Community Foundation of North Central MA
Based in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, the Community Foundation of North Central Massachusetts is a public charity founded in 2001. It manages charitable funds established by individuals, families, businesses, and nonprofit organizations, and makes grants to support communities in its 33-community region.
Community Foundation of North Central MA at a glance
In short: Community Foundation of North Central MA gave $4.7M across 115 grants in 2025 (avg $41K), mostly in Massachusetts. 35% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $4,713,751
- +10.0% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 115
- -6.5% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $40,989
- +17.7% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $15,000
- Total assets
- $95,321,703
- +19.7% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 35% first-time grantees (40 of 114, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Massachusetts (88% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Community Foundation of North Central MA
- How to Apply
-
Apply through the online application link provided on a grant opportunity page when that program is open. Eligibility is limited to tax-exempt nonprofits, organizations using a nonprofit fiscal agent, and municipalities; organizations based outside the region may apply if the proposed work is carried out in one or more of the foundation’s communities.
- Review Cycle
- The published 2026–2027 schedule lists Community Enrichment applications as due September 11, 2026; that deadline has passed. It lists Nashoba Valley Community Health as due November 20, 2026, Environmental Preservation & Animal Welfare as due March 12, 2027, and Organizational Development as due May 4, 2027. A separate program listing gives March 13, 2027, as the Environmental Preservation & Animal Welfare deadline. The schedule lists Community Momentum Micro Grants as rolling, with notification within 15 days of submission.
- Deadline
- The published 2026–2027 schedule lists Community Enrichment applications as due September 11, 2026; that deadline has…
- Contact
Mailing address: 649 John Fitch Highway, Fitchburg, MA 01420
Phone: (978) 345-8383
Website: https://cfncm.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
12 open opportunities from Community Foundation of North Central MA
Captain Christopher Sullivan Scholarship Fund Grant
Community Foundation of North Central MA
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Community Enrichment Grant
Community Foundation of North Central MA
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Community Health Grant (Nashoba Valley)
Community Foundation of North Central MA
Amount
US $5,000 - US $20,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who Community Foundation of North Central MA funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Boys & Girls Club of Fitchburg Leominster and Gardner ($897K). Together the top 10 received $2.6M.
Organizations only. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($5,320), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
524 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 442 grants of 524 (84%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation serves 33 communities in North Central Massachusetts, including Fitchburg, Gardner, Leominster, Athol, Ayer, Clinton, Groton, Orange, and Winchendon. Grants are intended to support activities benefiting residents of the region. In its 2025 filing, 88% of grant dollars went to recipients in Massachusetts.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 115 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Community Foundation of North Central MA open to new grantees?
35%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 40 of 114 grantees (35%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $25K; repeat grants $50K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $18K repeat.
- 46% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+10%). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2021–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $4.1M (2021) to $6.1M (2023). In 2025 it made 115 grants totaling $4.7M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Boys & Girls Club of Fitchburg Leominster and Gardner Leominster, MA | Youth Development | $897,348 |
| Mount Wachusett Community College Foundation Inc Gardner, MA | Education | $303,354 |
| North Star Family Services Inc Leominster, MA | Social Services | $254,748 |
| The Frank Healey Jr Scholarship Foundation Jacksonville, FL | Education | $227,424 |
| Protect Our Winters Boulder, CO | Environmental | $200,000 |
| United Way of North Central Massachusetts Fitchburg, MA | Social Services | $193,902 |
| St Bernard's High School Fitchburg, MA | Education | $164,000 |
| Growing Places Garden Project Inc Leominster, MA | Pandemic Related | $122,257 |
| Doyle Field Donation Account Leominster, MA | Youth Development | $113,090 |
| Fitchburg State University Foundation Fitchburg, MA | Education | $109,869 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $95,321,703 | $14,947,483 | $6,291,044 | $4,713,751 | 115 | $3,661,200 |
| 2024 | $79,629,282 | $9,751,867 | $6,083,844 | $4,283,450 | 123 | $4,289,347 |
| 2023 | $72,231,436 | $8,936,344 | $8,035,240 | $6,109,119 | 98 | $2,819,574 |
| 2022 | $67,231,130 | $10,261,158 | $5,379,093 | $4,303,023 | 103 | $4,691,185 |
| 2021 | $77,242,037 | $7,968,789 | $6,712,720 | $4,063,676 | 85 | $2,353,762 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s stated mission is to help North Central Massachusetts communities thrive through philanthropy. It describes its work as providing donors with an informed platform for philanthropy, conducting grantmaking informed by measurable results, and leveraging resources to attract partner funders.
Its grant programs support tax-exempt nonprofits and municipalities, including organizations using a nonprofit fiscal sponsor. Focus areas include environmental preservation and animal welfare, education and career readiness, community enrichment, organizational development, community health, and racial equity.
Examples among the 2025 grantees illustrate the kinds of work supported. The Boys & Girls Club of Fitchburg, Leominster and Gardner describes its mission as helping young people, especially those from disadvantaged circumstances, realize their potential. Mount Wachusett Community College Foundation says it secures resources to support accessible, affordable education and college initiatives. North Star Family Services describes its work as providing stable housing, services, and advocacy for families in need. Growing Places Garden Project says it works to expand equitable access to healthy food and environmental sustainability in North Central Massachusetts.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation reported 115 grants totaling $4,713,751. The grants ranged from $5,229 to $897,348, with a median of $15,000. Separately, the foundation’s grant FAQs say its awards generally range from $2,000 to $10,000 and that its average grant size for FY2024–2025 was approximately $8,000.
