Beverly Bootstraps Awarded $100,000 Grant from Cummings Foundation

WOBURN, February 21, 2013 – Beverly Bootstraps is among the first 10 local organizations selected for grants of $100,000 each from Cummings Foundation. The Woburn-based foundation will announce an additional 90 awards of the same amount in June.

These “early decision” grant recipients were determined by the staff of the Foundation’s for-profit affiliate, commercial real estate firm Cummings Properties. Approximately 70 of the commercial real estate firm’s employees are based at its Cummings Center location in Beverly.

Joel Swets, executive director of Cummings Foundation, said, “The Foundation recognizes that its philanthropy is made possible, in large part, through the hard work of Cummings Properties’ staff. We are delighted to support local nonprofits that are meaningful to these dedicated colleagues.”

All staff members were invited to nominate a locally based charity and then take part in an online vote to determine the grant recipients. The nomination process resulted in 35 eligible organizations.

Field Division Manager Tim Parziale of Wenham nominated Beverly Bootstraps. The social service agency will use its $100,000 award, payable over three years, to expand its food assistance programs.

According to Heather Johnston, director of donor relations, Beverly Bootstraps will expand its Mobile Market, introduced as a pilot program in 2012. In addition, it will be able to provide more meat and dairy products to its clients.

Johnston noted, “This donation will make a huge difference in how we can deliver healthier food to those in need. People tend to think you should take what you can get when it comes to emergency food, but we believe everyone should have access to nutritious food.”

Dennis Clarke, president and CEO of Cummings Properties, noted that there was significant good-natured “lobbying” by colleagues seeking votes for their chosen charities. Several employees arrived at the firm’s recent Annual Party prepared with pins, brochures, and even tote bags promoting their nominated nonprofit.

Clarke said, “Philanthropy has long been part of the Cummings organization’s culture, but this is the first time the entire staff has been invited to participate in distributing such a significant amount of funding. We were so pleased to see the dedication and enthusiasm our colleagues have for some very worthwhile local nonprofits.”

In addition to, Beverly Bootstraps, the diverse group of recipient organizations includes: Alternative House, Asperger’s Association of New England, Birthday Wishes, Boston Medical Center Cancer Care Center, Christopher's Haven, Heartbeat Ministries, Merrimack Valley Hospice House, NEADS/Dogs for Deaf and Disabled Americans, and Wediko Children’s Services.

Through its OneWorld Boston grants program, the Foundation will award a total of $10 million this year. The remaining 90 grants of $100,000 each will be decided by the Foundation’s grant evaluators and announced in June.

To be considered for funding, charities should submit an online Letter of Inquiry by February 28. More information about the application process is available at www.CummingsFoundation.org.