St. Vincent de Paul Society of Woburn awarded $100,000 Cummings grant

St. Vincent de Paul Society of Woburn awarded $100,000 Cummings grant

Woburn nonprofit receives 4 years of funding from Cummings Foundation

Woburn, June 17, 2022 – The Society of St. Vincent de Paul of Woburn is one of 140 local nonprofits to receive grants of $100,000 to $500,000 each through Cummings Foundation’s $25 Million Grant Program. The Woburn-based organization was chosen from a total of 580 applicants during a competitive review process. It will receive $100,000 over 4 years.

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul of Woburn seeks to walk with and assist the people of Woburn experiencing crisis or poverty. We strive to help those in need while treating them with respect, joy and love as we work toward a more just and compassionate society.

“Knowing that we are going to be able to fulfill more our community’s needs really brings joy to our hearts.” Niki Jamiesion, St Vincent de Paul Volunteer

The Cumming’s Foundation generous grant will keep our food pantry stocked and allow us to focus on more of the particular needs of the families who come to us.

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.”

With the help of about 90 volunteers, the Foundation first identified 140 organizations to receive grants of at least $100,000 each. Among the winners were first-time recipients as well as nonprofits that had previously received Cummings Foundation grants. Forty of this latter group of repeat recipients were then selected to have their grants elevated to 10-year awards ranging from $200,000 to $500,000 each.

“Our volunteers bring diverse backgrounds and perspectives, which is so critical to our grant selection process,” said Vyriotes. “Through this democratized approach to philanthropy, they decide more than half the grants every year.”

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 at www.CummingsFoundation.org.

Cummings Foundation has now awarded more than $375 million to greater Boston nonprofits.

About St. Vincent de Paul Society of Woburn

The St. Vincent de Paul Society of Woburn is part of the international Catholic lay organization offering assistance to individuals and families experiencing financial hardship. We assist people regardless of what, if any, religious affiliation they may have. We interact with other community resource organizations in an effort to help clients manage their way out of their current financial need.

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul of Woburn seeks to walk with and assist the people of Woburn experiencing crisis or poverty. We strive to help those in need while treating them with respect, joy and love as we work toward a more just and compassionate society. Inspired by Gospel values, Vincentians create relationships with those we serve regardless of religion, ethnic or social background. The Society of St. Vincent de Paul, founded in 1833, is a worldwide organization serving neighbors in need. We are a local Conference of SVdP, under the Archdiocese of Boston and the National Council of the United States, Society of St. Vincent de Paul. Visit http:svdpusa.org for more information on our national organization.

About Cummings Foundation

Woburn-based Cummings Foundation, Inc. was established in 1986 by Joyce and Bill Cummings and has grown to be one of the largest private foundations in New England. The Foundation directly operates its own charitable subsidiaries, including New Horizons retirement communities, in Marlborough and Woburn, and Cummings Health Sciences, LLC. Additional information is available at www.CummingsFoundation.org.

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Photos: Bob and Olga receiving the grant from Cummings Foundation