In calendar 2011, The Parker Foundation awarded a total of $978,519 in grants in fields of interest including the arts, education, community and economic development, and human services, all for the benefit of Lowell, Massachusetts, the fourth largest city in Massachusetts.

In the arts, the Foundation followed up on a 2010 grant to the Lowell National Historical Park for a major exhibition commemorating the 200th anniversary of the birth of Charles Dickens. Dickens visited the new city of Lowell in 1841 and reported, in a special chapter of his American Notes, on the high value placed on the arts by the Lowell “factory girls,” who enjoyed music-making, subscribed to lending libraries, and contributed to the Lowell Offering, a local literary publication. Continue Reading »

Several interesting themes emerged in the grantmaking of Boston’s Herman and Frieda Miller Foundation as it looked back at its support of civic engagement in the Boston area during 2011.

Contrary to the often heard complaint that nonprofit organizations do not collaborate effectively, sixty percent of the grants awarded supported formal city or statewide coalitions, networks, or associations.

In addition, most of the grants awarded to individual community-based organizations supported long-term organizing campaigns working in concert with many other partners. Continue Reading »

EVENTS OF NOTE

Feburary 29, 2012

The Association of Small Foundations invites Boston-area grantmakers to join “A Conversation on Philanthropic Impact: Why Every Foundation Can and Should Have Impact” on Wednesday February 29 from 12 to 2pm at GMA Foundation’s Boston office.

Amy Segal Shorey of GMA Foundations and Sheila Leddy of the Fledgling Fund will moderate a discussion on the ways that small foundations can achieve impact with their giving.

What does that involve? How much effort does it take and will it be worth it? Continue Reading »