Greater Worcester Community Foundation
Greater Worcester Community Foundation is a public charity and community foundation based in Worcester, Massachusetts. Founded in 1975, it serves as central Massachusetts' leading community foundation, employing its expertise and resources to address the region's most urgent needs. The organization works in partnership with donors to build and manage charitable funds while distributing grants to nonprofits and community organizations.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$227.4M
+10.3% YoY
Annual Giving
$7.3M
-5.6% YoY
Grant Count
225
+1.4% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$32K
-6.9% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The Foundation's mission centers on enhancing the community as a whole through partnership with donors. Primary funding areas include:
- Education
- Human Services
- Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking
- Arts and Culture
- Community Leadership and Nonprofit Development
Grantmaking
The Foundation offers a range of competitive grant cycles annually, with typical award sizes ranging from $5,100 to $659,126. Grant programs include:
Review Cycle
annually, with typical award sizes ranging from $5,100 to $659,126. Grant programs include:
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation primarily serves Worcester County, Massachusetts, with some funding extending to Killingly, Connecticut and South Carolina.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
- Assets: $200–$227 million endowment (figures vary by reporting year)
- Total Revenues: $2.7–$20.3 million (varies by year)
- Annual Grants Awarded: Over $167 million historically
- Named Funds: More than 600
- Employees: 15
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $227,398,849 | $206,196,649 | $175,495,578 |
| Revenue | $14,849,500 | $13,729,219 | $20,277,510 |
| Expenses | $12,810,296 | $12,954,464 | $11,792,882 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $7,553,729 | $2,268,584 | $4,639,894 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
250 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
16 open opportunities from Greater Worcester Community Foundation
Becker Scholarship Program
GREATER WORCESTER COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
City of Worcester Cultural Festival Grant Program
GREATER WORCESTER COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
Amount
Up to US $10,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Community Grant: Operating Support
GREATER WORCESTER COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
Amount
Up to US $50,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Ecotarium (worcester Natural History Society) ($545,611), Church on the Hill Ucc ($132,500), Abby's House ($114,765).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 19 CARTER BERLIN, MA | ARTS, CULTURE & HUMANITIES | $9,500 |
| 2GETHER WE EAT WORCESTER, MA | FOOD, AGRICULTURE & NUTRITION | $12,500 |
| 508 FOREVER YOUNG INC SOUTHBRIDGE, MA | YOUTH DEVELOPMENT | $10,000 |
| ABBY'S HOUSE WORCESTER, MA | HOUSING & SHELTER | $114,765 |
| AFRICAN COMMUNITY EDUCATION PROGRAM (ACE) WORCESTER, MA | EDUCATION | $31,000 |
| AIDS PROJECT WORCESTER WORCESTER, MA | HEALTH CARE | $10,410 |
| ALL SAINTS EPISCOPAL CHURCH WORCESTER, MA | RELIGION-RELATED | $23,896 |
| AMERICAN ANTIQUARIAN SOCIETY WORCESTER, MA | ARTS, CULTURE & HUMANITIES | $30,446 |
| ANSAAR OF WORCESTER WEST BOYLSTON, MA | HUMAN SERVICES | $27,500 |
| ART IN THE PARK WORCESTER WORCESTER, MA | ARTS, CULTURE & HUMANITIES | $10,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Kelly Stimson, Vice President, Philanthropic Services
- Kimberly Salmon, Member Board of Directors
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| THOMAS J BARTHOLOMEW | CHAIR | 2 | — |
| SATYA B MITRA | CHAIR ELECT | 2 | — |
| MARIA A HESKES-ALLARD | TREASURER | 2 | — |
| JOYCELYN AUGUSTUS | CLERK | 2 | — |
| JENNIFER DAVIS CAREY | DIRECTOR (UNTIL 6/2024) | 1 | — |
| MICHAEL ANGELINI | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| LINDA CAMMUSO | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| CHRISTOPHER W MCCARTHY | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| SONIA PAULINO | DIRECTOR (UNTIL 6/2024) | 1 | — |
| KIMBERLY M SALMON | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| ERIC TORKORNOO | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| CHE ANDERSON | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| GERMAN CHIRIBOGA | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| RONALD WADDELL | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| VALERIE ZOLEZZI-WYNDHAM | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| NAOMI SLEEPER | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| ANN TRIPP | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| DENNIS F KERRIGAN | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| MARYBETH CAMPBELL | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| KOLA AKINDELE | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| CHRISTINE CASSIDY | DIRECTOR (AS OF 6/2024) | 1 | — |
| LISA MCDONOUGH | DIRECTOR (AS OF 6/2024) | 1 | — |
| PETER DUNN | PRESIDENT & CEO | 37.5 | $298,665 |
| JONATHAN COHEN | VICE PRESIDENT COMMUNITY IMPACT | 37.5 | $134,375 |
| KELLY STIMSON | VP PHILANTHROPY | 37.5 | $141,990 |
| SANDRA FLYNN | VP OF FINANCE & ADMIN (AS OF 4/2024) | 37.5 | $110,489 |
| DIANE ALLAIN | VP OF FINANCE & ADMIN (UNTIL 4/2024) | 37.5 | $53,486 |
| MELODY MACLEAN | DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS | 37.5 | $114,537 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
**Arts and Culture Initiative:** The Foundation announced $2.25 million in new funding to strengthen local arts and culture across Worcester County, distributed in 2025 and 2026. This funding comes from individual donors, federal funds allocated in partnership with the City of Worcester, and the Barr Foundation. The initiative builds on the Creative Worcester County program launched in 2017 as part of the Creative Commonwealth Initiative.
Greater Worcester Community Foundation Awards $500,000 In Matching Grants**Recent Grant Awards:**
$500,000 in first grants from the Esler Family Foundation Inspiring Generosity Match Fund to 38 local nonprofits
Announcing $500000 in First Grants from the Esler Family ...$2.13 million in community grants to 170 nonprofits across Worcester County
Greater Worcester Community Foundation Awards $500,000 In Matching Grants$1.17 million in project grants to local nonprofits
GWCF Awards $2.13 Million in Community Grants to 170 Nonprofits\u2026Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Greater Worcester Community Foundation fund?
The Foundation's mission centers on enhancing the community as a whole through partnership with donors. Primary funding areas include: • Education • Human Services • Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking • Arts and Culture • Community Leadership and Nonprofit Development
How do I apply for a grant from Greater Worcester Community Foundation?
The Foundation offers a range of competitive grant cycles annually, with typical award sizes ranging from $5,100 to $659,126. Grant programs include: **Active Grant Programs:** • Community Grant: Operating Support Grant ($10,000–$100,000) • Community Grant Program: Project Support • Nonprofit Effectiveness Grant Program (formerly Mini-Grant Program) • Mergers and Shared Services Fund (ongoing) • Friends of Learning in Killingly (FOLK) Fund • Youth for Community Improvement Fund ($10,000–$100,00…
Where does Greater Worcester Community Foundation make grants?
The Foundation primarily serves Worcester County, Massachusetts, with some funding extending to Killingly, Connecticut and South Carolina.
What size grants does Greater Worcester Community Foundation award?
In 2024, Greater Worcester Community Foundation awarded 225 grants totaling $7.3M — an average of about $32K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Greater Worcester Community Foundation's EIN?
Greater Worcester Community Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 04-2572276. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Greater Worcester Community Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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