ACT awarded $100,000 Cummings grant
Andover Community Trust (ACT) is one of 140 local nonprofits across 45 different Massachusetts towns to receive grants through Cummings Foundation’s $25 Million Grant Program. The Andover-based organization was chosen from a total of 580 applicants during a competitive review process. It will receive $25,000 a year over 4 years.
For over 30 years, ACT has advocated for and developed homes that families can afford in the Andover community. Through building houses, monitoring affordable homes, and managing programs that support rental, mortgage and down payment assistance, ACT’s work focuses on preserving housing affordability over the long term and welcoming families to a strong, thriving community.
“We are exceedingly grateful to the Cummings Foundation for its investment in new affordable home building projects, an investment in the education of over 100 students a year from the Greater Lawrence Technical School’s construction trades, and a longer term investment in the diversity of Andover's population,” shared Denise Johnson, ACT’s executive director. “With strong support of affordable housing we are helping many families who work in Andover be able to live in Andover, send their children to Andover schools, and take advantage of the benefits of the thriving community that is Andover.”
The Cummings $25 Million Grant Program supports Massachusetts nonprofits that are based in and primarily serve Middlesex, Essex, and Suffolk counties. Through this place-based initiative, Cummings Foundation aims to give back in the areas where it owns commercial property. Its buildings are all managed, at no cost to the Foundation, by its affiliate, Cummings Properties. This Woburn-based commercial real estate firm leases and manages 11 million square feet of debt-free space, the majority of which exclusively benefits the Foundation.
“We are so fortunate in greater Boston to have such effective nonprofits, plus a wealth of talented, dedicated professionals and volunteers to run them,” said Cummings Foundation executive director Joyce Vyriotes. “We are indebted to them for the work they do each day to provide for basic needs, break down barriers to education and health resources, and work toward a more equitable society.”
This year’s grant recipients represent a wide variety of causes, including food insecurity, immigrant and refugee services, social justice, education, and mental health services. The nonprofits are spread across 45 different cities and towns.
The complete list of 140 grant winners, plus more than 900 previous recipients, is available on the Cummings Foundation website. The Cummings Foundation has now awarded more than $375 million to greater Boston nonprofits.
