8 Marlborough Nonprofits Get Grants From Cummings Foundation

MARLBOROUGH, MA — The Woburn-based commercial real estate firm Cummings Properties recently gave out $16,000 in grants to Marlborough nonprofits. The grants come from the firm's Cummings Community Giving program.

Here's more from a Cummings Community Giving press release:

Eight Marlborough nonprofits received a little something extra this holiday season: a collective $16,000 in funding from Cummings Properties’ Cummings Community Giving program. This annual philanthropic initiative invites employees to select a local nonprofit to receive a $1,000 donation in their honor.

In total, the Woburn-based commercial real estate firm donated $553,000 to hundreds of local nonprofit organizations. The Marlborough organizations selected this year were: Sophia’s Fund, Boys & Girls Club of Metrowest, Marlborough Public Schools Music Association, Kane Elementary School PTO, Marlborough Fire Department, Marlborough Police Department, Marlborough Public Schools, and Sgt. Charles J. Jaworek Elementary School PTO.

Cummings employees directed funds to 365 nonprofits in 102 local cities and towns. Now in its eighth year, the program is designed to give back in the areas where Cummings Properties team members live and work.

“One meaningful aspect of the program is that it is a broad company-wide initiative yet also deeply personal,” said Dennis Clarke, Cummings Properties chairman and CEO. “All colleagues—whether they were hired yesterday or 40 years ago—have the chance to make an individual decision that helps a local cause that matters greatly to each of them.”

Cummings Community Giving is open to employees of Cummings Properties, as well as its affiliated retirement communities, New Horizons at Choate in Woburn and New Horizons at Marlborough.

New Horizons at Marlborough general worker Michael Burnell, housekeeper Elida Barrera, and waitstaff member Nicole Grunbaum, all Marlborough residents, directed their $1,000 donations to Marlborough Police Department, which partners with the community to ensure public safety through a combination of law enforcement and education.

“I wanted to give to the first responders,” said Burnell. “I know quite a few of the police officers, and I’m sure the money will be put to good use.”

Each eligible organization can receive up to $5,000 per program cycle, allowing multiple staff members to choose the same nonprofit. This year, 15 recipients received the maximum $5,000 donation, including Marlborough Fire Department.

Colleagues with at least 10 years of seniority are invited to choose two nonprofits to receive $1,000 each. Selected nonprofits must meet a few eligibility requirements and be based in and serve Middlesex, Essex, or Suffolk County, or the city or town where the colleague lives.

The program was expanded in recent years to include longtime clients, Cummings Foundation volunteers, and other friends of the Cummings organization. These participants made their selections earlier in the year.

More information, including the complete 2019 Cummings Community Giving recipient list, is available at www.cummings.com/ccg.