New Members
Community Foundation of North Central Mass. hits $100M in overall giving
Meets community needs through scholarships grants and other financial support
FITCHBURG — The Community Foundation of North Central Massachusetts has announced that it has surpassed $115 million in charitable assets and has distributed over $100 million in grants and scholarships to support local nonprofits, students and community initiatives across 33 cities and towns in the region.
Foundation representatives said this milestone strengthens the long-term charitable resources available to support the region and reflects decades of collaboration among donors, nonprofit partners, civic leaders and community members who have helped build a strong philanthropic foundation dedicated to improving quality of life.
“What an example of the extraordinary power of a community investing in itself,” said Stephen J. Adams, president of the Community Foundation of North Central Massachusetts. “Through the generosity of donors, nonprofit partners and community leaders, the foundation now manages more than $115 million in charitable resources, while more than $100 million has already been distributed to organizations working to strengthen our region.”
Since its start in 2001, the foundation has connected charitable resources with initiatives in education, economic opportunity, health and human services, arts and culture, and community development.
The North Central Massachusetts healthcare system has been negatively impacted in recent years by various factors. Last month, the Community Foundation of North Central Massachusetts announced $350,000 in grants to expand healthcare access and strengthen behavioral health services across its 33 communities.
“From investing in new equipment at area hospitals to supporting student mental health in schools across the region, and providing scholarships to future healthcare professionals, these grants are strengthening care across our region, and we’re proud to be a steward of that,” said Adams.
Passionate leaders, prudent stewardship
Foundation representatives said that reaching these milestones is a testament to the leadership and dedication of the Community Foundation’s staff and volunteer Board of Directors, whose members bring deep roots in and genuine commitment to the communities they serve. These local leaders, from business executives and educators, to legal and financial professionals and civic advocates, have guided the foundation with a clear and consistent vision to grow philanthropic resources and deploy them where they make the greatest difference.
Sound investment management has been central to the foundation’s growth. The Community Foundation works with Mason Investment Advisors, a top institutional investment advisory firm, to ensure that charitable assets are managed with discipline, transparency and a long-term perspective. Foundation representatives said that Mason’s expertise helps the foundation protect and grow the resources entrusted to it by donors, ensuring that every dollar given today has the greatest possible impact for years to come.
Strategic impact
As part of a new strategic approach to grantmaking, the foundation has committed $100,000 per year over five years, totaling $500,000, to College Affordable, a nonprofit that provides free, high-touch financial aid advising to students and families. The Community Foundation’s five-year commitment, announced in April, will help bring expert guidance to every high school in the region. It will establish North Central Massachusetts as the first region in the state with a coordinated, expert and free financial aid support system available to families in every high school.
“As CFNCM enters its next chapter, the foundation will continue to focus on growing philanthropy while ensuring charitable resources are used strategically to strengthen communities today and for generations to come,” said Board Chair Will Aubuchon. “The new direction reflects our evolution from a traditional grant-maker to a more proactive community partner, working alongside stakeholders like College Affordable to create sustainable, long-term impact.”
The Community Foundation of North Central Massachusetts, a 501(c)(3) public charity, serves the needs of a 33-community region, managing charitable funds established by individuals, families, businesses and other non-profit organizations.
Representatives said the foundation partners with individuals, families, businesses and organizations to turn generosity into lasting impact connecting charitable resources with the needs and opportunities that shape the region’s future. It stewards more than $115 million in charitable assets and has distributed over $100 million in grants and scholarships to support local nonprofits, students and community initiatives. The foundation provides flexible giving options that enable individuals, families, businesses and nonprofit organizations to achieve their charitable goals and create lasting community benefits.
Visit www.cfncm.org for more information and follow CFNCM on LinkedIn and Facebook.
{original article at Sentinel & Enterprise}
