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www.wbjournal.com Worcester Business Journal • Giving Guide 2014 5 From the Sponsors Fostering an educated, healthy, stable community U nited Way of Central Massachusetts makes a difference in our community. Whether it is the middle of the night call to a domestic violence hotline, an afterschool program that mentors youth, or a weekend fire the displaces a family, United Way's grants and program support ensures those among us have a safety net during times of crisis, and the building blocks to build a better future for tomorrow. We have done this work for 95 years, essentially supporting a community to achieve the best outcomes possible. United Way of Central Massachusetts provides a safety net, a foundation for those in crisis. From that foundation, we strive to provide the building blocks for a good life for everyone— EDUCATION, HEALTH and FAMILY STABILITY. Each year, United Way moves one step closer to that goal: one step closer to every child graduating from high school and being college and career ready; one step closer to every family being stable in safe neighborhoods with good jobs and dignified housing; and one step closer to a community in which all members are healthy. The success of these efforts depends on the support of individuals, corporations and foundations—from local citizens like YOU—that want to see a vibrant, healthy community. This year alone, United Way of Central Massachusetts granted more than $5.4 million to organizations and programs that make a difference in the lives of more than 66,000 individuals in our area. This level of support ensures this community has the vitality and quality of life that encourages businesses and families to make their home here. The donations came from hundreds of companies that opened their doors to our staff and volunteers- giving their employees the opportunity to GIVE. VOLUNTEER. ADVOCATE. Will you consider joining us this year? Companies that have made corporate philanthropy part of their business philosophy, whether through fundraising, donation drives or volunteer efforts, are truly the foundation of our community. The corporate support this community enjoys is part of the fabric of our history, as well as the future of our workforce. United Way of Central Massachusetts continues to make a difference for all citizens, from those in need to those who choose to be philanthropic. We are grateful for all who support the nonprofit community by giving their resources, advocating for a cause or volunteering their time. This is how we make a difference in the lives of so many! T he Worcester Business Journal's report on philanthropy gives us a chance to express our thanks to the nonprofit businesses in our area and to showcase their contributions to health and vitality. Local nonprofits serve others and enable caring residents to participate as donors and volunteers to help shape the community we desire. Greater Worcester Community Foundation is a proud funder of many of these causes. Through our grants, donor services and nonprofit education programs, we help serve as responsible stewards, advocates and champions for positive change. People who give have many diverse interests. Whether you want to help expand college access, aid young children, develop a skilled workforce, bring the arts to new audiences and more…you can find local nonprofits working on your issue. And the Foundation is likely engaged in it as well. Donors play a crucial role in the long-term sustainability of the community's vital resources. We invite you to join us in this journey, making Central Massachusetts an ever more vibrant place to live and work. Creating community impact Tim Garvin President/CEO United Way of Central Massachusetts Ann T. Lisi President/CEO Greater Worcester Community Foundation Tim Garvin Ann T. Lisi M any years ago the nonprofit community was commonly perceived as a bunch of smaller organizations divorced from the large private employers, it was the captains of industry who dominated the local business scene. The number of law or accounting firms that carved out a specialty serving the area non-profits were few and far between. Today things could not be more different. The nonprofit sector is booming, and it has a number of major players – with UMass Memorial topping that list with over 10,000 employees. Law and accounting firms have developed large specialty practice areas serving a number of niche's in our huge non-profit economy. There are hundreds of well-run nonprofits delivering a wide variety of needed services throughout our region, but changes since the big recession in 2008/2009 have forced them all sharpen their game, their messaging, their services and their effectiveness as donors have put an even greater scrutiny on the return generated by donated funds. Worcester Business Journal is proud to be publishing our 5th annual Giving Guide, a directory that delivers a snap shot of several of our region's leading nonprofits. Not only does the guide give you each organization's mission, goals, giving and volunteer activities and board members, but also lists major annual events. While you may be familiar with many of these organizations, I'll bet that in reading through the profiles that you'll discover new things you did not know about some familiar organizations, and that you'll discover a new organization or two that you were not familiar with that is doing important work. Supporting our nonprofit community is integral to the mission of our partners, the United Way and the Greater Worcester Community Foundation. We are pleased to once again be teaming up with them to produce this annual directory. We hope you and your organization continue our community's long standing tradition of giving back to the region's nonprofit sector, it is truly a win-win proposition. n Peter Stanton Publisher/CEO New England Business Media From the Publisher