WORCESTER—The Greater Worcester Community Foundation (GWCF) has awarded more than $1.11 million in operating grants to 94 nonprofits, including 12 based in Worcester.
These grants are part of GWCF’s 2024 Community Grants program, which targets five focus areas: arts and creativity, basic needs, economic opportunity, health and wellbeing, and youth and families.
Among Worcester-based grantees, several organizations addressing food security, health, and community enrichment received significant funding:
- Love Your Labels: $12,000 to support arts and creativity
- Worcester Roots: $5,000 to foster economic opportunity
- The HeartWell Institute: $12,500 for health and wellbeing initiatives
- Worcester RISE for Health: $7,500 to support health programs
- 508 Forever Young, Inc.: $7,500 for youth-focused programs
These organizations address critical needs in the community, from empowering young people to enhancing public health services.
“We are grateful to have a wide variety of funds at the Foundation that support the Community Grants program,” said Peter Dunn, president and CEO of GWCF, in a press release. “This gives us the flexibility to provide much-needed general operating support to nonprofits while also investing in specific projects that address the community’s most pressing needs.”
The grants also reflect growing concerns about food security due to inflation. For example, the Oxford Ecumenical Food Shelf and Ginny’s Helping Hand were among organizations awarded funding to meet increased demand.
This year, GWCF streamlined its renewal process for nonprofits previously funded, while also welcoming 20 new operating grantees, including several from Worcester.
The Community Grants program is supported by discretionary and field-of-interest funds established by donors, forming approximately a quarter of GWCF’s annual grantmaking budget.
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