More Than $1.4 Million to 129 Nonprofit Organizations in Grants

WORCESTER, MA — The Greater Worcester Community Foundation announced the 129 awardees of its 2016 Community Grants: a total of $1,453,500.00. Community Grants support nonprofit organizations that build healthy and vibrant communities throughout Central Massachusetts. Areas of interest this year included arts & culture, civic engagement, the environment, early childhood development, youth development, economic security, and healthy communities, said the announcement.

“Our Community Grants program is the largest we have; providing funds annually for the general betterment of the entire community,” said Ann T. Lisi, president of GWCF, in a statement. “This year, we have reached a significant milestone with more than $1.4 million in grants to 129 nonprofits. We’re honored to be a part of a strong network of thoughtful and strategic donors committed to making an impact in our communities.”

The awarded grants:

• Abby's House, Shelter, Housing & Advocacy Operations, $18,000.00
• Advocacy for Refugee and Immigrant Services for Empowerment, Suicide Prevention in Worcester's Bhutanese Community, $5,000.00
• African Community Education Program, Family Outreach & Education Programming, $21,000.00
• African Community Education Program Youth Academic & Social-Emotional Programming, $24,000.00
• Alzheimer's Association, Massachusetts/New Hampshire Chapter, Expansion of Alzheimer's Care & Support Services, $5,000.00
• American Red Cross, Disaster Relief & Recovery Program, $9,000.00
• Angels Net Foundation, S.C.O.R.E. Summer Program, $5,000.00
• Appalachian Mountain Club, Youth Opportunities Program - Worcester Summit Site, $5,000.00
• Apple Tree Arts, Head Start Preschool Music Outreach, $15,000.00
• Art in the Park, Worcester, Summer Art in Elm Park, $10,000.00
• ArtsWorcester, Aurora Gallery Programs, $10,000.00
• Ascentria Community Services, Inc., Immigration & Legal Assistance Program, $25,000.00
• Auburn Youth & Family Services, Operating Support, $10,000.00
• Audio Journal, Inc., General Operating Support, $5,000.00
• Bancroft School, Worcester Partnership, $25,000.00
• Best Buddies Massachusetts, School Friendship Programs in Worcester County, $4,000.00
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Mass/Metrowest, Worcester County Mentoring Program, $20,000.00
• Blackstone Valley Boys and Girls Club, Summer Program Camperships, $7,500.00
• Bottom Line, Worcester Access/Success Programs, $10,000.00
• Boys & Girls Club of Webster/Dudley, Junior Staff Development Program, $7,000.00
• Boys & Girls Club of Worcester, General Operations, $25,000.00
• Camp Putnam, Camp Scholarships, $10,000.00
• Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Worcester, Citizenship for Families, $12,000.00
• Center for Nonviolent Solutions, Peer Mediation/Peacebuilding Program, $5,000.00
• Central Massachusetts Housing Alliance, Public Education & Advocacy, $12,000.00
• Clark University, Adam Achiever Program/Main South College Success Program, $10,000.00
• Community Harvest Project, Volunteer Farming Program, $15,000.00
• Community Healthlink, Together for Kids, $12,000.00
• Community Legal Aid, Inc., Immigrant Victims Legal Advocacy Project, $15,000.00
• Community Servings, Nutrition Program for Critically Ill Individuals & Families, $9,000.00
• Dismas House of Massachusetts, Prisoner Reentry Program, $15,000.00
• Dynamy, a division of Y.O.U. Inc., Youth Academy, $10,000.00
• Economic Empowerment Trust Fund, $eedMA, $15,000.00
• Ecotarium, EBT Access Program, $10,000.00
• Elder Services of Worcester Area, Inc.
• Nutrition Program, $7,500.00, Family Continuity dba FCP Inc.
• Recovery-to-Work Program, $10,000.00, Family Health Center of Worcester,Inc.
• Dental Care for Un/Underinsured Low-Income Adults & Children, $25,000.00
• Family Health Center of Worcester,Inc., Healthcare for Homeless Families Program, $10,000.00
• Family Health Center of Worcester,Inc., Positive Directions' Jump Start Summer Program, $7,500.00
• Fitchburg Art Museum, Latino Community Access Project, $7,500.00
• Friendly House, Inc., Frances Perkins Transitional Housing Program, $21,000.00
• Friends of the Shrewsbury Public Library, English Conversation Circle, $5,000.00
• Genesis Club, Inc., Educational Supports and Young Adults Initiative, $20,000.00
• George Marston Whitin Memorial Community Association, Youth Outreach Programs, $10,000.00
• Girl Scouts of Central and Western Massachusetts, It's A Girl's World, $7,500.00
• Girls Incorporated of Worcester, Eureka!, $6,500.00
• Girls Incorporated of Worcester, General Operations, $17,500.00
• Greater Worcester Land Trust, Increasing Public Engagement with the Forests, Trails, Waters, and Agriculture, $7,000.00
• Growing Places Garden Project, Growing Healthy People and Community, $4,000.00
• Guild of St. Agnes of Worcester, Teacher Education, $10,000.00
• Habitat for Humanity MetroWest/Greater Worcester, New Home Build in Worcester, $7,500.00
• Horace Mann Educational Associates, Inc., Students for Higher: Rising Up for Autism, $8,000.00
• Interfaith Hospitality Network of Greater Worcester, Transitional Shelter Operations, $10,000.00
• Jeremiah's Inn, Nutrition Center, $7,500.00
• Joy of Music Program, Inc., Financial Aid Program, $10,000.00
• Kennedy-Donovan Center, Fostering Early Connections - Year Two, $12,000.00
• L.U.K. Crisis Center, Inc., LUK Mentoring Program, $5,000.00
• Latino Education Institute (Worcester State University), ENLACE - Encouraging Latinos to Achieve Excellence, $12,000.00
• Let's Get Ready, Worcester College Access Program, $10,000.00
• Literacy Volunteers of Greater Worcester, Support for Adult Immigrant & Refugee Job Seekers, $20,000.00
• Literacy Volunteers of Greater Worcester, English Language Literacy for Immigrant and Refugee Mothers of Schoolchildren, $5,000.00
• Literacy Volunteers of the Tri-Community, Literacy Volunteers of South Central Massachusetts, $7,500.00
• Massachusetts Audubon Society Inc., Nature Education and Recreation Programs for Worcester Youth, $18,000.00

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