Greater Lowell Community Foundation Past Grant Awardees

Earlier this evening I attended the  Annual Meeting of the Greater Lowell Community Foundation. As an early advocate and a founding member of the Community Foundation along with Dick Donahue, Peter Stamas, Mary Bacigalupo, George Duncan and others – I have a special interest in the Foundation. I’m happy to report that the GLCF has over $20 million in assets – a remarkable achievement in these financial times – up from $16.8 million in 2009.  New contributions  totaled over $3 million and thirty-five non-profit agencies have an endowed fund with the foundation.

In May $175,000 was distributed in Lowell High School Scholarship to 178 graduating seniors. Later this year the foundation – in the annual fall grant cycle – expects  to award through its Distribution Committee nearly $99,000 in a new grants program and will again host a “Celebrate Giving” event in October.

Executive Director John Thibault – on a medical leave – attended the meeting and spoke highly of  Charles Wibiralske the interim director who has years of experience in development and philanthropy. John hopes to be back at the helm soon with Mr. Wibiralske staying on as his deputy for development. Expect a continued and aggressive presence of the Community Foundation in Greater Lowell, the Merrimack Valley and all communities  in  the foundation catchment area.

My congratulations to newly elected Greater Lowell Community Foundation President Steven Joncas who succeeds Luis Pedroso and other officers: Vice-President Lori Trahan, Treasurer James C. Shannon, III CPA, Assistant Treasurer Brian J. Stafford, CPA and Clerk Attorney Annemarie Roark.  Stay tuned for more on the activities of the Greater Lowell Community Foundation. Learn more about the GLCF here on its website.