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Greater Lawrence Community Fund

The Greater Lawrence Community Fund provides support for nonprofit organizations providing essential needs to four communities in the Greater Lawrence community of Massachusetts.

 

Grant Guidelines

funding priorities

The Greater Lawrence Community Fund (GLCF) directs support to basic needs in four communities in Greater Lawrence: Lawrence, Methuen, Andover and North Andover with a focus on the city of Lawrence. These needs include food security, clothing, shelter and education. Shelter is defined as affordable housing or shelter programs, but not actual construction projects. As of 2024, Education is focused specifically on adult literacy. The GLCF Grants Committee looks favorably on collaborative projects.

eligibility

Organizations that received a GLCF grant in the previous year are asked to take one year off before applying for additional funding.

Only nonprofit organizations recognized as tax exempt or those with fiscal sponsorship under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code are eligible for consideration.

ECCF is committed to non-discrimination. We support organizations that use all reasonable efforts to recruit, hire, train, promote and serve persons without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, age, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law, except where such status is a bona fide qualification for the service being provided and is related to the organization’s mission.

Generally, GLCF grants are not awarded:

  • To individuals
  • To state or local government agencies including public schools
  • For political purposes
  • For debt or deficit reduction
  • To replace public funding, or for purposes which are generally a public sector responsibility
  • To support academic research
  • For travel outside the region
  • To organizations headquartered outside of Essex County, unless they have a physical presence in the Merrimack Valley.
  • For summer programs that are already supported by the Greater Lawrence Summer Fund.
selection criteria

When reviewing proposals, the GLCF Grants Committee considers:

  • Programs that meet a documented need, are well-planned and include evaluation procedures.
  • Organizations that have the capacity to support the proposed project and have a sound financial plan.
  • Projects that offer the most significant impact for the contribution dollar.
  • The project’s potential impact on the participants.
  • The needs of the target population.
  • Potential for continuation or impact beyond the grant period.

Proposals should demonstrate how the requested funds will be used directly in the program itself or in the building of the organization’s capacity.

Usually, grants are made for specific programs or activities with objectives that can be assessed within a one-year grant period. General operating support is sometimes provided to small organizations (e.g. under $500,000 annual operating budget).

The Committee may request a site visit during their review period (Oct-Nov) to gather additional information or learn more about a new program or organization.

One organization may be awarded from among the final grantees to receive the Patricia F. Karl Innovation Award in recognition of a creative approach to the need(s) addressed by their proposal. If selected, this grantee will be awarded a 1-year grant for the full $10,000 and the recognition of receiving the Patricia F. Karl Innovation Award.

Please contact Corinne Lippie, Senior Program Officer, with any questions about the GLCF guidelines.

application procedure

Proposals must be submitted through ECCF’s Application Portal.

If you do not yet have a login for our application Portal, please read our Grant Application Process page which will give you access to the Portal.

review process

ECCF staff, together with the GLCF Grant Review Committee, will review all proposals to the Fund. We will notify grant recipients by the end of December 2024.

An ECCF staff person or member of the Committee may contact applicants for additional information about a proposal or to arrange a site visit during the review process. 

reporting requirements

Grant recipients must submit a final report at the end of the grant period. 

Grantees will be emailed information and a link to the final report form or may access the form through the Application Portal after it has been assigned.

APPLICATION PORTAL

APPLICATION DEADLINE

October 1

GRANTS AWARDED BY

December 31

GRANT RANGE

$5,000 – $10,000 (1 year grant)

GEOGRAPHIC LIMITATIONS

In 2017, it was decided that the GLCF would focus on the Greater Lawrence area to include the communities of Lawrence, Methuen, North Andover and Andover with a focus on Lawrence.

FINAL REPORT FORMS

Final reports should be submitted through the Application Portal.

nonprofits & grants

get in touch

Carol Lavoie Schuster

Vice President of Community Engagement
(978) 777-8876 x133
c.lavoieschuster@eccf.org

 

how can we help?

We would love to hear from you.

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  1. 175 Andover Street, Suite 101
    Danvers, Massachusetts 01923