Worcester Business Journal

4 Giving Guide 2026 Worcester Business Journal www.wbjournal.com A ccording to the American Psychological Association (APA), resilience is "the process and outcome of successfully adapting to difficult or challenging life experiences, especially through mental, emotional, and behavioral flexibility and adjustment to external and internal demands." As I look around North Central Massachusetts, I think resilience best describes the nonprofit leaders and teams serving our region. They have responded to shifting political headwinds by stepping back, assessing the challenges, and moving to address them. Local nonprofits refuse to be stymied by negative energy from afar. They are building new partnerships, adopting new practices, and finding new ways to serve the needs of our communities. We have been aided by generous donors from within and outside the region. It is encouraging to receive hundreds of thousands of dollars to support basic needs in our region. And we are humbled by the trust that these outside organizations, far from our doors, place in the Community Foundation to direct their dollars to the most effective providers. At the Community Foundation of North Central Massachusetts, we are changing too. Our evolution is driven not by crisis, but by opportunity. Our growing philanthropic assets, $130 million at present, represent a powerful charitable instinct among the people in our region. We are evolving our grant programs to leverage that charitable instinct and make a more lasting impact on the quality of life in North Central Massachusetts. Our first foray into leveraged grantmaking is bringing high-impact college financial aid consulting to every high school student in the region. We expect that our five-year, $500,000 commitment to College Affordable will attract as much as three times more in funding for this innovative and successful program. Born right here in Fitchburg, College Affordable is producing remarkable results, including bringing $30 million more in college financial aid to local students, and not a penny of it in student loans. This program is making higher education a possibility for thousands of families who once thought college was out of reach. We have already attracted thousands of dollars in additional contributions from Community Foundation fundholders and local foundations, and we are in discussions with larger out-of-region foundations. We intend to make similar investments through our other grant programs over the coming years, with the goal of multiplying the impact of local philanthropy. If your interests include making a mark on communities in North Central Massachusetts, allow us to help you magnify your giving at the Community Foundation of North Central Massachusetts. n Sincerely, Stephen Adams, President Greetings from North Worcester County, A cross Worcester County, nonprofit organizations continue to show extraordinary dedication, creativity and care. Every day, they step forward to meet urgent needs, strengthen neighborhoods and create opportunity, often while navigating uncertainty and limited resources. Their work is essential to the health and vitality of our communities, and it deserves recognition and celebration. At Greater Worcester Community Foundation, we are proud to support these efforts and to work alongside organizations that are making a difference where it matters most. As we wrap up our 50th year as Worcester County's community foundation, we are inspired by the impact nonprofits have made across our region and by the possibilities that lie ahead. In the past year, we have expanded our efforts to help nonprofits grow stronger and more resilient. Through initiatives like Facing Change, we are providing multi-year support to small, grassroots organizations, along with opportunities for peer learning and access to new resources, such as Nonprofit Effectiveness grants and a Nonprofit Loan Fund. The Inspiring Generosity Match Fund, in partnership with the Esler Family Foundation, is helping 38 nonprofits strengthen their programs and build long-term fundraising capacity. We are also investing in community priorities identified and advanced by nonprofit partners, including our recent sizable grants to support early childhood, food security, maternal health and immigrant legal aid as part of our 50th anniversary. We're also excited to launch new Foundation initiatives in honor of our anniversary, supporting arts programming in libraries, emergency resources for scholarship recipients, and new tools to advance affordable housing. While challenges remain, the strength of our nonprofit community gives us confidence and hope. We are grateful for their leadership and for the many partners who help sustain this important work. Together, we are building a more equitable and vibrant Worcester County. n With appreciation, Pete Dunn President & CEO Greater Worcester Community Foundation Dear friends, 2026 Giving Guide

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