GLCF Opens Discretionary Grants Cycle on March 18

The Greater Lowell Community Foundation (GLCF) is pleased to announce that its 2025 Discretionary Grants Cycle will open on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, offering funding opportunities to improve the quality of life for residents in its 21-community service area. GLCF’s Discretionary Grants Program supports nonprofit organizations serving the communities of Acton, Ashby, Ayer, Bedford, Billerica, Burlington, Carlisle, Chelmsford, Concord, Dracut, Dunstable, Groton, Littleton, Lowell, Pepperell, Shirley, Tewksbury, Townsend, Tyngsboro, Westford, and Wilmington.

This year, GLCF has adopted Philanthropy MA’s Common Grant Application, streamlining the application process for nonprofits. “GLCF is committed to strengthening our nonprofit community through strategic grantmaking that addresses critical needs in Greater Lowell,” said Jay Linnehan, President and CEO, Greater Lowell Community Foundation. “By adopting Philanthropy MA’s Common Grant Application, we are making the process more accessible and efficient for our nonprofit partners, allowing them to focus more on their missions and less on paperwork. We encourage organizations to explore these funding opportunities and collaborate in ways that enhance services for our community.”

Strategic Grant Categories

Funding in the 2025 Discretionary Grants Cycle will focus on three key areas:

• Leclair Elder Services
• Children’s Services
• LGBTQ+ Services

Key Application Considerations:

• To encourage collaboration, a nonprofit may apply as a lead applicant in one category and serve as a partner on other grant proposals.
• Agencies with multiple service locations should submit one application that encompasses all sites.
• Grant requests of up to $10,000 will be considered.

Application Information

Nonprofits interested in applying can review the grant guidelines at: www.glcfoundation.org/for-nonprofits/grants/. Grant proposals are due by 12:00 p.m. on Friday, April 11, 2025.

For more information, please visit www.glcfoundation.org or contact grants@glcfoundation.org.

About Greater Lowell Community Foundation

Established in 1997, the Greater Lowell Community Foundation (GLCF) is a philanthropic organization comprised of more than 450 funds dedicated to improving the quality of life in 21 neighboring cities and towns. With financial assets of nearly $70 million, GLCF annually awards grants and scholarships to hundreds of worthy nonprofits and students. It is powered by the winning combination of donor-directed giving, personal attention from Foundation staff, and an in-depth understanding of local needs. The generosity of our donors has enabled the Community Foundation to award more than $40 million to the Greater Lowell community.

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