Among the largest 2025 grants were $897,348 to Boys & Girls Club of Fitchburg, Leominster and Gardner for youth development; $303,354 to Mount Wachusett Community College Foundation for education; $254,748 to North Star Family Services for social services; $227,424 to The Frank Healey Jr Scholarship Foundation for education; and $200,000 to Protect Our Winters for environmental work. Other large awards included $193,902 to United Way of North Central Massachusetts for social services and $164,000 to St. Bernard’s High School for education.
Grant opportunities are competitive and are offered through program-specific applications. Eligible applicants may apply to more than one program, but may submit only one application per program. The foundation allows applications from organizations with fiscal sponsors. Proposals are expected to explain community impact and documented need, set measurable goals, provide a project budget, and describe how outcomes will be measured. The foundation does not fund projects that do not directly benefit its service area, multi-year grants, loans, capital campaigns, attempts to influence legislation, individuals, or for-profit organizations.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists William Aubuchon IV as chair, Leslie Garrison as vice-chair, and Steven Stone as treasurer. Trustees listed include Miggie Velez, Kimberly Ansin, Attorney John Barrett, Jay Drake, Achla Bahl Madan, David McKeehan, and Allen Rome.
Community Foundation of North Central MA is led by Stephen J. Adams, President on every filing since 2021; 2 of 19 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Stephen J. Adams
President
On filings since 2021
37.5 hrs/week
$148K (2021) → $189K (2025)
William Aubuchon IV
Chair
Clerk → Vice Chair, 2022
Vice Chair → Chair, 2025
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Erin Thomason
Director of Philanthropy
On filings since 2024
37.5 hrs/week
$107K (2024) → $107K (2025)
Achla Bahl Madan
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Allen Rome
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Attorney John Barrett
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
David McKeehan
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Georgana Cochran
Trustee
Chairman → Trustee, 2024
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jay Drake
Trustee
Vice Chair → Chair, 2022
Chair → Trustee, 2025
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kimberly Ansin
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Miggie Velez
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Thomas Bagley III
Trustee
Trustee → Vice President, 2024
Vice President → Trustee, 2025
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Alice Von Loescke
Trustee
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Janet Chambers
Trustee
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mary Dean
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Philip Richards
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ben Urquhart
Clerk
Trustee → Clerk, 2025
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Leslie Garrison
Vice Chair
Trustee → Clerk, 2022
Clerk → Vice Chair, 2025
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Steven Stone
Treasurer
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (10)
- Former: Attorney Henri Sans (2021–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Gary Shepherd (2021–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Lucy Crocker Abisalih (2021–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Achlabahl Madan (2022–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Albert Stone (2021–2023) — Trustee
- Former: David Huhtala (2021–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Ronald Ansin (2021–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Tina Griffin (2021–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Ted Lapres (2021–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Attorney Richard Cella (2021) — Trustee
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $189K, to Stephen J Adams (President). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Community Foundation of North Central MA
How much does Community Foundation of North Central MA give each year?
Community Foundation of North Central MA gave $4.7M across 115 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $4.3M across 123 grants.
What is Community Foundation of North Central MA's typical grant size?
Community Foundation of North Central MA's median grant in 2025 was $15,000, and its average grant was $40,989, across 115 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Community Foundation of North Central MA that year got $25K on average.
Where does Community Foundation of North Central MA give grants?
Community Foundation of North Central MA gives mostly in Massachusetts: 88% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Fitchburg, MA (16 grants), Gardner, MA (10 grants), Leominster, MA (9 grants) and Worcester, MA (9 grants).
Does Community Foundation of North Central MA give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 115 grants with a stated purpose on Community Foundation of North Central MA's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Social Services" (21 grants), "Arts & Culture" (18 grants) and "Education" (17 grants).
Who are Community Foundation of North Central MA's largest grantees?
Community Foundation of North Central MA's largest 2025 grantees include Boys & Girls Club of Fitchburg Leominster and Gardner ($897,348), Mount Wachusett Community College Foundation Inc ($303,354) and North Star Family Services Inc ($254,748), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($5,320), which are not listed by name. Together they received 31% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Community Foundation of North Central MA?
Community Foundation of North Central MA reported $95.3M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $14.9M.
What does Community Foundation of North Central MA fund?
The foundation’s stated mission is to help North Central Massachusetts communities thrive through philanthropy. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Community Foundation of North Central MA?
Apply through the online application link provided on a grant opportunity page when that program is open. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Community Foundation of North Central MA's EIN?
Community Foundation of North Central MA's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 04-3537449. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS October 11, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 14, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 9, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 14, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS October 29, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2025
Live grants for the work Community Foundation of North Central MA funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Community Foundation of North Central MA's focus areas in our free grants database
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Funders that support many of the same organizations
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Reliant Foundation Inc
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Community Foundation of North Central MA funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 22, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/community-foundation-of-north-central-ma-morg_5b3acf481c2d46aca2ee3a856722af53
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_043537449_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Community Foundation of North Central MA funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/community-foundation-of-north-central-ma-morg_5b3acf481c2d46aca2ee3a856722af53},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-22. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Community Foundation of North Central MA's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
Community Foundation of North Central MA down — hundreds of funders to go?