A Message from the President and CEO

Dear Nelson,   

March is such a wonderful month. Winter begins to thaw, spring starts to bloom, we honor women’s history month, and, among other things, celebrate one of my favorite holidays, Saint Patrick’s Day. With Irish eyes smiling and spirits lifted (and poured) just about everywhere it’s a grand occasion to be sure.

So, as we get ready to depart this inspiring month, please allow me to leave you with an Irish blessing:

May the road rise to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
The rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of his hand.

GLCF News

Annual Meeting 2023

Equity and the Rule of Law: A Conversation with Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell

Open to all community members, the Greater Lowell Community Foundation is set to host its annual meeting on Wednesday, June 7, 2023 at 5:00 p.m. The event will highlight Equity and the Rule of Law: A Conversation with Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell.

On January 18, 2023, Andrea Joy Campbell was sworn in to be the 45th Attorney General of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, pledging to build economic prosperity and stability for all residents, prioritize the mental health and well-being of children, stop cycles of incarceration and violence and ensure the people across the state have access to the AG’s Office regardless of their zip code, language or ability.

Andrea served as legal counsel to Governor Deval Patrick, working to improve our education and transportation systems and move forward an agenda of equity across the state.

In 2015, Andrea successfully ran for the Boston City Council becoming the first woman to represent District 4 on the Council. Her first piece of legislation was the Community Preservation Act, which still generates over $20 million annually for new affordable housing, historical preservation, and parks and open space. In 2018, she was unanimously elected City Council President – the first Black woman to hold the title.

The event is free, but registration is required as seating is limited.

Learn More

Only 30 tickets remain - reserve your spot now.

A Panel Discussion for Nonprofit Leaders

Navigating Your Organization’s Road to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging

April 11, 2023 • 8:30 - 10:30 a.m. • UTEC - 35 Warren ST., Lowell

Join the Greater Lowell Community Foundation for a panel discussion on Navigating Your Organization’s Road to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging.

The Greater Lowell Community Foundation launched dedicated Racial Equity and Inclusion funding in 2020 for community nonprofits. There are many approaches to raising diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging within your organization and this event will feature a panel of nonprofit leaders who received funding. They will share their initiatives and insights from their work.

There will be a Q+A to help you frame the questions you need to answer within your organization to find the best pathway toward equity.

Moderator:

- Sheila Och, Chief Engagement and Equity Officer, Lowell Community Health Center
Panelists:

 - Yun-Ju Choi, Executive Director, Coalition for a Better Acre

 - Amanda Kuffoh, Sr. Director of DEI and Professional Development, UTEC

 - JuanCarlos Rivera, Director of Operations, Boys and Girls Club of Greater Lowell

 - Jessica Wilson, Executive Director, Mill City Grows

 - Isa Woldeguiorguis, Executive Director, The Center for Hope and Healing

This event is free and open to the leadership of our Greater Lowell nonprofit partners.

Learn More

New Video Celebrates 25 Years of GLCF

GLCF in the Community

GLCF and Read Across America Day Day

GLCF President & CEO Jay Linnehan returned to Lowell Community Charter Public School’s #ReadAcrossAmerica Day!

We have chosen the book The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson for our 2023 Read Across America Day. This book shows how our differences make us special. If you’d like to learn more about the book, there is a great video on YouTube.

It was wonderful to to celebrate the day by reading to some incredible students. A great time was had by all.

Mosaic Lowell News

Winterfest Youth Muralists Reception

There was plenty of pride and lots of selfies from the Winterfest youth muralists during a special reception on March 21st. For most of the muralists, their teachers and parents, this was the first time viewing their artwork on display at Lowell City Hall. The event culminated with Mayor Sokhary Chau recognizing all of the young muralists for their creative and forward-thinking visions for the City of Lowell.

Thank you to the Mayor's Office and the Office of Cultural Affairs and Special Events for helping to coordinate this event. The murals will be moved to their respective schools and organizations after the City Hall exhibit.

GLCF Grant Highlight

GRANT HIGHLIGHT -

GLCF Afghan Resettlement Fund Partnership with Aaron's Presents and the Andover Islamic Center

Since last winter, Aaron’s Presents has been providing visits and socialization opportunities for Afghan children with Melissa Marrama from the Andover Islamic Center.

“These visits, initiated by Lowell youth who are part of Aaron’s Presents, have given our mentors and kids more than we have given to the Afghan families. We have been moved by their gracious and unhesitating welcome of these strangers into their homes, their generosity of spirit, and the ability of play, kindness, respect, and genuine goodwill to transcend language and cultural barriers,” Leah Okimoto, Executive Director, Aaron’s Presents. “This funding by GLCF will make more of these personal interactions having fun with other kids possible.”

From Aaron's Presents:

Funding from GLCF's Afghan Resettlement Fund makes these meaningful and joyful visits between AP kids and Afghan refugee families possible! The families are so welcoming and invite us into their homes, and our kids feel so much joy and connection as well. We’re all just human, no matter what language we speak or customs and cultures we have grown up with. Playtimes among kids are the best evidence of that!

Partner News

How to Build a High Performance Board

Presented by: Diane Remin, Founder and President, MajorDonors.com

Tuesday, May 16, 2023
8:30am-9:30am
Zoom Seminar

Learn more.

GLCF Fiscal Sponsor News

Women Accelerators:

Networking Hours with Guest Speaker Kathleen Ralls, PhD

Wed., March 29, 2023, 4 - 6 PM

Come talk, connect, eat, and hear insightful words from Kathleen Ralls in this Free, networking filled event!

Join Women Accelerators, the UMass Lowell Innovation Hub, Lowell Women's Week, and Kathleen Ralls for this exciting new event!

Kathleen defended her PhD with the plan to pursue a new career path in higher education. The pandemic had other plans, however, and she pivoted into a new and exciting career path as an entrepreneur. In this talk she will discuss how the road to success as a career-changer is not always an easy one from building new networks to redefining skills to succeed in a new industry. Still, the opportunity to set new goals and continue to learn makes it all worthwhile!

Learn more

Give to the Future: Make a Planned Gift

Everyone has a legacy. What’s yours?

Your legacy can be shaped to support the causes you care about now and provide financial and estate savings.

To discuss creating a personalized estate plan that supports issues important to you, please call Jay or Howard at the Greater Lowell Community Foundation at 978-970-1600.