Worcester Business Journal

4 Giving Guide 2025 Worcester Business Journal www.wbjournal.com I t's a pleasure to reach out to you again this year through the Giving Guide. Given recent events, this invaluable public service of the Worcester Business Journal has become more important than ever. As the chaos created by the COVID pandemic fades into memory, another disruptive force is being felt across the country including here in North Central Massachusetts. An unprecedented re-writing of the social contract between citizens, communities and the Federal government is underway that will dramatically reshape many aspects of our daily lives. Of relevance to the work of the Community Foundation, many of the nonprofit organizations upon which our most disadvantaged neighbors rely are facing dramatic reductions in public financial support. Other community institutions that serve the broader population, including hospitals and health centers, arts and cultural organizations, senior centers, schools and out-of-school-time programs, also face deep cuts in financial support from the Federal government. It is unclear how such an abrupt and sharp change in public policy will affect the quality of life in our communities. One likely outcome for the philanthropic sector, at least in the short term, is a move away from forward-looking initiatives to participating in efforts to triage the most critical needs affected by the withdrawal of federal support. This latest turn of events once again demonstrates the wisdom and foresight of the founders of our Community Foundation. Twenty- four years ago they recognized the importance of building charitable funds focused on the needs of Fitchburg, Leominster, Princeton, Gardner, Clinton and the other 28 towns in our region. Today those funds total more than $90 million. As a result, we are not reliant on funding from the government, but rather on the generosity of the individuals, families and businesses that call North Central Massachusetts home. Over 200 fundholders have entrusted us with managing their charitable efforts which distribute $4.5 million back into our region every year and will continue to do so regardless of shifts in political winds, providing a reliable source of support for so many of our local institutions and nonprofits. Nonetheless, given the scale of the recently adopted Federal cuts, it is unlikely local resources will be adequate to replace them. We are working with our nonprofit partners to better understand how the changing policy landscape might affect their important work. But there is no roadmap for navigating this new territory. So, collaboration and flexibility will be key to making our way through it. Collaboration has long been an integral part of the culture here in North Central Massachusetts. It is a muscle that was tested and strengthened by the pandemic. We will all be called upon to rely on that muscle as America adjusts to a future with less Federal involvement in financing critical community needs. As challenging as the coming years are likely to be, I am confident that communities of North Central Massachusetts will navigate these waters together. n Sincerely, Stephen J. Adams President and CEO Community Foundation of North Central Massachusetts From the sponsors Greetings from North Worcester County GUIDE Giving 2025 W elcome to WBJ's 16th annual Giving Guide. This popular edition delivers an easy-to- read snapshot of a wide variety of area nonprofits - sharing each organization's mission and goals, top volunteer activities, major fundraising events, and a list of board members and senior leadership. While you may be familiar with many of these organizations, we're confident you'll discover a few new things you didn't know about each one of them in the following pages. Central Massachusetts is home to a dynamic nonprofit community, and the best organizations are always evolving and adapting. In this issue, our feature story highlights just how resourceful nonprofits can be in the face of enormous challenges. After surviving the pandemic years, federal budget cuts threaten to destabilize many organizations, but nonprofit leaders maintain a steadfast focus on their mission. More than ever, we hope our Giving Guide serves to connect business leaders with deserving organizations doing crucial work in service of the Central Massachusetts community. Business leaders throughout our region have a long-held tradition of giving back, and you'll see the names of many top executives and committed corporate citizens serving on the boards of these nonprofits. Challenging your staff and leadership team to support their vital work at this precarious time through volunteering underscores your company values while giving employees the chance to be impactful beyond the walls of your business. Supporting our nonprofit community is the driving force of our sponsor partners - United Way of Central MA; Greater Worcester Community Foundation and the Community Foundation of North Central Massachusetts. We are encouraged by how they've worked to become even more accessible to nonprofits as securing philanthropic dollars becomes more important than ever. We appreciate another opportunity to work with these essential community partners to produce this annual directory. A digital edition of the Giving Guide appears on our website year-round at WBJournal.com, and each nonprofit profile also appears on the WBJ website under the "Biz Marketplace" tab. And if you are not already receiving it, be sure to sign up for our monthly Nonprofit e-newsletter! n Peter Stanton WBJ Publisher & CEO From the Publisher

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