Cummings Foundation Founders Honored by Catholic Charities

Bill and Joyce Cummings, founders of Woburn-based Cummings Foundation, received the Justice and Compassion Award last week at the annual Spring Celebration event benefiting Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Boston.

According to Catholic Charities, the award recognizes the Cummings’ extensive philanthropic contributions and social impact on the Greater Boston community, as well as their significant support of Catholic Charities and its English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) adult education programs in Salem and Lynn.

“Catholic Charities is very fortunate to have so many supporters who recognize the profound impact that our services and programs have on our neighbors and families in need,” said Deborah Kincade Rambo, president of Catholic Charities. “This year we had the pleasure of honoring Joyce and Bill Cummings, a couple truly embodying the values of charity and compassion and who through their generosity have transformed countless lives in Massachusetts and beyond.”

The Winchester couple accepted the award and addressed a crowd of about 400 at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum.

“Our favorite advice about giving is to just forget the old idea of ‘giving until it hurts,’” said Bill Cummings. “Think instead, about giving until you feel really good about what you are doing.”

Spring Celebration raised more than $1.1 million to fund Catholic Charities’ programs and services that support more than 200,000 people in need throughout Eastern Massachusetts.

The event featured Mike Sheehan, CEO of The Boston Globe, as master of ceremonies. He opened by joking that he had just struck a deal with Cummings Properties’ president and CEO, Dennis Clarke, for the commercial real estate firm to purchase 135 Morrissey Boulevard, The Globe’s current headquarters, which is for sale.

Cardinal Seán Patrick O’Malley made closing comments, describing the Cummings as “the type of people who take care of other people.”

Also in attendance was Woburn resident Carol Donovan, a Cummings Foundation trustee. Donovan spent 25 years teaching in the Woburn public school system and served seven terms in the Massachusetts House of Representatives.

Next month, Cummings Foundation will announce the winners of the 2016 “$100K for 100” grants program, which annually awards $100,000 each to 100 local nonprofits. The Foundation has awarded more than $140 million in funding in Greater Boston alone.

About Catholic Charities, Archdiocese of Boston

For more than 110 years, Catholic Charities has continued its mission of building a just and compassionate society rooted in the dignity of all people. The agency provides nearly 100 programs and services throughout Eastern Massachusetts. These services respond to the needs of the poor and working poor, provide supportive services to children and families, and assist refugees and immigrants as they become active participants in their communities. Last year, Catholic Charities served more than 200,000 people in need, regardless of faith. To discover more of our work, visit www.ccab.org.

About Cummings Foundation

Woburn-based Cummings Foundation, Inc. was established in 1986 by Joyce and Bill Cummings of Winchester. With assets exceeding $1 billion, it is one of the largest foundations in New England. The Foundation directly operates its own charitable subsidiaries, including two New Horizons retirement communities in Marlborough and Woburn. Its largest single commitment to date was $50 million to Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University. Additional information is available at www.CummingsFoundation.org.

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PHOTO: (left to right) Bill and Joyce Cummings accept the Justice and Compassion Award from Cardinal Seán O’Malley.

PHOTO: (left to right) Woburn resident Carol Donovan, a Cummings Foundation trustee and former state legislator, speak with Cardinal Seán O’Malley.