashby, Ayer, Bolton, Devens, Groton, Harvard, Lancaster, Littleton, Lunenburg, Pepperell, Shirley, and Townsend
    • Larger collaborative projects exceeding $20,000 considered if impact justifies request

  4. Environmental Preservation and Animal Welfare - $2,000-$10,000

    • Natural resource access and preservation
    • Animal welfare initiatives
    • Recent round: $82,310 awarded to 11 organizations

  5. North Central Massachusetts Racial Equity Fund - $2,000-$10,000

    • Advancing racial equity and social justice
    • Recent round: $49,250 awarded to 5 nonprofits
    • Reviewed by Racial Equity Advisory Committee

  6. Organizational Development - $2,000-$10,000

    • Strategic planning, technology upgrades, staff training
    • Capacity-building initiatives
    • Recent round: $61,623 awarded to 12 nonprofits (November 2024)

Priority Areas

  • Education and career readiness
  • Human services
  • Arts and culture
  • Community health
  • Food security (over $2 million invested in food system transformation)
  • Community development
  • Environmental preservation
  • Racial equity and social justice

What They Don't Fund

  • Individuals
  • For-profit entities
  • Multi-year grants
  • Capital campaigns
  • Legislative influence efforts
  • Late applications (no exceptions)

Governance and Leadership

Officers

  • William E. Aubuchon, IV – Board Chair (W.E. Aubuchon Company, Inc.)
  • Leslie Garrison – Vice Chair (Boxborough, MA)
  • Steven L. Stone – Treasurer (Sterilite Corporation)
  • Alice von Loescke – Clerk (Harvard, MA)
  • Stephen J. Adams – President & Recording Secretary

President & CEO

Steve Adams was appointed President and CEO in August 2019, succeeding Philip Grzewinski who served since the Foundation's founding in 2001. Adams brings over 20 years of experience managing public/private collaborations and has held senior executive roles in state government in Maine and Massachusetts. He serves on the board of CEONet, a national network of community foundation leaders.

Key Quote from Stephen Adams on Organizational Development Grants:

"These grants empower nonprofits with essential tools, enabling them to serve communities more effectively and sustainably."

On Community Enrichment Grants:

"Community enrichment grants are vital to nurturing the arts and preserving our cultural heritage."

On Environmental Grants:

"Caring for our environment and animals goes hand in hand with caring for each other."

Board of Trustees

The 22-member Board of Trustees includes 94% independent board members. Additional trustees include representatives from local businesses, financial institutions, universities (Fitchburg State University), and community organizations such as the Spanish American Center.

Staff

  • Meghan Maceiko – Director of Grants and Impact
  • Erin Thomason – Director of Philanthropy

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

  1. Check Eligibility: Must be a tax-exempt nonprofit, organization with nonprofit fiscal agent, or municipality. Organizations outside the 33-town service area may apply if work directly benefits residents.

  2. Monitor Grant Schedule: Each program operates at a specific time during the year. Check the Grant Program Schedule on the website.

  3. Submit Online: Applications are submitted through the online grant portal at grantinterface.com/cfncm. Note: The Foundation recently migrated to a new portal; create a new account if needed.

  4. One Application Per Program: Organizations may apply to multiple different programs but cannot submit duplicate applications within the same program.

Application Requirements

All proposals must address five core expectations:

  1. Clearly and concisely articulate the expected impact
  2. Meet documented community needs
  3. Include measurable, strategic goals achievable within the grant period
  4. Provide detailed project budgets with revenue sources
  5. Demonstrate adequate outcome measurement and evaluation tools

Decision Timeline

  • Applications reviewed by grant committees comprising trustees, volunteers, and staff
  • Each committee member reads and scores proposals independently
  • Scores averaged and used as starting point for confidential committee discussion
  • Committee presents funding recommendations to Board of Trustees for final approval
  • Organizations receive email notifications of decisions
  • Example timeline: Nashoba Valley Community Health applications due January 3 → decisions announced by February 7 (approximately 5 weeks)

Success Rates

  • FY2024-2025: 150 applications submitted requesting over $1.5 million; 58 proposals approved for approximately $515,000
  • Approval Rate: 39%

Reapplication Policy

The Foundation does not explicitly restrict unsuccessful applicants from reapplying in future grant cycles. Organizations needing mid-grant modifications should contact the Director of Grants and Impact immediately to request amendments.

Application Success Factors

From the Foundation's Guidance

Write Clearly and Concisely:

  • Avoid jargon; support claims with data
  • Include measurable outcomes
  • Demonstrate diverse funding sources
  • Show organizational capacity
  • Provide strategic action plans aligned with program guidelines
  • Proofread thoroughly

Core Expectations (directly from CFNCM):

  1. "Clearly and concisely articulate the expected impact"
  2. Programs must "meet documented community needs"
  3. Include "measurable, strategic goals achievable within the grant period"
  4. Provide "detailed project budgets with revenue sources"
  5. Demonstrate "adequate outcome measurement and evaluation tools"

Examples of Recently Funded Projects

Organizational Development:

  • Big Brothers Big Sisters Central Mass MetroWest – Foster Youth Support and Mentorship ($10,000)
  • Gardner Community Action Committee – Relocation and Accessibility ($10,000)
  • LUK Crisis Center – Project Management System ($7,500)
  • NewVue Communities – Website Development ($7,000)

Community Enrichment:

  • Community Legal Aid – Legal Aid Outreach Project ($8,000)
  • East Quabbin Land Trust – Accessible Walkway Installation ($8,000)
  • LaunchSpace – Mobile MakerSpace ($8,000)
  • Fitchburg Historical Society – American Dream Community Stories ($5,225)

Environmental/Animal Welfare:

  • Second Chance Animal Services – Pet Vaccine Clinics ($13,175)
  • Mount Grace Land Conservation Trust – Marchmont Forest Project ($11,400)
  • Western Massachusetts Climbers Coalition – Farley Ledge Conservation ($10,000)
  • Fitchburg Trail Stewards – Jewell Hill Trail Boardwalk ($9,500)

Post-Award Requirements

  • Sign grant agreement before payment
  • Submit interim reports midway through funding cycle
  • Final reports due one month after project completion
  • Be prepared for potential site visits during grant period

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  1. Demonstrate Regional Impact: Programs must directly benefit residents of the 33-community service area. Outside organizations can apply if their work serves the region.

  2. Prepare for Competitive Process: With a 39% approval rate, focus on clear articulation of community need, measurable outcomes, and organizational capacity.

  3. Average Grant is $8,000: Typical grants range $2,000-$10,000, with Nashoba Valley Community Health allowing up to $20,000 for larger collaborative projects.

  4. Submit On Time: No late applications accepted under any circumstances. Monitor the Foundation's website and social media for program announcements.

  5. One Application Per Program Per Year: Strategic focus—choose your strongest program fit. Organizations can apply to multiple different programs.

  6. 12-Month Funding Cycle: Grants cover one year only; no multi-year funding available. Plan projects accordingly.

  7. Strong Financial Health = Reliable Funder: With $50 million in assets, 4-star Charity Navigator rating, and 11+ years of working capital, this is a stable, long-term funding partner for the region.

References

Last accessed: December 2024

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