LOWELL — Project LEARN was selected as one of two Lowell organizations, and one of 30 local nonprofits, to share in $10 million in funding from Cummings Foundation. The Lowell-based organization will receive $300,000 over 10 years.
Project LEARN works hand-in-hand with the Lowell Public Schools to fund innovative programs that inspire today’s students and equip them with the skills, knowledge and mindset they need for college, career and life.
“This 10-year award will be instrumental to bring out-of-school STEAM learning to 4,000 Lowell youth, and prepare them for the jobs of the future,” said LZ Nunn, executive director of Project LEARN. “With Cummings’ investment, we will partner with Lowell Public Schools to expand virtual and in-person programming to inspire young people to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and health fields — and provide skills and tools to propel learning.”
Through the support of the Cummings Foundation, Project LEARN will provide hands-on STEAM learning and programming to middle and high school students, over 10 years, direct access to IDEA Camp, a three-week summer series for hands-on STEAM learning, and support out-of-school programs for year-round engagement, including:
- IDEA Camp instructor stipends, cohort of Lowell Public Schools teachers.
- Supplies to support workshops like coding, robotics, How to Fly a Drone, Crime Science, Theater Kids, Mindy Body Wellness, architecture and more.
- Provide internship opportunity for 12 Lowell High students.
- Local career speakers to share their professional experiences and career pathway with students.
“Greater Boston is so fortunate to have nonprofits like Project LEARN that are listening to the community and working to meet its needs,” said Cummings Foundation grants manager Christina Berthelsen. “By providing a full decade of support, we hope to alleviate some of the constant fundraising burden, enabling nonprofit staff to spend more time actually providing services.”
This long-term funding is part of the Cummings $20 Million Grant Program, which supports Massachusetts nonprofits that are based in and primarily serve Middlesex, Essex and Suffolk counties.
In the first phase of this philanthropic initiative, 130 nonprofits were awarded $100,000 each in June. In the second phase, just completed, repeat grant winners were considered to have their $100,000 grants elevated to 10-years awards of $200,000 to $500,000 each.
Nonprofits contending for the extended funding made presentations via Zoom to a panel of Cummings Foundation volunteers. These community volunteers selected 19 of the 30 grant winners. The other 11 recipients had been determined in June by Foundation team members.
“As a way to share the economic power of the Foundation, we have created a system through which volunteers decide more than half of all our grant winners,” Berthelsen said. “We benefit from their diverse backgrounds and perspectives; they benefit from an enlightening learning opportunity; and the nonprofits often benefit from increased exposure and new advocates.”
Through the Cummings $20 Million Grant Program, Cummings Foundation gives back in the area where it owns commercial buildings, all of which are managed, at no cost to the Foundation, by its affiliate, Cummings Properties. Founded in 1970 by Bill Cummings, the Woburn-based commercial real estate firm leases and manages 10 million square feet of debt-free space, the majority of which exclusively benefits the Foundation.
Cummings Foundation has now awarded more than $280 million to greater Boston nonprofits alone. It increased its annual grant program from $20 million to $25 million during the current 2021 cycle. The process is already underway.
Article submitted by Project LEARN.
