Cummings Foundation distributes $100,000 grants to 100 non-profits with their $100K for 100 program

100 greater Boston nonprofits have been selected to receive grants of $100,000 each through Cummings Foundation's new $100K for 100 program. These charities were chosen from about 370 applicants during a competitive review process by the foundation. More than 250 people, including staff and board members from nearly all 100 recipient organizations, gathered at the Foundation's first annual Grantee Reception on June 19 at TradeCenter 128. The elated attendees accepted their official award letters, posed for photos with Foundation representatives, networked with their peers, and celebrated the $10 million infusion of funding into greater Boston's nonprofit sector. All of the selected charities serve local communities, with 50% of the grants being awarded in Middlesex County, 30% in Suffolk (including Dorchester, Jamaica Plain, and Roxbury), and 20% in Essex County. Joel Swets, the foundation's executive director, noted that the narrow geographic priority area reflects a desire to give back in the areas where the grant funds were derived. Swets said, "As the primary beneficiary of commercial real estate firm Cummings Properties, the Foundation is very committed to the 10 communities in which the firm manages buildings, as well as the hometowns of its 350 staff members. We are delighted to support these very worthy organizations in their admirable efforts to improve our local communities." The diverse group of grant recipients represents a wide variety of causes, including underserved populations, education, healthcare, homelessness, and social justice. Many of the grants will be paid over two to five years. A full list of grantee organizations along with brief descriptions of the projects funded is available at www.cummingsfoundation.org/oneworldboston/grant_recipients.htm.