Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/884280
www.wbjournal.com Worcester Business Journal Giving Guide 2017 5 From the Sponsors Delivering positive change where it matters most T his is a thrilling time to be part of the Worcester community. Everywhere we look there are signs of growth and revitalization. By many measures, we are a city on the rise. At the same time, other numbers provide a more complete picture of our community: More than 82,000 people in Greater Worcester—10.3% of the population—live at or below the poverty level. One in five low-income students in Worcester doesn't graduate on time. And this one—over 700,000 adults and children in Massachusetts live in households that struggle with food insecurity. At United Way, these numbers help us set our goals to affect positive change in four key areas that are the foundation for a strong community: (1) help children and youth achieve their full potential through education; (2) help build stable, financially independent families; (3) provide adequate health care and nutrition to nurture healthy minds and bodies; and (4) provide a safety net for people in crisis, including food, shelter, disaster relief, and protective services. We're blessed to have a diverse community of individuals, corporations, and foundations who share our vision and goals for a stable and healthy community; who choose to step up and be responsible for making a difference, through generous contributions and caring volunteer activities. With their help—with your help—United Way supports programs and initiatives that are delivering measureable progress. For example, last year, 4,000 low-income people had access to fresh fruits and vegetables through mobile farmers markets; 392 eighth- grade girls received financial literacy training; 4,579 people saved $348,546 on prescription medications; 890 individuals gained workforce training to move toward a family-sustaining career; 303,000 nutritious meals-on-wheels were delivered to 2,206 home- bound seniors; and 1,954 women were able to safely leave a domestic violence situation and receive the support they need to start over. In all, we touched the lives of 66,000 people. It may sound like a lot, and if you're one of the 66,000, it is everything. We think it's a good start. Our community's capacity to care has proven again and again to be one of our greatest strengths. Certainly, it should be point of pride for us all. And as the Worcester community continues to thrive and grow, United Way will continue to provide meaningful opportunities for us all to GIVE, VOLUNTEER, and ADVOCATE. To LIVE UNITED, so that no one is left behind. n T he Worcester Business Journal's report on philanthropy gives us a chance to express our appreciation to the nonprofit community in Central Massachusetts and to highlight their contributions to the vitality of our region. For more than 40 years, Greater Worcester Community Foundation has worked to transform our region into a strong and healthy community. In our history, we have distributed more than $108 million in annual grants that increase opportunities for all in our region to obtain the fundamentals of a productive life, including economic security, housing, health care and a sound education. Our Early Childhood Initiative engages the entire community in providing a stronger start for our children during their formative first years, which set the path for success in school and life. We invite you to join us in creating a community that offers opportunity to all. Together we can turn your philanthropic vision into a reality. By establishing a fund, your philanthropic intentions are honored year after year as they impact ever-evolving challenges. Our strong, well-managed endowment and board of expert advisors will ensure the growth of your investment and help you establish a legacy that lives on in perpetuity. Join us in building a stronger community, together. n Creating Opportunity for All Tim Garvin President/CEO United Way of Central Massachusetts Ann T. Lisi President/CEO Greater Worcester Community Foundation Tim Garvin Ann T. Lisi T he nonprofit sector is an increasingly important sector in the Central Massachusetts economy. Some of them are among our region's top employers, and collectively they have a huge influence on the quality of life in Central Massachusetts. Successful nonprofits have a sharp eye on delivering real value to their clients and customers in a sustainable manner. Boards are full of business executives who volunteer their valuable time and expertise, and the community of donors keep an eye on how effectively their contributions are put to use, and how well the organization is being run. In an effort to shed more light on some of our region's leading nonprofits, we are proud to be publishing our 8th annual Central Massachusetts Giving Guide. This directory's goal is to provide an easy-to- read snapshot of each organization's mission and goals, top volunteer activities and major events, as well as a list of board members and leadership. While you may be familiar with many of these organizations, we're confident that you'll discover a few new things you didn't know. We've got a dynamic nonprofit community, and the best organizations are always evolving and adapting their services to meet the changing needs of the marketplace. Business and community leaders have a long tradition of giving back to the area's non-profit community, and you'll see the names of many top executives and committed corporate citizens on the boards of these nonprofits. Engaging with our nonprofit community is not only energizing for those on the board of directors, but also for a wide variety of companies and their employees who have found many ways to volunteer their time and treasure. Supporting our nonprofit community is integral to the mission of our partners in the Giving Guide, the United Way and the Greater Worcester Community Foundation. It is great to be teaming up with Tim Garvin and his team to produce this annual directory. The Central Massachusetts business community has a rich tradition of engagement with our nonprofits. Done right, it is a rewarding partnership for both parties. If you or your company want to become more involved, start by reading about the many superb organizations right here in our back yard. n Peter Stanton Publisher Peter Stanton Publisher/CEO New England Business Media From the Publisher